Fuel Oil Testing — Bunker & Industrial Fuel Quality
Fuel oils (bunker fuels, heavy fuel oil / HFO, intermediate fuel oil / IFO, marine gas oil / MGO) require robust testing to ensure combustibility, emissions compliance and reliable operation of burners, engines and boilers. AGT Labs provides physical and chemical characterisation, contamination screening and actionable interpretation for suppliers, ship operators and industrial users.
We support fuel acceptance, dispute resolution, blend verification, contamination investigations and emissions-related sampling.
Who benefits: ship operators, refineries, bunker suppliers, power plants, industrial boilers and environmental compliance teams.
Service Highlights
- Acceptance testing for bunkers (contamination screening, degradation detection, corrosion assessment, compositional profiling, deposit tendency).
- Contaminant screening: water, sediment, sludge, microbial presence and incompatible blends.
- Blend characterisation and stability testing to prevent filter blocking and combustion issues.
Industries We Serve
- Marine / Shipping — bunker acceptance, supplier disputes and fuel stability monitoring.
- Power & Utilities — heavy fuel quality checks for boilers and turbines.
- Refineries & Blenders — quality control and blend validation.
- Industrial Burners — emissions risk and combustion performance testing.
Laboratory Capabilities & Instrumentation
Analytical Systems
XRF / UV Fluorescence for sulfur; ICP for metals; viscosity and density instrumentation; Karl Fischer titration; gravimetric ash determination and stability / asphaltene testing.
Operational Support
- Acceptance panels for bunker delivery and discharge.
- Compatibility & blend advice to avoid filter-blocking and combustion issues.
- Rapid-response testing for port operations and outage mitigation.
Sampling, Handling & Chain of Custody
Proper sampling at bunker delivery, storage tanks and engine inlets is essential. We provide sampling trays, split-sample bottles and witness procedures for dispute resolution.
Sampling Points & Volumes
- Bunker manifold / delivery line: use approved ship’s sampling methods and collect split samples.
- Storage tanks: take representative composite samples from multiple depths where applicable.
- Sample volume: typically 500 mL – 2 L depending on required panels and archival needs.
Chain of Custody
- Use tamper-evident seals, record sample temperature and retain split samples for dispute cases.
- Document vessel, supplier, time, location and sampler; witness sampling when needed.
- Ship samples promptly and note any visible phase separation or sludge.
Quality Assurance, Reporting & Interpretation
Fuel oil testing Results delivered as COA with method references, units, measurement uncertainty and interpretive commentary. For suspect or out-of-spec samples we provide next-step recommendations including blending, treatment or rejection guidance.
- COA Contents: Sample and chain-of-custody details, analytical results, compliance notes and authorized signatory.
- Dispute Support: Split-sample storage, witness options and expert testimony if required.
- Advisory: Recommendations on stability treatment, blending strategies and filtration requirements.
Standards & Accreditation
Fuel oil Testing follows internationally recognised methods (ASTM, ISO, IP) and industry guidance (MARPOL, ISO 8217 for marine fuels). AGT Labs is accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 — full scope available on request.
FAQs — Fuel Oil Testing
What is the recommended sample volume for bunkers?
Can you test for microbial contamination?
Do you offer witnessed sampling?
Deliverables & Value-Added Services
- COA with full method listing, interpretive comments and compliance notes.
- Split-sample retention and witnessed sampling options for disputes.
- Advisory on blending, treatment and filtration to reduce operational risk.
- Rapid-response testing for port operations and emergency contingencies.
Summary
AGT Labs’ Fuel Oil Testing provides practical, accredited testing and advisory services that protect combustion equipment, support regulatory compliance and reduce operational risk for marine and industrial fuel users.