Rev: 0 Date: May 29, 2025

Cold Storage Test

PAFI-RTP-005

PAFI Rig #5 Freezer Test

PAFI-RTP-005 Rev 0 PAFI Fuels – Cold Storage

PAFI-RTP-005, Cold Storage Test Plan Rev 0

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Revision Log:

Rev

No.

Rev

Date

Af fected

Page(s) Descript ion of Revis ion

New 7 /16 /20

A l l In it ia l Re lease

0 5 /29 /25 Mu lt ip le In it ia l content rev iew

PREFACE

This test plan spec if ies the requirements for conducting comparat ive materials compatibil ity screening tes ts under the FAA’s piston av iation fuels ini tiat ive (PAFI). This document is derived f rom extens ive FAA and industry experience and best pract ices for evaluat ing the suitabil ity of av iat ion fuels for use in the pis ton powered general aviat ion f leet . This document is used by the FAA to compare and evaluate new aviat ion fuels relative to the performance of 100LL aviat ion gasoline that meets ASTM D910.

In addit ion to the candidate unleaded fuel , an ASTM D910 fuel formulation is required for the screening tests under this plan.

This document is not intended to prov ide a method to obtain data to serve as a showing of compl iance to regulatory requirements for the cert if ication of ai rc raft or ai rc raf t engines.

Furthermore, the material in this document does not change or permit deviat ions f rom ex ist ing regulatory requirements. This material is neither mandatory nor regulatory in nature. Use of this document or any derivat ive, in an attempt to obtain an FAA authorization of an alternative av iation fuel , should be pre-coordinated and approved by the appropriate FAA office(s) as part of an approved quali f icat ion program.

Successful complet ion of this test plan prov ides data that may support both FAA Fleet authorizat ion and development of an ASTM product ion speci ficat ion for PAFI Fuels. It also al lows the collec tion of data to be used to generate performance and detonat ion performance values in support of other candidate

3 | P a g e PAFI-RTP-005 fuel types being invest igated under various FAA Research & Development projects.

References made to the Alternat ive Fuels Program Off ice or AFPO, refer to the group within the FAA that is responsible for the PAFI program. At the t ime of this revis ion, that group is the AIR-650 organizat ion. Please see https: //www.faa.gov/about/ init iat ives/avgas/org_info .

https://www.faa.gov/about/initiatives/avgas/org_info

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. SCOPE

1.1. Provisos

2. OBJECTIVES

3. BACKGROUND

4. PAFI RIG SCREENING TEST PLANS

5. APPLICABLE FAA, SAE & ASTM REQUIREMENTS

5.1. FAA Regulations

5.2. FAA Advisory Circulars & Orders

5.3. SAE Standards

5.4. ASTM Guidance & Practices

6. DESCRIPTION OF TEST ARTICLES

7. DEFINITIONS & TERMINOLOGY

7.1. Exposure

7.2. Calibration

7.3. Sample

7.4. Sample Set

7.5. Specimen

7.6. Ultra-Low Temperature

7.7. Validation

8. FUEL CONFORMITY

8.1. Test Fuels

9. SAFETY PROCEDURES

9.1. Sample Fill (Reference ASTM D4057-12, Section 5.2)

9.2. Static Charge (REFERENCE ASTM D4057-12)

9.3. Vapor Hazards

9.4. Ice Burns/Frostbite

9.5. Personal Protective Equipment

9.5.1. Standard PPE –

9.5.2. Ultra-low Temperature PPE –

10. PRE-TEST REQUIREMENTS

10.1. Specimen Identification

10.2. Pre-Exposure Baseline Data

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10.3. Pre-Exposure Photographs

