ASTM D7346-15

Standard Test Method for No Flow Point and Pour Point of Petroleum Products and Liquid Fuels

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The no flow point of a petroleum product is an index of the lowest temperature of its utility for some applications. Flow characteristics, such as no flow point, can be critical for the proper operation of lubricating systems, fuel systems, and pipeline operations.  
5.2 Petroleum blending operations require precise measurement of the no flow point.  
5.3 This test method can determine the temperature of the test specimen with a resolution of 0.1 °C at which either crystals have formed or viscosity has increased sufficiently, or both, to impede flow of the petroleum product.  
5.4 The pour point of a petroleum product is an index of the lowest temperature of its utility for certain applications. Flow characteristics, like pour point, can be critical for the correct operation of lubricating oil systems, fuel systems, and pipeline operations.  
5.5 Petroleum blending operations require precise measurement of the pour point.  
5.6 Pour point results from this test method can be reported at either 1 °C or 3 °C intervals.  
5.7 This test method yields a pour point in a format similar to Test Method D97/IP15 when the 3 °C interval results are reported.  
5.8 This test method has better repeatability and reproducibility relative to Test Method D97/IP15 as measured in the 2011 interlaboratory test program (see 13.1.2).
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the no flow point and pour point of petroleum products, liquid fuels, biodiesel, and biodiesel blends using an automatic instrument.  
1.2 The measuring range of the apparatus is from –95 °C to 45 °C, however the precision statements were derived only from samples with no flow point temperatures from –77 °C to +2 °C and samples with pour point in the temperature range of –58 °C to +12 °C.  
1.3 Pour point results from this test method can be reported at 1 °C or 3 °C intervals.  
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Jun-2015
• ICS: 75.080 - Petroleum products in general
• Technical Committee: D02 - Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants
• Drafting Committee: D02.07 - Flow Properties

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D7346 − 15
Standard Test Method for
No Flow Point and Pour Point of Petroleum Products and
1
Liquid Fuels
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7346; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* of Expected Agreement Between Two Test Methods that
Purport to Measure the Same Property of a Material
1.1 Thistestmethodcoversthedeterminationofthenoflow
point and pour point of petroleum products, liquid fuels,
3. Terminology
biodiesel, and biodiesel blends using an automatic instrument.
3.1 Definitions:
1.2 The measuring range of the apparatus is from –95 °C to
3.1.1 pour point, n—in petroleum products, the lowest
45 °C, however the precision statements were derived only
temperature at which movement of the test specimen is
from samples with no flow point temperatures from –77 °C to
observed under the prescribed conditions of the test.
+2 °C and samples with pour point in the temperature range of
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
–58 °C to +12 °C.
3.2.1 no-flow point, n—in petroleum products, the tempera-
1.3 Pour point results from this test method can be reported
ture of the test specimen at which a wax crystal structure
at 1 °C or 3 °C intervals.
formation or viscosity increase, or both, is sufficient to impede
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
movement of the surface of the test specimen under the
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
conditions of the test.
standard.
3.2.1.1 Discussion—The no-flow point occurs when, upon
cooling, the formation of wax crystal structures or viscosity
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
increase, or both, have progressed to the point where the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
applied observation device no longer detects movement under
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
the conditions of the test.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4. Summary of Test Method
2. Referenced Documents
4.1 After inserting the test specimen into the automatic no
2
flow point apparatus and initiating the program, the test
2.1 ASTM Standards:
specimen is heated, if necessary, to a starting temperature and
D97 Test Method for Pour Point of Petroleum Products
then cooled by prescribed rates. The test specimen is continu-
D4057 Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and
ously tested for flow characteristics by continuously monitor-
Petroleum Products
ing the air pressure variation inside the test specimen vial.
D4177 Practice for Automatic Sampling of Petroleum and
When the specimen is still fluid, its movement will partially
Petroleum Products
compensateforthereductioninairpressureinthetestchamber
D6300 Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias
above the test specimen surface. At some temperature the
Data for Use in Test Methods for Petroleum Products and
pressure measuring system detects a pressure decrease due to
Lubricants
incapability of the test specimen to flow caused by a crystal
D6708 Practice for StatisticalAssessment and Improvement
structure formation in the specimen or its viscosity increase, or
both. This temperature is recorded as no flow point with a
1
resolution of 0.1 °C. The pour point is recorded by rounding
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on
Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of
the no flow point temperature to either the next warmer 1 °C
Subcommittee D02.07 on Flow Properties.
interval or 3 °C interval. The test specimen is then reheated to
Current edition approved July 1, 2015. Published July 2015. Originally approved
allow for removal from the test chamber.
in 2007. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as D7346– 14. DOI: 10.1520/
D7346-15.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or 5. Significance and Use
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
5.1 The no flow point of a petroleum product is an index of
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. thelowesttemperatureofitsutilityforsomeapplications.Flow
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D7346 − 15
characteristics, such as no flow point, can be critical for the results determined
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D7346 − 14 D7346 − 15
Standard Test Method for
No Flow Point and Pour Point of Petroleum Products and
1
Liquid Fuels
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7346; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope*
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the no flow point temperature and pour point of petroleum products products,
liquid fuels, biodiesel, and biodiesel blends using an automatic instrument.
1.2 The measuring range of the apparatus is from –95 °C to 45 °C, however the precision statements were derived only from
samples with no flow point temperatures from –77 °C to +2 °C and samples with pour point in the temperature range of –58 °C
to +12 °C.
1.3 Pour point results from this test method can be reported at 1 °C or 3 °C intervals.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D97 Test Method for Pour Point of Petroleum Products
D4057 Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and Petroleum Products
D4177 Practice for Automatic Sampling of Petroleum and Petroleum Products
D6300 Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias Data for Use in Test Methods for Petroleum Products and Lubricants
D6708 Practice for Statistical Assessment and Improvement of Expected Agreement Between Two Test Methods that Purport
to Measure the Same Property of a Material
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 pour point, n—in petroleum products, the lowest temperature at which movement of the test specimen is observed under
the prescribed conditions of the test.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 no-flow point, n—in petroleum products, the temperature of the test specimen at which a wax crystal structure formation
or viscosity increase, or both, is sufficient to impede movement of the surface of the test specimen under the conditions of the test.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
D02.07 on Flow Properties.
Current edition approved May 1, 2014July 1, 2015. Published June 2014July 2015. Originally approved in 2007. Last previous edition approved in 20122014 as
D7346– 12.– 14. DOI: 10.1520/D7346-14.10.1520/D7346-15.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3.2.1.1 Discussion—
The no-flow point occurs when, upon cooling, the formation of wax crystal structures or viscosity increase, or both, have
progressed to the point where the applied observation device no longer detects movement under the conditions of the test.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D7346 − 15
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 After inserting the test specimen into the automatic no flow point apparatus and initiating the program, the test specimen
is heated, if necessary, to a starting temperature and then cooled by prescribed rates. The test specimen is continuously tested for
flow characteristics by continuously monitoring the air pressure variation inside the test specimen vial. When the specimen is still
fluid, its movement will partially compensate for the reduction in air pressure in the test chamber above the test specimen surface.
At some temperature the pressure measuring system detects a pressure decrease due to incapability of the test specimen to flow
caused by a crystal structure formation in the specimen or its viscosity increase, or both. This temperature is recorded as no flow
point with a resolution of 0.1 °C. The pour point is recorded by rounding the no flow point tem
...