Designation: D8046 − 16a

Standard Guide for

Pumpability of Heat Transfer Fluids1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D8046; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope* D93 Test Methods for Flash Point by Pensky-Martens

1.1 This guide covers general information, without specific Closed Cup Tester
limits, for selecting and evaluating pumpability characteristics D97 Test Method for Pour Point of Petroleum Products
of heat transfer fluids at both low and high temperature. This D445 Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent
guide is a compendium of information and does not recom- and Opaque Liquids (and Calculation of Dynamic Viscos-
mend a specific course of action. This guide provides addi- ity)
tional information on pumpability topics found in companion D891 Test Methods for Specific Gravity, Apparent, of Liquid
guides for evaluating heat transfer fluids, Guides D5372 and Industrial Chemicals
D7665. D2161 Practice for Conversion of Kinematic Viscosity to
1.2 Pumpability of heat transfer fluids is dependent on both Saybolt Universal Viscosity or to Saybolt Furol Viscosity
fluid properties and the design of the fluid handling system that D2270 Practice for Calculating Viscosity Index from Kine-
stores and transports the fluid, and therefore presents a number matic Viscosity at 40 °C and 100 °C
of pumping options. This guide is considered particularly D2879 Test Method for Vapor Pressure-Temperature Rela-
useful for identifying pumpability options. The listing of test tionship and Initial Decomposition Temperature of Liq-
standards and guides is not all-inclusive and additional stan- uids by Isoteniscope
dards and guides may be useful. D2887 Test Method for Boiling Range Distribution of Pe-
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as troleum Fractions by Gas Chromatography
standard. D2983 Test Method for Low-Temperature Viscosity of Lu-
1.3.1 Exception—Other units are provided for information bricants Measured by Brookfield Viscometer
only. D4052 Test Method for Density, Relative Density, and API
Gravity of Liquids by Digital Density Meter
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the D5372 Guide for Evaluation of Hydrocarbon Heat Transfer
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- Fluids
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- D6304 Test Method for Determination of Water in Petro-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Users of heat leum Products, Lubricating Oils, and Additives by Cou-
transfer fluids should be especially mindful of potential fire and lometric Karl Fischer Titration
explosion hazards. D7042 Test Method for Dynamic Viscosity and Density of
Liquids by Stabinger Viscometer (and the Calculation of
2. Referenced Documents Kinematic Viscosity)
2.1 ASTM Standards:2 D7665 Guide for Evaluation of Biodegradable Heat Transfer
D92 Test Method for Flash and Fire Points by Cleveland Fluids
Open Cup Tester E794 Test Method for Melting And Crystallization Tempera-
tures By Thermal Analysis
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum
Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcom- 3. Terminology
mittee D02.L0.06 on Non-Lubricating Process Fluids.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2016. Published October 2016. Originally 3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
approved in 2016. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as D8046 – 16.DOI:
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3.1.1 cavitation, n—a process of dropping the local liquid

10.1520/D8046-16A.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or pressure below its vapor pressure due to flow phenomenon and
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM is characterized by the formation of vapor bubbles within the
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on liquid.
the ASTM website.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard

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 D8046 − 16a
3.1.1.1 Discussion—Implosion of vapor bubbles on pump 5.3 Crystallization Temperature (Test Method E794)—
components can cause eroding of surfaces, which may lead to Crystallization or freezing is a condition of solid formation and
decreased pumping performance and mechanical failures. no liquid pump will work in this region.
3.1.2 heat transfer fluid, n—a fluid that remains essentially 5.4 Viscosity (Test Method D445, D2983, D7042)—Fluid
a liquid while transferring heat to or from an apparatus or viscosity is important for determining Reynolds and Prandtl
process, although this guide does not preclude the evaluation of numbers for heat transfer systems, to estimate fluid turbulence,
a heat transfer fluid that may be used in its vapor state. heat transfer coefficient, and heat flow. Fluids become more
3.1.2.1 Discussion—Heat transfer fluids may be difficult to pump as their viscosity becomes higher. See 6.1 for
hydrocarbon- or petroleum-based such as polyglycols, esters, pumping of viscous fluids.
hydrogenated terphenyls, alkylated aromatics, diphenyl-oxide/
5.5 Relative Density (Test Method D891, D4052)—Relative
biphenyl blends, mixtures of di- and triaryl-ethers. Small
density of heat transfer fluids is a parameter needed for
percentages of functional components such as antioxidants,
calculating fluid density which is used in performance calcu-
anti-wear and anti-corrosion agents, TBN, acid scavengers
lations for heat transfer, fluid dynamics, and pumping power.
,and/or dispersants can be present.
Also, hydraulic shock during pumping is predicted via the use
3.1.3 pumpability, n—a fluid characteristic related to its of a combination of density and compressibility data. Test
ability to deform (shear stress-shear rate relationship) or ability

