ASTM D5950-14

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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Apr-2014
• 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)

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:D5950 −14
Standard Test Method for
1
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
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 This test method covers the determination of pour point
of petroleum products by an automatic instrument that tilts the D97Test Method for Pour Point of Petroleum Products
D4057Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and
test jar during cooling and detects movement of the surface of
Petroleum Products
the test specimen with an optical device.
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
3
2.2 Energy Institute Standard:
test program was −51°C to −11°C. (See Section 13.)
IP15Test Method for Pour Point of Petroleum Products
1.3 Test results from this test method can be determined at
3. Terminology
1°C or 3°C intervals.
3.1 Definitions:
1.4 This test method is not intended for use with crude oils.
3.1.1 pour point, n—in petroleum products, the lowest
NOTE 1—The applicability of this test method on residual fuel samples
temperature at which movement of the test specimen is
has not been verified. For further information on applicability, refer to
observed under the prescribed conditions of this test method.
13.4.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
3.2.1 no-flow point, n—in petroleum products, the tempera-
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
ture of the test specimen at which a wax crystal structure or
standard.
viscosity increase, or both, impedes movement of the surface
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
of the test specimen under the conditions of the test.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2.1.1 Discussion—The no-flow point occurs when, upon
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
cooling,theformationofwaxcrystalstructuresortheviscosity
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
increase,orboth,hasprogressedtothepointwheretheapplied
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
observation device no longer detects movement under the
conditions of the test. The preceding observation temperature,
at which flow of the test specimen is last observed, is the pour
point.
1 2
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, 2014. Published June 2014. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as D5950–12a. DOI: Available from Energy Institute, 61 New Cavendish St., London, WIG 7AR,
10.1520/D5950-14. U.K., http://www.energyinst.org.uk.
*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 ----------------------
D5950−14
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>=ST > −42 −51±0.5
−42>=ST > −60 −69±0.5
−60>=ST > −78 −87±0.5
FIG. 1 Optical Detection System
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
similartoTestMethodD97(in3°Cintervals)theprecisionswerederived
for the temperatures rounded to the 3°C intervals. For statements on bias
relative to Test Method D97, see 13.
...

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: D5950 − 12a D5950 − 14
Standard Test Method for
1
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. A number 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*
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 −66−66 °C to +51°C;+51 °C; however, the range of
temperatures included in the 1992 interlaboratory test program only covered the temperature range from −39−39 °C to +6°C,+6 °C,
and the range of temperatures included in the 1998 interlaboratory test program was −51−51 °C to −11°C.−11 °C. (See Section 13.)
1.3 Test results from this test method can be determined at 11 °C or 3°C3 °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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D97 Test Method for Pour Point of Petroleum Products
D4057 Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and Petroleum Products
D4177 Practice for Automatic Sampling of Petroleum and Petroleum Products
D6708 Practice for Statistical Assessment and Improvement of Expected Agreement Between Two Test Methods that Purport
to Measure the Same Property of a Material
3
2.2 Energy Institute Standard:
IP 15 Test Method for Pour Point of Petroleum Products
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 pour point, n—in petroleum products, the lowest temperature at which movement of the test specimen is observed under
the prescribed conditions of this test method.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum Products Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D02.07 on Flow Properties.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2012May 1, 2014. Published March 2013June 2014. Originally approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as
D5950D5950 – 12a.–12. DOI: 10.1520/D5950-12a.10.1520/D5950-14.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. 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.uk.
*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 ----------------------
D5950 − 14
3.2.1 no-flow point, n—in petroleum products, the temperature of the test specimen at which a wax crystal structure or viscosity
increase, or both, impedes movement of the surface of the test specimen under the conditions of the test.
3.2.1.1 Discussion—
The no-flow point occurs when, upon cooling, the formation of wax crystal structures or the viscosity increase, or both, has
progressed to the point where the applied observation device no longer detects movement under the conditions of the test. The
preceding observation temperature, at which flow of the test specimen is last observed, is the pour point.
3.2.2 tilting, v—technique of movement where the test jar in a vertical position is moved towards a horizontal position to induce
specimen movement.
3.2.2.1 Discussion—
TABLE 1 Jacket and Specimen Temperature Coolin
...