Express analysis of detergent additives in gasoline. Express method for determining detergent additives in motor gasolines

24.09.2019

I have encountered bad fuel only twice in my automotive history. Once - when on an expedition to Salekhard we filled in diesel fuel (there was simply nothing else), after which the particulate filter became clogged. And once again - at an unknown gas station somewhere in the Moscow region, when I filled my Astra with the 95th, after which one candle failed. But by that time it had already covered 55,000 kilometers, and, apparently, required replacement. And some of my friends constantly fill up with the cheapest gas at various no-name gas stations and have no fuel-related problems.

To figure out what we are pouring into the gas tank, I went to a gas station owned by TNK to see how fuel is analyzed by a mobile express laboratory.

A specially equipped mobile laboratory visits several (on average, 4) gas stations every working day, checking the quality of the fuel. The analysis is carried out both at native gas stations and those that operate under a franchise.

Today, this is a routine check of an ordinary gas station.

Irina has been involved in fuel analysis for more than 9 years. First, she rewrites the data from the passports for the delivered fuel into the act.

Before getting to the gas station, the fuel already undergoes multiple checks: first, when it is released from the refinery, then when it arrives at the oil depot (in this case, Mytishchi) and when it is dispensed at the gas station.

Naturally, one of my first questions was about whether the fuel that passes the test always meets the standards. Irina remembered a couple of cases when the sample she took was at odds with the characteristics of the fuel stated in the passport. But, as she assured me, even these discrepancies were insignificant - they do not affect the "performance characteristics" of the car. “Fuel Expertise” checks most severely franchise gas stations (gas stations that buy the right to use the trademark of a large oil company). They are the ones who try to save money. But such savings for unscrupulous franchise owners turn into serious financial losses. If a discrepancy is found, another fuel sample is taken from the dispenser and sent to an accredited laboratory for re-analysis. In this case, the arbitration sample remains at the gas station. The laboratory confirms or does not confirm the nonconformity. If the result is confirmed, the gas station loses the right to use the trademark and / or a large fine is imposed on it.

The fuel sample is poured into a container, which is inserted into the express control device for checking gasoline. It checks the octane number and component composition. Just a few milliliters are needed for analysis. The test is performed in two passes: the first time the gasoline is run through the machine, and the second pass is the control one. In the photo - the test results of the 92nd gasoline: everything is normal. The device also determines the component composition of gasolines, tert-butanol, methanol, ethers, ethanol, mass fraction of oxygen. The main thing is that the components of gasoline are of the right type and within the normal range.

The next analysis is to check the amount of detergent in Pulsar-95 gasoline. Major oil companies are racing to launch their branded fuels. Proprietary fuel is base gasoline plus an additional component developed by the company. At Pulsar, the additive washes the engine and preserves its technical characteristics. For analysis, gasoline and a special reagent are mixed in a separating funnel to determine the amount of detergent additive.

The laboratory assistant must be highly qualified, because operations are done manually and for a strictly defined time. Gasoline and reagent are mixed, then the resulting mixture should settle, and only after that the reagent is separated from gasoline. There are no other ways to check the amount of detergent in the "field" conditions.

The reagent separated from the gasoline and turned pink.

... into a colorimeter, where the intensity of the color of the resulting liquid is measured. According to the readings of the device, a conclusion is made about the amount of detergent additive in gasoline.

The most important tip for choosing gas stations is to use gas stations of large oil companies. They constantly check the quality of their fuel (including by such mobile laboratories), if only in order not to lose to a competitor in the fight for a buyer.

May the force be with you!

The portable laboratory is designed for sampling and rapid acceptance analysis of fuel by standard and express methods.

The results of the analyzes make it possible to assess the fuel quality with high accuracy in conditions where analysis in stationary laboratories is impossible.

The laboratory kit allows you to determine the main indicators of the quality of petroleum products.

Test Methods

Institute of Petroleum Chemistry SB RAS,
GOST,
25 State Research Institute of Chemmotology of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation,
JSC "Sorbpolymer"

Types of analyzed fuel

motor gasoline,
diesel fuel,
aviation kerosene.

The SHATOX octanometer is included in the package.

