ASTM D8046-21

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D8046 − 16a D8046 − 21
Standard Guide for
Pumpability of Heat Transfer Fluids
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D8046; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope*
1.1 This guide covers general information, without specific limits, for selecting and evaluating pumpability characteristics of heat
transfer fluids at both low and high temperature. This guide is a compendium of information and does not recommend a specific
course of action. This guide provides additional information on pumpability topics found in companion guides for evaluating heat
transfer fluids, Guides D5372 and D7665.
1.2 Pumpability of heat transfer fluids is dependent on both fluid properties and the design of the fluid handling system that stores
and transports the fluid, and therefore presents a number of pumping options. This guide is considered particularly useful for
identifying pumpability options. The listing of test standards and guides is not all-inclusive and additional standards and guides
may be useful.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard.
1.3.1 Exception—Other units are provided for information only.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Users of heat transfer fluids should be especially mindful of potential fire and
explosion hazards.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D92 Test Method for Flash and Fire Points by Cleveland Open Cup Tester
D93 Test Methods for Flash Point by Pensky-Martens Closed Cup Tester
D97 Test Method for Pour Point of Petroleum Products
D445 Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent and Opaque Liquids (and Calculation of Dynamic Viscosity)
D891 Test Methods for Specific Gravity, Apparent, of Liquid Industrial Chemicals
D2161 Practice for Conversion of Kinematic Viscosity to Saybolt Universal Viscosity or to Saybolt Furol Viscosity
D2270 Practice for Calculating Viscosity Index from Kinematic Viscosity at 40 °C and 100 °C
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
D02.L0.06 on Non-Lubricating Process Fluids.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2016Dec. 1, 2021. Published October 2016January 2022. Originally approved in 2016. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as
D8046 – 16.D8046 – 16a. DOI: 10.1520/D8046-16A.10.1520/D8046-21.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D8046 − 21
D2879 Test Method for Vapor Pressure-Temperature Relationship and Initial Decomposition Temperature of Liquids by
Isoteniscope
D2887 Test Method for Boiling Range Distribution of Petroleum Fractions by Gas Chromatography
D2983 Test Method for Low-Temperature Viscosity of Automatic Transmission Fluids, Hydraulic Fluids, and Lubricants using
a Rotational Viscometer
D4052 Test Method for Density, Relative Density, and API Gravity of Liquids by Digital Density Meter
D4175 Terminology Relating to Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants
D5372 Guide for Evaluation of Hydrocarbon Heat Transfer Fluids
D6304 Test Method for Determination of Water in Petroleum Products, Lubricating Oils, and Additives by Coulometric Karl
Fischer Titration
D7042 Test Method for Dynamic Viscosity and Density of Liquids by Stabinger Viscometer (and the Calculation of Kinematic
Viscosity)
D7665 Guide for Evaluation of Biodegradable Heat Transfer Fluids
E794 Test Method for Melting And Crystallization Temperatures By Thermal Analysis
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this guide, refer to Terminology D4175.
3.1.2 cavitation, n—a process of dropping the local liquid pressure below its vapor pressure due to flow phenomenon and is
characterized by the formation of vapor bubbles within the liquid.
3.1.2.1 Discussion—
Implosion of vapor bubbles on pump components can cause eroding of surfaces, which may lead to decreased pumping
performance and mechanical failures.
3.1.3 heat transfer fluid, n—a fluid that remains essentially a liquid while transferring heat to or from an apparatus or process,
although this guide does not preclude the evaluation of a heat transfer fluid that may be used in its vapor state.
3.1.3.1 Discussion—
Heat transfer fluids may be hydrocarbon- or petroleum-based such as polyglycols, esters, hydrogenated terphenyls, alkylated
aromatics, diphenyl-oxide/biphenyl blends, mixtures of di- and triaryl-ethers. Small percentages of functional components such as
antioxidants, anti-wear and anti-corrosion agents, TBN, acid scavengers ,and/or dispersants can be present.
3.1.4 pumpability, n—a fluid characteristic related to its ability to deform (shear stress-shear rate relationship) or ability to flow.
3.1.4.1 Discussion—
There is no specific value associated with pumpability, although as a practical matter, the term is associated with the ability of
pumps to flow a fluid at a specific temperature. Some producers of heat transfer fluids provide the temperature at which the fluid
attains a specific viscosity value that may be associated with pumping limits. For example, it is common to find temperature values
2 2
of heat transfer fluids for viscosities of 300 cSt (300 mm /s) and 2000 cSt (2000 mm /s). The pump design and its installation will
determine the viscosity limit for pumpability of a heat transfer fluid.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 Pumpability of heat transfer fluids depends upon the configuration of the system in use, pumps and their installation, and the
physical properties of the fluids being transported. The fluid’s ability to pump efficiently is key to the economy of the system
operation and heat transfer fluid life. The test methods listed in Section 5 may be considered as guides for determining the
pumpability of heat transfer fluids under specific operating conditions. Information gained from use of this guide will aid in the
selection of pumping equipment and its installation.
5. Relevant Tests for Characterization of Fluid Pumpability
5.1 Flash Point, open cup or closed cup (Test Method D92, D93)—This test method will detect low flash ends which are one cause
of cavitation during pumping. In closed systems, especially when fluids are exposed to temperatures of 225 °C (approximately
400 °F) or higher, the formation of volatile hydrocarbons by breakdown of the fluid may require venting through a pressure relief
system to prevent dangerous pressure build-up.
5.2 Pour Point (Test Method D97)—The pour point may be used as an approximate guide to what is known as the “borderline
D8046 − 21
pumpability temperature,” or bpt, and is a general indication of the lowest temperature a fluid can be pumped. If a heat transfer
system is subjected to low temperatures when not in use, a heat trace system should be employed to warm the fluid above minimum
pumping temperature before start-up.
5.3 Crystallization Temper
...