ASTM D156-00

Standard Test Method for Saybolt Color of Petroleum Products (Saybolt Chromometer Method)

SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the color of refined oils such as undyed motor and aviation gasoline, jet propulsion fuels, naphthas and kerosine, and, in addition, petroleum waxes and pharmaceutical white oils.  Note 1-For determining the color of petroleum products darker than Saybolt Color -16, see Test Method D1500.
1.2 This test method reports results specific to this method and recorded as, "Saybolt Color units."
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units or in SI units and which are not in parentheses are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only. Note 2-Oil tubes and apparatus used in this test method have traditionally been marked in inches, (the tube is required to be etched with 1/8 in. divisions.) The Saybolt Color Numbers are aligned with inch, 1/2 in., 1/4 in., and 1/8 in. changes in the depth of oil. These fractional inch changes do not readily correspond to SI equivalents and in view of the preponderance of apparatus already in use and marked in inches, the inch/pound unit is regarded as the standard. However the test method does use SI units of length when the length is not directly related to divisions on the oil tube and Saybolt Color Numbers. The test method uses SI units for temperature.
1.4 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: 09-Apr-2000
• ICS: 75.080 - Petroleum products in general
• Technical Committee: D02 - Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants
• Drafting Committee: D02.05 - Properties of Fuels, Petroleum Coke and Carbon Material

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM D156-02 - Standard Test Method for Saybolt Color of Petroleum Products (Saybolt Chromometer Method)
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D5983-21 - Standard Specification for Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether (MTBE) for Blending With Gasolines for Use as Automotive Spark-Ignition Engine Fuel
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2000
• Referred By: ASTM E805-22 - Standard Practice for Identification of Instrumental Methods of Color or Color-Difference Measurement of Materials
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2000
• Referred By: ASTM D1123-22a - Standard Test Methods for Water in Engine Coolant Concentrate by the Karl Fischer Reagent Method
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2000
• Referred By: ASTM D4871-11(2022) - Standard Guide for Universal Oxidation/Thermal Stability Test Apparatus
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2000
• Referred By: ASTM D7847-22 - Standard Guide for Interlaboratory Studies for Microbiological Test Methods
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2000
• Referred By: ASTM D3699-19 - Standard Specification for Kerosine
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2000
• Referred By: ASTM D3735-22 - Standard Specification for VM&P Naphthas
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2000
• Referred By: ASTM E284-22 - Standard Terminology of Appearance
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2000
• Referred By: ASTM D1500-12(2017) - Standard Test Method for ASTM Color of Petroleum Products (ASTM Color Scale)
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2000
• Referred By: ASTM D268-22 - Standard Guide for Sampling and Testing Volatile Solvents and Chemical Intermediates for Use in Paint and Related Coatings and Material
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2000
• Referred By: ASTM D7618-13(2021) - Standard Specification for Ethyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether (ETBE) for Blending with Aviation Spark-Ignition Engine Fuel
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2000
• Referred By: ASTM D1209-05(2019) - Standard Test Method for Color of Clear Liquids (Platinum-Cobalt Scale)
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2000
• Referred By: ASTM D1836-07(2021) - Standard Specification for Commercial Hexanes
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2000
• Referred By: ASTM D8235-21 - Standard Specification for Ethyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether (ETBE) for Blending with Gasolines for Use as Automotive Spark-Ignition Engine Fuel
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2000

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: D 156 – 00 An American National Standard
Standard Test Method for
1
Saybolt Color of Petroleum Products (Saybolt Chromometer
Method)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 156; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This test method has been adopted for use by government agencies to replace Method 4246 of Federal Test Method Standard No. 791b,
and Method 101 of Federal Test Method Standard No. 141A.
3
1. Scope Petroleum Products
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the color of
3. Terminology
refined oils such as undyed motor and aviation gasoline, jet
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
propulsion fuels, naphthas and kerosine, and, in addition,
3.1.1 Saybolt color—an empirical definition of the color of
petroleum waxes and pharmaceutical white oils.
a clear petroleum liquid based on a scale of − 16 (darkest)
NOTE 1—For determining the color of petroleum products darker than
to + 30 (lightest). The number is derived by finding the height
Saybolt Color − 16, see Test Method D 1500.
of a column of the sample that, when viewed through the
1.2 This test method reports results specific to this test
length of the column, visually matches the appropriate one of
method and recorded as, “Saybolt Color units.”
three glass standards and referring to Table 1 of Test Method
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units or in SI units and
D 156.
which are not in parentheses are to be regarded as the standard.
4. Summary of Test Method
The values given in parentheses are for information only.
4.1 The height of a column of sample is decreased by levels
NOTE 2—Oil tubes and apparatus used in this test method have
corresponding to color numbers until the color of the sample is
traditionally been marked in inches, (the tube is required to be etched with
1 1 unmistakably lighter than that of the standard. The color
⁄8 in. divisions.) The Saybolt Color Numbers are aligned with inch, ⁄2 in.,
1 1
⁄4 in., and ⁄8 in. changes in the depth of oil. These fractional inch changes number above this level is reported, regardless of whether the
do not readily correspond to SI equivalents and in view of the prepon-
sample was darker, questionable, or a match at the higher level.
derance of apparatus already in use and marked in inches, the inch/pound
unit is regarded as the standard. However the test method does use SI units
5. Significance and Use
of length when the length is not directly related to divisions on the oil tube
5.1 Determination of the color of petroleum products is used
and Saybolt Color Numbers. The test method uses SI units for tempera-
mainly for manufacturing control purposes and is an important
ture.
quality characteristic since color is readily observed by the user
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
of the product. In some cases the color may serve as an
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
indication of the degree of refinement of the material. When the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
color range of a particular product is known, a variation outside
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
the established range may indicate possible contamination with
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
another product. However, color is not always a reliable guide
to product quality and should not be used indiscriminantly in
2. Referenced Documents
product specifications.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D 938 Test Method for Congealing Point of Petroleum
6. Apparatus
2
Waxes, Including Petrolatum
6.1 The Saybolt chromometer consisting of sample and
D 1500 Test Method for ASTM Color of Petroleum Prod-
standard tubes, optical system, light source, and color stan-
2
ucts (ASTM Color Scale)
dards, is described in detail in Annex A1 and illustrated in Fig.
D 4057 Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and
A1.1.
7. Standardization of Apparatus
1 7.1 Remove the glass disk from the bottom of the oil tube.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-2 on
Clean the disk, oil tube, and plain tube. When deposits are not
Petroleum Products and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
D02.05 on Properties of Fuels, Petroleum Coke, and Oil Shale.
removable by wiping or solvent rinsing, wash with soap and
Current edition approved Apr. 10, 2000. Published June 2000. Originally
published as D 156 – 23 T. Last previous edition D 156 – 94.
2 3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.01. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.02.
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