PAD 3879827 - Caterpillar

Procedure
Note: Prior to performing the analysis with the APC, be sure to read and understand all the interferences listed in the "Interferences Inherent In the Fuel Sample" section of this document. Ensure that all precautions have been taken to minimize the affect of skewed results due to improper sampling, handling, or preparation.
Obtain the fuel sample to be analyzed in an appropriate sample bottle as described in the "Fuel Sample Preparation" section. Manually or mechanically shake the sample vigorously for 30 seconds. When manually shaking a sample, ensure thorough mixing of the sample by turning the bottle so that the lid is facing downward. Shake by moving the wrist and/or forearm up and down as rapidly as is comfortable for the 30 seconds.Note: Degassing samples can be accomplished with either the use of an ultrasonic bath or with the use of a vacuum pump.
Immediately degas the sample, by partially opening the lid to the bottle and placing the sample upright in the degassing unit. Perform only one of the degassing methods. An ultrasonic bath is the best method for degassing a sample. An ultrasonic bath takes the least amount of time minimizing the impact of particle settling.Note: The purpose of partially unscrewing or opening the lid is to promote quick degassing of the sample. Air bubbles to remaining near the surface of the sample following the degassing process are acceptable.
Illustration 5 g01741117
If an ultrasonic bath is unavailable, an alternative method of degassing the sample is with the use of a 1U-5718 Oil Sampling Vacuum Pump. Ensure the 1U-5718 Oil Sampling Vacuum Pump is clean before beginning the degas process.Note: Rubber is to be placed over the hole of the tubing for the pump to develop and hold the required vacuum.
With the sample to be analyzed in the sample bottle, thread the bottle into the bottom of the 1U-5718 Oil Sampling Vacuum Group. Operate the pump to create a vacuum. Maintain the vacuum until all air bubbles have risen to the surface of the sample and dissipated.
If an ultrasonic bath or a vacuum pump is not available, the sample can degas naturally. Degas the sample by setting the sample on a flat surface and leaving the sample undisturbed. If the APC performs a flushing cycle, let the sample sit for 15 seconds. If the APC does not perform a flushing cycle, such as the 293-8413 HYDAC Contamination Monitor Group or the 383-4255 HYDAC Contamination Monitor Group, let the sample sit for 30 seconds. Proceed to the "Sample Processing" section.Sample Processing
Remove the lid from the sample bottle. Immediately begin the processing of the sample on the APC that has been prepared according to the "Fuel Sample Preparation" section.Note: If more than 45 seconds elapse after the shaking of the sample, the procedure shall be restarted with shaking of the sample in "Fuel Sample Preparation" section. Shaking the sample ensures that suspended particles do not settle to the bottom of the sample, causing inaccurate particle count results.
Obtain the particle count results