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.
Common Fuel Oil Testing Matrix
Panels tailored for bunker acceptance, dispatch checks, forensic investigations and stability assessment.
| Test / Parameter | Reference Method(s) | Instrument / Technique | LOD / Notes | TAT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Density / API Gravity | ASTM D5002 | Digital Density Meter | Used for fuel classification, energy content estimation and blend verification. | 24–48 h |
| Color (Visual) | ASTM D1209 | Visual Comparison | Checks clarity, contamination and oxidative darkening in fuels. | 24–48 h |
| Color (Automatic Tristimulus) | ASTM D6045 | Automatic Colorimeter | Precision color measurement for quality grading of clear fuels. | 24–48 h |
| Copper Strip Corrosion | ASTM D130 / D849 / D1838 | Visual | Detects presence of corrosive sulfur species in liquid fuels. | 24–48 h |
| Carbon Residue (Ramsbottom) | ASTM D524 | Gravimetric | Indicates coke-forming tendency and deposit potential in fuels. | 48–72 h |
| Odor Assessment | ASTM D1296 | Manual Odor Evaluation | Detects degradation, contamination or abnormal odor signatures. | 24–48 h |
| Refractive Index | ASTM D1218 | Refractometer | Screens for adulteration and verifies compositional consistency. | 24–48 h |
| Electrical Conductivity | ASTM D2624 / ASTM D1125 | Conductivity Meter | Evaluates ESD risk and identifies ionic contaminants in fuels. | 24–48 h |
| Hydrocarbon Composition (Light Ends) | ASTM D2163 | GC-FID | Profiles LPG/light hydrocarbons and volatility components in fuels. | 48–72 h |
| Sulfur Compounds (Speciated) | ASTM D5623 | GC-PFPD | Breakdown of sulfur species for corrosion and compliance checks. | 48–72 h |
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.
Turnaround Times & Test Packages
| Package | Typical Tests | Typical TAT |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel QC Screening | Density, color (visual & tristimulus), corrosion check, odor, conductivity | 24–48 h |
| Contamination & Cleanliness Panel | Free water & particulates, odor evaluation, refractive index, carbon residue | 24–48 h |
| Sulfur & Corrosivity Package | Speciated sulfur profiling, copper strip corrosion, H₂S vapor screening | 48–72 h |
| Light Ends & Volatility Panel | Hydrocarbon composition (light ends), DHA profiling, odor/appearance checks | 48–72 h |
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.