Tests of petroleum products and working fluids

Viscosity is one of the basic parameters quantifying the quality of a lubricating oil; its value changes during usage as a result of – among other factors – oil degradation, wear of functional additives within the oil or the presence of contamination. Designated on the basis of viscosity, the viscosity index is one of the important parameters of oil classification, describing the temperature dependency of the oil’s viscosity. In the case of diesel fuel, the viscosity influences the degree of fuel atomisation and the quality of its combustion, as well as the fuel’s lubricating properties.

Equipment

• Herzog HVM 472 – Multirange Viscometer
• Cannon Mini AV-X – Single-bath Viscometer

Standards

• PN-EN ISO 3104
• ASTM D445
• ISO 2909
• ASTM D2270

Potentiometric titration methods allowing the determination of the so-called total acid number (TAN) and total base number (TBN) provide information on an oil’s ability to neutralise acidic products of degradation or combustion – and thus on the oil’s usefulness for further use.

Equipment

• Mitsubishi GT200
• Aquamax TAN
• Mettler-Toledo G20
• Mettler-Tolledo T50

Standards

• ASTM D4739 (TBN)
• ASTM D664 (TAN)
• PN ISO 3771 (TBN)
• PN-C-04049 (TAN i TBN)

Tests of fuel content in engine oils are important in order to identify potential faults in the engine. Such tests are realised mainly via the gas chromatography method, however, usage of the infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) method is also possible.

Equipment

• Agilent 7820A gas chromatograph with flame ionization detector (FID)
• Thermo Nicolet 6700 FTIR spectrometer

Standards

• ASTM D3524
• ASTM D3525
• DIN 51380
• DIN 51454
• ASTM E2412

The presence of soot significantly affects the properties of engine oils, causing – among other effects – increases in viscosity. Soot content is one of the key parameters determined during tests of used engine oils from compression ignition engines.

Equipment

• Thermo Scientific Nicolet 6700 FTIR spectrometer

Standards

• DIN 51452
• ASTM E2412
• ASTM D7844

Engine oil in contact with exhaust gas degrades. Determination of the degree of nitration and oxidation in used engine oils allows the oil’s condition to be monitored.

Equipment

• Thermo Scientific Nicolet 6700 FTIR spectrometer

Standards

• ASTM E2412
• ASTM D7414
• ASTM D7624

The presence of glycol in engine oil indicates leaks in the engine cooling system. It is one of the parameters frequently tested for used engine oils. Testing according to BOSMAL’s method consists of glycol extraction to the aqueous phase from the engine oil sample, followed by determination of the glycol content (% m/m) via the chromatographic method.

In the picture: Agilent 7820A gas chromatograph

Glycol content can also be determined via the infrared spectroscopy method (FTIR).

Equipment

• Agilent 7820A gas chromatograph with flame ionization detector (FID)
• Thermo Nicolet 6700 FTIR spectrometer

Standards

• Tests are conducted according to in-house testing instructions and, among others, the ASTM E2412 norm.

Precise determination of the flash-point of petroleum products, biodiesel, paints and varnishes in the range of 40 to 200°C.
The flash-point describes a product’s tendency to create a flammable mixture with air. This quality is important from the substance transport point of view and allows its classification. In the case of engine oils tests, it can also indicate the potential for oil dilution by fuel to occur.

Equipment

• OptiFlash Pensky Martens; Pensky-Martens flash-point determination automatic apparatus

Standards

• PN-EN ISO 2719
• ASTM D93

A lubricating oil’s dropping point (temperature) is the lowest temperature at which the lubricating oil starts to take the liquid form.

Equipment

• Dropping point temperature determination apparatus

Standards

• PN-C-04139

Lubricating oil penetration is a basic parameter used in the evaluation and classification of lubricating oils.

Equipment

• Tuninetto penetration testing apparatus

Standards

• PN ISO 2137

Determination of free organic base and acid content is conducted via the titration method.

Standards

• PN-C-04152

Saponification number determination is conducted via the potentiometric titration method.

Equipment

• Mitsubishi GT200 automatic titrator

Standards

• PN ISO 6293-2

Density is one of the basic fuel quality parameters, allowing different types of fuels to be differentiated.

Standards

• PN-EN ISO 3675

Fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) are the basic biocomponent of diesel. Determination of FAME content is conducted using the infrared spectroscopy method.

Equipment

• Thermo Scieintific Nicolet 6700 FTIR Spectrometer

Standards

• PN-EN 14078

Distillation characteristics is one of the basic parameters for classifying fuels. Low-boiling fractions influence engine startability. Medium-boiling fractions influence the viscosity and density of the fuel, as well as the quality of engine running, while high-boiling fractions influence exhaust emissions and the formation of carbonaceous deposits.

Equipment

• OptiDist automatic fractional composition determination apparatus

Standards

• PN-EN ISO 3405

This parameter characterises a fuel’s propensity to form viscous/sticky deposits on fuel system elements. Resin determination is based on fuel evaporation in an air stream (jet).

Equipment

• resin in fuel determination apparatus

Standards

• PN-EN ISO 6246

The production process, storage and usage of working fluids and petroleum products can cause the presence of unneutralised substances of acidic or basic nature. The pH level is tested in an aqueous sample after acid and base extraction with distilled water, or directly.

Equipment

• pH meter
• Mitsubishi GT200 automatic titrator

Standards

• PN-C-04064 (engine fuels)
• PN-C-40008-04 (cooling fluids)
• PN-C-40005 p.5.6 (brake fluids)

A copper strip corrosion test delivers information on the presence of undesirable compounds in fuels, which can cause corrosion of the fuel delivery system and engine elements. During the test, a copper plate which has been in contact with the fuel for a designated time and at a designated temperature is subjected to visual evaluation.

Standards

• PN-EN ISO 2160

The colour of the tested product often identifies the product and can indicate its origin.

Standards

• PN-C-40005 p.5.2 (brake fluids)
• others

Determination of the boiling point of working fluids provides information on their concentration or the presence of water.

Equipment

• Tuninneto boiling point determination apparatus

Standards

• PN-C-40008-03 (coolant fluids)
• PN-C-40005 p.5.3 (brake fluids)
• others.

This test consists of a determination of the change in boiling temperature of brake fluid caused by long-term exposure to elevated temperature

Equipment

• Tuninneto boiling point determination apparatus

Standards

• PN-C-40005 p.5.7

The mass lost after evaporation of volatile brake fluid components at 100ºC is determined.

Standards

• PN-C-40005 p.5.10

Residue after combustion is one of the parameters allowing the determination of the presence of harmful contaminants in petroleum products and working fluids.

Standards

• PN-C-40008-02