The Fuel Oil Compatibility Tester is an effective way to make sure fuel deliveries are stable and compatible. The tester is used to assess if fuel is at risk from asphaltene sludge formation. It also provides a quick and easy tool for understanding fuel compatibility necessary to mix or blend residual fuel oil.
It is more important than ever to test the quality of fuel as new challenges from bio-fuel content arise. These drop-in fuels are hydrocarbons with molecular structures that are indistinguishable from petroleum hydrocarbons – or residual and distillate fuel oils and are bunkered as conventional fuels.
Mixing these fuels has a high risk of precipitating asphaltenes – which will result in sludge. Therefore, is recommended to have different tanks for different types of fuel and to avoid mixing until it has been shown the fuels are compatible with each other. Also consider that these fuels change with time – likeable to perishable foodstuff – and it is more important than ever to analyse periodically and at point of use.
Based on ASTM D-4740 method, a sample of fuel can be tested for stability, or two fuels tested for compatibility. The tester heats oils to enable easy mixing; there are 2 tubes for unmixed fuel and a tube where the sample is mixed at the ratio they will be combined. A drop of fuel is put on a test paper which is placed in a special holder inside the tester at 100 °C. After 20 minutes, test papers are removed, and the spot formed on each paper is visually compared to a reference chart.
The Compatibility Tester automatically controls the internal temperature and has a resettable timer to help make the test as easy and simple as possible.
Features and Benefits
• Compact unit in carry case is stored with ease and completely portable
• Does not require reagents or complicated procedure
• Minimal operator attendance allows other tasks to be done simultaneously
• Timely results allow rapid targeted action
Parker’s range of bunker drip sampling and storage products are designed to get a representative sample for testing.
In addition to compatibility, it is important to understand the density and viscosity of fuels, which also provides further reassurance that if the fuels to be mixed are close to each other, then they are most likely compatible. See the recommended products section at the bottom of the page for more details.
The Fuel Oil Compatibility Tester is available in its own carry case or included with a suite of tests in the Oil Test Centre for complete testing of fuels and lubricants.