10.4. Laboratory Notebook

11. TEST FACILITY & EQUIPMENT

11.1. Ultra-low Temperature Freezer or Cold Chamber

11.2. Low Temperature Freezer

11.3. Cold Chamber Storage Racks

11.4. One Liter Sample Containers

11.5. Karl Fischer Moisture Meter – Coulometric

11.6. Calibrated / Validated Laboratory Measuring Equipment

12. TEST WITNESSING

13. TEST PROCEDURE – COLD SOAK TESTING

13.1. Materials

13.2. Specimen Preparation

13.2.1. Transfer Fuel

13.2.2. Ambient Water Content

13.2.3. Photography

13.2.4. Prepare Cold Chamber

13.3. Exposure

13.4. Post Exposure Measurements

14. PASS/FAIL CRITERIA

15. TEST PERSONNEL

16. TEST RESULTS REPORT

17. REFERENCES

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TABLE OF APPENDICES

APPENDIX A – TEST FUEL COA REQUIREMENTS………..…..………..….. 22

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Materials Test Plan

PAFI-RTP-005

Cold Soak Storage Test

1. SCOPE

This test plan spec ifies the requirements and procedures for conduct ing comparative cold storage test ing of an unleaded fuel to generate data required for partic ipating in the FAA Piston Aviat ion Fuels Ini tiat ive (PAFI) test program.

This data wil l be used for the evaluat ion of an unleaded fuel being tested in the PAFI test program. The data wi ll be used as part of the final evaluat ion of data for fleet authorizat ion.

Speci fic objectives of this plan are stated as fol lows:

1) Execute cold storage exposure test ing and collect fuel performance data to assess fuel propens ity for separation or other anomalous behav ior with changing temperature.

The test plan inc ludes the requirements for conf i rming baseline condit ion, test set -up, inst rumentat ion, specimen col lection and support ing documentation such as fuel certi f icat ion documents as prerequisi tes to the test ing identif ied.

Fuel cold storage temperatures are speci fied as -10, -20, -30, -40, -50, and -58 °C (14, -4, -22, -40, -58, and -72 °F). Testing consis ts of chi lling the fuel to the test temperature and condit ioning for a minimum of 7 ½ hours. A visual inspect ion of the samples is made at each temperature.

Requirements for conf i rming tes t equipment conf igurat ion, test inst rumentation, and supporting documentat ion such as fuel cert if ication and equipment cal ibration/val idation are pre-requis ites to the testing ident if ied.

1.1. PROVISOS

The following ident ifies s ignif icant assumptions, requirements, and prov isions associated with the tes ting prescribed within this test plan. Note that test ing performed pursuant to this test plan provides data supporting FAA f leet authorizat ion for PAFI unleaded fuels . Except in cases where FAA approval of test ing is received a priori, where test ing is performed on fuel produced to the f inal formulat ion, and when testing is witnessed by an FAA designated representat ive, the resul ting data MAY be des ignated as supporting f leet authorizat ion. Any subsequent change to the fuel formulat ion outs ide of speci fied manufacturing limits wi ll negate the use of any collected data, even i f appropriately approved and witnessed by the FAA. Test ing performed to this test plan must be wi tnessed by an ident if ied des ignated representat ive of the FAA.

This may be achieved us ing a Des ignated Engineering Representative (DER) or other representative approved by the AFPO Staff prior to execut ing tes ting.

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NOTE: In the event testing is conducted outside the FAA’s Wi ll iam J . Hughes Technical Center, tes ting performed to this test plan must be witnessed by an ident if ied des ignated representative of the FAA. This may be achieved through the use of a Designated Engineering Representat ive (DER) or other representat ive approved by the FAA AFPO or PAFI Advisory Committee prior to executing test ing.

NOTE: Test ing performed pursuant to this tes t plan prov ides data supporting 1) FAA fleet authorization for each PAFI unleaded fuel, and 2) the development of an ASTM International av iat ion gasol ine product ion spec ificat ion for each fuel.

2. OBJECTIVES

The object ive of the Cold Storage Test Plan comparat ive fuel performance tests is defined as follows.

1) Determine how the fuel wi ll behave, espec ial ly wi th respect to f reezing or separat ion, as the fuel is cold soaked.

3. BACKGROUND

Historical ly aviat ion gasoline has displayed both a res istance to f reezing and an observable stabi li ty when the fuel is cold soaked to temperatures as low as -58 °C (-72 °F). This is due primari ly to the chemical composit ion of av iation gasoline produced in compliance with ASTM D910, a resul t of the mi l itary requirements of the 1940s. The requirements were that the fuel have a f reez ing point no higher than -60 °C (-76 °F).

