ASTM D8253-21

Standard Test Method for Determination of the Asphaltene Solvency Properties of Bitumen, Crude Oil, Condensate and/or Related Products for the Purpose of Calculating Stability, Compatibility for Blending, Fouling, and Processibility (Manual Microscopy Method)

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Understanding the stability and compatibility of a petroleum product (crude oil or refinery stream, or both) is critical to facilities that receive multiple types of products and perform blending and processing operations. Blending incompatible streams can cause asphaltene precipitation with potential consequences such as but not limited to: refinery unit fouling, processing problems, throughput reduction, emulsion stabilization, pipeline and tank deposition, and equipment fouling.  
5.2 The ability to predict the results of blending operations allows operators to anticipate potential problems and mitigate those problems prior to receiving the products. It also helps facilities to manage their product movements in the most effective manner to avoid future issues.  
5.3 Some petroleum products are unstable without blending and understanding the stability of a product in terms of asphaltene precipitation is an important factor in product selection for refining. Products with poor stability can contribute to refinery unit fouling as well as the overall processibility and yield of that product.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the use of a basic microscope to determine the asphaltene solvency properties of bitumen, crude oil, condensate or related products, or the combinations thereof. These properties can be used to calculate the solubility parameters required to calculate and predict asphaltene stability for blending purposes, refinery unit fouling, processibility, emulsion stabilization, pipeline and tank deposition, and equipment fouling. If the solubility properties are known for two products, then the compatibility of potential blend ratios can be predicted.  
1.2 This test method is limited to products that allow handling at atmospheric pressure and room temperature conditions without a significant loss of light end components. Loss of light ends will result in changes in the solubility properties of the product and may alter or bias the results, or both. Samples with vapor pressures (VPCR4 at 37.8 °C using Test Method D6377) greater than 100 kPa are not suitable for use with this test method.  
1.3 This test method is primarily suited to products that are freely flowing at test conditions. Samples that are too viscous to flow at test conditions, such as semi-solids, may need to be heated to allow handling (See Annex A1.)  
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are provided for information only and are not considered 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Dec-2020
• ICS: 91.100.50 - Binders. Sealing materials
• Technical Committee: D02 - Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants
• Drafting Committee: D02.14 - Stability, Cleanliness and Compatibility of Liquid Fuels

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D8253 − 21
Standard Test Method for
Determination of the Asphaltene Solvency Properties of
Bitumen, Crude Oil, Condensate and/or Related Products
for the Purpose of Calculating Stability, Compatibility for
Blending, Fouling, and Processibility (Manual Microscopy
1
Method)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D8253; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* 1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
1.1 Thistestmethodcoverstheuseofabasicmicroscopeto
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
determinetheasphaltenesolvencypropertiesofbitumen,crude
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
oil, condensate or related products, or the combinations
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
thereof.Thesepropertiescanbeusedtocalculatethesolubility
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
parameters required to calculate and predict asphaltene stabil-
ity for blending purposes, refinery unit fouling, processibility,
2. Referenced Documents
emulsionstabilization,pipelineandtankdeposition,andequip-
2
ment fouling. If the solubility properties are known for two 2.1 ASTM Standards:
products,thenthecompatibilityofpotentialblendratioscanbe
D6560Test Method for Determination ofAsphaltenes (Hep-
predicted. tane Insolubles) in Crude Petroleum and Petroleum Prod-
ucts
1.2 This test method is limited to products that allow
D6377Test Method for Determination of Vapor Pressure of
handling at atmospheric pressure and room temperature con-
Crude Oil: VPCR (Expansion Method)
x
ditionswithoutasignificantlossoflightendcomponents.Loss
of light ends will result in changes in the solubility properties
3. Terminology
of the product and may alter or bias the results, or both.
Samples with vapor pressures (VPCR at 37.8°C using Test
3.1 Definitions:
4
Method D6377) greater than 100kPa are not suitable for use
3.1.1 asphaltenes, n—(rarely used in the singular), in pe-
with this test method.
troleum technology, represent an oil fraction that is soluble in
a specified aromatic solvent but separates upon the addition of
1.3 This test method is primarily suited to products that are
an excess of a specified paraffinic solvent.
freely flowing at test conditions. Samples that are too viscous
3.1.1.1 Discussion—Asphaltenes are found largely in crude
to flow at test conditions, such as semi-solids, may need to be
oils and in heavy fuel oils containing residual fractions. They
heated to allow handling (See Annex A1.)
are insoluble in alkanes such as heptane and pentane, but
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
soluble in aromatic solvents such as benzene or toluene.
standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are
3.1.2 compatibility, n—of crude oils or heavy fuel oils, the
provided for information only and are not considered standard.
ability of two or more crude oils or fuel oils to blend together
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
within certain concentration ranges without evidence of
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
separation, such as the formation of multiple phases.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.1.2.1 Discussion—Incompatible heavy fuel oils or crude
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
oils, when mixed or blended, result in flocculation or precipi-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
tation of asphaltenes. Some oils may be compatible within
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
2
Subcommittee D02.14 on Stability, Cleanliness and Compatibility of Liquid Fuels. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2021. Published January 2021. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 2020. Last previous edition approved in 2020 as D8253–20. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D8253-21. the ASTM website.
*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

