Book Description

Technical Manual TM 4-43.31 Petroleum Laboratory Operations provides specific guidance for petroleum managers and for petroleum laboratory specialists in the operation of petroleum laboratories. The principal audience for TM 4-43.31 is all members of the profession of arms. Commanders and staffs of Army headquarters serving as joint task force or multinational headquarters should also refer to applicable joint or multinational doctrine concerning the range of military operations and joint or multinational forces. Trainers and educators throughout the Army will also use this publication. TM 4-43.31 highlights the petroleum laboratory's critical position in petroleum supply by providing an overview of the petroleum supply process as it relates to petroleum quality management. It is important for petroleum laboratory personnel to understand where they fit into the petroleum supply chain management process. The TM provides relevant information on the bulk fuels quality management process that begins with manufacture of the fuels to its point of sale or issue to the supported units. This TM was written for commanders, staffs and Soldiers responsible for petroleum quality surveillance laboratories. It is oriented toward tactical field operations and deals with management and technical personnel responsibilities by providing relevant information to the petroleum supply support chain of command and to petroleum laboratory specialists. TM 4-43.31 adds information about the petroleum laboratory's organizational relationships from a command and a technical viewpoint. TM 4-43.31 contains descriptions of strategic organizations that enable and support petroleum supply operations. The TM also provides roles and responsibilities for Army personnel associated with petroleum supply support and quality surveillance. TM 4-43.31 contains six chapters: -Chapter 1 Provides an overview of the petroleum supply system and where petroleum laboratories fit into the petroleum supply system. It describes the organizational command channel and technical channel that petroleum laboratories interface with on a daily basis. -Chapter 2 describes the quality assurance and quality surveillance process from the manufacturer to the government taking ownership of petroleum products until the product is issued to the supported unit. Chapter 2 also provides information on types of tests performed in petroleum laboratories along with common fuel contaminants. -Chapter 3 describes day-to-day procedures for petroleum laboratory operations. This chapter provides general information for the contents of laboratory standing operating procedures, customer assistance, safety, supply, storage, and laboratory maintenance. -Chapter 4 describes deployment and redeployment considerations. This chapter provides high level information on the petroleum supply chain planning process. Chapter 4 describes operational level information for establishing a petroleum laboratory site in its designated area. It also provides troop leading considerations as they relate to the petroleum laboratory. -Chapter 5 provides information about various petroleum products. The purpose of this chapter is to present a broad overview of packaged and bulk petroleum products used by the Army, but not necessarily tested by petroleum laboratories. -Chapter 6 provides a brief introduction to chemistry as it relates to petroleum. The purpose of this chapter is to provide a broad overview of chemistry. While petroleum laboratory specialists may not always need an in-depth background it is important that chemistry is understood at a rudimentary level because testing products are essentially chemical in nature.