In order to blend fuels hav ing the necessary detonat ion resis tance, components wi th di fferent physical properties wi th respect to temperature could potentially result in a fuel that separates during cold s torage, even if it meets the f reeze point requirements. This st r iation could then result in a loss of the octane enhancing component, and concentrat ion of chemicals wi th human health risks and/or aggress ive behaviors towards hardware materials.

Accordingly , the test plan prepared for the FAA PAFI Rig screening tes t provides for the development of a common set of val idat ion data support ing compliance with both ASTM and FAA certif icat ion requirements. Current ly there are no published regulat ions for cold storage propert ies . ASTM D7826 provides guidance in evaluat ing the comparat ive behaviors of fuels and the handling of non-comparative outcomes.

The scope and extent of the FAA PAFI Cold Storage Test plan is defined by TAC- PROJ-016, latest revis ion which integrates the findings and recommendations of the PAFI Technical Team meet ing of October 9, 2014. The cold storage stabi li ty test plan documented in PAFI RTP-005 is based upon the cold soak protocol defined in Section 2.4 of FAA contract DTFACT 13-D-00010 Order 0005.

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4. PAFI RIG SCREENING TEST PLANS

The matrix of r ig screening tes t plans support ing the test protocols ident ified in TAC-PRJ-008 latest rev ision is presented as follows. The test plans wi ll fol low a common format with general procedures, processes, and test inst rumentation being common to all. The current plan is highl ighted in the lis t below:

RIG SCREENING TEST PLANS

PAFI-RTP-001, Cold Flow Hardware Test PAFI-RTP-002, Carburetor Ic ing Test (Incorporated into Engine Test Plan(s)) PAFI-RTP-003, Dynamic/Operational Hardware Test, (Removed) PAFI-RTP-004, Long Term Storage Test , Ambient and Elevated PAFI-RTP-005, Cold Storage Stabil ity Test PAFI-RTP-006, Hot Surface Ignit ion Temperature Test, (Removed) PAFI-RTP-007, Ful l Scale Engine Emiss ions Test , (Not Released) PAFI-RTP-008, Comingling Evaluat ion with 100LL, (Not Released) PAFI-RTP-009, Dynamic Diaphragm Test PAFI-RTP-010, Fuel Sump Valve Test PAFI-RTP-011, Vented Drum Storage Test

Test plans prepared in support of the FAA PAFI test program for unleaded fuels are subject to the fol lowing review and approval protocol.

1) PAFI r ig test plans follow a format and content cons istent with establ ished practice for FAA compl iance projects .

2) Draft tes t plans are furnished to the FAA AFPO off ice for review and approval prior to release to the TAC.

3) Upon concurrence f rom AFPO, the test plan wi l l be formally furnished to the PAFI TAC for review and concurrence preceded by FAA Contracts review and authorization for release to the TAC.

4) A f inal tes t plan wil l be released incorporat ing changes resul ting f rom the TAC rev iew.

5) All changes and referrals to this test plan should reference the latest revis ion level and date.

5. APPLICABLE FAA, SAE & ASTM REQUIREMENTS

The following is a lis ting of the appl icable FAA, SAE, and ASTM documents which contain informat ion relevant to the test ing spec if ied by this test plan.

5.1. FAA REGULATIONS

There are no FAA Regulat ions applicable to the test ing.

5.2. FAA ADVISORY CIRCULARS & ORDERS

There are no FAA Advisory c i rculars or orders applicable to the test ing.

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5.3. SAE STANDARDS

There are no SAE standards applicable to the test ing.

5.4. ASTM GUIDANCE & PRACTICES

ASTM guidance and s tandards applicable to the test ing identi fied are listed as follows. Data provided by this test plan wil l support the development of an ASTM product ion spec if ication for each of the unleaded fuels.

