ASTM D3240-91(2001)

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An American National Standard
Designation:D3240–91(Reapproved 2001)
Standard Test Method for
Undissolved Water In Aviation Turbine Fuels
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 3240; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope 5. Apparatus
1.1 Thistestmethodcoversthemeasurementofundissolved 5.1 Test Pad Rater—A device for comparing the fluores-
water in aviation turbine fuels in flowing fuel streams without cence of the test pad to a known standard, while both are
exposing the fuel sample to the atmosphere or to a sample illuminated by the same source of UV light, shall be used. The
container. The usual range of test readings covers from 1 to 60 amount of UV light striking the standard shall be modulated
ppm of free water. This test method does not detect water until the total fluorescence of the test pad and the standard are
dissolved in the fuel, and thus test results for comparable fuel equal; this shall be determined using a photocellbridge circuit
streams can vary with fuel temperature and the degree of water null indicator. The light modulating device for controlling the
solubility in the fuel. UV light striking the standard shall provide a direct reading in
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the parts per million by volume of free water.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 5.2 Test Pads—Absorbent filter disks of 25-mm diameter
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- shall be coated on one side with uranine (sodium fluorescein)
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- dye at a concentration of 0.23 to 0.29 mg per 25 mm pad. The
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. test pads shall be individually packaged in hermetically sealed
envelopes or other suitable containers. Fresh, unused test pads
2. Terminology
shall have an orange color over the dyed surface. Any
2.1 Definition of a Term Specific to This Standard:
discoloration, unevenness in dye content, or faded (to a yellow
2.1.1 free water—water not dissolved in the fuel. color) appearance shall be cause for rejection.
5.3 Test Pad Holder and Sampling Line—Atestpadholder
3. Summary of Test Method
andsamplinglineshallbeusedtodrawthefuelsamplethrough
3.1 Ameasured sample of fuel is passed through as uranine
the test pad at a rate of 600 to 800 mL/min. Means shall be
dye-treated filter pad. Undissolved (free) water in the fuel will
provided to flush the test pad sampling line and holder
react with the uranine dye. When the pad is subsequently
immediately prior to use. The test pad holder shall include an
illuminated by ultra violet (UV) light, the dye previously
orifice of 1-mm (0.040-in.) diameter upstream of the pad to
contacted by free water will fluoresce a bright yellow with the
disperse water droplets in the fuel.
brightness increasing for increasing amounts of free water in
5.4 Tweezers—Suitable clean, dry tweezers shall be used at
the fuel.The UVlight-illuminated pad is compared to a known
all times when handling the test pad.
standardusingaphotocellcomparator,andthefreewaterinthe
5.5 Blotting Paper—Clean, dry, absorbent paper towels,
fuel sample is read out in parts per million by volume. By
blotters, etc., shall be provided for blotting the test pad prior to
varying the fuel sample size, the range of the test method can
rating to remove excess fuel. The blotterpaper shall neither
be increased.
impart color or stain nor leave any residue on the test pads.
5.6 Sampling Valve Connection, designed to meet the fol-
4. Significance and Use
lowing requirements: (1) It shall be mounted in the sampling
4.1 Undissolved (free) water in aviation fuel can encourage
the growth of microorganisms and subsequent corrosion in the
The Aqua-Glo Series II instrument manufactured by Gammon Technical
tanks of aircraft and can also lead to icing of filters in the fuel
Products, Inc., P.O. Box 400, Manasquan, NJ 08736-0400 was used in the precision
system. Control of free water is exercised in ground fueling
test program. The unit is currently available in a Series III configuration which is
equipment by use of filter-coalescers and water separators. changed only in the power supply.All water content measuring components remain
of the same configuration as the Series II instrument. Manufacturers who wish to
offer similar products are referred to Committee D02 Equipment Replacement
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on Guidelines.
Petroleum Products and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee Aqua-Glo test pads used in the Precision Test Program are available from
D02.J0 on Aviation Fuels. Gammon Technical Products Inc., P.O. Box 400, Manasquan, NJ 08736-0400.
Current edition approved May 15, 1991. Published July 1991. Originally Atest pad holder used in the PrecisionTest Program is available from Gammon
published as D 3240–73T. Last previous edition D 3240–86a. Technical Products Inc., P.O. Box 400, Manasquan, NJ 08736-0400.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D3240–91 (2001)
point and must incorporate a self-sealing quick action coupling playinthelever.Ifthereadingobtaineddoesnotagreewiththe
designed to mate with a suitable connection leading to the calibration pad rating, adjust the photocell comparator by
selector valve of the sampling assembly. (2) It must be
removing the plug screw on the side of the photocell compara-
completely resistant to fuel and be leak proof up to the tor at the 45° bend. Insert a small screwdriver, and adjust as
maximum working pressures to be encountered. (3) It must
necessary. Repeat the above procedure until the rating obtained
have a minimum of internal recesses which could cause the
agrees with the calibration pad rating. The instrument should
holdup of contaminant. (4) It must be provided with a dust cap.
be calibrated prior to use each day, after each hour of use, and
5.7 Calibrating Standard, Calibration of the instrument
when the ultra violet light battery is replaced or recharged.
should be performed using a calibrating standard of known
values.
8. Rating Procedure
8.1 Remove the test pad from the sampling holder using
6. Sampling
tweezers and press between dry paper blotters or absorbent
6.1 The following procedure is applicable for dynamic line
towels to remove excess fuel. To blot, press firmly (about 5 lb
samples only; that is, taking the fuel sample directly from the
force) 3 or 4 times with heel of hand, moving the pad with
test system and through the test pad without exposing the
tweezers each time.
sample to the atmosphere or to a sample container. The use of
8.1.1 For maximum accuracy the test pad should be read
sample containers such as bottles or cans for the temporary
within 3 min after sampling is initiated. If the test pad is not
storage of the sample will result in large errors and is not
read immediately after sampling, it must be placed in a
recommended.
desiccator to prevent moisture pickup from the air. However,
NOTE 1—The amount of free water in a sample is very sensitive to the
ratings made on dried test pads, that is, not damp with fuel,
temp
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