Gas Turbine Fuel Oils: Standard Specification For
Gas Turbine Fuel Oils: Standard Specification For
Gas Turbine Fuel Oils: Standard Specification For
Designation: D 2880 – 03
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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D 2880 – 03
Light Hydrocarbons, Motor Fuels and Oils by Ultraviolet ing Grade Nos. 1 and 2 fuels in Specification D 396, and to
Fluorescence4 Grade Nos. 1-D and 2-D in Specification D 975. The viscosity
D 5949 Test Method for Pour Point of Petroleum Products range of Grade Nos. 3-GT and 4-GT fuel brackets the Grade
(Automatic Pressure Pulsing Method)4 Nos. 4, 5, and 6 of Specification D 396 and Grade No. 4-D of
D 5950 Test Method for Pour Point of Petroleum Products Specification D 975. It is the intent that fuels meeting Speci-
(Automatic Tilt Method)4 fication D 396 and D 975 requirements may also be supplied
D 5985 Test Method for Pour Point of Petroleum Products under these specifications provided they meet the requirements
(Rotational Method)4 listed in Table 1.
D 6469 Guide for Microbial Contamination in Fuels and 5.2 Modifications of limiting requirements and the inclusion
Fuel Systems5 of fuel additives to meet special operating conditions may be
D 6728 Test Method for Determination of Contaminants in agreed upon between the interested parties.
Gas Turbine and Diesel Engine Fuel by Rotating Disc 5.3 The properties listed in this specification are those of
Electrode Atomic Emission Spectrometry5 greatest significance in obtaining acceptable performance of
2.2 Other Documents: the turbine. However, trace metals, even in fractional parts per
26 CFR Part 48 Diesel Fuel Excise Tax; Dye Color and million, are detrimental to gas turbine service life. Information
Concentration6 on the maximum concentration of critical metallic elements in
40 CFR Part 80 Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives6 the fuel as it enters the turbine combustor(s) is provided in
Appendix X2. Distillate fuels are usually of satisfactory purity
3. Terminology as refined, but suppliers rarely have control over possible
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard: contamination by trace metals in distribution and storage. The
3.1.1 fuel contaminants—fuel components other than hy- limits in Appendix X2, although required as the fuel enters the
drocarbon oils. In the present context the contaminants are combustor(s), do not apply to the fuel as delivered unless
foreign materials that make the fuel less suitable or even mutually agreed upon by the interested parties. Fuels may,
unsuitable for the intended use. therefore, require on-site clean-up, quality control procedures,
3.1.1.1 Discussion—The contaminants of primary interest special handling, or other arrangements.
are foreign materials introduced subsequent to the manufacture
of specification quality fuel. Hence they are materials intro- 6. Test Methods
duced in the distribution system (that is, storage tanks, pipe- 6.1 The requirements enumerated in this specification shall
lines, tank trucks, barges, etc.) or in the user’s storage and be determined in accordance with the following ASTM meth-
handling system, or generated within these systems (rust ods except as noted:
generated in steel pipes and tanks by moist fuel, and so forth). 6.1.1 Flash Point—Test Methods D 93, except where other
Contaminants may be soluble or insoluble in the fuel. methods are prescribed by law. For all grades, Test Method
3.1.2 fuel entering the combustor(s)—the fuel that is actu- D 3828 may be used as an alternate with the same limits. For
ally burned in the gas turbine. Fuel may be sampled at a point Grades No. 1-GT and No. 2-GT, Test Method D 567 may be
upstream from the point of entry into the combustor(s), used as an alternative with the same limits provided the flash
provided the sample is representative of the fuel actually point is below 93°C and the viscosity is below 5.5 mm2/s at
entering the combustor(s). 40°C. This test method will give slightly lower values. In case
of dispute, Test Method D 93 shall be used as the referee
4. General Requirements method.
4.1 The fuels herein specified shall be homogeneous mix- 6.1.2 Pour Point—Test Method D 97. For all grades, the
tures of hydrocarbon oils free of inorganic acid, and free of automatic Test Methods D 5949, D 5950, or D 5985 can be
excessive amounts of solid or fibrous foreign matter likely to used as alternates with the same limits. In case of dispute, Test
make frequent cleaning of suitable strainers necessary. Method D 97 shall be used as the referee method.
4.2 All grades containing residual components shall remain 6.1.3 Water and Sediment—Test Method D 2709 is used for
homogeneous in normal storage and not separated by gravity Grades 0-GT, 1-GT, and 2-GT. Test Method D 1796 is used for
into light and heavy oil components outside the viscosity limits Grades 3-GT and 4-GT.
for the grade. 6.1.4 Carbon Residue—Test Method D 524.
