Flashpoint Testing of Diesel, Biodiesel & Ethanol
The flashpoint test of a fuel is the temperature at which the vapour given off will ignite when an external flame is applied under standardised conditions. It is defined to minimise fire risk during normal storage and handling.
The minimum flash point test for fuel in the machinery space of a merchant ship is 60°C, which is governed by international legislation. Fuels used for emergency purposes - external to the machinery space - must have a flashpoint test of greater than 43°C.
The normal maximum storage temperature of a fuel is 10°C below the flashpoint test, unless special arrangements are otherwise made. Even when residual fuels are at a temperature below their measured flashpoint test they are capable of producing light hydrocarbons.
The flashpoint test of biodiesel is used to detect contamination from low flashpoint methanol.
Click to read the article on flashpoint
Kittiwake Products
- Flashpoint Tester - an easy to use instrument that can complete a flash/no-flash test in less than two minutes, or determine the flash point of a sample within a temperature range of 0 to 300°C in typically eight minutes.
