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Standby generators require at a minimum an annual maintenance including oil, coolant, and fuel testing to meet NFPA 110 requirements.  Lab One, Inc. has developed an extensive fluids analysis program to aide in preventative maintenance and meet requirements.

Tests Available:

  • Oil testing to meet NFPA 110 or manufacturer requirements.
  • Coolant testing to meet NFPA 110 or manufacturer requirements.
  • Diesel Fuel testing to meet NFPA 110 or manufacturer requirements.

Gone are the days of diesel fuel lasting years with no concern of chemical degradation. With the production of Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) and the introduction of Bio-diesel the stability of the diesel fuel has been lessened significantly.

Traditional fuel testing, such as those recommended in ASTM D975, can no longer predict the long-term serviceability of the fuel.

Recommended Tests for Long Term Storage Fuels:

  1. Field Observation of a Bottom Sample – ASTM D4176 (Standard Test Method for Free Water and Particulate)
  2. ISO Particle Count – ISO 4406:1999 Diesel engine manufacturers require that the fuel be an ISO Rating 18/16/13 or lower before it is used.
  3. Fuel Derived Deposits (FDD) – This is an inhouse method of determining if there are elevated levels of oxidation products, which form varnish-like compounds. These deposits can cause filter blockage as well as stickage throughout the entire fuel system. A system that has high FDD cannot be just drained and refilled. It needs to be thoroughly cleaned to remove any varnish-like residue. If a system is only drained and refilled, the new fuel will degrade even quicker.
  4. FAME % or Bio Diesel % ASTM D7371- Diesel fuel can now contain up to 4.9% Bio Diesel. Bio diesel by nature degrades rapidly forming varnish-like compounds. It has been stated that fuel containing up to 20% Bio Diesel should be used within 90 days of manufacture of the Bio Diesel. Diesel fuels with more than 20% should be used within 45 days of manufacture of the Bio Diesel.
  5. Petrooxy/Oxidation Stability ASTM D7545 – This is now the recommended ASTM test for long term stability testing of the fuel. This test should not be considered a one-time test as it is necessary to trend the results over time. The fuel upon delivery into the system should be tested in order to establish a baseline value of the fuel. Then, a minimum annual test is required to monitor the trend and rate of degradation of the fuel. If a system is determined to be compromised, then semiannual testing should be conducted. A low value does not necessarily require that the fuel be disposed. Fuel upon delivery should be conditioned and routinely reconditioned in order to maintain the stability.

Optional Testing may include the following –

  1. Bacteria test – Test for micro-organisms in the fuel
  2. Bottom Sediment and Water ASTM D2709 – If the laboratory test is required rather than the field observation test ASTM D4176
  3. Sulfur Content ASTM D7039

 

Specialty Equipment used for Industry.

 

  • Emission Spectrometer programmable for either reciprocating or turbine engines.
  • ICP spectrometer for specialty elements.
  • Viscometer for calculating the oil viscosity.
  • Particle counter to determine cleanliness and NAS Class

 

Elements Tested for:  Iron (Fe), Chromium (Cr), Lead (Pb), Copper (Cu), Tin (Sn), Aluminum (Al), Nickel (Ni), Silver (Ag), Silicon (Si), Potassium (K), Sodium (Na), Boron (B), Magnesium (Mg), Calcium (Ca), Barium (Ba), Phosphorus (P), Zinc (Zn), Molybdenum (Mo), Titanium (Ti), Vanadium (V)

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