ASTM D5950-02

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

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
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.
Petroleum blending operations require precise measurement of the pour point.
This test method can determine the pour point of the test specimen with a resolution of 1.0°C.
Test results from this test method can be determined at either 1 or 3°C intervals.
This test method yields a pour point in a format similar to Test Method D 97/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 D 97 (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 D 97, see 13.3.
This test method has better repeatability and reproducibility relative to Test Method D 97/IP15 as measured in the 1998 interlaboratory test program.5
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 -57 to +51°C; however, the range of temperatures included in the 1992 interlaboratory test program only covered the temperature range from -39 to +6°C, and the range of temperatures included in the 1998 interlaboratory test program was -51 to -11°C. (see 13.4).
1.3 Test results from this test method can be determined at 1 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 regarded as 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: 09-Jan-2002
• ICS: 75.080 - Petroleum products in general
• Technical Committee: D02 - Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants
• Drafting Committee: D02.07 - Flow Properties

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D5950-96 - Standard Test Method for Pour Point of Petroleum Products (Automatic Tilt Method)
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• Replaced By: ASTM D5950-02(2007) - Standard Test Method for Pour Point of Petroleum Products (Automatic Tilt Method)
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2007
• Referred By: ASTM D3487-16e1 - Standard Specification for Mineral Insulating Oil Used in Electrical Apparatus
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D6158-18 - Standard Specification for Mineral Hydraulic Oils
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D8240-22e1 - Standard Specification for Less-Flammable Synthetic Ester Liquids Used in Electrical Apparatus
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D86-23 - Standard Test Method for Distillation of Petroleum Products and Liquid Fuels at Atmospheric Pressure
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D6074-15(2022) - Standard Guide for Characterizing Hydrocarbon Lubricant Base Oils
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D117-22 - Standard Guide for Sampling, Test Methods, and Specifications for Electrical Insulating Liquids
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D2880-23 - Standard Specification for Gas Turbine Fuel Oils
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D8180-23 - Standard Specification for Rerefined Mineral Insulating Liquid Used in Electrical Apparatus
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D396-21 - Standard Specification for Fuel Oils
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D7666-12(2019) - Standard Specification for Triglyceride Burner Fuel
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D5222-23 - Standard Specification for Less Flammable High Molecular Weight Hydrocarbon Mineral Electrical Insulating Liquids
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D8324-21 - Standard Guide for Selection of Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Vessel General Permit
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002

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
An American National Standard
Designation: D 5950 – 02
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 (e) 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* 2.2 IP Standard:
4
IP15 Test Method for Pour Point of Petroleum Products
1.1 This test method covers the determination of pour point
of petroleum products by an automatic instrument that tilts the
3. Terminology
test jar during cooling and detects movement of the surface of
3.1 Definitions:
the test specimen with an optical device.
3.1.1 pour point, n—in petroleum products, the lowest
1.2 This test method is designed to cover the range of
temperature at which movement of the test specimen is
temperatures from −57 to +51°C; however, the range of
observed under the prescribed conditions of this test method.
temperatures included in the 1992 interlaboratory test program
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
only covered the temperature range from −39 to +6°C, and the
3.2.1 no-flow point, n—in petroleum products, the tempera-
range of temperatures included in the 1998 interlaboratory test
ture of the test specimen at which a wax crystal structure or
program was −51 to −11°C. (see 13.4).
viscosity increase, or both, impedes movement of the surface
1.3 Test results from this test method can be determined at
of the test specimen under the conditions of the test.
1 or 3°C intervals.
3.2.1.1 Discussion—The no-flow point occurs when, upon
1.4 This test method is not intended for use with crude oils.
cooling,theformationofwaxcrystalstructuresortheviscosity
NOTE 1—The applicability of this test method on residual fuel samples
increase,orboth,hasprogressedtothepointwheretheapplied
has not been verified. For further information on applicability, refer to
observation device no longer detects movement under the
13.4.
conditions of the test. The preceding observation temperature,
1.5 The values stated in SI units are regarded as standard.
at which flow of the test specimen is last observed, is the pour
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
point.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2.2 tilting—technique of movement where the test jar in a
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
vertical position is moved towards a horizontal position to
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
induce specimen movement.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.2.2.1 Discussion—When the test jar is tilted and held in a
horizontal position for 5 s without detection of specimen
2. Referenced Documents
movement, this is the no-flow point and the test is complete.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
2
D97 Test Method for Pour Point of Petroleum Products 4. Summary of Test Method
D4057 Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and
4.1 After preliminary heating, the test specimen is inserted
3
Petroleum Products
into the automatic pour point apparatus. After starting the
D4177 Practice for Automatic Sampling of Petroleum and
program, the specimen is cooled according to the cooling
3
Petroleum Products
profile listed in Table 1 and examined at either 1 or 3°C
intervals. The lowest temperature at which movement of
specimen is detected, by the automatic equipment, is displayed
as the pour point.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on
Petroleum Products and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
NOTE 2—If the automatic pour apparatus’s preheat option is utilized,
D02.07 on Flow Properties.
Current edition approved Jan. 10, 2002. Published March 2002. Originally
published as D5950–96. Last previous edition D5950–96.
2 4
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.01. AvailablefromInstituteofPetroleum,61NewCavendishSt.,London,England
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.02. WiM 8AR.
*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 ----------------------
D5950–02
TABLE 1 Jacket and Specimen Temperature Cooling Profile
Specimen Temperature, °C Jacket Temperature,° C
+27 >=ST >+9 06 0.5
+9 >=ST >−6 −18 6 0.5
−6 >=ST >−24 −33 6 0.5
−24 >=ST >−42 −516 0.5
−42 >=ST >−58 −696 0.5
FIG. 1 Optical Detection System
5.6 This test method has better repeatability
...