1) ASTM D4176 “Standard Test Method for Free Water and Part iculate Contaminat ion in Dis ti llate Fuels (Visual Inspect ion Procedures)

2) ASTM D6304 “Standard Test Method for Determinat ion of Water in Petroleum Products, Lubricat ing Oi ls, and Additives by Coulometric Karl Fischer Tit rat ion”

3) ASTM D7826 “Standard Guide for Evaluat ion of New Av iation Gasol ines and New Aviation Gasoline Addit ives”

6. DESCRIPTION OF TEST ARTICLES

This test plan uti l izes no spec ial tes t articles beyond the fuels to be tested.

7. DEFINITIONS & TERMINOLOGY

Definit ions, terminology and abbrev iations speci fic to this document and to FAA nomenclature are summarized in the fol lowing section.

7.1. EXPOSURE

Within this document, the term exposure is the placement of specimens in a test f luid at a given temperature for a given amount of t ime.

7.2. CALIBRATION

Cal ibrat ion is a set of act ions that establ ishes that the inst rument being cal ibrated is equal to or reports values equal to a s tandard. The unknown, the inst rument being cal ibrated, wi ll be checked against a known, the standard, at several di fferent points and adjustments made to the unknown to bring it into al ignment wi th the standard.

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7.3. SAMPLE

Within this document the following concept is meant by the term “sample”. A sample is the spec if ic material to be prepared as specimens and exposed to test f luids. For example, 100LL AvGas is a sample, and UL100 test fuel is a second sample.

7.4. SAMPLE SET

A sample set is all of the individual spec imens and al l of the test f luids compris ing a set of samples to generate a set of data. For example, the top, middle, bottom specimens from the 100LL and the top, middle, bottom specimens f rom the UL100 experimental test fuel at -40 °C comprise the “-40 °C Sample Set”.

7.5. SPECIMEN

Within this document the fol lowing concept is meant by the term “spec imen”.

Specimens are the individual pieces/aliquots collected f rom the sample materials .

For example, the three indiv idual fuel volumes col lected f rom the test sample (the fuel) are the tes t specimens for a single temperature exposure.

7.6. ULTRA-LOW TEMPERATURE

Within this document ult ra-low temperatures are those less than -40 °C (40 °F).

7.7. VALIDATION

As opposed to cal ibrat ion, val idat ion is the act of document ing that an inst rument wi l l actual ly and consistent ly give expected resul ts. This may be done by measuring a specimen with a known value and conf i rming the ins t rument reports that value within the repeatabil ity of the inst rument. If the expected value does not resul t, validat ion has fai led and some addit ional act ion must be taken to repair or adjust (calibrate) the inst rument.

8. FUEL CONFORMITY

8.1. TEST FUELS

Each PAFI test fuel shall be shown to conform to the complete spec if ication approved by the AFPO, as documented by a CoA furnished with each fuel batch or bulk volume del ivered by the fuel supplier to the tes t fac il ity. In addit ion, representat ive data must be generated by an independent 3rd party laboratory for specif ic pre- and post -test c riteria. Pre-test samples should be f rom fuel col lected f rom the original shipping containers ‘as received’ by the Test Faci li ty. Analysis must be performed on the fuel samples in accordance with Appendix A. Deviat ions f rom the fuel spec ification shall require approval of AFPO. The full Test Fuel CoA

12 | P a g e PAFI-RTP-005 as well as the pre and post-tes t analys is spec if ied in Appendix A must be included in the test resul ts report .

NOTE: A f ive-gallon retained sample of the tes t fuel ‘as received’ at the test fac il ity must be col lected and stored unt il complet ion of the PAFI tes t program.

See PAFI-FHP-001.

NOTE: The impact of di fferences in a fuel’s propens ity to draw water ( its hydrophi l ic nature) and the potential for this water to f reeze in the carburetor, is considered during Carburetor Icing test ing.

A wors t -case f reez ing point fuel is required for the cold storage tes ting with the fuel blend composi tion to be ident if ied in advance by the Fuel Offeror with concurrence f rom FAA AFPO. Worst case freez ing fuel is def ined as a blend which is compliant with the fuel’s speci ficat ion; either D910 <-58 °C (-72.4 °F) or the maximum f reeze point that can occur within the normal product ion of the test fuel.

