AVFUEL QA TRAINING TIP OF THE DAY

Tip 18: Give Sample Containers Room to Breathe

Here's an old but important lesson from chemistry class: liquids expand and contract as temperatures change. Therefore, fuel expands as it is heated and contracts as it cools.

This lesson is critical as it relates to your sample containers, especially in the winter. If a sample glass container is filled near capacity with cold fuel, sealed off tightly and then exposed to warmer temperatures, the fuel will expand accordingly. The pressure from that expansion can cause the glass container to burst. The resulting flying gas, as well as escaping fuel spray and fumes, can create a very dangerous - even life threatening situation.

The solution to this problem is simple if the following procedure is consistently followed: when taking fuel samples, always leave an inch or two of empty space in the container for expansion. All chemistry lessons should be so useful and easy!

To see another QA tip, click your browser's Refresh button.