ASTM International recently reinstated a key test method that helps determine how much water is in various petroleum products (D6304, "Standard Test Method for Determination of Water in Petroleum Products, Lubricating Oils and Additives by Coulometric Karl Fischer Titration").
Knowing the water content in these products enables manufacturers and buyers to predict their quality and performance characteristics while also helping prevent premature corrosion and wear.
The standard was reinstated at a meeting in Bellevue, Washington, as part of the biannual "committee week" for ASTM Committee D02 on petroleum products, liquid fuels and lubricants.
Future revisions of the standard will be undertaken by Subcommittee D02.06 on the analysis of liquid fuels and lubricants. Revisions could include clarifying the required amount of primary standard (i.e., water), updating and improving specifications in the water evaporator procedure, and harmonizing the standard with other widely used Karl Fischer standards that determine water in crude oil.
The need for the reinstatement of this specification was due to the recent withdrawal of the standard in accordance with ASTM International's "Regulations Governing ASTM Technical Committees" (section 10.6.3), which require that standards be updated no later than eight years after the last approval date.
For more information, visit www.astm.org.