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...

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: D8253 − 20 D8253 − 21
Standard Test Method for
Determination of the Asphaltene Solvency Properties of
Bitumen, Crude Oil, Condensate and/or Related Products
for the Purpose of Calculating Stability, Compatibility for
Blending, Fouling, and Processibility (Manual Microscopy
1
Method)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D8253; 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 Scope*
1.1 This test method covers the use of a basic microscope to determine the asphaltene solvency properties of bitumen, crude oil,
condensate or related products, or the combinations thereof. These properties can be used to calculate the solubility parameters
required to calculate and predict asphaltene stability for blending purposes, refinery unit fouling, processibility, emulsion
stabilization, pipeline and tank deposition, and equipment fouling. If the solubility properties are known for two products, then the
compatibility of potential blend ratios can be predicted.
1.2 This test method is limited to products that allow handling at atmospheric pressure and room temperature conditions without
a significant loss of light end components. Loss of light ends will result in changes in the solubility properties of the product and
may alter or bias the results, or both. Samples with vapor pressures (VPCR at 37.8 °C using Test Method D6377) greater than
4
100 kPa are not suitable for use with this test method.
1.3 This test method is primarily suited to products that are freely flowing at test conditions. Samples that are too viscous to flow
at test conditions, such as semi-solids, may need to be heated to allow handling (See Annex A1.)
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are provided for
information only and are not considered 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
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
D02.14 on Stability, Cleanliness and Compatibility of Liquid Fuels.
Current edition approved May 1, 2020Jan. 1, 2021. Published May 2020January 2021. Originally approved in 2020. Last previous edition approved in 2020 as D8253 – 20.
DOI: 10.1520/D8253-20.10.1520/D8253-21.
*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

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D8253 − 21
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D6560 Test Method for Determination of Asphaltenes (Heptane Insolubles) in Crude Petroleum and Petroleum Products
D6377 Test Method for Determination of Vapor Pressure of Crude Oil: VPCR (Expansion Method)
x
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 asphaltenes, n—(rarely used in the singular), in petroleum technology, represent an oil fraction that is soluble in a specified
aromatic solvent but separates upon the addition of an excess of a specified paraffinic solvent.
3.1.1.1 Discussion—
Asphaltenes are found largely in crude oils and in heavy fuel oils containing residual fractions. They are insoluble in alkanes such
as heptane and pentane, but soluble in aromatic solvents such as benzene or toluene.
3.1.2 compatibility, n—of crude oils or heavy fuel oils, the ability of two or more crude oils or fuel oils to blend together within
certain concentration ranges without evidence of separation, such as the formation of multiple phases.
3.1.2.1 Discussion—
Incompatible heavy fuel oils or crude oils, when mixed or blended, result in flocculation or precipitation of asphaltenes. Some oil
...