Technical capabilities of laboratory kits 2M6, 2M7

Name of quality indicators	Test method	auto gasoline	Diz. fuel	Aviation kerosene	Oils	Specialist. liquids
Determination of the octane number of motor gasolines by the motor and research method	Methodology of the Institute of Petroleum Chemistry SB RAS	+	-	-	-	-
Determination of the cetane number of diesel fuels	methodology of the Institute of Petroleum Chemistry SB RAS	-	+	-	-	-
The content of anti-knock additives that increase the octane number in gasoline*		+	-	-	-	-
Content of kerosene in diesel fuel*		-	+	-	-	-
Gasoline induction period (oxidation stability)*	. Compliance with GOST 4039-88 (ASTM D 525)	+	-	-	-	-
Loss Tangent of Transformer, Industrial and Motor Oils (Also with Octane Meter SX-200)*	analyzers and	-	-	-	+	-
Degree of purity (purification) of oils: motor, industrial, transformer*		-	-	-	+	-
Manufacturer (brand) of engine oil*		-	-	-	+	-
Base number of motor oils*		-	-	-	+	-
Dielectric constant of petroleum products (also with octaneometer SX-200)*		+	+	+	+	-
Specific volume resistance of petroleum products*		+	+	+	+	-
Determination of the content of mechanical impurities in petroleum products*		+	+	+	+	-
Percentage of water in oil and oil products*	. According to GOST 14203-69 - Oil and oil products. Dielcometric method for determining moisture content.	+	+	+	+	-
Determination of the content of iron (ferrocene) in gasoline (set 2M7)		+	-	-	-	-
Determination of lead content in gasoline	method M 32.137-96 25 GosNII MO RF	+	-	-	-	-
Determination of the density of petroleum products	GOST 3900-85	+	+	+	+	+
Determination of the content of mechanical impurities and water	according to clause 4.4 GOST 2084-77	+	-	+	-	-
Determining the color of gasoline	visually	+	-	-	-	-
Determination of heavy hydrocarbon content	according to clause 4.7 GOST 2084-77	+	-	-	-	-
Determination of resin content in motor gasoline	Methodology 25 State Research Institute of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation	+	-	-	-	-
Determination of the composition and freezing point of the coolant by its density.	Instructions for handling coolants	-	-	-	-	+
Sampling of petroleum products	GOST 2517-85	+	+	+	+	+
Quantitative determination of water in a tank (tank truck, railway tank).	GOST 2517-85	+	+	+	-	+
Taking a bottom sample of oil products from tanks and determining the presence of settling water and mechanical impurities	GOST 2517-85	+	+	+	+	-
Determination of water content in anti-crystallization additives	GOST 8313-88	-	-	-	-	+
Determination of the content of anti-crystallization liquids (PVC) in jet fuels	Methodology JSC "Sorbpolimer" acc. From the beginning UGSM 06/22/88	-	-	+	-	-
Determination of undissolved water content	Methodology of JSC "Sorbpolimer"	+	+	+	-	-
Determination of the total water content (quantitative method)	Methodology of JSC "Sorbpolimer"	+	+	+	-	-
Determination of the density of an acid electrolyte	GOST 3900-85	-	-	-	-	+
Determination of the content of detergent additives in gasolines	Methodology 25 GosNII MO RF	+	-	-	-	-
Determination of the content of water-soluble acids and alkalis in light oil products	Methodology 25 GosNII MO RF	+	+	+	-	-

