Diesel Testing & Certification
We can perform all of the tests required for the ASTM D975 specification for low sulfur (LSD) and ultralow sulfur (ULSD) No. 1 and No. 2 diesel fuel.
No. 1 diesel fuel flows more easily than No. 2 diesel fuel and is preferred for use at lower temperatures, such as in the winter in the US Midwest. However, No. 2 diesel fuel is less volatile than No. 1 diesel, and is much more commonly used. Diesel fuel is used in many types of engines and vehicles, and has many different applications. Most diesel sold in the US is a blend of diesel and biodiesel. Blend rates of 5% biodiesel (B5) are common, with blends up to B20 available in some locations.
Diesel has much better storage stability properties compared with gasoline. Nevertheless, the fuel can undergo important changes during storage that can compromise the fuel system. Water is commonly found in diesel storage tanks, especially those that are exposed to large temperature variation, such as outside storage tanks. The tanks must “breathe” to allow for the fuel to expand and contract with changes in temperature. This allows moist air to enter the tank, where it condenses and the water falls to the bottom of the tank. Over time, a significant amount of water can accumulate in this fashion, which promotes corrosion and microbial activity. Diesel fuel systems can be contaminated with fungus and bacteria, which if undetected and treated can cause corrosion, plug fuel filters and damage fuel pumps and injectors. Diesel can also oxidize after extended storage, which leads to the formation of fine particulate matter in the fuel that plugs fuel filters and damages fuel pumps and injectors.
Diesel fuel is certified before being sold by refineries. Pipelines routinely perform quality oversight checks. Diesel storage for mission-critical applications, such as backup generators and fire suppression systems at nuclear power plants, hospitals and data centers, are checked frequently to ensure that the fuel will be suitable for use when needed. Fuel distributors and consumers rely on the refiners and pipelines to deliver high-quality fuel, but still need testing when problems, such as contamination or unexpected fuel system damage, are identified.
We perform diesel fuel testing for refineries, pipelines, nuclear power plants, fuel distributors, gas stations, truck and heavy equipment fleet owners, diesel engine repair shops, hospitals (for emergency generators and fire pumps), data centers, insurance companies, and individual vehicle owners. We customize the tests performed to your specific requirements.
Contact us today for a free quote.
The following is a list of the diesel-related tests that we perform. For additional information about the test method, click on the method number.
- ASTM D86 - Distillation
- ASTM D93 - Flash Point
- ASTM D130 - Corrosion Copper Strip
- ASTM D240 - BTU Heat of Combustion
- ASTM D3828 - Flash Point
- ASTM D445 - Kinematic Viscosity
- ASTM D4530 - Micro Carbon Residue (MCRT)
- ASTM D482 - Ash Content
- ASTM D2500 - Cloud Point
- ASTM D2622 - Sulfur by XRF
- ASTM D2709 - Water & Sediment
- ASTM D2887 - Boiling Range Distribution by GC
- ASTM D4052 - Density & API Gravity
- ASTM D4294 - Sulfur by XRF
- ASTM D4629 - Total Nitrogen
- ASTM D4737 - Calculated Cetane Index (requires D86 & D4052 or D1298)
- ASTM D5291 - Carbon, Hydrogen & Nitrogen
- ASTM D5453 - Sulfur Content
- ASTM D5773 - Cloud Point
- ASTM D5949 - Automated Pour Point
- ASTM D6079 - HFRR Lubricity
- ASTM D6217 - Particulate Contamination
- ASTM D7371 - Biodiesel Content by FTIR
- ASTM D7687 - Microbial Growth Contamination Test
- APL 007 - Microbial Growth in Fuel
- ASTM D5949 - Pour Point (Automatic Pressure Pulsing Method)
- ASTM D5304 - Diesel Storage Stability by Oxygen Overpressure
To learn more about testing diesel to meet industry standards, click on the specification name below.
