ASTM D2420-23

Standard Test Method for Hydrogen Sulfide in Liquefied Petroleum (LP) Gases (Lead Acetate Method)

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Liquefied petroleum gases and their products of combustion must not be unduly corrosive to the materials with which they come in contact. The potential personnel exposure hazards of H2S also make the detection and measurement of hydrogen sulfide important, even in low concentrations. In addition, in some cases the odor of the gases shall not be objectionable. (See Specification D1835 and GPA 2140.)
SCOPE
1.1 This test method2 covers the detection of hydrogen sulfide in liquefied petroleum (LP) gases. The sensitivity of the test is about 4 mg/m3 (0.15 to 0.2 grain of hydrogen sulfide per 100 ft3) of gas.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are provided for information only and are not considered 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.  
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

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 28-Feb-2023
• ICS: 75.160.30 - Gaseous fuels
• Technical Committee: D02 - Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants
• Drafting Committee: D02.H0 - Liquefied Petroleum Gas

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: D2420 − 23
Standard Test Method for
Hydrogen Sulfide in Liquefied Petroleum (LP) Gases (Lead
1
Acetate Method)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2420; 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.
4
1. Scope* 2.2 GPA Standard:
GPA 2140 Liquefied Petroleum Gas Specifications and Test
2
1.1 This test method covers the detection of hydrogen
Methods
sulfide in liquefied petroleum (LP) gases. The sensitivity of the
3
test is about 4 mg ⁄m (0.15 to 0.2 grain of hydrogen sulfide per
3. Terminology
3
100 ft ) of gas.
3.1 Definitions:
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method, refer
standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are
to Terminology D4175.
provided for information only and are not considered standard.
3.1.2 liquefied petroleum gas (LP gas, LPG), n—a narrow
boiling range mixture of hydrocarbons consisting of propane,
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
propylene, butanes and butylenes, individually or in specified
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
combinations, with limited amounts of other hydrocarbons
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
(such as ethane) and may contain naturally occurring,
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
petroleum-derived, non-hydrocarbons.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
4. Summary of Test Method
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
4.1 Vaporized LP gas is passed over moist lead acetate paper
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
under controlled conditions. Hydrogen sulfide reacts with lead
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
acetate to form lead sulfide which produces a coloration on the
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
paper varying from yellow to black, depending upon the
amount of hydrogen sulfide present.
2. Referenced Documents
3 5. Significance and Use
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water 5.1 Liquefied petroleum gases and their products of com-
bustion must not be unduly corrosive to the materials with
D1265 Practice for Sampling Liquefied Petroleum (LP)
which they come in contact. The potential personnel exposure
Gases, Manual Method
hazards of H S also make the detection and measurement of
D1835 Specification for Liquefied Petroleum (LP) Gases
2
hydrogen sulfide important, even in low concentrations. In
D4175 Terminology Relating to Petroleum Products, Liquid
addition, in some cases the odor of the gases shall not be
Fuels, and Lubricants
objectionable. (See Specification D1835 and GPA 2140.)
6. Interferences
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
6.1 Methyl mercaptan, if present, produces a transitory
Subcommittee D02.H0 on Liquefied Petroleum Gas.
yellow stain on the lead acetate paper that will fade completely
Current edition approved March 1, 2023. Published March 2023. Originally
in less than 5 min.
approved in 1965. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as D2420 – 13 (2018).
DOI: 10.1520/D2420-23.
6.2 Other sulfur compounds present in liquefied petroleum
2
This test method is based on Edwards, J. D., and McBride, R. S., “Lead Acetate
gas do not interfere with the test.
Test for Hydrogen Sulphide in Gas,” Technologic Papers T41, National Institute for
Standards and Technology, Aug. 9, 1914.
3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
4
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from Gas Processors Association (GPA), 66 American Plaza, Suite
the ASTM website. 700, Tulsa, OK 74135, http://www.gpaglobal.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 ----------------------
D2420 − 23
7. Apparatus and Materials 7.5.1 Internal surfaces of sample containers, lines and fit-
tings may be surface coated with an inert material to reduce
7.1 Apparatus for De
...

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: D2420 − 13 (Reapproved 2018) D2420 − 23
Standard Test Method for
Hydrogen Sulfide in Liquefied Petroleum (LP) Gases (Lead
1
Acetate Method)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2420; 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 Scope*
2
1.1 This test method covers the detection of hydrogen sulfide in liquefied petroleum (LP) gases. The sensitivity of the test is about
3 3
4 mg ⁄m (0.15 to 0.2 grain of hydrogen sulfide per 100 ft ) of gas.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are provided for
information only and are not considered 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.
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
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
D1265 Practice for Sampling Liquefied Petroleum (LP) Gases, Manual Method
D1835 Specification for Liquefied Petroleum (LP) Gases
D4175 Terminology Relating to Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants
4
2.2 GPA Standard:
GPA 2140 Liquefied Petroleum Gas Specifications and Test Methods
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method, refer to Terminology D4175.
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.H0 on Liquefied Petroleum Gas.
Current edition approved April 1, 2018March 1, 2023. Published June 2018March 2023. Originally approved in 1965. Last previous edition approved in 20132018 as
D2420 – 13.D2420 – 13 (2018). DOI: 10.1520/D2420-13R18.10.1520/D2420-23.
2
This test method is based on Edwards, J. D., and McBride, R. S., “Lead Acetate Test for Hydrogen Sulphide in Gas,” Technologic Papers T41, National Institute for
Standards and Technology, Aug. 9, 1914.
3
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.
4
Available from Gas Processors Association (GPA), 66 American Plaza, Suite 700, Tulsa, OK 74135, http://www.gpaglobal.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 ----------------------
D2420 − 23
3.1.2 liquefied petroleum gas (LP gas, LPG), n—a narrow boiling range mixture of hydrocarbons consisting of propane, propylene,
butanes and butylenes, individually or in specified combinations, with limited amounts of other hydrocarbons (such as ethane) and
may contain naturally occurring, petroleum-derived, non-hydrocarbons.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 Vaporized LP gas is passed over moist lead acetate paper under controlled conditions. Hydrogen sulfide reacts with lead acetate
to form lead sulfide which produces a coloration on the paper varying from yellow to black, depending upon the amount of
hydrogen sulfide present.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 Liquefied petroleum gases and their products of combustion must not be unduly corrosive to the materials with which they
come in contact. The potential personnel exposure hazards of H S also make the detection and measurement of hydrogen sulfide
2
important, even in low concentrations. In addition, in some cases the odor of the gases shall not be objectionable. (See Specification
D1835 and GPA 2140.)
6. Interferences
6.1 Methyl mercaptan, if present, produces a transitory yellow stain on the lead acetate paper that will fade completely in less than
5 min.
6.2 Other sulfur compounds present in liquefied petroleum ga
...