ASTM D5305-18e1
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Determination of Ethyl Mercaptan in LP-Gas Vapor
Standard Test Method for Determination of Ethyl Mercaptan in LP-Gas Vapor
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 LP-gas is colorless and odorless, and not detectable by normal human senses. To provide an olfactory warning in the event of a leak, LP-gas intended for domestic or commercial fuel use is intentionally odorized so as to be readily detectable well below flammable or suffocating concentration levels of LP-gas in air. (See Appendix X1 for important explanations.) The most common odorant for LP-gas is ethyl mercaptan. The field use of this test method will rapidly determine the presence and concentration of ethyl mercaptan in LP-gas vapor without the necessity for complex laboratory equipment.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method describes a rapid and simple procedure using length-of-stain tubes for field measurement of ethyl mercaptan in the vapor phase of LP-gas systems. Although length-of-stain tubes are available to detect ethyl mercaptan concentrations in the range of 0.5 to 120 parts per million by volume, this test method is specifically applicable to systems containing 5 ppm by volume or more of ethyl mercaptan in LP-gas vapors.
Note 1: A chromatographic technique can be used for more precise, quantitative determination of ethyl mercaptan in LP-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.
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´1
Designation: D5305 − 18
Standard Test Method for
1
Determination of Ethyl Mercaptan in LP-Gas Vapor
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5305; 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
ε NOTE—Editorially corrected 7.3 in December 2020.
1. Scope* 3.1.2 LP-Gas, LPG—liquefied petroleum gas
3.1.3 PTFE—polytetrafluoroethylene
1.1 This test method describes a rapid and simple procedure
using length-of-stain tubes for field measurement of ethyl
3.1.4 TBM—t-butyl mercaptan
mercaptan in the vapor phase of LP-gas systems. Although
length-of-stain tubes are available to detect ethyl mercaptan
4. Summary of Test Method
concentrations in the range of 0.5 to 120 parts per million by
4.1 Using a manually-operated vacuum pump, a sample of
volume, this test method is specifically applicable to systems
LP-gas from the vapor space of an LP-gas cylinder, storage
containing 5 ppm by volume or more of ethyl mercaptan in
tank or other closed containment system is drawn through a
LP-gas vapors.
detector tube made specifically for detection of ethyl mercap-
tan. The length-of-stain (color change) produced in the detector
NOTE 1—A chromatographic technique can be used for more precise,
quantitative determination of ethyl mercaptan in LP-gas.
tube when exposed to a measured volume of sample is directly
proportional to the amount of ethyl mercaptan present in the
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
sample being tested. The length-of-stain produced in the
standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are
detector tube is converted to concentration, in parts per million
provided for information only and are not considered standard.
by volume, by comparison with a calibration scale provided by
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
the manufacturer of the stain tube.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
5. Significance and Use
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
5.1 LP-gas is colorless and odorless, and not detectable by
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
normal human senses. To provide an olfactory warning in the
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
event of a leak, LP-gas intended for domestic or commercial
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
fuel use is intentionally odorized so as to be readily detectable
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
well below flammable or suffocating concentration levels of
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
LP-gas in air. (See Appendix X1 for important explanations.)
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
The most common odorant for LP-gas is ethyl mercaptan. The
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
field use of this test method will rapidly determine the presence
2. Referenced Documents
and concentration of ethyl mercaptan in LP-gas vapor without
2
2.1 NFPA Standard: the necessity for complex laboratory equipment.
NFPA 58 Standard for the Storage and Handling of Liquefied
6. Interferences
Petroleum Gases
6.1 Detector tubes can be subject to interferences from
3. Terminology
materials other than the target substance. Methyl mercaptan
3.1 Abbreviations:
will likely interfere with tubes designed to measure ethyl
3.1.1 EM—ethyl mercaptan
mercaptan. Because of different detection chemistry by differ-
ent manufacturers, interferences can vary. Consult the manu-
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on
facturer’s instructions for specific interference information and
Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of
observe any instructions given.
Subcommittee D02.H0 on Liquefied Petroleum Gas.
Current edition approved April 1, 2018. Published May 2018. Originally
6.2 Propylene (propene) will cause an interfering (gray)
approved in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as D5305 – 12. DOI:
discoloration with some tubes designed for ethyl mercaptan.
10.1520/D5305-18E01.
2 LP-gas from natural gas sources usually does not contain
Available from National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 1 Batterymarch
Park, Quincy, MA 02169-7471, http://www.nfpa.org. propylene (propene). However, LP-gas produced in refinery
*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
---------------------- Pa
...
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.
´1
Designation: D5305 − 18 D5305 − 18
Standard Test Method for
1
Determination of Ethyl Mercaptan in LP-Gas Vapor
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5305; 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
ε NOTE—Editorially corrected 7.3 in December 2020.
1. Scope*
1.1 This test method describes a rapid and simple procedure using length-of-stain tubes for field measurement of ethyl mercaptan
in the vapor phase of LP-gas systems. Although length-of-stain tubes are available to detect ethyl mercaptan concentrations in the
range of 0.5 to 120 parts per million by volume, this test method is specifically applicable to systems containing 5 ppm by volume
or more of ethyl mercaptan in LP-gas vapors.
NOTE 1—A chromatographic technique can be used for more precise, quantitative determination of ethyl mercaptan in LP-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
2
2.1 NFPA Standard:
NFPA 58 Standard for the Storage and Handling of Liquefied Petroleum Gases
3. Terminology
3.1 Abbreviations:
3.1.1 EM—ethyl mercaptan
3.1.2 LP-Gas, LPG—liquefied petroleum gas
3.1.3 PTFE—polytetrafluoroethylene
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, 2018. Published May 2018. Originally approved in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as D5305 – 12. DOI:
10.1520/D5305-18.10.1520/D5305-18E01.
2
Available from National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02169-7471, http://www.nfpa.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 ----------------------
´1
D5305 − 18
3.1.4 TBM—t-butyl mercaptan
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 Using a manually-operated vacuum pump, a sample of LP-gas from the vapor space of an LP-gas cylinder, storage tank or
other closed containment system is drawn through a detector tube made specifically for detection of ethyl mercaptan. The
length-of-stain (color change) produced in the detector tube when exposed to a measured volume of sample is directly proportional
to the amount of ethyl mercaptan present in the sample being tested. The length-of-stain produced in the detector tube is converted
to concentration, in parts per million by volume, by comparison with a calibration scale provided by the manufacturer of the stain
tube.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 LP-gas is colorless and odorless, and not detectable by normal human senses. To provide an olfactory warning in the event
of a leak, LP-gas intended for domestic or commercial fuel use is intentionally odorized so as to be readily detectable well below
flammable or suffocating concentration levels of LP-gas in air. (See Appendix X1 for important explanations.) The most common
odorant for LP-gas is ethyl mercaptan. The field use of this test method will rapidly determine the presence and concentration of
ethyl mercaptan in LP-gas vapor without the necessity for complex laboratory equipment.
6. Interferences
6.1 Detector tubes can be subject to interferences from materials other than the target substance. Methyl mercaptan will likely
interfere with tubes designed to measure ethyl mercaptan. Because of different detection chemistry by different manufacturers,
interferences can vary. Consult the manufactur
...
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