ASTM D5305-18
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Determination of Ethyl Mercaptan in LP-Gas Vapor
Standard Test Method for Determination of Ethyl Mercaptan in LP-Gas Vapor
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 LP-gas is colorless and odorless, and not detectable by normal human senses. To provide an olfactory warning in the event of a leak, LP-gas intended for domestic or commercial fuel use is intentionally odorized so as to be readily detectable well below flammable or suffocating concentration levels of LP-gas in air. (See Appendix X1 for important explanations.) The most common odorant for LP-gas is ethyl mercaptan. The field use of this test method will rapidly determine the presence and concentration of ethyl mercaptan in LP-gas vapor without the necessity for complex laboratory equipment.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method describes a rapid and simple procedure using length-of-stain tubes for field measurement of ethyl mercaptan in the vapor phase of LP-gas systems. Although length-of-stain tubes are available to detect ethyl mercaptan concentrations in the range of 0.5 to 120 parts per million by volume, this test method is specifically applicable to systems containing 5 ppm by volume or more of ethyl mercaptan in LP-gas vapors.
Note 1: A chromatographic technique can be used for more precise, quantitative determination of ethyl mercaptan in LP-gas.
1.2 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.
1.3 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 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.
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Designation: D5305 − 18
Standard Test Method for
1
Determination of Ethyl Mercaptan in LP-Gas Vapor
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5305; 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* 3.1.3 PTFE—polytetrafluoroethylene
3.1.4 TBM—t-butyl mercaptan
1.1 This test method describes a rapid and simple procedure
using length-of-stain tubes for field measurement of ethyl
4. Summary of Test Method
mercaptan in the vapor phase of LP-gas systems. Although
length-of-stain tubes are available to detect ethyl mercaptan
4.1 Using a manually-operated vacuum pump, a sample of
concentrations in the range of 0.5 to 120 parts per million by
LP-gas from the vapor space of an LP-gas cylinder, storage
volume, this test method is specifically applicable to systems
tank or other closed containment system is drawn through a
containing 5 ppm by volume or more of ethyl mercaptan in
detector tube made specifically for detection of ethyl mercap-
LP-gas vapors.
tan.Thelength-of-stain(colorchange)producedinthedetector
tube when exposed to a measured volume of sample is directly
NOTE 1—A chromatographic technique can be used for more precise,
proportional to the amount of ethyl mercaptan present in the
quantitative determination of ethyl mercaptan in LP-gas.
sample being tested. The length-of-stain produced in the
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
detector tube is converted to concentration, in parts per million
standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are
by volume, by comparison with a calibration scale provided by
provided for information only and are not considered standard.
the manufacturer of the stain tube.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
5. Significance and Use
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
5.1 LP-gas is colorless and odorless, and not detectable by
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
normal human senses. To provide an olfactory warning in the
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
event of a leak, LP-gas intended for domestic or commercial
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
fuel use is intentionally odorized so as to be readily detectable
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
well below flammable or suffocating concentration levels of
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
LP-gas in air. (See Appendix X1 for important explanations.)
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
The most common odorant for LP-gas is ethyl mercaptan. The
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
fielduseofthistestmethodwillrapidlydeterminethepresence
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
and concentration of ethyl mercaptan in LP-gas vapor without
the necessity for complex laboratory equipment.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 NFPA Standard:
6. Interferences
NFPA58 StandardfortheStorageandHandlingofLiquefied
6.1 Detector tubes can be subject to interferences from
Petroleum Gases
materials other than the target substance. Methyl mercaptan
3. Terminology
will likely interfere with tubes designed to measure ethyl
mercaptan. Because of different detection chemistry by differ-
3.1 Abbreviations:
ent manufacturers, interferences can vary. Consult the manu-
3.1.1 EM—ethyl mercaptan
facturer’s instructions for specific interference information and
3.1.2 LP-Gas, LPG—liquefied petroleum gas
observe any instructions given.
6.2 Propylene (propene) will cause an interfering (gray)
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on
discoloration with some tubes designed for ethyl mercaptan.
Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of
LP-gas from natural gas sources usually does not contain
Subcommittee D02.H0 on Liquefied Petroleum Gas.
Current edition approved April 1, 2018. Published May 2018. Originally
propylene (propene). However, LP-gas produced in refinery
approved in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as D5305 – 12. DOI:
operations often does contain propylene (propene). Detector
10.1520/D5305-18.
2
tubes calibrated for t-butyl mercaptan eliminate this
Available from National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 1 Batterymarch
Park, Quincy, MA 02169-7471, http://www.nfpa.org. interference, and should be used if the presence of propylene
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700,
...
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: D5305 − 12 D5305 − 18
Standard Test Method for
1
Determination of Ethyl Mercaptan in LP-Gas Vapor
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5305; 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 coversdescribes a rapid and simple procedure using length of stain length-of-stain tubes for field
measurement of ethyl mercaptan in the vapor phase of LP-gas systems. Although length-of-stain tubes are available to detect ethyl
mercaptan concentrations in the range of 0.5 to 120 parts per million volume (ppmv),by volume, this test method is specifically
applicable to systems containing 5 ppmv ppm by volume or more of ethyl mercaptan in LP-gas vapors.
NOTE 1—A chromatographic technique can be used for more precise, quantitative determination of ethyl mercaptan in LP-gas.
1.2 The values stated in SI (metric) units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
only.after SI units 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 NFPA Standard:
NFPA 58 Standard for the Storage and Handling of Liquefied Petroleum Gases
3. Terminology
3.1 Abbreviations:
3.1.1 EM—ethyl mercaptan
3.1.2 LP-Gas, LPG—liquefied petroleum gas
3.1.3 PTFE—polytetrafluoroethylene
3.1.4 TBM—t-butyl mercaptan
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 Using a manually-operated vacuum pump, a sample of LP-gas from the vapor space of an LP-gas cylinder, storage tank or
other closed containment system is drawn through a detector tube made specifically for detection of mercaptans. The length of stain
ethyl mercaptan. The length-of-stain (color change) produced in the detector tube when exposed to a measured volume of sample
is directly proportional to the amount of ethyl mercaptan present in the sample being tested. The length of stain length-of-stain
produced in the detector tube is converted to concentration, in parts per million volume (ppmv),by volume, by comparison with
a calibration scale provided by the manufacturer of the stain tube.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 LP-gas is colorless and odorless, and not detectable by normal human senses. To provide an olfactory warning in the event
of a leak, LP-gas intended for domestic or commercial fuel use is intentionally odorized so as to be readily detectable well below
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.H0 on Liquefied Petroleum Gas.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2012April 1, 2018. Published February 2013May 2018. Originally approved in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 20072012 as
D5305–97(2007).D5305 – 12. DOI: 10.1520/D5305-12.10.1520/D5305-18.
2
Available from National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02169-7471, http://www.nfpa.org.
*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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D5305 − 18
flammable or suffocating concentration levels of LP-gas in air. (See Appendix X1.) for important explanations.) The most common
odorant for LP-gas is ethyl mercaptan. The field use of this test method will rapidly determine the presence and concentration of
ethyl mercaptan in LP-gas vapor without the necessity for complex laboratory equipment.
6. Interferences
6.1 Detector tubes can be subject to interferences from materials other than the target substance. Methyl mercaptan will likely
interfere with tubes designed to me
...
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