1. 8/10/2019 VISUAL APPEARANCE TEST – “WHITE BUCKET” Date Time Initials
Note: .Use care and vigilance when performing the Visual Appearance test. Slight traces of water, solids or unusual color may indicate the presence of product mixes or other contaminants that could cause aviation fuel to be off specification and unacceptable for aircraft use.
Examine and wipe clean, if necessary, the glass jar or “White Bucket” to make sure that it is clean and dry.
Be sure the sampling valve or truck manifold is free of loose solid contaminants. If necessary, clean the sampling tap exit of loose rust, dust or foreign matter with a cloth.
For storage tanks, be sure to displace the fuel volume in the piping between the sample tap and the storage tank sampling connection. Also, for tank water drains, displace the water draw-off line volume between the sample tap and the tank water drain sump.
Take a fuel sample into a 1-quart clear, clean, dry, glass jar OR into a clean, bonded, minimum 2-gallon “White Bucket”. Draw sample for field test under operating pressure, if possible, directly into the test container.
Fill the glass jar about 75 to 85 % full OR the “White Bucket” to an approximate depth of 6 to 8 inches from each sample source, e.g., truck compartment or filter or tank sample tap or water sump drain.
Immediately on drawing sample place the sample into a well-lighted area. Allow the sample to stand for one minute or more, if necessary, to remove air bubbles; and then visually check the sample for an acceptable “Clear & Bright” appearance.
Note: View the sample under normal daylight conditions or under “daylight” balanced lighting. Lighting shall be adequate at night for safe operation and visual truck inspection prior to loading and visual inspection of loaded product samples for “Clear & Bright”. White incandescent lighting is required since yellow sodium lighting or blue florescent lighting (or other colored lighting) can distort the visual color of the aviation fuel.
The terms “Clear & Bright” have no relation to the fuel’s natural color. “Clear” means the absence of sediment or emulsion such as rust or concentrated surfactant. “Bright” refers to the fluorescent appearance of fuel that does not have a cloud or haze such as that caused by fine water droplets. “Clear & Bright” when applied to an aviation fuel sample means that the fuel is free of visible solids, contamination and water (including any water resting on the bottom or sides of the sample container), and possesses an inherent brilliance and sparkle in the presence of light. Although traditionally called “Clear & Bright”, these characteristics are sometimes described as “Clean & Dry”.
An aviation fuel sample can appear hazy or cloudy because of the presence of water or dirt. Of these two, water is more often the cause of the haze. Gross contamination by very fine particles of dirt capable of causing a haze is not often encountered.
Clear glass jar sample containers shall be held up to the light source and view the fuel through the walls of the container, visually examine for haze, or lack of clarity, particulates and unusual color. Alternatively, the “White Bucket” sample shall be inspected through the full depth of product for clarity and color, and the bottom of the bucket shall be inspected for the presence of solids or water droplets.
Carefully swirl the container to create a vortex to concentrate any solids and/or water. This action will help in the visual check for water and dirt. Any free water and/or dirt will collect and concentrate under the vortex at the bottom and center of the container. Free water may also appear as a separate layer on the bottom.
Inspect the bottom surface for evidence of solids. Also, inspect the fuel for haze, water droplets and other unusual appearance, such as black/brown slime or scum.
Haze can also be detected by dropping a shiny coin into the white bucket. If the coin characteristics can easily be distinguished, the fuel is considered neither hazy nor cloudy.
Inspect the aviation fuel for color. Jet fuel is normally “water white” or “straw colored”. Unusual color in aviation fuel may result from crude oil characteristics or refinery processing or indicate mixing with another product. Any evidence of pink or red tint may be an indication of contamination of sample by dyed high sulfur diesel or other dyed fuels. Unusual Jet-A color caused by crude oil or refinery processing might be acceptable, if this cause is known and if the product complies with all ASTM D 1655 specifications. The refinery shall document the unusual color on the C of A and certify that product meets ASTM D 1655.
Note: If there is any doubt on whether unusual coloration is present, a consensus on the color shall be obtained from several individuals. Aviation fuel with an unusual color must not be released and further investigation shall be conducted.
If visual contamination is observed in the white bucket, more than one sampling may be required to clear it. If the first sample shows dirt and/or water visually, properly discard the sample; clean the sample container; check the sampling port to be sure it is free of rust, etc.; draw another sample and repeat the visual check.
Note: Particulate determination in the visual appearance test is sensitive to sampling procedures. The presence of a small number of particles may indicate, for example, that the sample line was not flushed to provide a representative sample. The persistent presence of even a small number of particles, however, is cause for further investigation.
Note: At the truck loading terminal – If post load visual appearance samples contain particulates and/or are hazy and cloudy and additional settling and sampling of approximately five (5) one gallon individual samples from each tank truck compartment fail to produce “Clear & Bright” fuel, do not release the fuel. Any unusual results must be investigated.
The visual appearance results shall be rated according to table 1 for particulates or solids contaminates and Table 2 for moisture or water contamination. Record any other observed contamination using Table 3 as a guide. “Clear & Bright” is the only acceptable rating for the release of on specification aviation fuel.
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2. Table 1 - Particulate or Solid Contaminant
Acceptable Rating
Unacceptable Ratings
“Clear” (or Clean)
No particles, silt, sediment, flakes, dye, rust or solids
Slight Particulates
Slight to several fine to small size particles
Particulate Matter
Many small particles floating or settled on the bottom of container
Dirty
Discoloration or many particles dispersed in fuel or settled on the bottom of container
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3. Table 2 - Moisture or Water Contaminant
Acceptable Ratings
Unacceptable Ratings
“Bright” (or Dry)
Brightness is a quality independent of the color of the sample and refers to the lack of suspended or visible free water in the sample. Bright fuel tends to sparkle. Air bubbles may cause hazy appearance during the first minute immediately after the sample is drawn, but haze clears from the bottom up.
Hazy
A condition resulting from fine droplets of moisture dispersed throughout the sample producing a dull hazy appearance. This may be temporary due to sample cooling.
Cloudy
The result of extremely fine droplets of water dispersed throughout the sample giving it a milky appearance.
Wet
Any form of free water in the form of droplets or bulk water layer on the bottom of the bucket or clinging to the sides.
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4. Table 3 – Other Contaminants Description of Sample Appearance
Possible Causes
Slime on the bottom of the container or at the fuel/water interface, appearing as a dark brown/black layer; or scum or lacy material floating in the fuel or at interface with water
Surfactant (Surface Active) Contamination
Appearance of microbial contamination depends upon the presence of bacteria, fungus or yeast or other microorganism.
Biological activity is generally observed on the fuel/water interface with a layer of scum, slime or lacy material floating in the fuel phase. The presence of anaerobic bacteria often causes a pungent odor, similar to rotten eggs.
Microbiological Activity
Unusual appearance, color and/or odor
Fuel dyes can cause red, green, blue or any color combination in aviation fuel
Other Product
Cross-Contamination
Dye Contamination
Darkened, discolored, and possibly more viscous fuel with abnormal odor
Fuel Aging
Caution: Unusual odor should be apparent without placing sample close to nose.
Do not inhale fumes.
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5. 8/10/2019