Particle counting fuel samples

We are doing that for a customer. We install a sample port just before the delivery line. Samples were taked according the schedule and sended inmediatlly to the internal lab.
After a deareation and agitation process a particle count is performed.

If you need more information, please feel free to contact me.

We use an off-line particle counter (PAMAS) to measure the dirtiness/cleanliness of the diesel. It gives the results in ISO code in terms of no. and size ( 4 microns and above to 70 microns and above) of particles in the sample. For example ISO 15/12 can be considered as a clean fuel. In case you need any more information please let me know.


Kind regards,


Debasish Mukherjee- -SOS Lab

Dear Debasis,
Can you let us know the PAMAS model you are using for the offline diesel particle counting. Have you face any problem in using this. is it having a laser senser and built in printer too.

Thanks In advance for your kind reply.

Regards
sanjay

Hi Sanjay,

Monitoring the cleanliness level of diesel fuel is not feasible by normal particle counting methods and a gravimetric method (mass/mass %) is, as a rule, specified by most OEMs and fuel suppliers.

Some test methods for the determination of diesel cleanliness specified by reputable bodies, note that all refer to mass/mass % or mass/volume, hence gravimetric.
Source: European CEN (EN 590)
Test name: Particulate
Number: DIN 51419
Max. Spec. (m/m): 27 ppm (24 mg/L)

Source: MTU / CAT
Test name: Total contamination
Number: DIN 51419
Max. Spec. (m/m): 24 ppm

Source: US Federal (VV-F-800C)
Test name: Particulate contamination
Number: ASTMD2276 / IP 415
Max. Spec. (m/m): 12 ppm (10 mg/L)

Gravimetric methods are specified to measure sediment (particulates) in diesel. A known volume of fuel, normally approximatelly one liter (as specified by ASTM D6217) is filtered through a pre-weighed test membrane filter (0.8 micron) and the increase in the membrane filter mass is determined after washing and drying. The change in the mass of the control membrane filter, located immediately below the test filter, is also determined. The particulate content is determined from the increase in mass of the test membrane filter relative to the control membrane filter. The result is reported in mg/L, which can be converted to mg/kg or ppm by dividing by the density.

This will more than likely be the method of choice followed by the fuel supplier (or commercial testing authorities) for quality control purposes. Fuel supply companies will almost never supply you with an ISO cleanliness rating as the perception it that it is neither technically equivalent to nor is it in alignment with OEM requirements for diesel cleanliness.

I hope it helps.

Stefan

I understand your point with regard to ISO codes not bieng the best method to measure the cleanliness of diesel fuel, but the mining community are very well educated on this type of code system to determine the cleanliness of the oils on site, and as a result tend to also use this system to determine the cleanliness of the fuel on site. My question would be is there any type of crossreference chart which would compare the two different methods.

I use the same method as DEBASISH for checking the cleanliness of diesel samples.
The PAMAS portable unit is called a PAMAS S40 and this has an inbulit thermal printer. I use the Lab particle counter from PAMAS to do my samples for the same reason D Manning suggested, the ISO results are instantly recognisable by most of us.

I have just noticed on the Donaldson website they mention a target cleanliness of ISO 14/13/11 for clean diesel fuel.