6.1.5 Ash—Test Method D 482.
5. Detailed Requirements 6.1.6 Distillation—Test Method D 86.
5.1 The various grades of gas turbine fuel oil shall conform 6.1.7 Viscosity—Test Method D 445.
to the limiting requirements shown in Table 1. As noted in the 6.1.8 Density—Test Method D 1298 or D 4052.
supplementary footnotes to Table 1, the requirements for Grade 6.1.9 Sulfur—Test Method D 129, Test Methods D 1552,8
Nos. 1-GT and 2-GT conform in most respects to correspond- D 2622, and D 4294 can also be used for all grades. In
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Other mutually acceptable methods may be used.
4 8
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.03. For information on the precision of the ASTM methods of test for fuel oils refer
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Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.04. to “An Evaluation of Methods for Determination of Sulfur in Fuel Oils” by A. R.
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Available from Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing Crawford and G. V. Dyroff (1969). This document is available from the Publications
Office, Washington, DC 20402. Section, American Petroleum Institute, 1220 L St., N.W., Washington, DC 20005.
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D 2880 – 03
TABLE 1 Detailed Requirements for Gas Turbine Fuel Oils at Time and Place of Custody Transfer to UserA,B
ASTM GradeD
Property Test
MethodC No. 0-GT No. 1-GTE No. 2-GTE No. 3-GT No. 4-GT
F
Flash point D 93 38 (100) 38 (100) 55 (130) 66 (150)
°C (°F) min
Water and sediment D 2709 0.05 0.05 0.05 ... ...
% vol max D 1796 ... ... ... 1.0 1.0
Distillation
Temperature D 86
°C (°F)
90 % volume recovered
min ... ... 282 ... ...
max ... 288 338 ... ...
Kinematic viscosity
2 mm/sG D 445
F
AT 40°C (104°F) min 1.3 1.9 5.5 5.5
max 2.4 4.1 ... ...
AT 100°C (212°F) max ... ... 50.0 50.0
Ramsbottom
Carbon residue D 524 0.15 0.15 0.35 ... ...
on
10 % distillation
Residue
% mass, max
Ash
% mass, max D 482 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.03 ...
Density at D 1298
15°C kg/m3
max ... 850 876 ... ...
addition, Test Method D 1266 can be used for Grades No. 0 to 0.001 %). Test Method D 129 is the referee sulfur test
and No. 1, but only with samples having sulfur contents of 0.4 method for Specification D 2880.
mass percent and less (down to 0.01 %). Test Method D 5453
can be used for Grades 0, 1, and 2 GT oils, but only with 7. Keywords
samples having sulfur contents of 0.8 mass % and less (down 7.1 fuel oils; gas turbine; petroleum and petroleum products
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D 2880 – 03
APPENDIXES
(Nonmandatory Information)
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D 2880 – 03
X1.4.1.6 Distillation—The distillation test shows the vola- used in conjunction with other properties, it is of value in
tility of a fuel and the ease with which it can be vaporized. weight-volume relationships and in calculating the specific
Distillation temperature is not directly significant to operation energy heating value of an oil.
of gas turbines designed for Grades 3-GT and 4-GT. In other X1.4.1.9 Sulfur normally burning to sulfur dioxide, also can
gas turbines that are most susceptible to carbon deposition and be oxidized partially to sulfur trioxide which then can combine
smoke formation, the more volatile fuels may provide better with sodium and potassium compounds from the ash in the fuel
performance. to form sulfates, pyrosulfates, and such compounds as sodium
X1.4.1.7 Viscosity of a fluid is a measure of its resistance to
or potassium iron trisulfate. The pyrosulfates, and the trisul-
flow. In fuel oil it is highly significant since it indicates both the
fates have melting points in the operating range of the gas
relative ease with which the oil will flow or may be pumped,
turbine. Hence, the compounds produce severe corrosion of the
and the ease of atomization by the fuel nozzles. Minimum
viscosity is limited because some fuel pumps will not perform turbine blading. In general, it has been found impractical to
satisfactorily if the viscosity reaches too low a value. Maxi- prevent corrosion by limiting the sulfur content of the fuel, so
mum viscosity is limited since too high a viscosity can cause corrosion of this type is controlled by limiting the sodium and
excessive pressure losses in the piping system, and poor fuel potassium. Gas turbines with waste heat recovery equipment
atomization. may require additional sulfur control to prevent cold-end
X1.4.1.8 Density alone is of little significance as an indica- corrosion.
