Bulletin 86: Aqua-Glo® Water Detector

The test requires two simple steps. First, a measured sample of fuel is passed through a paper pad that is treated with sodium fluorescein on its upstream surface. Second, the pad is compared with a fluorescing standard in ultraviolet light. Water droplets that are smaller than the eye can see will cause the sodium fluorescein to fluoresce. The degree of fluorescence is greater for increasing amounts of water in the fuel.

The Aqua-Glo® Kit employs this unique approach in the determination of the degree of fluorescence (or water content). A single, permanent fluorescing standard is positioned under a photographic-type iris diaphragm which can be opened or closed to increase or decrease the amount of ultraviolet light.

To determine water content, the operator merely adjusts the diaphragm lever arm under the fluorescing standard and the test pad show equal brightness in the ultraviolet light. This balance is reached when the zero centering ammeter reads ZERO. The amount of water is read in parts per million (ppm) on the diaphragm lever arm scale which has been pre-calibrated in the factory. The scale numbers range from 1 to 12. These numbers are in ppm if the test sample of fuel that flowed through the pad was 500 ml. However, if water content is as great as 60 ppm, the test sample can be reduced to 100 ml. When a 100 ml sample is taken, the operating instructions explain that the scale reading must be multiplied by 5 to obtain the water content in ppm.

The Series V Aqua-Glo® was introduced in 2005 with an entirely new power supply. This power supply is external, automatically switching to work with either 120 VAC or 220 VAC, 50/60 Hz.

The water detector pads that are used in the Aqua-Glo® Kit are produced in compliance with MIL-D-81248 (WP) with the exception that the diameter is 25mm. Each pad is packaged in an air and moisture-proof envelope.

The Aqua-Glo® Kit pad holder is designed for ease in sampling. Fittings are available for several different methods of taking samples. For example, the standard fitting permits direct connection to the quick disconnect. Another fitting allows the sample to be drawn through the test pad with a syringe.

The Aqua-Glo® Kit is based on a technique developed by the U.S. Navy for accurate field determination of the free water content of jet fuels. Unlike the Navy equipment, the Aqua-Glo® Kit requires only one fluorescing standard and is instrumented to eliminate human error.

Available also in combination with our MiniMonitor® Kit for contamination testing per ASTM Method D2276.

See Bulletin 8 for details on the MiniMonitor® Kit.