Flashpoint
The flash point 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 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 flash point of greater than 43°C.
The normal maximum storage temperature of a fuel is 10°C below the flash point, unless special arrangements are otherwise made. Even when residual fuels are at a temperature below their measured flash point they are capable of producing light hydrocarbons.
The flashpoint 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.
