Description
The Jet Fuel Thermal Oxidation Test is universally used by the industry to measure high temperature stability of aviation turbine fuels. The ASTM D3241 is required to be run on every batch of Jet Fuel produced according to ASTM D1655 or DEF STAN 91-91 specifications. In this test method the fuel is pumped through heater tube at fixed flow rate and during a specified period of time. The fuel is pass or fail rated according to the amount of deposit formed on the heater tube at specified temperature. Traditionally the amount of deposit on the tube is rated visually by the operator against reference color scale. The proper rating requires significant experience and expertise. But operator capabilities vary, so evaluation of color can be quite subjective.
A new instrumental method of quantitative measurement of tube deposits has been developed by AD Systems, in which the thickness of the deposit is accurately determined by an automatic instrument, reducing test subjectivity.
The innovative DR10 instrument uses interferometry technique for precise measurement of deposit thickness in nanometers range.
This stand alone compact instrument can be easy installed at any location ideal for workflow.
The operation is based on a powerful light source, a spectrometer with a fiber optic probe and specially designed application software.
The DR10 use is simple and straightforward. The heater tube is prepared according to ASTM D3241 test procedure and is then placed in the test chamber of the DR10.
Using intuitive graphical interface with touch screen panel, the operator enters sample informations and start a tube scan.
Specific light is emitted on the surface of the heater tube. The reflected light is collected and the interference created by the deposit is monitored by the spectrometer. The built-in software analyzes the interference fringes and calculates the deposit thickness.
The mechanical system displaces the optical probe and rotates the heater tube taking precise thickness measurements at 1,200 points along and around its surface.
The detailed test report is ready in less than 15 minutes.
