Standard Test Method for No Flow Point of Petroleum Products

SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the no flow point temperature of petroleum products using an automatic instrument.
1.2 The measuring range of the apparatus is from -95 to 45°C, however the precision statements were derived only from samples with no flow point temperatures from -77 to +2°C.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only./p>
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.

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Status
Historical
Publication Date
14-Jul-2007
Current Stage
Ref Project

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Effective Date
15-Jul-2007

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ASTM D7346-07 - Standard Test Method for No Flow Point of Petroleum Products
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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:D7346–07
Standard Test Method for
No Flow Point of Petroleum Products
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7346; 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 3.1.1.1 Discussion—The no-flow point occurs when, upon
cooling, the formation of wax crystal structures or viscosity
1.1 Thistestmethodcoversthedeterminationofthenoflow
increase, or both, have progressed to the point where the
point temperature of petroleum products using an automatic
applied observation device no longer detects movement under
instrument.
the conditions of the test.
1.2 The measuring range of the apparatus is from -95 to
45°C, however the precision statements were derived only
4. Summary of Test Method
from samples with no flow point temperatures from -77 to
4.1 After inserting the test specimen into the automatic no
+2°C.
flow point apparatus and initiating the program, the test
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
specimen is heated, if necessary, to a starting temperature and
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
then cooled by prescribed rates. The test specimen is continu-
standard.
ously tested for flow characteristics by continuously monitor-
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
ing the air pressure variation inside the test specimen vial.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
When the specimen is still fluid, its movement will partially
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
compensateforthereductioninairpressureinthetestchamber
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
above the test specimen surface. At some temperature the
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
pressure measuring system detects a pressure decrease due to
2. Referenced Documents incapability of the test specimen to flow caused by a crystal
structure formation in the specimen or its viscosity increase, or
2.1 ASTM Standards:
both. This temperature is recorded as no flow point with a
D97 Test Method for Pour Point of Petroleum Products
resolutionof0.1°C.Thetestspecimenisthenreheatedtoallow
D4057 Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and
for removal from the test chamber.
Petroleum Products
D4177 Practice for Automatic Sampling of Petroleum and
5. Significance and Use
Petroleum Products
5.1 The no flow point of a petroleum product is an index of
D6300 Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias
thelowesttemperatureofitsutilityforsomeapplications.Flow
Data for Use in Test Methods for Petroleum Products and
characteristics, such as no flow point, can be critical for the
Lubricants
proper operation of lubricating systems, fuel systems, and
3. Terminology pipeline operations.
5.2 Petroleum blending operations require precise measure-
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
ment of the no flow point.
3.1.1 no-flow point, n—in petroleum products, the tempera-
5.3 This test method can determine the temperature of the
ture of the test specimen at which a wax crystal structure
test specimen with a resolution of 0.1°C at which either
formation or viscosity increase, or both, is sufficient to impede
crystals have formed or viscosity has increased sufficiently, or
movement of the surface of the test specimen under the
both, to impede flow of the petroleum product.
conditions of the test.
6. Apparatus (see Annex A1)
6.1 Automatic No Flow Point Apparatus —The apparatus
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on
consists of a microprocessor–controlled test specimen chamber
Petroleum Products and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
D02.07 on Flow Properties.
Current edition approved July 15, 2007. Published August 2007. DOI: 10.1520/
D7346-07. The sole source of supply of the apparatus known to the committee at this time
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or is ISL model MPP 5Gs Analyzer, available from ISL, B.P. 70285 14653 Verson,
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM France. If you are aware of alternative suppliers, please provide this information to
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on ASTM International Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consider-
the ASTM website. ation at a meeting of the responsible technical committee, which you may attend.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D7346–07
that is capable of heating and cooling the test specimen at it is just sufficiently fluid to transfer. Samples with an expected
required rate, measuring the pressure inside the test specimen no flow point above 25°C or which appear solid at room
vial, and recording the temperature of the test specimen
temperature can be heated above 45°C but shall not be heated
chamber.Adetailed description of the apparatus is provided in above 70°C (see Note 2).
Annex A1.
NOTE 3—Some samples like residual fuels, black oils, and cylinder
6.2 The apparatus shall be equipped with a thermostatically
stock have been known to be sensitive to thermal history. In the case
controlled specimen chamber, digital display, cooling and
where such sample is tested, refer to Test Method D97 for sample
heating systems, pressure measuring system, and a specimen
treatment prior testing.
chamber temperature measuring device.
11.2 Place a new clean, dry specimen vial stopper on the
6.3 The temperature measuring device in the specimen
specimen vial and insert the assembly into the apparatus. Start
chamber shall be capable of measuring the temperature from
the operation of the apparatus according to the manufacturer’s
-105 to 60°C at a resolution of 0.1°C.
instructions. When the expected no flow point of the specimen
7. Reagents and Materials
is known, program it in the apparatus as EP (expected point)
and start test sequence. From this point up to and including the
7.1 Specimen Vial—Disposable, clear glass cylinder with
closed flat bottom, 1 mL capacity. terminationofthetest,recordingandreportingoftheresult,the
apparatus automatically controls the procedure.
Dimensions:
Outer diameter: 8.0 to 8.3 mm
11.3 The apparatus adjusts the specimen chamber to a
Wall thickness: 0.75 to 0.85 mm
preselected starting temperature. By default, the preselected
Outer length: 39.25 to 40.25 mm
starting temperature is 25°C. Alternatively, the operator can
NOTE 1—Standard NWV type vial was found suitable for the applica-
preprogram a defined starting temperature between 25 and
tion.
60°C, if desired. When the expected no flow point is known
7.2 Specimen Vial Stopper —Disposable, proprietary de-
and programmed in the apparatus, the starting temperature
signed for use in this apparatus.
shall be at least 30°C warmer. In the event that the preselected
7.3 Micropipette—Capable of delivering 0.5 6 0.1 mL of
starting temperature is programmed lower than 30°C above the
sample. Positive displacement type micropipette with capillary
expected no flow point, the apparatus shall heat the specimen
pistonispreferredforuse.Air-displacementtypemicropipettes
chamber to a starting temperature at least 30°C above the
are not recommended for viscous samples.
expected no flow point, but not more than 60°C.
8. Sampling 11.4 Whentheexpectednoflowpointofthespecimenisnot
known, once the starting temperature is reached (see 11.3) the
8.1 Obtain a sample in accordance with Practice D4057 or
specimen chamber is coole
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