ASTM D6446-01 - 10.1.2001
 
1. Scope

1.1 This test method covers the estimation of the net heat of combustion (specific energy) at constant pressure in SI units, megajoules per kilogram, from the fuel density, sulfur, and hydrogen content.

1.2 This test method is purely empirical, and it is applicable only to liquid hydrocarbon fuels derived by normal refining processes from conventional crude oil that conform to the requirements of specifications for aviation turbine fuels of limited boiling ranges and compositions, as described in Note 1 and permitted by each specification.

Note 1--The estimation of the heat of combustion of a hydrocarbon fuel from its hydrogen content, density, and sulfur is justifiable only when the fuel belongs to a well-defined class for which a relationship between these quantities has been derived from accurate experimental measurements on representative samples of that class. Even in this class, the possibility that the estimates can be in error by large amounts for individual fuels should be recognized. The classes of fuels used to establish the correclation presented in this test method are represented by the following specifications:

Fuel Specification
JP-5, Avcat/FSIIMIL-DTL-5624
DEF STAN 91-86
NATO Code F-44
JP-8, Avtur/FSIIMIL-DTL-83133
DEF STAN 91-87
NATO Code F-34
Jet A, Jet A-1, AvturSpecification D 1655
DEF STAN 91-91
NATO Code F-35
CAN/CGSB-3.23

1.3 The heat of combustion can also be estimated by Test Methods D1405, D3338, and D4529.

 
2. Referenced Documents

D4808-23

Standard Test Methods for Hydrogen Content of Light Distillates, Middle Distillates, Gas Oils, and Residua by Low-Resolution Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

D4294-24

Standard Test Method for Sulfur in Petroleum and Petroleum Products by Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry

D4809-25

Standard Test Method for Heat of Combustion of Liquid Hydrocarbon Fuels by Bomb Calorimeter (Precision Method)

F-44

Aviation Turbine Fuel, JP-5

D4529-24

Standard Test Method for Estimation of Net Heat of Combustion of Aviation Fuels

D3120-25

Standard Test Method for Trace Quantities of Sulfur in Light Liquid Petroleum Hydrocarbons by Oxidative Microcoulometry

D3338-08

Standard Test Method for Estimation of Net Heat of Combustion of Aviation Fuels

D3701-23

Standard Test Method for Hydrogen Content of Aviation Turbine Fuels by Low Resolution Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrometry

D4052-22

Standard Test Method for Density, Relative Density, and API Gravity of Liquids by Digital Density Meter

D240-25

Standard Test Method for Heat of Combustion of Liquid Hydrocarbon Fuels by Bomb Calorimeter

D129-18

Standard Test Method for Sulfur in Petroleum Products (General High Pressure Decomposition Device Method) (Withdrawn 2023)

D1217-20

Standard Test Method for Density and Relative Density (Specific Gravity) of Liquids by Bingham Pycnometer (Withdrawn 2026)

D5291-26

Standard Test Method for Instrumental Determination of Carbon, Hydrogen, and Nitrogen in Petroleum Products and Lubricants

DEF STAN 91-91,

Aviation Turbine Fuel, Kerosene Type, Jet A-1

MIL-DTL-83133

Aviation Turbine Fuel, Kerosene Types, NATO F-34 (JP-8), NATO F-35 , and JP-8+100

D5453-25

Standard Test Method for Determination of Total Sulfur in Light Hydrocarbons, Spark Ignition Engine Fuel, Diesel Engine Fuel, and Engine Oil by Ultraviolet Fluorescence

D1655-26

Standard Specification for Aviation Turbine Fuels

D1552-23

Standard Test Method for Sulfur in Petroleum Products by High Temperature Combustion and Infrared (IR) Detection or Thermal Conductivity Detection (TCD)

D2622-26

Standard Test Method for Sulfur in Petroleum Products by Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry

D1250-25

Standard Guide for the Use of the Joint API and ASTM Adjunct for Temperature and Pressure Volume Correction Factors for Generalized Crude Oils, Refined Products, and Lubricating Oils: API MPMS Chapter 11.1

D1266-18

Standard Test Method for Sulfur in Petroleum Products (Lamp Method) (Withdrawn 2025)

D1298-24

Standard Test Method for Density, Relative Density, or API Gravity of Crude Petroleum and Liquid Petroleum Products by Hydrometer Method

D1405-01

Standard Test Method for Estimation of Net Heat of Combustion of Aviation Fuels