ISO 9120:1997/Amd 1:2019

Overview

ISO 9120:1997/Amd 1:2019 is an important amendment to the international standard for petroleum and related products, specifically addressing the determination of air-release properties of steam turbine oils and other similar oils using the Impinger method. Developed by ISO Technical Committee ISO/TC 28, this document updates and refines the procedures and reagent specifications used in testing air-release characteristics, which are critical in assessing lubricants for steam turbines and hydraulic systems. Accurate measurement of air-release properties ensures optimal oil performance, minimizes operational issues, and prolongs equipment life.

Key Topics

• Impinger Method for Air-Release Testing
  The standard describes the Impinger method as a reliable technique for measuring the air-release tendency of oils used in steam turbines and hydraulic applications. This method helps in evaluating how quickly entrained air can escape from the oil, thereby reducing the risk of cavitation, foaming, or hydraulic instability.

• Updated Reagent Specifications
  Amendment 1 revises the list of permissible reagents to include those conforming to ISO 6353-2 and ISO 6353-3 standards for chemical analysis. It emphasizes using analytical reagent-grade chemicals and water meeting ISO 3696 grade 3 specifications to ensure consistency and accuracy.

• Cleaning Solution Recommendations
  The amendment replaces prior cleaning solutions with strongly oxidizing, non-chromium-containing agents, such as NOCHROMIX® and MICRO-90®. These cleaning solutions are effective yet help avoid chromium disposal issues and maintain lab safety. The document provides important safety warnings about the corrosive nature of these alternatives and their suitability in the cleaning process.

• Reference and Bibliography Updates
  Normative references have been updated including manual sampling of petroleum liquids (ISO 3170) and lubricant classification (ISO 6743-4). It additionally incorporates the ISO 4259 series on the precision of measurement methods and results, highlighting the standard’s emphasis on measurement accuracy and repeatability.

Applications

• Steam Turbine Oils
  Ensuring steam turbine oils have low air-release times is crucial. Entrained air can degrade lubricating properties, lead to oxidation, and cause mechanical faults. This standard guides manufacturers and testing labs in reliably determining these characteristics to verify product quality.

• Hydraulic Systems Maintenance
  Hydraulic oils tested under this standard ensure rapid air release which is vital for hydraulic system stability and reliability. Fast air release reduces the likelihood of cavitation damage to pumps and valves, improving operational safety and efficiency.

• Quality Control of Petroleum Products
  Refiners and lubricant producers use this standard to conduct quality assurance testing that supports compliance with industry regulations and customer specifications related to air-release performance.

• Laboratory Method Standardization
  Testing laboratories benefit from harmonized procedures and cleaning protocols specified in ISO 9120 to maintain test accuracy and reproducibility worldwide.

Related Standards

• ISO 3170 – Specifies manual sampling methods for petroleum liquids to ensure representative sample collection before air-release testing.
• ISO 3696 – Defines water quality grades for analytical laboratory use, critical for reagent preparation and test consistency.
• ISO 6353 Series – Details reagent specifications for chemical analysis, ensuring chemical purity during testing.
• ISO 6743-4 – Categorizes lubricants including oils used in hydraulic systems, providing classification relevant to product testing.
• ISO 4259 Series – Covers precision of measurement methods and results in petroleum testing, supporting statistical reliability of air-release tests.

This amendment of ISO 9120 plays a vital role in maintaining the reliability and safety of petroleum-based oils, particularly in steam turbine and hydraulic applications, by standardizing the testing method to evaluate air-release properties. Professionals in lubricant manufacturing, laboratory testing, and equipment maintenance will find implementation crucial for ensuring product performance and operational excellence.