ASTM D1070-03

Standard Test Methods for Relative Density of Gaseous Fuels

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
These test methods provide accurate and reliable methods to measure the relative density of gaseous fuels on an intermittent or continuous basis. These measurements are frequently used for regulatory or contract compliance custody transfer and process control.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of relative density of gaseous fuels, including liquefied petroleum gases, in the gaseous state at normal temperatures and pressures. The test methods specified are sufficiently varied in nature so that one or more may be used for laboratory, control, reference, gas measurement, or in fact, for any purpose in which it is desired to know the relative density of gas or gases as compared to the density of dry air at the same temperature and pressure.
1.2 The procedures appear in the following sections:SectionMethod A, Ac-Me Gravity Balance7-9Method B, Ranarex Recording and Indicating Gravitometer10-11Method C, UGC Gravitometer12-14
Note 1—The test methods and apparatus described herein are representative of methods and apparatus used broadly in industry. Manufacturer's instructions for specific models should be consulted for further details and as supplements to the information presented here. In addition to instrumentation described below additional equally accurate and satisfactory instruments may be available.
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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-May-2003
• Technical Committee: D03 - Gaseous Fuels
• Drafting Committee: D03.03 - Determination of Heating Value and Relative Density of Gaseous Fuels

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D1070-85(1998) - Standard Test Methods for Relative Density of Gaseous Fuels
• Effective Date: 10-May-2003
• Replaced By: ASTM D1070-03(2010) - Standard Test Methods for Relative Density of Gaseous Fuels
• Effective Date: 01-May-2010
• Referred By: ASTM D7166-23 - Standard Practice for Total Sulfur Analyzer Based On-line/At-line for Sulfur Content of Gaseous Fuels
• Effective Date: 10-May-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D7164-21 - Standard Practice for On-line/At-line Heating Value Determination of Gaseous Fuels by Gas Chromatography
• Effective Date: 10-May-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D6667-21 - Standard Test Method for Determination of Total Volatile Sulfur in Gaseous Hydrocarbons and Liquefied Petroleum Gases by Ultraviolet Fluorescence
• Effective Date: 10-May-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D8251-23 - Standard Practice for Determining Compressor Oil Carryover in Compressed Natural Gas Used as a Natural Gas Motor Vehicle Fuel
• Effective Date: 10-May-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D7314-21 - Standard Practice for Determination of the Heating Value of Gaseous Fuels using Calorimetry and On-line/At-line Sampling
• Effective Date: 10-May-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D7551-10(2015) - Standard Test Method for Determination of Total Volatile Sulfur in Gaseous Hydrocarbons and Liquefied Petroleum Gases and Natural Gas by Ultraviolet Fluorescence
• Effective Date: 10-May-2003

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:D1070–03
Standard Test Methods for
1
Relative Density of Gaseous Fuels
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1070; 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 3. Terminology
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of relative 3.1 Definitions:
density of gaseous fuels, including liquefied petroleum gases, 3.1.1 density—mass per unit of volume of the fuel gas or air
in the gaseous state at normal temperatures and pressures. The being considered.
test methods specified are sufficiently varied in nature so that 3.1.2 gaseous fuel—material to be tested, as sampled, with-
one or more may be used for laboratory, control, reference, gas out change of composition by drying or otherwise.
measurement, or in fact, for any purpose in which it is desired 3.1.3 relative density—ratio of the density of the gaseous
to know the relative density of gas or gases as compared to the fuel, under the observed conditions of temperature and pres-
density of dry air at the same temperature and pressure. sure, to the density of dried air, of normal carbon dioxide
1.2 The procedures appear in the following sections: content, at the same temperature and pressure.
3.1.3.1 Discussion—In these test methods the term “relative
Section
Method A, Ac-Me Gravity Balance 7-9
density” has replaced the term “specific gravity.” The term,
Method B, Ranarex Recording and Indicating Gravitometer 10-11
specific gravity, as used in a previous edition of these test
Method C, UGC Gravitometer 12-14
methods, was used incorrectly.
NOTE 1—The test methods and apparatus described herein are repre-
3.1.4 relative humidity—ratio of actual pressure of existing
sentative of methods and apparatus used broadly in industry. Manufactur-
water vapor to maximum possible pressure of water vapor in
er’s instructions for specific models should be consulted for further details
the atmosphere at the same temperature, expressed as a
and as supplements to the information presented here. In addition to
percentage.
instrumentation described below additional equally accurate and satisfac-
tory instruments may be available.
4. Summary of Test Methods
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.1 Displacement Balances—This test method is based on
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
the balancing of the weight of a fixed volume of gas at
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
atmospheric pressure against the weight of dry air across the
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
center of gravity of a balance beam. The amount of this
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
“deflection,” subject to correction, for humidity, high CO
2
2. Referenced Documents content or other factor measures the relative density. Instru-
2
ments of this class may be either visual or chart recording.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4.2 Kinetic Energy—This test method measures the ratio of
D5503 Practice for Natural Gas Sample-Handling and Con-
the change in kinetic energy between an impeller and an
ditioning Systems for Pipeline Instrumentation
impulse wheel operating in gas and a second impeller and
impulse wheel operating in a reference gas (generally air). The
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D03 on
relative torque of the impulse wheels is measured and provides
Gaseous Fuels and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D 03.03 on
a value for relative density since the relative torque is propor-
Determination of Heating Value and Relative Density of Gaseous Fuels.
tional to the gas and air densities.
Current edition approved May 10, 2003. Published July 2003. Originally
approved in 1952. Last previous edition approved in 1998 as D1070 – 85 (1998).
5. Significance and Use
DOI: 10.1520/D1070-03.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
5.1 These test methods provide accurate and reliable meth-
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
ods to measure the relative density of gaseous fuels on an
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. intermittent or continuous basis. These measurements are
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D1070–03
frequently used for regulatory or contract compliance custody hairline. Admit air through first valve and air dryer until the
transfer and process control.
...