Standard Specification for Gas Turbine Fuel Oils.
Get more information about the standard at ASTM D2880-23.
ASTM D2880 is the standard specification that defines the quality, performance, and compositional requirements for gas turbine fuel oils. This standard is vital for ensuring the safe and efficient operation of gas turbines in industrial and marine applications. It establishes guidelines for different grades of fuel oils, focusing on properties like viscosity, sulfur content, and ash levels.
Details
ASTM D2880-23 provides a comprehensive framework for the composition and performance characteristics of gas turbine fuel oils. It includes both distillate and residual grades, designed to cater to a variety of turbine designs and operational conditions. Key elements of the standard include:
- Fuel Grades: The specification outlines several grades of gas turbine fuel oil, including light distillates and heavier residual oils, each suited for specific turbine types and applications.
- Critical Properties:
- Viscosity: Specifies acceptable viscosity ranges to ensure proper atomization and combustion in turbine systems
- Flash Point: Defines minimum flash point values to ensure safe handling and storage
- Sulfur Content: Sets limits on sulfur to reduce emissions and minimize turbine corrosion risks
- Ash Content: Restricts non-combustible residues that can form deposits and degrade turbine performance
- Water and Sediment: Limits impurities that could lead to fouling or operational disruptions
- Testing Methods: The standard incorporates testing procedures from other ASTM standards to measure specific fuel properties accurately and reproducibly.
By adhering to these specifications, fuel manufacturers and operators can ensure compatibility with turbine systems, prevent operational issues, and maintain environmental compliance.
Industries and Applications
ASTM D2880 is widely used across several industries where gas turbines are critical to operations:
- Power generation: Gas turbines in power plants rely on ASTM D2880 compliant fuels to deliver consistent performance and efficiency
- Marine industry: Marine gas turbines for propulsion and auxiliary power depend on fuel oils meeting the standard’s requirements
- Oil and gas: Offshore platforms and refineries use gas turbines for mechanical drives and power generation, necessitating high-quality fuels
- Aerospace (stationary turbines): Industrial turbines in aerospace ground support systems use fuels specified under this standard
- Environmental compliance: Regulatory agencies utilize the standard’s sulfur and ash limits to minimize emissions and protect air quality