California Code of Regulations › Title 13 - Motor Vehicles › Division 3 - Air Resources Board › Chapter 5 - Standards for Motor Vehicle Fuels › Article 4 - Sampling and Test Procedures › Section 2296 - Motor Fuel Sampling Procedures

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 28, July 12, 2024
(a)
				  "Scope." This method covers procedures for obtaining representative samples of
				  motor fuel and blending components used to make motor fuel.
(b) "Summary of method." It is necessary that
				  the samples be truly representative of the product in question. The precautions
				  required to ensure the representative character of the samples are numerous and
				  depend upon the tank, carrier, container or line from which the sample is being
				  obtained, the type and cleanliness of the sample container, and the sampling
				  procedure that is to be used. A summary of the sampling procedures and their
				  application is presented in Table 1. Each procedure is suitable for sampling a
				  material under definite storage, transportation, or container conditions. The
				  basic principle of each procedure is to obtain a sample in such manner and from
				  such locations in the tank or other container that the sample will be truly
				  representative of the product.
(c)
				  "Description of terms."
(1) "Average sample"
				  is one that consists of proportionate parts from all sections of the
				  container.
(2) "All-levels sample"
				  is one obtained by submerging a stoppered beaker or bottle to a point as near
				  as possible to the draw-off level, then opening the sampler and raising it at a
				  rate such that it is about ¾ full (maximum 85 percent) as it emerges
				  from the liquid. An all-levels sample is not necessarily an average sample
				  because the tank volume may not be proportional to the depth and because the
				  operator may not be able to raise the sampler at the variable rate required for
				  proportionate filling. The rate of filling is proportional to the square root
				  of the depth of immersion.
(3)
				  "Running sample" is one obtained by lowering an unstoppered beaker or bottle
				  from the top of the liquid to the level of the bottom of the outlet connection
				  or swing line, and returning it to the top of the liquid at a uniform rate of
				  speed such that the beaker or bottle is about ¾ full when withdrawn from
				  the liquid.
(4) "Spot sample" is
				  one obtained at some specific location in the tank by means of a thief bottle,
				  or beaker.
(5) "Top sample" is a
				  spot sample obtained 6 inches (150 mm) below the top surface of the liquid
				  (Figure 1).
(6) "Upper sample" is a
				  spot sample taken at the mid-point of the upper third of the tank contents
				  (Figure 1).
(7) "Middle sample" is
				  a spot sample obtained from the middle of the tank contents (Figure
				  1).
(8) "Lower sample" is a spot
				  sample obtained at the level of the fixed tank outlet or the swing line outlet
				  (Figure 1).
(9) "Clearance sample"
				  is a spot sample taken 4 inches (100 mm) below the level of the tank outlet
				  (Figure 1).
(10) "Bottom sample" is
				  one obtained from the material on the bottom surface of the tank, container, or
				  line at its lowest point.
(11)
				  "Drain sample" is one obtained from the draw-off or discharge valve.
				  Occasionally, a drain sample may be the same as a bottom sample, as in the case
				  of a tank car.
(12) "Continuous
				  sample" is one obtained from a pipeline in such manner as to give a
				  representative average of a moving stream.
(13) "Mixed sample" is one obtained after
				  mixing or vigorously stirring the contents of the original container, and then
				  pouring out or drawing off the quantity desired.
(14) "Nozzle sample" is one obtained from a
				  motor fuel service station pump nozzle which dispenses motor fuel from a
				  underground storage tank.
(15)
				  "Motor fuel" shall mean, for the purpose of this sampling procedure, gasoline
				  (including gasoline containing oxygenates), diesel fuel, or any blending
				  components that are used to make such fuel.