Diesel Testing — Fuel Quality, Performance & Compliance
Diesel testing power an enormous variety of engines and industrial equipment. Variations in cetane, sulfur, cold-flow properties and contamination can affect emissions, engine longevity and operability. AGT Labs provides accredited diesel testing for on-road, off-road, marine and industrial diesel fuels, aligned to ASTM, EN and IP methods.
We help suppliers, refiners, fleet operators, OEMs and regulators verify product compliance, diagnose fuel-related failures and optimize blend performance — supported by traceable calibrations and clear COA reporting.
Who benefits: fuel suppliers, refiners, power generators, fleets, marine operators, OEMs and regulatory bodies.
Service Highlights
- Comprehensive diesel test matrix including cetane, sulfur, viscosity, cold-flow, flash, distillation, water & sediment, and trace metals.
- Rapid, traceable results with interpretation for fuel acceptance, blending decisions and failure investigation.
Industries & Use-Cases
- Transport & fleet operators — routine diesel QC, sulfur verification, water/sediment control.
- Construction, mining & heavy equipment — contamination checks, stability, corrosion risk assessment.
- Marine & standby power — diesel storage stability, H₂S monitoring, injector foulant screening.
- Refineries, terminals & blenders — batch release QC, blending validation and sulfur speciation.
- Warranty & failure investigations — forensic testing for contamination, adulteration and fuel quality disputes.
Key Test Matrix
Commonly-requested diesel tests, accredited methods and typical reporting notes. Custom combinations available for fleet, refinery or regulatory submission packages.
| Parameter | Methods | Instrument / Purpose | TAT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | ASTM D5002 | Digital Density Meter — fuel classification and compliance. | 24–48 h |
| Color (Visual) | ASTM D1209 | Appearance check — detects haze, oxidation and contamination. | 24–48 h |
| Color (Automatic Tristimulus) | ASTM D6045 | Automatic colorimeter — precise color grading & cleanliness indicator. | 24–48 h |
| Copper Strip Corrosion | ASTM D130 / D849 / D1838 | Visual copper strip rating — detects corrosive sulfur compounds. | 24–48 h |
| Carbon Residue (Ramsbottom) | ASTM D524 | Gravimetric — coke-forming tendency of diesel. | 48–72 h |
| Odor Assessment | ASTM D1296 | Manual odor evaluation — detects off-odors from contamination or aging. | 24–48 h |
| Refractive Index | ASTM D1218 | Refractometer — detects adulteration and compositional changes. | 24–48 h |
| Electrical Conductivity | ASTM D2624 / ASTM D1125 | Conductivity meter — ESD risk evaluation and contamination indication. | 24–48 h |
| Hydrocarbon Composition (Light Ends) | ASTM D2163 | GC-FID — LPG/light-end components and volatility indicators. | 48–72 h |
| Sulfur Compounds (Speciated) | ASTM D5623 | GC-PFPD — breakdown of corrosive/regulated sulfur species. | 48–72 h |
Laboratory Capabilities & Instrumentation
Key Instrumentation
GC-FID / GC-MS — hydrocarbon profile, FAME analysis and contaminant ID; ICP-OES / ICP-MS — sulfur and trace elements; Automated viscometers, flash & pour point rigs, CFPP apparatus and Karl Fischer titrators.
Quality Systems
- ISO/IEC 17025-accredited testing and documented SOPs.
- Traceable calibrations to national standards; routine QC and proficiency checks.
- Measurement uncertainty evaluated and reported where required.
Sampling, Handling & Chain of Custody
Representative sampling is essential. Provide batch, tank and sampling point details. For biodiesel blends include declared blend ratio and supplier COA where available.
Recommended Sample Volumes
- Routine panels: 200–500 mL (glass bottle)
- Trace metal / ICP: 50 mL (clean bottle)
- Microbiology: 200–500 mL (cooled, shipped overnight)
Packaging & Transport
- Use clean amber glass bottles; avoid reactive plastics for long storage.
- Minimize headspace for samples intended for water content or oxidation-sensitive tests.
- Include chain-of-custody and sample history (storage, recent transfers, heating/cooling events).
Methods, Limits & Reporting
Reports include method references, instrument details, results with units, LOQ/LOD where applicable and measurement uncertainty. Raw data (chromatograms, spectra) and analytical traceability are available on request.
- Cetane & Combustion: ASTM D613, EN ISO methods.
- Volatility & Distillation: ASTM D86 / D2887.
- Cold-Flow: ASTM D2500, D97, EN 116; CFPP by EN 116.
- Elemental: ASTM D4294, D2622, ICP for low-ppm detection.
Turnaround Times & Packages
| Package | Typical Tests | Typical TAT |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance QC | Color, Copper Strip Corrosion, Odor, Electrical Conductivity | 24–48 h |
| Blend Verification | Hydrocarbon Composition, Sulfur Compounds by GC-PFPD, Detailed Hydrocarbon Analysis – DHA | 24–72 h |
| Forensic / Contamination Screening | Carbon Residue, Nonvolatile Matter, Gum Content, Refractive Index | 2–5 days |
FAQs — Diesel Testing
Can you test Bx blends (biodiesel blends)?
What sample is required for CFPP?
Do you offer stability testing for diesel?
Deliverables & Technical Support
- COA with method references, results, units and measurement uncertainty where applicable.
- Raw data files (chromatograms, instrument logs) available on request.
- Interpretive comments and recommendations for blend adjustment, filtration, or remediation.
Summary
AGT Labs’ Diesel Testing provides comprehensive, accredited testing and interpretation to support fuel acceptance, operational reliability and regulatory compliance for the full range of diesel fuel applications.