Standard Test Method for API Gravity of Crude Petroleum and Petroleum Products (Hydrometer Method)

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Accurate determination of the gravity of petroleum and its products is necessary for the conversion of measured volumes to volumes at the standard temperature of 60°F (15.56°C).
Gravity is a factor governing the quality of crude oils. However, the gravity of a petroleum product is an uncertain indication of its quality. Correlated with other properties, gravity can be used to give approximate hydrocarbon composition and heat of combustion.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination by means of a glass hydrometer of the API gravity of crude petroleum and petroleum products normally handled as liquids and having a Reid vapor pressure (Test Method D 323) of 26 psi (180 kPa) or less. Gravities are determined at 60ˌF (15.56°C), or converted to values at 60F, by means of standard tables. These tables are not applicable to nonhydrocarbons or essentially pure hydrocarbons such as the aromatics.
Note 1—The international version of this test method is described in Test Method D 1298.
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.3 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. For specific hazard statements, see 8.3.

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30-Apr-2006
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ASTM D287-92(2006) - Standard Test Method for API Gravity of Crude Petroleum and Petroleum Products (Hydrometer Method)
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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:D287–92(Reapproved 2006)
Standard Test Method for
API Gravity of Crude Petroleum and Petroleum Products
(Hydrometer Method)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D287; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (ϵ) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense. This test method has been adopted for use by
government agencies to replace Method 401 of Federal Test Method Standard No. 791b.
1. Scope E100 Specification for ASTM Hydrometers
2.2 IP Standards:
1.1 This test method covers the determination by means of
Specifications for IP Standard Thermometers
a glass hydrometer of the API gravity of crude petroleum and
IP Specifications for Petroleum Hydrometers
petroleum products normally handled as liquids and having a
Reidvaporpressure(TestMethodD323)of26psi(180kPa)or
3. Terminology
less. Gravities are determined at 60°F (15.56°C), or converted
3.1 Definitions:
tovaluesat60°F,bymeansofstandardtables.Thesetablesare
3.1.1 API gravity—a special function of relative density
not applicable to nonhydrocarbons or essentially pure hydro-
(specific gravity) 60/60°F (15.56/15.56°C), represented by:
carbons such as the aromatics.
APIgravity,deg5~141.5/spgr60/60°F!2131.5 (1)
NOTE 1—The international version of this test method is described in
Test Method D1298. No statement of reference temperature is required, since
60°F is included in the definition.
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
4. Summary of Test Method
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
4.1 This test method is based on the principle that the
and are not considered standard.
gravity of a liquid varies directly with the depth of immersion
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
of a body floating in it. The floating body, which is graduated
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
byAPI gravity units in this method, is called anAPI hydrom-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
eter.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
4.2 TheAPI gravity is read by observing the freely floating
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard
API hydrometer and noting the graduation nearest to the
statements, see 8.3.
apparent intersection of the horizontal plane surface of the
liquid with the vertical scale of the hydrometer, after tempera-
2. Referenced Documents
ture equilibrium has been reached. The temperature of the
2.1 ASTM Standards:
sample is read from a separate accurateASTM thermometer in
D323 Test Method for Vapor Pressure of Petroleum Prod-
thesampleorfromthethermometerwhichisanintegralpartof
ucts (Reid Method)
the hydrometer (thermohydrometer).
D1250 GuideforUseofthePetroleumMeasurementTables
D1298 Test Method for Density, Relative Density (Specific
5. Significance and Use
Gravity), or API Gravity of Crude Petroleum and Liquid
5.1 Accurate determination of the gravity of petroleum and
Petroleum Products by Hydrometer Method
its products is necessary for the conversion of measured
E1 Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers
volumes to volumes at the standard temperature of 60°F
(15.56°C).
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on 5.2 Gravity is a factor governing the quality of crude oils.
Petroleum Products and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
However, the gravity of a petroleum product is an uncertain
D02.02 on Hydrocarbon Measurement for Custody Transfer (Joint ASTM-API).
indication of its quality. Correlated with other properties,
Current edition approved May 1, 2006. Published June 2006. Originally
ϵ1
gravity can be used to give approximate hydrocarbon compo-
approved in 1928. Last previous edition approved in 2000 as D287–92 (2000) .
DOI: 10.1520/D0287-92R06.
sition and heat of combustion.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from the Institute of Petroleum, 61 New Cavendish St., London
the ASTM website. WIM, 8AR, England.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D287–92 (2006)
6. Apparatus hydrometer. For field testing, make the gravity measurement
directlyinthesamplingthief.Placethecylindercontainingthe
6.1 Hydrometers, of glass, graduated in degrees API as
sampleinaverticalpositioninalocationfreefromaircurrents.
listed in Table 1 and conforming to Specification E100,orthe
Takeprecautionstopreventthetemperatureofthesamplefrom
IP Specifications for Petroleum Hydrometers.
changing appreciably during the time necessary to complete
6.2 Thermometers, having a range from −5 to +215°F and
the test. During this period, the temperature of the surrounding
conforming to the requirements for Thermometer 12F as
prescribed in Specification E1 or Thermometer 64F of the medium should not change more than 5°F (2°C).
SpecificationsforIPStandardThermometers.Athermometeris
8.4 Lower the hydrometer gently into the sample and, when
not required if a thermohydrometer is employed.
ithassettled,depressitabouttwoscaledivisionsintotheliquid
andthenreleaseit;keeptherestofthestemdry,asunnecessary
NOTE 2—TheASTM GravityThermometer 12F has 0.5°F subdivisions
liquid on the stem changes the effective weight of the instru-
and allowable 60.25°F scale error. The thermometers incorporated in
thermohydrometers have 2°F subdivisions and allowable 61°F scale
ment, and so affects the reading obtained.With samples of low
error.
viscosity, a slight spin imparted to the instrument on releasing
6.3 Hydrometer Cylinders, of metal, clear glass, or plastic.
assistsinbringingittorest,floatingfreelyawayfromthewalls
For convenience in pouring, the cylinder may have a lip on the of the hydrometer cylinder. Allow sufficient time for the
rim.Theinsidediameterofthecylindershallbeatleast25mm
hydrometer to become completely stationary and for all air
greater than the outside diameter of the hydrometer used in it.
bubblestocometothesurface.Thisisparticularlynecessaryin
The height of the cylinder shall be such that the length of the
the case of the more viscous samples.
column of sample it contains is greater by at least 25 mm than
8.5 When the hydrometer has come to rest, floating freely,
the portion of the hydrometer which is immersed beneath the
and the temperature of the sample is constant to 0.2°F (0.1°C),
surface of the sample. For field testing, a sampling thief of
read the hydrometer to t
...

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