MEMPHIS REFINERY
STANDARD PROCEDURES
Revision Date
Original Date: April 2007
Annual Certification
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
Note:
Date
JET A
Millipore Color Test
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
In-line Membrane Color (or Millipore™ Color) samples shall only be taken with apparatus
meeting ASTM D 2276. In-line Millipore™ sample ports shall be installed such that the
sample port extends into the product flow to obtain a representative sample under normal
flowing conditions. These connections shall be located upstream and downstream of
Filter/Separators, on the marine vessel unloading line, pipeline receipt line, truck loading
rack line and the pipeline to the airport.
Description of Test: The test is performed by passing a known volume of Jet-A fuel, usually one
gallon, through the test apparatus filter membrane. The membrane shall be rated wet for
field samples or dry for laboratory samples by matching it against a set of ASTM Color
Standards. Record the rating results for the membranes and report either wet or dry.
Color on the membrane can be derived from two sources:
1.1 Particulate matter which may vary in color due to source or local conditions, or
1.2 Color bodies in the fuel, which normally result from the crude oil and/or the refinery
processing.
These later compounds are not harmful to the jet fuel performance. If color bodies are
suspected of causing a high color rating, run a repeat test using double “piggy back”
membranes. Color bodies can easily go through the membranes and if the two back-toback membranes have color ratings within 2 numbers, then color bodies is the likely
cause of the membrane color. If the ratings differ by more than 2 numbers, then
particulate contamination is likely. A difference in color between the two membranes
represents filterable dirt on the top membrane.
1.3 If the Membrane (or Millipore™) Color rating on the top membrane exceeds the
specification maximum, repeat the test and run a Gravimetric test or Millipore™ Weight
(ASTM D 5452) to determine the actual weight of the contaminants, which must be less
than 1.0 mg per Liter (or 3.785 mg per gallon). Since Filter/Separators are normally
capable of achieving a level of 0.25 mg/L (1.0 mg/G), results downstream of the
Filter/Separator above 0.25 mg/L (1.0 mg/G) shall be cause for investigation.
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Procedure
Date Time Initials
1._____ _____ _______ Fix the self-sealing connection to the sampling point ensuring that the dust
cap at the exposed ends is in place. This sampling connection is normally
left in place at all times.
2._____ _____ _______ Unscrew the field monitor holder.
3._____ _____ _______ Remove the bottom protective plug from the monitor and place it in a
clean, safe place. Where monitor holder construction requires that the
monitor be first placed into the upper half of the casing, remove the upper
dust plug.
4._____ _____ _______ Locate the monitor in its holder.
5._____ _____ _______ Examine the monitor carefully to ensure that it is located correctly in its
holder (that is, not reversed). The bottom (outlet) of the monitor is the side
with the spider web and leads directly to the sample receiver. The top
(inlet) side of the monitor is the upper portion, which has space for fuel
above the filter membrane.
6._____ _____ _______ Remove the other protective plug from the monitor and place it in a clean,
safe place.
7._____ _____ _______ Reassemble the monitor holder hand-tight only. Extreme force is both
unnecessary and undesirable.
8._____ _____ _______ Ensure that the flushing line is connected to the selector valve. Return the
free end of the flushing line to the flow stream downstream of the field
monitor or lead it directly into a receiver.
9._____ _____ _______ Ensure that the flexible drain line is connected to the bottom of the
monitor holder and lead the free end to the graduated sample receiver.
10._____ _____ _______ Remove the dust caps from the connection and the flexible pressure hose
connector (see drawing below), and connect the sampling apparatus to the
sampling connection with the selector valve in the OFF position.
11._____ _____ _______ For apparatus equipped with a selector valve without an OFF position, do
not connect until ready to flush.
12._____ _____ _______ When the desired fuel flow and pressure conditions are established in the
line or hose to be sampled, operate the selector valve to the “flush”
position.
13._____ _____ _______ When at least 2 L of fuel are collected, operate the selector valve to the
“test” position. During normal operations a line pressure of 35 psi (0.24
MPa) minimum is suitable to obtain a reasonable sampling rate. Constant
line pressure should be maintained during sampling.
14._____ _____ _______ Take a one (1)-gal fuel sample. (Results obtained by taking other sample
volumes may have different precision.) When the required amount of fuel
is collected, operate the selector valve to the OFF position.
15._____ _____ _______ If no OFF position is provided, disconnect the sampling apparatus from
the sampling connection.
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16._____ _____ _______ On certain occasions it may be necessary to shut down fueling during
sampling. In this case, halt sampling, if possible before flow ceases. When
flow is reestablished and conditions stabilized, recommence sampling.
Flushing is not necessary.
17._____ _____ _______ After sampling is completed, allow 1 min to pass; then disconnect the
sampling unit from the sampling connection and replace dust caps.
(Warning—The 1 min waiting period is required as a precaution against
electrostatic discharges.)
18._____ _____ _______ Remove the field monitor from its holder and attach the vacuum syringe
supplied with the field sampling apparatus to the lower opening (spiderweb side) of the monitor. Pull outward on the handle to draw residual fuel
from the field monitor. If fuel remains in the monitor, disconnect the
syringe and expel the collected fuel. Repeat the procedure as necessary.
19._____ _____ _______ Replace the protective plugs. Handle carefully. Do not open the field
monitors under any circumstances until you are ready to color rate the
membrane. If they are opened, discard the monitor and membrane filters.
