Anton Paar GUM Gum Content Tester

Overview

The Anton Paar GUM Gum Content Tester is a precision-engineered laboratory instrument designed for the quantitative determination of gum content in aviation turbine fuels, motor gasoline, and other volatile distillates, in strict accordance with standardized test methods including ASTM D381, ISO 6246, IP 131, and DIN 51780. The instrument operates on the principle of controlled evaporation under defined thermal and gaseous conditions—either heated air or a mixture of heated air and steam—to volatilize the sample while leaving behind non-volatile, insoluble residues (gum). These residues are subsequently weighed gravimetrically after solvent extraction and drying, yielding a mass-based gum content result expressed in mg per 100 mL of fuel. The GUM system implements rigorous thermal uniformity across all five test positions, ensuring high inter-sample reproducibility and compliance with regulatory requirements for fuel quality assurance in refining, distribution, and military logistics environments.

Key Features

• Five-position parallel testing architecture enabling high-throughput analysis without manual intervention between runs
• Integrated safety manifold with automatic overtemperature cutoff and fail-safe thermal monitoring at each heating zone
• Dedicated dual-mode operation: selectable air-only or air-plus-steam evaporation protocols, each with independent temperature and flow control
• Compact footprint (400 × 400 × 720 mm) optimized for fume hood integration, minimizing lab space requirements while maintaining full operational integrity
• Oil-free, filtered compressed air supply interface (2–4 bar, 180–300 L/min) with real-time pressure monitoring and alarm thresholds
• Steam generation module with regulated inlet temperature (~140 °C), pressure stabilization (3–4 bar), and laminar flow delivery to ensure consistent thermal transfer during gum-forming evaporation
• Robust stainless-steel construction and ceramic-insulated heating elements engineered for long-term stability and resistance to hydrocarbon residue accumulation

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The GUM tester accommodates standard 50 mL fuel samples in ASTM D381-compliant glass crucibles. It supports gasoline, jet fuel (Jet A, Jet A-1, JP-5, JP-8), naphthas, and other light distillates meeting volatility specifications per ASTM D86 or ISO 3405. All operational parameters—including temperature ramp profiles, dwell times, airflow rates, and steam delivery timing—are programmable and auditable, supporting full traceability for GLP and GMP environments. The system complies with ISO/IEC 17025 requirements for test method validation and meets the essential performance criteria outlined in ASTM D381 Annex A1 (precision statements), ISO 6246 Clause 7 (repeatability limits), and USP guidelines for analytical instrument qualification (AIQ). As a product line of Anton Paar—certified to ISO 9001:2015—the GUM undergoes factory calibration verification against NIST-traceable reference standards prior to shipment.

Software & Data Management

The GUM operates via embedded firmware with a tactile membrane keypad and LED status indicators—designed for reliability in harsh industrial labs where network connectivity may be restricted. While no PC-based software is required for routine operation, optional RS-232 or USB serial output enables direct data logging into LIMS or ELN platforms. All test logs—including start/end timestamps, setpoint deviations, thermal profiles, and operator ID (via manual entry)—are stored onboard for ≥1,000 cycles with timestamped audit trails. The firmware supports configurable pass/fail thresholds based on specification limits (e.g., ≤10 mg/100 mL for Jet A per DEF STAN 91-91), triggering visual alerts upon nonconformance. Data export conforms to ASTM E1382-16 (Standard Guide for Computerized Data Acquisition in Analytical Chemistry) and satisfies FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements when paired with validated third-party LIMS solutions that enforce electronic signatures and audit trail retention.

Applications

• Refinery QC laboratories performing incoming crude assay and finished fuel release testing
• Airline and military fuel quality control centers verifying compliance with NATO Code S-1302 and MIL-DTL-83133E
• Independent testing laboratories accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 offering certified gum content reports for regulatory submission
• Research institutions studying oxidation-induced gum formation kinetics under accelerated aging protocols
• Contract manufacturers validating additive package efficacy (e.g., antioxidant performance) in reformulated gasoline blends

FAQ

What test standards does the Anton Paar GUM support?
ASTM D381, ISO 6246, IP 131, DIN 51780, and GB/T 509 — with method-specific parameter presets accessible via front-panel navigation.
Can the GUM be used for diesel or heavy fuel oils?
No — the GUM is specifically validated for volatile distillates with initial boiling points below 250 °C; residual fuels require alternative methods such as ASTM D2061 or D4870.
Is steam generation internal or external to the unit?
Steam is generated externally using a dedicated Anton Paar-compatible steam generator (sold separately); the GUM includes calibrated inlet ports and pressure regulators for seamless integration.
How often does the system require recalibration?
Annual calibration is recommended; Anton Paar provides factory-certified calibration services with NIST-traceable thermocouples and flow meters, documented per ISO/IEC 17025.
Does the GUM include crucible handling tools or extraction solvents?
Crucibles, extraction funnels, and analytical-grade heptane are supplied separately per user-defined SOPs; the instrument includes dedicated mounting fixtures and drip trays compatible with standard ASTM glassware.