ASTM D878-96a

Standard Test Method for Inorganic Chlorides and Sulfates in Insulating Oils

SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the qualitative determination of inorganic chlorides and sulfates in electrical insulating oils.  
Note 1—It should be pointed out that if the strong acids, hydrochloric and sulfuric, are present, they will give positive results for chlorides and sulfates, respectively.
1.2 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-Oct-2001
• ICS: 29.040.10 - Insulating oils
• Technical Committee: D27 - Electrical Insulating Liquids and Gases
• Drafting Committee: D27.06 - Chemical Test

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM D878-01 - Standard Test Method for Inorganic Chlorides and Sulfates in Insulating Oils
• Effective Date: 10-Oct-2001

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or
withdrawn.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: D 878 – 96a
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS
100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM
Standard Test Method for
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Inorganic Chlorides and Sulfates in Insulating Oils
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 878; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been adopted for use by government agencies to replace Method 5703 of Federal Test Method Standard No. 791b.
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1. Scope 5.3 Test Tubes, 25-mL (25-cm ) capacity.
1.1 This test method covers the qualitative determination of
6. Reagents
inorganic chlorides and sulfates in electrical insulating oils.
6.1 Purity of Reagents—Use reagent grade chemicals in all
NOTE 1—It should be pointed out that if the strong acids, hydrochloric tests. Unless otherwise indicated, it is intended that all reagents
and sulfuric, are present, they will give positive results for chlorides and
shall conform to the specifications of the Committee on
sulfates, respectively.
Analytical Reagents of the American Chemical Society, where
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such specifications are available. Other grades may be used,
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the provided it is first ascertained that the reagent is of sufficiently
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- high purity to permit its use without lessening the accuracy of
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- the determination.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. 6.2 Purity of Water—Unless otherwise indicated, reference
to water shall be understood to mean reagent water conforming
2. Referenced Documents
to Specification D 1193.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
6.3 Barium Chloride Solution (100 g/L)—Dissolve 100 g of
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D 1193 Specification for Reagent Water barium chloride (BaCl ·2H O) in water and dilute to 1 L.
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6.4 n-Heptane.
3. Summary of Test Method
6.5 Hydrochloric Acid (specific gravity (relative density)
3.1 Water is used to extract inorganic chlorides and sulfates
1.19)—Concentrated hydrochloric acid (HCl).
from a sample of insulating oil. A portion of the water layer is
6.6 Nitric Acid (specific gravity (relative density) 1.42)—
treated with nitric acid and silver nitrate to reveal a white
Concentrated nitric acid (HNO ).
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precipitate if chloride is present. A second portion is treated
6.7 Silver Nitrate Solution (100 g/L)—Dissolve 100 g of
with hydrochloric acid and barium chloride. A white precipitate
silver nitrate (AgNO ) in water and dilute to 1 L.
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indicates the presence of sulfate.
7. Procedure
4. Significance and Use
7.1 In a 250-mL separatory funnel, shake thoroughly 100
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mL (100 cm ) of the oil with 75 mL (75 cm ) of water at 95°C.
4.1 The presence of inorganic chlorides and sulfates in oil in
Allow to separate, then draw off the water layer into a 250-mL
contact with metal surfaces in electrical equipment can result in
beaker.
corrosion of transformer components. The deterioration of
7.1.1 In case the separated water is not clear, filter it through
metal surfaces is dependent upon the quantity of the corrosive
a 10-cm diameter qualitative filter paper into a 250-mL
agent and the operating environment. Although not quantita-
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(250-cm ) beaker. The filtrate is then used for tests. As a check
tive, this test method is a means for recognizing the potential
on the filter paper, 75 mL of hot water, passed through the
for such a hazard.
paper prior to filtering the separated water, should give
5. Apparatus
negative tests for chlorides and sulfates.
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5.1 Separatory Funnel, 250-mL (250-cm ) and 500-mL 7.1.2 In the case of high-viscosity polybutene, dilute the
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(500-cm ) capacity. 100-mL sample with an equal amount of n-heptane. Stir until
5.2 Beakers, 250-mL capacity. the sample is completely dissolved, transfer the solution to a
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This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-27 on
Reagent Chemicals, American Chemical Society Specifications, American
Electrical Insulating Liquids and Gasesand is the direct responsibility of Subcom- Chemical Society, Washington, DC. For suggestions on the testing of reagents not
mittee D27.06 on Chemical Tests. listed by the American Chemical Society, see Analar Standards for Laboratory
Current edition approved Dec. 10, 1996. Published February 1997. Originally Chemicals, BDH Ltd., Poole, Dorset, U.K., and the United States Pharmacopeia
published as D 878 – 46 T. Last previous edition D 878 – 96. and National Formulary, U.S. Pharmacope
...