Equipment

Name of equipment	Quantity
Octanometer SX-100M*, set	1
Portable oil product sampler PPN according to GOST 2517-85, set	1
Hydrometer ANT-2 0.670-0.750 GOST 18481-81, pcs.	1
Hydrometer ANT-2 .0.750-0.830 GOST 18481-81, pcs.	1
Hydrometer ANT-2 0.830-0.910 GOST 18481-81, pcs.	1
Spare battery, pcs.	4
Plastic measuring cylinder 100 ml with spout (volumetric scale), pcs.	1
Plastic measuring cylinder 250 ml with spout (volumetric scale), pcs.	1
Hydrometer AON-1 1.060-1.120 GOST 18481-81, pcs.	1
Hydrometer AON-1 1.240-1.300 GOST 18481-81, pcs.	1
Hydrometer AOH-1 1.360-1.420 GOST 18481-81, pcs.	1
Plastic glass with scale 100 ml, pcs.	1
Water sensitive paste, gr.	50
Evaporating bowl No. 1, pcs.	1
IT-SF indicator tubes for determining the content of ferrocene in gasoline (set 2M7), pcs.	10
IT-TES indicator tubes for determining the content of lead (tetroethyl lead) in gasoline, pcs.	10
Indicator tubes IT-VKShch for determining the content of detergent additives in gasoline, water-soluble acids and alkalis in light oil products, pcs.	10
Indicator tubes IT-PVK for determining the content of anti-crystallization liquids in jet fuels, pcs.	10
Indicator tubes IT-SV-10 for determining the total water content in motor fuels, pcs.	10
Indicator tubes IT-RV-50 for determining the content of dissolved water in anti-crystallization additives, alcohols, aldehydes and ketones, pcs.	10
Indicator tubes IT-NV-15 for determining the content of undissolved water in motor fuels, pcs.	10
Plastic pipette with divisions 2-1-2-2, pcs.	1
Medical syringe with tube, set	4
Case (EMINENT case), set	1
Documentation for laboratory kit, kit	1
Ruler, pcs.	1
Paper according to GOST 597-78, set	1
Pencil, pcs.	1
Plasticine, gr.	10
Filter paper, set	1
Sealant for indicator tubes, pcs.	1
Rubber syringe with soft tip, pcs.	1
CITIZEN calculator, pcs.	1

Documentation

GOST 2084-77 Motor gasoline. Specifications.
GOST R 51105-97 Fuels for internal combustion engines. Unleaded gasoline. Specifications.
TU 38.001165-97 Motor gasoline for export. Specifications.
GOST 305-82 Diesel fuels. Specifications.
GOST 10227-86 Jet fuels. Specifications.
GOST 2517-85 Oil and oil products. Sampling methods.
GOST 3900-85 Oil and oil products. Density determination method.
GOST R 51069-97 Oil and oil products. Method for determining density, relative density, and API gravity with a hydrometer.
GOST R 51866-2002 Motor fuels. Unleaded gasoline. Specifications.
Method for determining the composition and freezing point of the coolant.
Method for rapid determination of the presence of heavy hydrocarbons in gasoline.
Method for determining the content of resins in motor gasolines.
Method for determining the content of lead in gasoline. Passport indicator tube IT-TES.
Method for determining the content of total water in motor fuels. Passport for the indicator tube IT-SV-10.
Method for determining the content of undissolved water in motor fuels. Passport for the indicator tube IT-NV-15.
Method for determining the content of iron in gasoline. Passport for the indicator tube IT-SF (ferrocene). (set 2M7)
Methodology for the determination of anti-crystallization liquids (PVC) in jet fuels by the indicator-adsorption method. Passport for the IT-PVK indicator tube.
Method for determination of water-soluble acids and alkalis in light petroleum products IT-VKShch. Passport for the indicator tube IT-VKShch.
Method for determining the water content in anti-crystallization additives. Passport for the indicator tube IT-SV-50.
Practical recommendations for determining the density of fuel.
User Guide for Octane Meter.
Method for determining the content of detergent additives in gasoline.
Passport for Octanometer.
Passport for the sampler.
Scheme of laying the laboratory kit.
Technical capabilities of the laboratory kit.

The question of the quality of fuel in our country traditionally excites the minds of readers of auto forums and various communities. Terrible tales are circulating that all our gasoline is produced from the 76th, that its quality does not fit into any acceptable framework, and engine motors die, shedding tears of oil. I have only encountered bad fuel twice in my automotive history. Once - when on an expedition to Salekhard we filled in diesel fuel (there was simply nothing else), after which the particulate filter became clogged. And once again - at an unknown gas station somewhere in the Moscow region, when I filled my Astra with the 95th, after which one candle failed. But by that time it had already covered 55,000 kilometers, and, apparently, required replacement. And some of my friends constantly fill up with the cheapest gasoline at various unnamed gas stations and have no fuel-related problems. To figure out what we pour into the gas tank, I went to the gas station to see how fuel is analyzed by a mobile express laboratory.

1. A specially equipped mobile laboratory visits several (on average, 4) gas stations every working day, checking the quality of the fuel. The analysis is carried out both at native gas stations and those that operate under a franchise.

2. Today, this is a routine check of an ordinary gas station.

3. Irina has been involved in fuel analysis for more than 9 years. First, she rewrites the data from the passports for the delivered fuel into the act.

4. Before getting to the gas station, the fuel already undergoes multiple checks: first, when it is released from the refinery, then when it arrives at the oil depot (in this case, Mytishchi) and when it is dispensed at the gas station.

