IP 388: Petroleum products - Determination of the oxidation stability of middle-distillate fuels

Overview:

This International Standard describes a procedure for the measurement of inherent stability of middle-distillate petroleum fuels under accelerated oxidizing conditions. It is not applicable to fuels containing residual components, or any significant component from a non-petroleum source.

The method provides a basis for the estimation of the storage stability, under the conditions of this test, of middle-distillate fuels with an initial boiling point above approximately 175 °C and a 90% (V/V) recovery point below 370 °C.

The method may not provide a prediction of the quantity of insolubles that will form in field storage over any given period of time. The amount of such insolubles is subject to the specific conditions, which are too variable for this test method to predict accurately.

NOTE 1 Oxidation is a chemical process causing adherent and filterable insolubles to form. Any substance such as copper or chromium that catalyses oxidation reactions will cause greater quantities of insolubles to form.