ASTM D5950-14(2020)

Standard Test Method for Pour Point of Petroleum Products (Automatic Tilt Method)

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The pour point of a petroleum product is an index of the lowest temperature of its utility for certain applications. Flow characteristics, like pour point, can be critical for the correct operation of lubricating oil systems, fuel systems, and pipeline operations.  
5.2 Petroleum blending operations require precise measurement of the pour point.  
5.3 This test method can determine the pour point of the test specimen with a resolution of 1.0 °C.  
5.4 Test results from this test method can be determined at either 1 °C or 3 °C intervals.  
5.5 This test method yields a pour point in a format similar to Test Method D97/IP15 when the 3 °C interval results are reported.
Note 3: Since some users may wish to report their results in a format similar to Test Method D97 (in 3 °C intervals) the precisions were derived for the temperatures rounded to the 3 °C intervals. For statements on bias relative to Test Method D97, see 13.3.  
5.6 This test method has better repeatability and reproducibility relative to Test Method D97/IP15 as measured in the 1998 interlaboratory test program. (See Section 13.)
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of pour point of petroleum products by an automatic instrument that tilts the test jar during cooling and detects movement of the surface of the test specimen with an optical device.  
1.2 This test method is designed to cover the range of temperatures from −66 °C to +51 °C; however, the range of temperatures included in the 1992 interlaboratory test program only covered the temperature range from −39 °C to +6 °C, and the range of temperatures included in the 1998 interlaboratory test program was −51 °C to −11 °C. (See Section 13.)  
1.3 Test results from this test method can be determined at 1 °C or 3 °C intervals.  
1.4 This test method is not intended for use with crude oils.
Note 1: The applicability of this test method on residual fuel samples has not been verified. For further information on applicability, refer to 13.4.  
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.6 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.  
1.7 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: 30-Apr-2020
• ICS: 75.080 - Petroleum products in general
• Technical Committee: D02 - Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants
• Drafting Committee: D02.07 - Flow Properties

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: D5950 −14 (Reapproved 2020)
Standard Test Method for
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Pour Point of Petroleum Products (Automatic Tilt Method)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5950; 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.
INTRODUCTION
This test method covers an alternative procedure for the determination of pour point of petroleum
products using an automatic apparatus.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
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1.1 This test method covers the determination of pour point
2.1 ASTM Standards:
of petroleum products by an automatic instrument that tilts the
D97Test Method for Pour Point of Petroleum Products
test jar during cooling and detects movement of the surface of
D4057Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and
the test specimen with an optical device.
Petroleum Products
D4177Practice for Automatic Sampling of Petroleum and
1.2 This test method is designed to cover the range of
Petroleum Products
temperatures from −66°C to +51°C; however, the range of
D6708Practice for StatisticalAssessment and Improvement
temperatures included in the 1992 interlaboratory test program
of Expected Agreement Between Two Test Methods that
only covered the temperature range from −39°C to +6°C, and
Purport to Measure the Same Property of a Material
the range of temperatures included in the 1998 interlaboratory
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test program was −51°C to −11°C. (See Section 13.)
2.2 Energy Institute Standard:
IP15Test Method for Pour Point of Petroleum Products
1.3 Test results from this test method can be determined at
1°C or 3°C intervals.
3. Terminology
1.4 This test method is not intended for use with crude oils.
3.1 Definitions:
NOTE 1—The applicability of this test method on residual fuel samples
3.1.1 pour point, n—in petroleum products, the lowest
has not been verified. For further information on applicability, refer to
temperature at which movement of the test specimen is
13.4.
observed under the prescribed conditions of this test method.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
standard.
3.2.1 no-flow point, n—in petroleum products, the tempera-
ture of the test specimen at which a wax crystal structure or
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
viscosity increase, or both, impedes movement of the surface
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
of the test specimen under the conditions of the test.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
3.2.1.1 Discussion—The no-flow point occurs when, upon
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
cooling,theformationofwaxcrystalstructuresortheviscosity
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
increase,orboth,hasprogressedtothepointwheretheapplied
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
observation device no longer detects movement under the
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
conditions of the test. The preceding observation temperature,
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
at which flow of the test specimen is last observed, is the pour
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
point.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
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This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Subcommittee D02.07 on Flow Properties. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved May 1, 2020. Published June 2020. Originally the ASTM website.
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approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as D5950–14. DOI: Available from Energy Institute, 61 New Cavendish St., London, WIG 7AR,
10.1520/D5950-14R20. U.K., http://www.energyinst.org.uk.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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D5950 − 14 (2020)
TABLE 1 Jacket and Specimen Temperature Cooling Profile
Specimen Temperature, °C Jacket Temperature, °C
+27>=ST > +9 0±0.5
+9>=ST > −6 −18±0.5
−6>=ST > −24 −33±0.5
−24>
...