9. SAFETY PROCEDURES

This document does not purport to address all safety considerations. This document does not replace or supersede individual inst rument documentation, site procedures, or general indust ry practices. Appropriate safety precautions are the respons ibi lity of the Test Faci lity conduct ing the tes t. The Test Faci l ity shal l establ ish and ensure compl iance with the applicable safety and health s tandards.

Prior to ini tiat ion of tes ting, each test set -up shall be inspected for safe practices.

Cons ideration for personal protective gear (PPE) is the respons ibi lity of the Test Fac il ity .

9.1. SAMPLE FILL (REFERENCE ASTM D4057-12, SECTION 5.2)

For safety and protection of the integrity of the samples, during t ransportation and storage, the use of a sample carrier is recommended. A safe fi ll of between 70 and 85 vol. % is recommended unless otherwise inst ructed. Do not f il l over 85% of the container volume.

9.2. STATIC CHARGE (REFERENCE ASTM D4057-12)

1) Grounding (D4057-12, Sect ion 5.4.1) A number of f i res and explosions have occurred as a result of hydrocarbon vapors being ignited by stat ic elect rici ty. I f elect r ical charges are not grounded, they are unable to diss ipate and become “s tatic. ” This static elect ric charge can accumulate and f reely migrate to a single point on the sample container by a dif ference in elec t rical potential, then jump of f as a high-energy spark discharge to a nearby less charged surface. The spark may be hot and prolonged enough to igni te nearby hydrocarbon vapors present above the lower explosive limi t (LEL). This potential shal l be

13 | P a g e PAFI-RTP-005 managed by safely dissipat ing stat ic charges, and through proper grounding, when handl ing f lammable products .

2) Personal At ti re (D4057-12, Sect ion 4.5.2) Footwear or clothing, capable of caus ing sparks, should not be worn during fuel handl ing activ it ies in which f lammable vapors are likely to be present .

Sampl ing should not be carried out during periods of atmospheric elect ric dis turbance or hai lstorms. To ground any stat ic charge on their body, the individual performing the handl ing should touch a grounded structure prior to handl ing fuel.

9.3. VAPOR HAZARDS

All testing must be done in compl iance with si te and local f i re safety protocols as wel l as applicable NFPA regulations. The presence of f lammable vapors requires a f lammable materials storage f reezer. The des ign concepts are based on the removal of igni tion sources f rom the compressor. The primary intent is to el iminate ignit ion of the vapors inside the s torage compartment by igni tion sources also within the storage compartment.

9.4. ICE BURNS/FROSTBITE

This document does not replace or supersede any local or site requirements related to ult ra-low temperature exposure. Frostbite or the formation of ice crystals in human tissues occurs at -4 °C (25 °F) or lower. This tes t requires cold soaking test artic les at temperatures f rom -10 to -58 °C (14 to -72 °F). The test ing requires handling these chil led samples at temperature and exposure to a chi l led environment (tes t chamber). Unprotected contact with items chi lled to less than -4 °C (25 °F) for periods of t ime longer than a few minutes can cause f rostbite and ice burns.

9.5. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

This document does not replace or supersede any local or site requirements related to personal protective equipment .

9.5.1. STANDARD PPE –

Technic ians and tes t engineers are advised to fami liarize themselves wi th the safety data sheets (SDS) for all the f luids under test. Indiv iduals are recommended to use at a minimum safety glasses or goggles, pet roleum res istant gloves, and lab coats or aprons. Closed toed, non-charge isolat ing footwear is also recommended.

9.5.2. ULTRA-LOW TEMPERATURE PPE –

Respective to cold exposure, technic ians and tes t engineers are adv ised to consider the necessary personal protect ive equipment speci fic to ult ra-low

14 | P a g e PAFI-RTP-005 temperature exposure. Examples of recommended PPE inc lude but are not limited to gloves with suff icient conductive protection to permit handl ing samples of -58 °C (-72 °F) for at least 30 minutes, a laboratory apron with insulat ive propert ies, and a face shield. These should be worn over s tandard laboratory PPE or if necessary , in a place of, recognizing the chemical res istance may be less than that of standard PPE.

