Fuel Presence Test Method improves machine, operations safety.
Press Release Summary:
Helping improve safety and operations of large equipment in such industries as railroads, airlines, and mining, new ASTM standard provides test method to determine amount of fuel present in an in-service lubricant line. Test Method for Fuel Dilution of In-Service Lubricants Using Surface Acoustic Wave Sensing (D8004), as first standard of its kind to guide this approach, will enable those who use it to provide advisories on equipment if it is suspect and take early action.
Original Press Release:
ASTM Test Method Helps Improve Safety, Operations of Machines that Use Fuels and Lubricants
W. CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. – A new ASTM standard provides a test method to determine the amount of fuel present in an in-service lubricant line, helping improve safety and operations of large equipment in industries such as railroads, airlines and mining.
“The amount of fuel dilution in lubricants, hydraulics and other materials is a key machinery health status indicator, as well as a safety measure,” says ASTM member Patrick Henning, chief technology officer, Spectro Scientific Inc. “Fires can and do result from fuel seeping into a hot lubricant line and igniting. Thus, this test method can have significant economic and human impact.”
The test method (D8004, Test Method for Fuel Dilution of In-Service Lubricants Using Surface Acoustic Wave Sensing) marks the first time that a standard exists to guide this approach.
According to Henning, the U.S. Navy’s Ship Systems Engineering Station originally developed the test method. In 1990, in cooperation with industry, the technology was introduced on U.S. Navy vessels. But a standard did not exist describing the method until now.
“Without the standard, organizations that use the equipment may have to resort to using such a test as a secondary method, and may not be able to take final decisive action,” says Henning. “With this new standard, that has changed. It is very exciting for us to know that users around the world can now rely on this method to take decisive action.”
“Those who use the standard will be able to provide advisories on equipment if it is suspect, and to take early action,” says Henning. “This saves money and lives.”
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ASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels and Lubricants Next Meeting: Dec. 6-10, 2015, Austin, Texas
Media Inquiries:
Nathan Osburn
tel +1.610.832.9603
nosburn@astm.org
Technical Contact:
Patrick Henning
Spectro Scientific
Chelmsford, Mass.
tel. +1.978.431.1118
phenning@spectrosci.com
ASTM Staff Contact:
Alyson Fick
tel +1.610.832.9710
afick@astm.org
