Outsourcing ISO 17025 Verification for ASTM D93 Flash Point Analysis

When reporting on distillation, results need to be verified in order to be compliant with ASTM D93. Compliance offers traceable and comparable results.

ELS (Belgium) specialise in high precision ISO 17025 verification and save lab operators time and money by making any necessary adjustments to instrumentation when tested which means better precision and higher profits in production environments where blending can be followed more accurately.

ASTM D93 standards are the test methods that cover the determination of the flash point of petroleum products in the temperature range from 40 to 360°C. These test methods describe apparatus, sample handling, preparation of the apparatus, calibration and standardisation, the test procedure and levels of precision. This means that Lab operators require knowledge of sample treatment, test procedure, reporting and interpretation of the test result.

However, specialised automatic equipment is needed to ensure that the specific requirements of the ASTM D93 standards are met. This means that lab operators face capital costs as well as additional staff training costs to ensure the skilled operation of specialised test and calibration equipment. Therefore it is mandatory to determine the parameters which have to be verified for ASTM D93 Flash Point determination.

According to ASTM D93, Section 10.2 a thermometer or temperature probe should be verified to be in accordance with section 6.3 of the method. Verification consists of calibration of the sensor in calibration baths, ELS supply a certificate of calibration with corrections for the sensor and if programming corrections are made verification of the of the analyser’s readout results before and after adjustment are recorded on the test certificate.

When redressing heat rate and stirrer speed - ASTM D93 Sections 11, 12 & 13 stipulate that the sample shall be heated following a fixed heat rate and the stirrer speed, depending on the chosen method (A, B or C). Verification of the heat rate consists of running a Flash Point test according to ASTM D93 (A, B or C), recording temperature as measured by the analyser and record the time measured with a calibrated chronometer. Whilst verification of the Stirrer Speed consists of starting the stirrer with the method required stirrer speed and measuring the stirrers actual speed by using a calibrated tachometer and comparing it to the Flash Point Testers setting and/or readout. Again ELS’ results are recorded on the test certificate

ASTM D93 Section 6.5 stipulates that the barometric reading should have an accuracy of +/-0,5 KPa. Verification requires a comparing the barometric reading with a reading from a calibrated precision reference barometer. ELS will do this, record the pressure readings, adjust the barometer where if necessary, perform a further test after the adjustment and record the new results on the test certificate.

In the case of Flash Point results, ASTM D93 Section 10.3 stipulates that calibration of the instrument shall be verified by means of a Certified Reference Material (CRM). Verification consists of running a Flash Point test according to ASTM D93 method A. The results of the flash point temperature test are compared with the tables given in ASTM D93. ELS record these results on the test certificate.

ELS offers years of experience and know how in assisting labs throughout Europe conform to ASTM and other industry standards. By outsourcing the testing and calibration of specialised instrumentation to ELS, customers have been able to carry out their laboratory analysis efficiently and cost effectively whilst leaving concerns of compliance to the experts.