10. PRE-TEST REQUIREMENTS

10.1. SPECIMEN IDENTIFICATION

The container used for cold soak exposure shal l have a form of permanent sample ident if ication affixed to the container. Due to the exposure temperatures and subsequent condensation during inspect ion, a non-paper label , such as a metal tag wired to the bot tle is recommended. While the bott les may also be marked with permanent markers, be adv ised subsequent inspect ions may require the use of a laboratory solvent to remove exterior condensation. This solvent rinse may remove such markings.

10.2. PRE-EXPOSURE BASELINE DATA

When the test commences, a spec imen of the test fluid shal l be col lec ted. This specimen shal l be analyzed for ex isting water content by ASTM D6304 Karl Fischer, procurement of a baseline inf rared spectrum, and baseline GC-MS spectra. These wil l be used for comparative analys is.

10.3. PRE-EXPOSURE PHOTOGRAPHS

When the test commences, each sample shall have a representat ive pre-exposure photograph taken. This photograph must include a standard haze chart such as that described in ASTM D4176, Clear and Bright test ing, or simi lar background which shall be placed behind the sample. It is recommended that the set-up for photographs inc lude a repeatable backdrop/surface (white or blue), repeatable l ighting, and the abil ity to repeat camera locat ion. It is recommended that a printed identif icat ion label be inc luded in the photo that inc ludes sample ident if ication, and that it is pre-exposure.

10.4. LABORATORY NOTEBOOK

Either a bound notebook or digital notebook shall be maintained for any exposure test ing. Technic ians shal l record each indiv idual spec imen’s unique identi ficat ion, any lot or cert if icat ion information, and al l corresponding pre-exposure data. Each test and tes t method, as well as any equipment identi ficat ion shal l be recorded.

The tes t results report shal l document the manufacturer and model of any analyt ical equipment used. Informat ion related to the inst rument calibration or val idation shal l be recorded.

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This notebook shall also be used to record any start times and dates, tes t condit ions such as temperature, v isual observations, and the t ime and date of test terminations.

Anomal ies, issues, troubleshooting, unplanned events , and any other observat ions shal l be recorded in the notebook. Final test data shall be recorded and pos it ively connected to the appropriate pre-exposure data.

11. TEST FACILITY & EQUIPMENT

11.1. ULTRA-LOW TEMPERATURE FREEZER OR COLD CHAMBER

The f reezer or cold chamber used to conduct this test shall cons ist of a unit capable of reaching -80 °C (112 °F) and maintaining this temperature ±2 °C (±5 °F). Considerations for the upper range temperature range must be made. If -10 °C (14 °F) is above the maximum upper range temperature of the f reezer (which is t rue for most ul t ra-low temperature f reezers), a standard low-temperature f reezer shal l also be available (See Section 11.2). Digital programmable temperature control wi th actual temperature readout is recommended.

11.2. LOW TEMPERATURE FREEZER

I f the available ult ra-low temperature f reezer or cold chamber is not capable of maintaining the higher exposure temperatures, an addit ional f reezer capable of reaching and maintaining temperatures, typically 0 to -40 °C (32 to -40 °F) shal l be available. Digi tal programmable temperature control with actual temperature readout is recommended.

11.3. COLD CHAMBER STORAGE RACKS

Depending on the des ign of the freezers, racks capable of holding the selected sample containers wi th suffic ient ai r c i rculat ion to faci litate cold soaking are recommended.

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11.4. ONE LITER SAMPLE CONTAINERS

While the choice of sample container is at the discretion of the test ing faci li ty, the containers must provide optical access for v isual inspection, be temperature res istant to -70 °C (-94 °F), and able to res ist thermal shock during handling and rins ing for optical access during v isual inspection and photography. The l id must also be cryogenic resistant .

One-liter, square HD Boros il icate Media Bott les have been successful ly used for this test ing.

11.5. KARL FISCHER MOISTURE METER –

COULOMETRIC

A Karl Fischer ti t rator and concomitant chemicals are required to determine the moisture content of the samples. Test ing is to be performed per ASTM D6304.