tion of the burning characteristics of fuel oil. However, when
X2. SIGNIFICANCE OF FUEL CONTAMINANTS AND TRACE METALS IN FUEL SYSTEMS AND IN FUEL ENTERING
TURBINE COMBUSTOR(S)
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D 2880 – 03
the microorganisms, one way of controlling their growth is to become contaminated with sea salt. For gas turbines operating
eliminate the presence of water through tank-stripping opera- at turbine inlet gas temperatures below 650°C (1200°F), the
tions or other separation techniques. Refer to Guide D 6469 for corrosion due to sodium compounds is of minor importance
a more complete discussion. and can be further reduced by silicon-base additives. A
X2.3.4 Particulate solids may shorten the life of fuel system high-sodium content is even beneficial in these turbines be-
components. Life of fuel pumps and of various close-tolerance cause it increases the water-solubility of the deposits and
devices is a function of particulate levels and size distributions thereby increases the ease with which gas turbines can be
in the fuel. High levels of particulates can lead to short cycle water-washed to obtain recovery of the operating performance.
times in the operation of filters, filter/separators, centrifuges, X2.3.7 Calcium is not harmful from a corrosion standpoint;
and electrostatic purifiers. Since such separation devices do not in fact, it serves to inhibit the corrosive action of vanadium.
remove all the particulates, certain quantities will be present in However, calcium can lead to hardbonded deposits that are not
the down-stream fuel. self-spalling when the gas turbine is shut down, and that are not
X2.3.5 Trace metals refer both to those metals present as readily removed by water washing of the turbine. The fuel
metallic compounds in solution and to metals present in washing systems used at some gas turbine installations to
particulates like rust. They are dissolved or suspended either in reduce the sodium and potassium level will also significantly
the fuel hydrocarbons or in free water present in the fuel. The lower the calcium content of fuel oil.
significance of several individual trace metals with respect to X2.3.8 Vanadium can form low melting compounds such as
hot corrosion is discussed in Appendix X1. Although lower vanadium pentoxide that melts at 691°C, and causes severe
levels of trace metals in a fuel will promote longer turbine corrosive attack on all of the high temperature alloys used for
service from a corrosion standpoint, the specification of exces- gas turbine blades. If there is sufficient magnesium in the fuel,
sively low levels may limit the availability of the fuel or it will combine with the vanadium to form compounds with
materially increase its cost. Table X2.1 suggests levels of trace higher melting points and thus reduce the corrosion rate to an
metals that would probably yield satisfactory service. acceptable level. The resulting ash will form deposits in the
X2.3.6 Sodium and potassium can combine with vanadium turbine and will require appropriate cleaning procedures.
to form eutectics which melt at temperatures as low as 566°C X2.3.8.1 When vanadium is present in more than trace
and can combine with sulfur in the fuel to yield sulfates with amounts either in excess of 0.5 mg/kg or a level recommended
melting points in the operating range of the gas turbine. These by the turbine manufacturer, it is necessary to maintain a
compounds produce severe corrosion, and for turbines operat- weight ratio of magnesium to vanadium in the fuel of not less
ing at gas inlet temperatures above 650°C additives are not yet than 3.0 in order to control corrosion.
in general use which control such corrosion. Accordingly, the X2.3.8.2 An upper limit of 3.5 is suggested since larger
sodium-plus-potassium level must be limited, but each element ratios will lead to unnecessarily high rates of ash deposition. In
is measured separately. Some gas turbine installations incor- most cases, the required magnesium-to-vanadium ratio will be
porate systems for washing oil with water to reduce the obtained by additions of magnesium-containing compounds to
sodium-plus-potassium level. In installations where the fuel is the fuel oil. The special requirements covering the addition of
moved by sea transport, the sodium-plus-potassium level and type of magnesium-containing additive, or equivalent,
should be checked prior to use to ensure that the oil has not shall be specified by mutual agreement between the various
interested parties. The additive will vary depending on the
application, but it is always essential that there is a fine and
TABLE X2.1 Trace Metal Limits of Fuel Entering Turbine uniform dispersion of the additive in the fuel at the point of
Combustor(s)A,B combustion.
Trace Metal Limits, mg/kg X2.3.8.3 For gas turbines operating at turbine inlet gas
Designation Sodium plus temperatures below 650°C, the corrosion of the high-
Vanadium Calcium Lead
Potassium temperature alloys is of minor importance, and the use of a
(V) (Ca) (Pb)
(Na + K)
silicon-base additive will further reduce the corrosion rate by
No. 0-GT 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5
absorption and dilution of the vanadium compounds.
No. 1-GT 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5
No. 2-GT 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 X2.3.9 Lead can cause corrosion and in addition it can spoil
No. 3-GT 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 the beneficial inhibiting effect of magnesium additives on
No. 4-GT (Consult turbine manufacturers)
vanadium corrosion. Since lead is only rarely found in signifi-
A
Test Method D 3605 may be used for determination of vanadium, sodium, cant quantities in crude oils, its appearance in the fuel oil is
calcium, and lead.
B
Test Method D 6728 may be used for determination of vanadium, sodium, primarily the result of contamination during processing or
potassium, calcium, and lead. transportation.
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D 2880 – 03
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