Honeywell UOP reintroduces FIA reagent for ASTM D1319 fuel tests

Honeywell UOP has resumed production of fluorescent indicator dyed gel, a reagent used to certify the composition of saturates, olefins and aromatics in fuels. New supplies of the reagent now are commercially available.

The reagent is used in the ASTM 1319 standardized testing method used by fuel producers worldwide to meet the U.S Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements. The reagent contains special fluorescent dyes in silica gel to test the composition of a wide range of fuels including jet fuel.

When subjected to fluorescent light, the reagent provides clear visual indicators showing the total volume percentage of saturates, olefins and aromatics in a given sample. The presence of olefins and high concentrations of aromatics can prevent fuels from meeting specifications for use. When added to a sample in a glass column, only a very small amount of the fluorescent indicator dyed gel – about 0.1 of a cubic centimeter – is necessary to conduct the test.

“The advantage of this testing method is that it’s fast, simple, accurate and reliable,” said Maya Nair, senior product marketing manager in UOP’s Lifecycle Solutions & Technologies business. “As a result, testing facilities can certify fuel samples without the need for expensive equipment or without having to send samples to laboratories.”

The ASTM D1319 method was developed more than 60 years ago by the American Society of Testing and Materials – now ASTM International – to certify fuel quality. Using fluorescent indicator adsorption, or FIA, the UOP reagent emerged as the standard reagent to certify fuel quality under D1319. The method also is used to test the composition of gasoline and diesel products.