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methods such as those described in Test Method D4052 will
to flow. provide direct measures of density where density is reported at
3.1.3.1 Discussion—There is no specific value associated a specific temperature or when reporting relative density, both
with pumpability, although as a practical matter, the term is test temperature and reference temperature are given (for
associated with the ability of pumps to flow a fluid at a specific example, relative density 20 °C ⁄20 °C = 0.xxxx).
temperature. Some producers of heat transfer fluids provide the
5.6 Water Content (Test Method D6304)—Use the water
temperature at which the fluid attains a specific viscosity value
content of a heat transfer fluid to indicate when the heat
that may be associated with pumping limits. For example, it is
transfer system has been dried out sufficiently. Consider raising
common to find temperature values of heat transfer fluids for
the bulk fluid temperature through the 100 °C plus region, to
viscosities of 300 cSt (300 mm2/s) and 2000 cSt (2000 mm2/s).
The pump design and its installation will determine the allow venting of water vapor, before proceeding to operate the
viscosity limit for pumpability of a heat transfer fluid. system at higher temperatures. The system expansion tank
shall be full prior to startup to ensure that moisture is safely
vented in the lowest pressure part of the system. Positive
4. Significance and Use
nitrogen pressure on the heat transfer fluid system will mini-
4.1 Pumpability of heat transfer fluids depends upon the mize entry of air or moisture. Heat transfer systems operating
configuration of the system in use, pumps and their installation, at temperatures of 120 °C or greater shall, for reasons of safety,
and the physical properties of the fluids being transported. The contain little moisture, because destructive high pressures are
fluid’s ability to pump efficiently is key to the economy of the generated when water enters the high temperature sections of
system operation and heat transfer fluid life. The test methods the system. The fluid supplier should be consulted to determine
listed in Section 5 may be considered as guides for determining how low the moisture level in the heat transfer fluid must be
the pumpability of heat transfer fluids under specific operating maintained for safe system operation. Heating the fluid before
conditions. Information gained from use of this guide will aid it is placed in service also removes most of the dissolved gasses
in the selection of pumping equipment and its installation. in the fluid. If not removed, these gasses can cause pump
cavitation. (Warning—Air and combustible gasses can accu-
5. Relevant Tests for Characterization of Fluid mulate in stagnant parts of a poorly designed system and form
Pumpability a region of high potential for explosion.)
5.1 Flash Point, open cup or closed cup (Test Method D92, 5.7 Vapor Pressure (Test Method D2879)—Vapor pressure,
D93)—This test method will detect low flash ends which are which normally increases with increasing operating
one cause of cavitation during pumping. In closed systems, temperatures, is an important design parameter. Heat transfer
especially when fluids are exposed to temperatures of 225 °C fluids exhibiting high vapor pressures shall be used only in
(approximately 400 °F) or higher, the formation of volatile systems with sufficient structural integrity. Design and opera-
hydrocarbons by breakdown of the fluid may require venting tion of vapor phase systems will require knowledge of the
through a pressure relief system to prevent dangerous pressure equilibrium vapor pressure. Vapor pressure is an important
build-up. consideration when investigating cavitation potential of a
pumping system. Vapor pressure and other fluid properties may
5.2 Pour Point (Test Method D97)—The pour point may be
change as the fluid ages.
used as an approximate guide to what is known as the
“borderline pumpability temperature,” or bpt, and is a general 5.8 Viscosity Conversions and Calculations—Viscosity in-
indication of the lowest temperature a fluid can be pumped. If formation provided with heat transfer fluids may be either in
a heat transfer system is subjected to low temperatures when units of absolute or kinematic viscosity or both for specific
not in use, a heat trace system should be employed to warm the temperatures. Information is sometimes provided for pump-
fluid above minimum pumping temperature before start-up. ability characterization in terms of a specific viscosity at a

