Cold Flow Analyzers

The use of biodiesel is limited by its poor low-temperature flow characteristics. Cold-flow properties of diesel fuel are usually characterized by the following three temperature measures: cloud point at which crystallization begins, cold filter plugging point at which fuel starts to plug a fuel filter, and pour point at which fuel no longer pours.

The cloud Point, pour point, and cold filter plugging point measurements were done as per ASTM standards, D 2500-25 for cloud point, D 97-96a for pour point, and D 6371-05 for cold filter plugging point. A Lawler model DR-34H automated cold properties analyzer (Lawler Manufacturing Corporation, Edison, NJ) was used to measure the cold flow properties. The Automated Combination Cloud and Pour Point Analyzer detect the cloud point when the fiber optics shows a reduction of the pulsing green light that reflected from the bottom of the silvered test tube. The cloud point analyzer as does the pour point analyzer even lifts from the test bath when detecting for cloud. The cloud point is measured first followed by the measurement for pour point on the same sample. The automated analyzer actually lifts the test sample from the cold jacket and tilts the sample to test for its flow. Flow is detected by a sonic detector reflecting off the sample surface. In the Automated Cold Filter Plugging Point Analyzer, the vacuum is applied every degree as the sample cools and its aspiration time recorded and plotted. The result is reported when the aspiration time exceeds 60 seconds.