AD Systems DR10 – ITR Heater Tube Deposit Rater

ITR Tube Deposit Rater Instrument (Thermal Oxidation Stability of Aviation Turbine Fuels) 

Aviation Turbine Fuel
ASTM D3241, ASTM D1655, ASTM D7566, ISO 6249, Def Stan 91-91 

Thermal Oxidation Stability of Aviation Turbine Fuels, ASTM D3241 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 a specified temperature. Traditionally, the amount of deposit on the tube is rated visually against a reference color scale. The proper rating requires significant experience and expertise. However, operator capabilities vary, so evaluation of color can be quite subjective. 

Many articles have been published on the fact that color does not provide real information on the thickness and volume of deposits, parameters which are far more meaningful for characterizing jet fuels for users and suppliers. The aviation fuel industry found that one of the most crucial stages of this test method is an objective analysis of deposit produced on the heater tube.