The filters cannot be used for gravimetric analysis.
To rate the membrane wet, proceed as follows:
20._____ _____ _______ Carefully remove the top cover from the monitor, exposing the filter. Do
not remove the filter membrane from the monitor case. In a location
shielded from direct sunlight immediately compare the membrane with the
ASTM color standards. (The ASTM color standards consist of three
stepwise-graded scales intended to bracket in hue the color ordinarily
encountered on jet fuel filter membranes. There are two color strips and
one gray strip, each divided into eleven steps and assigned rating numbers
from 0 to 10. The color standards shall meet the requirements of RR:D021145.)
21._____ _____ _______ Select the color or gray chip that most closely matches the sample.
21.1 In matching, be careful that the viewing angle is nearly
perpendicular, and that shadows are not cast unevenly on the surfaces
being compared.
22._____ _____ _______ Report the nearest match number by scale letter and rating number. If the
sample is distinctly between two rating numbers, report the lower number.
22.1 If the membrane color does not conform to any of the standard color
scales, establish the color density to the nearest rating number and
report the color.
23._____ _____ _______ Report the sample volume used.
24._____ _____ _______ If the sample was not taken under rated flow conditions, report this fact
and the sampling pressure.
Note: A color rating greater than 4 wet (or greater than 3 dry) on a one-gallon sample on any one of
the three-color scales is unacceptable. A recheck Membrane Color test shall be run to verify the
result. The matched weight monitor shall be used for this recheck sample in lieu of the single filter
monitor.
 If the color rating again fails and if the ratings for the top and bottom membranes are within 2
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numbers, then color bodies are the likely cause of the membrane color. No further testing is
required, but the Quality Control Specialist shall be contacted for approval to release the
product with a color rating greater than 4 wet (or 3 dry).
 If the ratings differ by more than 2 numbers, perform another recheck sample with matched
weight membranes and return the matched weight monitor to a qualified laboratory for
Gravimetric Analysis (Particulate Weight). Gravimetric limits of 1.0 mg per liter (or 3.785
mg per gallon) maximum apply. If this gravimetric limit is met, fuel is acceptable and the
Membrane (or Millipore™) Color rating greater than 4 wet (or 3 dry) on a one (1) gallon
sample may be waived.
25._____ _____ _______ Refinery and Terminal Personnel running the Membrane (or
Millipore™) test shall be trained on these procedures and this training
shall be documented and kept on file
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STANDARD PROCEDURES
PROCEDURE INFORMATION
PURPOSE: The Membrane Color (or Millipore™ Color) test is used to evaluate particulate
contamination in aviation turbine jet fuel. Particulate matter may consist of dirt, dust, sand,
fibers, various types of metal oxides, rubber particles, scale, paint, coatings, wear particle
from pumps and meters, solids from marine vessels, etc., both organic and inorganic. Some
such particles are easily recognizable large particles that readily settle out, but some
particulate contamination is in the form of extremely small micro-size particles that are
suspended in the fuel and not visible to the naked eye. The Membrane (or Millipore™)
Color procedure uses a very fine membrane that filters out all particles above 0.8 micron in
size. In comparison, the diameter of a human hair is 100 microns.
PREREQUISITES:
RESPONSIBILITY: MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT:
SAFETY:
Special or Unique Hazards: Micro-filters are prolific generators of electrostatic charge. This is
particularly true in the case of membrane filters used in particulate contaminant testing.
Engineering Controls: All metal parts of the sampling apparatus must be electrically bonded
together and grounded. See Appendix A2 of D 2276 and of D 5452 for guidance.
Administrative Controls:
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
Normal personal protective equipment as required in
assigned work area must be worn at all times. This may include any or all of the following: Hard
Hats, Fire Retardant Clothing, Safety Glasses, oil-chemical resistant gloves, oil-chemical resistant
apron, and Safety Shoes. For additional information and guidance refer to the MSDS for Jet-A Fuel.
SAFETY SYSTEMS
Shutdowns: N/A
Relief: N/A
Other Safety: N/A
QUALITY AND INVENTORY
Inventory:
Quality:
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STANDARD PROCEDURES
Operating Limits:
Description
Limits
Consequences of Deviation
Corrective and Avoidance Steps
N/A
Chemical Safety:
General information is provided here. Additional information is available from the MSDS sheet for the specific material in
question.
Chemical Name
Properties
Hazards
Hydrocarbon Liquids
Gasoline
Flammable liquids
Diesel
Kerosene
Actions if Exposed
Hot fumes or mists can be irritating
to the skin eyes and respiratory
tract and can cause drowsiness,
In case of skin contact, immediately wash with
headache, and nausea.
soap and water. Consult a physician if
irritation develops.
Overexposure to vapors can lead to
unconsciousness or convulsions,
In case of eye contact, immediately flush eyes
bronchopneumonia, and even brief with water for 15 minutes including under the
inhalations of high concentrations eyelids, and see a physician.
can cause fatal pulmonary edema.
If swallowed see a physician, do not induce
Hot liquids can cause burns.
vomiting.
Hydrocarbon vapors can burn or
If inhaled, remove to fresh air. If not breathing,
explode on contact with a source of give artificial respiration. See a physician
ignition in the presence of air or
oxygen.
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