5. The fuel dispenser is switched to the service mode (this can only be done from the central control panel of the dispatch service, only an application is sent from the gas station) and one liter of each fuel is poured.

6. Naturally, one of my first questions was whether the fuel that passes the test always meets the standards. Irina remembered a couple of cases when the sample she took was at odds with the characteristics of the fuel stated in the passport. However, these discrepancies do not affect the "performance" of the vehicle. “Fuel Expertise” checks most severely franchise gas stations (gas stations that buy the right to use the trademark of a large oil company). They are the ones who try to save money. But such savings for unscrupulous franchise owners turn into serious financial losses. If a discrepancy is found, another fuel sample is taken from the dispenser and sent to an accredited laboratory for re-analysis. In this case, the arbitration sample remains at the gas station. The laboratory confirms or does not confirm the nonconformity. If the result is confirmed, the gas station loses the right to use the trademark and / or a large fine is imposed on it.

7. The fuel sample is poured into a container that is inserted into the express control device for checking gasoline. It checks the octane number and component composition. Just a few milliliters are needed for analysis. The test is performed in two passes: the first time the gasoline is run through the machine, and the second pass is the control one. In the photo - the test results of the 92nd gasoline: everything is normal. The device also determines the component composition of gasolines, tert-butanol, methanol, ethers, ethanol, mass fraction of oxygen. The main thing is that the components of gasoline are of the right type and within the normal range.

8. The next analysis is to check the amount of detergent in AI-95 gasoline. Major oil companies are racing to launch their branded fuels. Proprietary fuel is base gasoline plus an additional component developed by the company. With this premium fuel, the additive washes the engine and maintains its technical characteristics. For analysis, gasoline and a special reagent are mixed in a separating funnel to determine the amount of detergent additive.

9. The laboratory assistant must be highly qualified, because operations are done manually and for a strictly defined time. Gasoline and reagent are mixed, then the resulting mixture should settle, and only after that the reagent is separated from gasoline. There are no other ways to check the amount of detergent in the "field" conditions.

10. The reagent separated from the gasoline and turned pink.

11. Slowly pour the reagent into the syringe. At the same time, it is necessary to stop in time so that gasoline remains in the separating funnel. And then, just as carefully, drop by drop, pour into a bottle, which will go for testing ...

12. ... into a colorimeter, where the intensity of the color of the resulting liquid is measured. According to the readings of the device, a conclusion is made about the amount of detergent additive in gasoline.

13. The most important tip for choosing a gas station is to use gas stations of large oil companies. They constantly check the quality of their fuel (including by such mobile laboratories), if only in order not to lose to a competitor in the fight for a buyer.

14. May the force be with you!

To figure out what we are pouring into the gas tank, I went to a gas station owned by TNK to see how fuel is analyzed by a mobile express laboratory.

Today, this is a routine check of an ordinary gas station.

Irina has been involved in fuel analysis for more than 9 years. First, she rewrites the data from the passports for the delivered fuel into the act.

The fuel dispenser is transferred to the service mode (this can only be done from the central control panel of the dispatch service, only an application is sent from the gas station) and one liter of each fuel is poured.
Naturally, one of my first questions was about whether the fuel that passes the test always meets the standards. Irina remembered a couple of cases when the sample she took was at odds with the characteristics of the fuel stated in the passport. But, as she assured me, even these discrepancies were insignificant - they do not affect the "performance characteristics" of the car. “Fuel Expertise” checks most severely franchise gas stations (gas stations that buy the right to use the trademark of a large oil company). They are the ones who try to save money. But such savings for unscrupulous franchise owners turn into serious financial losses. If a discrepancy is found, another fuel sample is taken from the dispenser and sent to an accredited laboratory for re-analysis. In this case, the arbitration sample remains at the gas station. The laboratory confirms or does not confirm the nonconformity. If the result is confirmed, the gas station loses the right to use the trademark and / or a large fine is imposed on it.

The reagent separated from the gasoline and turned pink.

Slowly pour the reagent into the syringe. At the same time, it is necessary to stop in time so that gasoline remains in the separating funnel. And then, just as carefully, drop by drop, pour into a bottle, which will go to the colorimeter for testing, where the color intensity of the resulting liquid is measured. According to the readings of the device, a conclusion is made about the amount of detergent additive in gasoline.