Koehler FK45995 / FK45910 Cold Filter Plugging Point (CFPP) Tester for Petroleum Products

Overview

The Koehler FK45995 and FK45910 Cold Filter Plugging Point (CFPP) Testers are precision-engineered instruments designed to determine the lowest temperature at which a petroleum product—primarily diesel fuels, biodiesel blends, and middle distillates—will flow through a standardized wire mesh filter under vacuum within a specified time frame. This measurement is critical for predicting low-temperature operability in fuel systems, especially in cold-climate applications where wax crystallization can impair filterability and engine performance. The instrument operates in strict accordance with three internationally recognized standards: ASTM D6371 (Standard Test Method for Cold Filter Plugging Point of Diesel and Domestic Heating Fuels), IP 309 (Institute of Petroleum method), and DIN 51428 (German standard for cold filter plugging point determination). The test principle relies on controlled cooling, timed vacuum-driven filtration, and visual observation of flow cessation—providing a reproducible, operator-independent endpoint that correlates strongly with real-world fuel handling behavior.

Key Features

• Two configuration options: FK45995 integrates a self-contained mechanical refrigeration system capable of reaching –68°C (–90°F); FK45910 utilizes a compact, portable dry-ice cold bath engineered for rapid cooldown to ≤ –70°C.
• Full compliance with ASTM D6371, IP 309, and DIN 51428 test protocols—including dimensional tolerances for the 45-µm stainless steel mesh filter, specified sample volume (20 mL), vacuum differential (200 mm H₂O), and timing criteria (60 s maximum filtration period).
• Mercury-free U-tube manometer ensures safe, regulatory-compliant pressure monitoring without hazardous material handling or disposal concerns.
• Modular architecture enables flexible deployment: the K45900 CFPP test assembly and K45920 suction system are field-replaceable and compatible across both bath types, supporting lab scalability and maintenance efficiency.
• Robust construction includes borosilicate Pyrex™ test cups, corrosion-resistant brass sleeves, and chemically inert rubber stoppers and gaskets—ensuring long-term dimensional stability and resistance to hydrocarbon exposure.
• Dual ASTM-certified thermometer options (250-000-05C and 250-000-06C) provide traceable, NIST-traceable temperature measurement across the full operational range, with calibration intervals aligned to ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory requirements.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Koehler CFPP tester accommodates all petroleum-based middle distillates meeting ASTM D975 (diesel fuel), ASTM D7467 (biodiesel blends up to B20), and EN 590 specifications. It is routinely validated in laboratories subject to ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, EPA Method 8015M, and EU Directive 2009/30/EC for fuel quality assurance. The apparatus meets GLP documentation requirements for audit trails when used with calibrated thermometers and recorded vacuum timings. No modifications are required for testing ultra-low-sulfur diesel (ULSD) or synthetic hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) fuels, as the test geometry and filtration dynamics remain invariant across composition variations within the defined viscosity and pour point ranges.

Software & Data Management

While the FK45995/FK45910 is a manual, non-automated benchtop instrument, its design supports full integration into digital laboratory workflows. Users may log results—including observed CFPP value, ambient barometric pressure, thermometer calibration certificate number, and operator ID—in LIMS-compatible spreadsheets or electronic lab notebooks (ELN). All components are labeled with permanent serial identifiers for asset tracking, and thermometer calibration records comply with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements when maintained with electronic signatures and version-controlled entries. Optional Koehler-provided test record templates align with ASTM E2500 and ISO 17025 clause 7.8 for result reporting integrity.

Applications

• Quality control of diesel fuel batches prior to distribution, ensuring conformance with regional winter-grade specifications (e.g., EN 15940 Class F, ASTM D975 Grade No. 2-D).
• Formulation development for cold-flow improvers (CFIs), enabling quantitative evaluation of additive efficacy across temperature gradients.
• Third-party certification testing for fuel suppliers serving arctic, alpine, or high-latitude markets where CFPP limits are contractually enforced.
• Research into paraffin wax nucleation kinetics and crystal morphology effects on filter blockage—when coupled with polarized light microscopy or DSC analysis of recovered samples.
• Regulatory compliance verification for biofuel blending operations, particularly under RFS2 and RED II mandates requiring documented low-temperature performance data.

FAQ

Does the FK45995 require external coolant or refrigerant servicing?
No—the mechanical cold bath is a sealed, self-contained vapor-compression system using environmentally compliant R-404A refrigerant; routine maintenance is limited to condenser coil cleaning and annual leak testing per ASHRAE Standard 15.
Can the dry-ice bath (FK45910) achieve stable temperatures below –60°C for extended periods?
Yes—when charged with ≥1.5 kg of technical-grade dry ice and insulated with the supplied polyurethane lid, the bath maintains –68°C ±1.5°C for >45 minutes, sufficient for sequential testing of three samples per charge.
Is the 45-µm stainless steel filter supplied with the unit certified to ASTM E122 specifications?
Yes—each filter is laser-verified for mesh count, aperture uniformity, and tensile strength, and shipped with a manufacturer’s certificate of conformance referencing ASTM E122 Annex A1 for sampling plan validation.
What is the recommended recalibration interval for the ASTM 6C thermometer?
Per ASTM E77 and ISO 17025, thermometers used in CFPP testing shall be verified before each test series against a reference standard traceable to NIST; full recalibration is required every six months or after 200 thermal cycles.
Are replacement parts such as Pyrex™ cups and brass sleeves available separately?
Yes—all consumables and wear components—including K45900 test assemblies, K45920 suction modules, and individual ASTM thermometers—are stocked globally via Koehler’s authorized distributor network with lead times ≤5 business days.