ASTM D4952-23
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Qualitative Analysis for Active Sulfur Species in Fuels and Solvents (Doctor Test)
Standard Test Method for Qualitative Analysis for Active Sulfur Species in Fuels and Solvents (Doctor Test)
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Sulfur present as mercaptans or as hydrogen sulfide in distillate fuels and solvents can attack many metallic and non-metallic materials in fuel and other distribution systems. A negative result in the doctor test ensures that the concentration of these compounds is insufficient to cause such problems in normal use.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers and is intended primarily for the detection of mercaptans in motor fuel, kerosine, and similar petroleum products. This method may also provide information on hydrogen sulfide and elemental sulfur that may be present in these sample types.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this 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. For specific warning statements, see 7.3.
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.
General Information
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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: D4952 − 23
Standard Test Method for
Qualitative Analysis for Active Sulfur Species in Fuels and
1
Solvents (Doctor Test)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4952; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
3
1. Scope* 2.2 Energy Institute Standards:
IP 30 Detection of Mercaptans, Hydrogen Sulfide, Elemental
1.1 This test method covers and is intended primarily for the
Sulfur, and Peroxides – Doctor Test Method
detection of mercaptans in motor fuel, kerosine, and similar
petroleum products. This method may also provide information
3. Terminology
on hydrogen sulfide and elemental sulfur that may be present in
3.1 Definitions:
these sample types.
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method, refer
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
to Terminology D4175.
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
standard.
3.2.1 flowers of sulfur, n—a purified form of sulfur that is
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
prepared by sublimation, as opposed to precipitation.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2.2 sour, adj—describing material having a detectable
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
quantity of hydrogen sulfide or mercaptan.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
3.2.3 sweet, adj—describing material having a nondetect-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
able quantity of hydrogen sulfide or mercaptan.
For specific warning statements, see 7.3.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor- 3.3 Acronyms:
3.3.1 UV, adj—ultraviolet, the spectrum of electromagnetic
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the radiation commonly defined as having a wavelength between
100 and 400 nanometers.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
3.3.1.1 Discussion—In the context of this test method, the
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
term of UV is expanded to include wavelengths up to 550 nm
for the reason discussed in 8.1.
2. Referenced Documents
2
4. Summary of Test Method
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
4.1 The sample is shaken with sodium plumbite solution, a
D3227 Test Method for (Thiol Mercaptan) Sulfur in
small quantity of powdered sulfur added, and the mixture
Gasoline, Kerosine, Aviation Turbine, and Distillate Fuels
shaken again. The presence of mercaptans or hydrogen sulfide
(Potentiometric Method)
or both is indicated by discoloration of the sulfur floating at the
D4175 Terminology Relating to Petroleum Products, Liquid
oil-water interface or by discoloration of either of the phases.
Fuels, and Lubricants
5. Significance and Use
5.1 Sulfur present as mercaptans or as hydrogen sulfide in
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on distillate fuels and solvents can attack many metallic and
Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of
non-metallic materials in fuel and other distribution systems. A
Subcommittee D02.03 on Elemental Analysis.
negative result in the doctor test ensures that the concentration
Current edition approved July 1, 2023. Published July 2023. Originally approved
of these compounds is insufficient to cause such problems in
in 1989. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as D4952 – 12 (2017). DOI:
10.1520/D4952-23.
normal use.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from Energy Institute, 61 New Cavendish St., London, WIG 7AR,
the ASTM website. U.K., http://www.energyinst.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
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D4952 − 23
NOTE 1—Alternative volumes of the solution may be prepared or
6. Interferences
purchased, provided the final solution concentration is equivalent.
6.1
...
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: D4952 − 12 (Reapproved 2017) D4952 − 23
Standard Test Method for
Qualitative Analysis for Active Sulfur Species in Fuels and
1
Solvents (Doctor Test)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4952; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope Scope*
1.1 This test method covers and is intended primarily for the detection of mercaptans in motor fuel, kerosine, and similar
petroleum products. This method may also provide information on hydrogen sulfide and elemental sulfur that may be present in
these sample types.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this 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 and healthsafety, health, and environmental practices and determine
the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific warning statements, see 7.3.
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 ASTM Standards:
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
D3227 Test Method for (Thiol Mercaptan) Sulfur in Gasoline, Kerosine, Aviation Turbine, and Distillate Fuels (Potentiometric
Method)
D4175 Terminology Relating to Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants
3
2.2 Energy Institute Standards:
IP 30 Detection of Mercaptans, Hydrogen Sulfide, Elemental Sulfur, and Peroxides – Doctor Test Method
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method, refer to Terminology D4175.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
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
D02.03 on Elemental Analysis.
Current edition approved May 1, 2017July 1, 2023. Published June 2017July 2023. Originally approved in 1989. Last previous edition approved in 20122017 as
D4952 – 12.D4952 – 12 (2017). DOI: 10.1520/D4952-12R17.10.1520/D4952-23.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
Available from Energy Institute, 61 New Cavendish St., London, WIG 7AR, U.K., http://www.energyinst.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
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D4952 − 23
3.2.1 flowers of sulfur, n—a purified form of sulfur that is prepared by sublimation, as opposed to precipitation.
3.2.2 sour, adj—describing material having a detectable quantity of hydrogen sulfide or mercaptan.
3.2.3 sweet, adj—describing material having a nondetectable quantity of hydrogen sulfide or mercaptan.
3.3 Acronyms:
3.3.1 UV, adj—ultraviolet, the spectrum of electromagnetic radiation commonly defined as having a wavelength between 100 and
400 nanometers.
3.3.1.1 Discussion—
In the context of this test method, the term of UV is expanded to include wavelengths up to 550 nm for the reason discussed in
8.1.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 The sample is shaken with sodium plumbite solution, a small quantity of powdered sulfur added, and the mixture shaken again.
The presence of mercaptans or hydrogen sulfide or both is indicated by discoloration of the sulfur floating at the oil-water interface
or by discoloration of either of the phases.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 Sulfur present as mercaptans or as hydrogen sulfide in distillate fuels and solvents can attack many metallic and non-metallic
materials in fuel and other distribution systems. A negative result in the doctor test ensures that the concentration of t
...
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