Depending on the chemist ry of the test fuel, reagents for aldehyde/ketone samples, or an addit ional oil dryer accessory , see D6304, Procedure C, for amine containing fuels may be required.

11.6. CALIBRATED / VALIDATED LABORATORY MEASURING EQUIPMENT

Testing and measuring require standard laboratory equipment which has been cal ibrated or validated as appropriate. This l ist of equipment does not exclude others. Any equipment which has calibration shal l have the date of the latest cal ibration recorded. For ins t ruments us ing val idation measurements, the results of the validation shal l be recorded and the means of rect ifying any non-compl iant equipment documented.

Instrument Report Reference

Thermometer/thermocouples Cal ibrat ion N/A

12. TEST WITNESSING

Test witnessing is required for the col lec tion and report ing of data collected in compl iance with this test plan. This data is to be used by the FAA as part of their evaluat ion for f leet authorizat ion. Fuel formulators shal l submit a test plan for approval by the FAA before executing tes ting. Part of the submitted test plan must be a means of test witness ing by an FAA authorized representative.

Testing performed in accordance with an approved test plan shal l be witnessed by a representat ive of FAA AIR600 or their des ignated representat ive. The extent of witnessing is at the discretion of the FAA; however, at a minimum the representat ive shall verify and witness the fol lowing segments.

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1) Veri fy cert if icates of analysis are available for support ing samples as appropriate and for all test fuels

2) Veri fy ins t rument cal ibrat ion/val idation as appropriate

3) Inspect tes t set up (jars , spec imen arrays, r igs , ovens, etc.

4) Veri fy pre-exposure data, record keeping and spec imen control

5) Review test plan wi th test personnel

6) Witness tes t init iation

7) Witness fuel exchanges at the FAA’s discret ion and as appropriate

8) Witness tes t conclus ion

9) Witness post exposure test ing at the FAA’s discretion and as appropriate

10) Veri fy test ing in accordance with test plan

13. TEST PROCEDURE – COLD SOAK TESTING

13.1. MATERIALS

1) ASTM D910 compl iant aviat ion gasoline produced with the highest f reeze point within the spec ificat ion l imits.

2) Candidate fuel(s)

13.2. SPECIMEN PREPARATION

13.2.1. TRANSFER FUEL

Transfer fuel samples into labelled glass bott les . Fil l the bott les to ~85% volume f il l.

13.2.2. AMBIENT WATER CONTENT

At the t ime of test ing, col lect a spec imen of the fuel “as is ”. Measure the ambient water content of the tes t fuels by Karl Fischer Coulometric per ASTM D6304 and record the values. Because of the temperature dependence of water content , this specimen shal l not be al lowed to warm or cool prior to the analys is. Immediate test ing is recommended.

13.2.3. PHOTOGRAPHY

Photograph samples by placing a v isual indicator such as an ASTM D4176 Haze Chart or s imilar behind the sample bot tle. Provide repeatable l ighting with minimum l ight glare. Photograph each sample.

I t is recommended that posi tive sample identi ficat ion be inc luded in the phtograph.

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13.2.4. PREPARE COLD CHAMBER

Place the samples into the f reezer rack and bring the f reezer to the init ial test temperature of -10 °C (14 °F).

13.3. EXPOSURE

1) Carefully place sample bot tles into sample racks. Free air movement around the sample bott les wil l provide for even cooling. CAUTION:

Placing room temperature sample bottles into the f reezer already at an ul t ra-low temperature risks sample bott le breakage due to thermal shock.

2) Allow the samples to chil l for a minimum of 7 ½ hours before col lect ing specimens. Record actual conditioning time. This exposure t ime inc ludes the time reaching the target temperature.

3) Either manually or elec tronical ly confi rm the actual f reezer temperature over the condit ioning period. Variations greater than 2 °C are allowed during the cool ing period, but the test temperature should stabi l ize wi thin an hour af ter reaching the target temperature.

4) Af ter at least three (3) hours exposure t ime at the target temperature, not inc luding the t ime to reach the temperature, carefully remove a sample bott le. Do not tip or agitate the sample during the removal.

Caution: Frostbite/ freezer burn risk during sample container handling.