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 D8046 − 16a
given temperature. Practices D2161 and D2270 provide calcu- capacity of a rotary pump varies directly with relative speed,
lation methods for conversion of units. and is independent of pressure within its operating limits.
5.9 Boiling Range Distribution (Test Method D2887)—The Volumetric efficiency generally increases with increasing vis-
flow characteristics of heat transfer fluids, especially viscosity, cosity; however, overall mechanical efficiency will suffer at
can change due to changes in composition caused by thermal both high viscosities and very low viscosity. The approximate
degradation, oxidation, venting of low boiling components, viscosity limit for rotary pumps is 4 × 105 cSt.
and other processes as the fluid ages. Boiling range distribu- 6.2 Installation—Excessive pressure loss in the inlet piping
tions obtained by Test Method D2887 will give insight about to a heat transfer fluid pump may lead to severe cavitation at
fluid degradation and hence pumpability characteristics espe- the pump inlet. As inlet fluid velocity increases and the
cially for ageing fluids. pressure at the inlet drops, the local pressure may approach the
6. Pumps and Installation (Informational Only) fluid vapor pressure resulting in cavitation issues. Ensure there
is sufficient net positive suction head at the pump inlet to
6.1 Pumps—Centrifugal, gear, canned motor and magneti- prevent cavitation. Net positive suction head available can be
cally coupled pumps are commonly used to pump heat transfer increased by increasing the blanket gas pressure at the expan-
fluids. Selection of a pump type depends on numerous factors sion tank. The pump suction head requirement for a given inlet
relating to cost of operation and fluid handling characteristics flow rate, known as the net positive suction head requirement
of the pump. Key fluid handling factors are fluid viscosity and (NPSHR) is dependent on the pump design and this data is
net positive suction head required. Heavy duty centrifugal supplied by the pump manufacturer. The user needs to deter-
pumps are most common for pumping heat transfer fluids and
mine the lowest possible heat transfer fluid temperature that
are used with fluids with viscosity as high as 400 cP
can occur for the installation, determine the viscosity of new
(400 mPa·s) (400 cSt with a specific gravity of 1.0) as a
fluid at that temperature, consider how fluid changes due to
practical limit. For low temperature and high viscosities to
degradation may increase fluid viscosity, and apply an appro-
approximately 2000 cP (2000 mPa·s), gear pumps are typically
priate safety factor to the maximum fluid viscosity. The user
recommended. Use canned motor and magnetically coupled
should select a pump and motor combination which can
pumps to avoid leakage of heat transfer fluid. Because of
accommodate that maximum fluid viscosity. The motor should
viscous drag on rotating parts of a pump, horsepower require-
be large enough to handle the pump requirements when starting
ments can be significantly increased when pumping highly
viscous heat transfer fluids in the –80 °C to –10 °C temperature up and operating with the maximum fluid viscosity.
range. Typical seals used are packing glands, mechanical, and
combinations of the two. For high temperature operation, 7. Keywords
provisions are needed for cooling of seals and bearings. The 7.1 characterization; heat transfer fluid; pumpability

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Subcommittee D02.L0 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue
(D8046 – 16) that may impact the use of this standard. (Approved Oct. 1, 2016.)

(1) Added Test Method D7042 to Referenced Documents and (2) Revised subsections 5.5 and 5.6.
to subsection 5.4.

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Provided by IHS Markit under license with ASTM
3Licensee=Enex Chile S.A./5985366001, User=Ruiz, Francisco
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale, 04/06/2021 08:20:46 MDT