Abstract:

The quality testing of liquid fuels principally aims at ascertaining to what extent the fuel is suitable in order to ensure the reduction of environmental pollution, the sound operation of the combustion machine and the highest work output through its use. Qualitative fuel testing is expressed by a series of natural, chemical properties or other parameters, whose values are determined by the specific specifications these fuels should meet. The proposed methods of analysis are based on the general directions set by ASTM (American Society for Testing Materials) testing process as well as I.P. (Institute of Petroleum).
The hereby paper proposes the operation of a laboratory regarding the qualitative testing of liquid fuels within the educational process in scientific institutions. Laboratory testing is made on a series of DIESEL, JP-8,JP-4, petrol samples, based on a methodology which combines the educational character of a laboratory with the determined specifications of fuel properties as these are proposed by the ASTM testing process and it leads to the certification of their appropriateness.
Specific laboratory exercises for the analysis of fuel properties are presented, which concern the determination of water, solids, filtering time, flow point, ignition point, measurement of specific gravity, density, caloforic value, distillation, determination of anti-icing rate and measurement of viscocity. Each laboratory exercise presents a spreadsheet whose completion leads to the indication of appropriateness of the particular fuel property, while through a test of opinion questions the comprehension of the chemical and natural parameters of the fuel properties is ensured. Upon the completion of all exercises, the appropriateness or not of the examined sample can be adjudicated, combining the laboratory values with the international specifications.
The purpose of the particular methodology proposed is to notify the necessity to use clean fuels for the people, to understand the importance of fuel qualitative testing prior to their use, to understand the properties of fuels and which of these are owed to their chemical constitution such as volatility, specific gravity…., and which are owed to additives such as anti-icing, solids…
Finally, with the final indication of the appropriateness of the sample and the isolation of contaminated fuels a moral scientific conscience in the way of thinking and judging is ensured.
At the same time, what is presented is the possibility to certify the laboratory so that it can be connected to the production process while a reference is made to the safety rules of its operation.

References:
1. Technical books of American Society for Testing of Material , ASTM, (1988 & 2000)
2. Nelson, W.L. Petroleum Refinery Engineering, Mc Graw-Hill, (1985)