NOTE: Minimize the t ime the cold chamber is open to minimize temperature swings in the chamber.

5) Due to ambient humidity, a layer of condensation ice is l ikely to form on the bott le surface. This is best remediated for v isual inspect ion and photography by rinsing the bot tle external surface with cold/cool isopropanol, ethanol, methanol, or other laboratory solvent capable of removing the water and not itself f reezing on the bottle surface. Collec t r insate per local health and safety requirements.

Visually inspect the sample for water, ice, or waxy format ion wi thin the sample, phys ical separat ions in the fluid, or other v isual abnormalit ies.

Record the observations and specif ical ly photograph any observat ions.

6) Immediately photograph the sample us ing the same haze chart, l ighting, and other condit ions as original photography. Spec ial attent ion should be paid to capture any visual anomal ies. Caution: There is a breakage risk due to thermal shock. Minimize the time the containers are outs ide of the chamber.

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7) Return the sample bott les to the f reezer rack and lower the f reezer temperature to the next lower value. Exposures are to be performed at -10, -20, -30, -40, -50, and -58 °C (14, -4, -22, -40, -58, and -72°F).

8) Repeat s teps 1 through 7 for each exposure temperature.

13.4. POST EXPOSURE MEASUREMENTS

No post exposure measurements, except the photographs required.

14. PASS/FAIL CRITERIA

In general, it is not expected that a fuel wi ll display measurable st rati f icat ion or separat ion of the fuel blend components . Fuels with higher hydroscopic tendenc ies may display more noticeable water separation with the temperature reductions. Whi le not grounds for fai lure of the fuel in and of itsel f, the propensi ty to form large ice aggregation layers is undesirable, espec ial ly when occurring at higher temperatures.

Actual separat ion of fuel components should be cons idered grounds for fai lure.

15. TEST PERSONNEL

The testing source shall ident ify a single POC for conduct of this test ing. This POC shall be equivalent to a Test Director who shal l have the authority for oversight and superv ision of those conduct ing the tes t. The identi fied POC shall have responsibi l ity during the test for decis ions regarding execut ing and integri ty of the test . This local POC for the test ing shal l have the FAA point of contact c learly ident if ied and contact information avai lable.

The local des ignated POC is not a FAA des ignated representat ive, and does not have authority to witness test ing for the FAA. While the FAA may choose to ident ify this person as a des ignated representative, this ident if ication as such is solely at the discret ion of the FAA. Any ident ificat ion of the POC as the designated FAA representat ive for the purposes of wi tness ing tests must be made prior to any testing occurring.

16. TEST RESULTS REPORT

The objective of the test ing speci fied is to generate data support ing a fuel formulator’s participation in the FAA PAFI tes ting program with the intent of demonstrating the fuel formulat ions remain within acceptable l imits for the use of the offered fuels. The report document ing the test results pursuant to this Test Plan shal l include the support ing data, observat ions, tes t art icles, and fuel cert if ications. I t shall also inc lude the ident ificat ion of test equipment used, and

20 | P a g e PAFI-RTP-005 evidence of equipment cal ibration or validat ion as appropriate. A table showing graphical ly the test resul ts, compliance to the pass/fai l c riteria, and the actual test results shall be prov ided.

17. REFERENCES

In addit ion to the reference material of Sect ion 5, the following references are related to the testing described.

1) ASTM D910, “Standard Spec ification for Av iat ion Gasol ine. ”

2) PAFI TAC-PROJ-016

3) FAA UAT ARC Final Report, dated 17 February, 2012.

http://www.faa.gov/about/initiatives/avgas/archive/2012-10-05

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http://www.faa.gov/about/initiatives/avgas/archive/2012-10-05

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APPENDIX A

TEST FUEL COA REQUIREMENTS

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Note that this information is required for the candidate fuel, as well as for any MS100LL and FBO100LL fuels that are used during the test ing.

PRE AND POST TEST FUEL ANALYSIS PARAMETERS

PROPERTY TEST

METHOD

Distillation D86

Viscosity D445

Surface Tension D1331

Water reaction D1094

Density D4052

Moisture Content by Karl Fischer D6304

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