SIST EN 238:1998

Liquid petroleum products - Petrol - Determination of the benzene content by infrared spectrometry

This European Standard specifies an infrared spectrometric method for the determination of benzene in petrol with a benzene content of 0,1 % V/V to 20 % V/V. The presence of cyclopentadiene in the sample will interfere with the benzene determination when it exceeds 5 % V/V. Contents of ethanol less than 10 % V/V and toluene less than 25 % V/V do not interfere with the benzene determination.

Flüssige Mineralölerzeugnisse - Ottokraftstoff - Bestimmung des Benzolgehaltes durch Infrarotspektrometrie

Diese europäische Norm beschreibt ein Verfahren zur Bestimmung des Benzolgehaltes in Ottokraftstoffen mit einem Benzolgehalt von 0,1 % bis 20 % Volumenanteilen durch Infrarotspektrometrie. Die Bestimmung von Benzol wird durch Cyclopentadien in der Probe gestört, wenn der Cyclopentadien-Gehalt den Wert von 5 % Volumenanteilen übersteigt. Der Gehalt von weniger als 10 % Volumenanteilen Ethanol und weniger als 25 % Volumenanteilen Toluol stört die Benzolbestimmung nicht.

Produits pétroliers liquides - Essence - Détermination de la teneur en benzene par spectrométrie infrarouge

La présente norme européenne décrit une méthode de dosage du benzène dans l'essence par spectrométrie infrarouge pour des teneurs en benzène comprises entre 0,1 % V/V et 20 % V/V. La présence de cyclopentadiène dans l'échantillon interfère dans le dosage du benzène lorsque la teneur en cyclopentadiène dépasse 5 % V/V. Des teneurs en éthanol inférieures à 10 % V/V et en toluène inférieures à 25 % V/V ne perturbent pas le dosage du benzène.

Tekoči naftni proizvodi - Bencin - Določevanje benzena z infrardečo spektrometrijo

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Apr-1998
• ICS: 75.160.20 - Liquid fuels
• Technical Committee: NAD - Petroleum products, lubricants and related products
• Current Stage: 6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 01-May-1998
• Due Date: 01-May-1998
• Completion Date: 01-May-1998
• Ref Project: EN 238:1996 - Liquid petroleum products - Petrol - Determination of the benzene content by infrared spectrometry

Relations

• Referred By: SIST EN 228:2012+A1:2017 - Automotive fuels - Unleaded petrol - Requirements and test methods
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Amended By: SIST EN 238:1998/A1:2004 - Liquid petroleum products - Petrol - Determination of the benzene content by infrared spectrometry
• Effective Date: 22-Dec-2008

Overview

SIST EN 238:1998 is a European standard published by the Slovenian Institute for Standardization (SIST) that outlines a method for determining the benzene content in liquid petroleum products, specifically petrol, using infrared spectrometry. This method is applicable for petrol samples with benzene concentrations between 0.1% V/V and 20% V/V. Accurate measurement of benzene content is essential for ensuring compliance with fuel quality regulations, health and safety standards, and environmental protection guidelines.

Key Topics

• Scope of Application: The standard specifies that the infrared spectrometric method is effective within the benzene content range of 0.1% to 20% V/V in petrol.
• Interfering Compounds: The presence of cyclopentadiene in concentrations above 5% V/V can interfere with accurate benzene determination. However, up to 10% V/V ethanol and up to 25% V/V toluene do not impact the method's reliability.
• Analytical Technique: Infrared spectrometry is recognized in this standard as a non-destructive and efficient technique for rapid quantification of benzene in petrol samples.
• Health and Environmental Compliance: Monitoring benzene in fuels helps address regulatory requirements due to benzene's classification as a hazardous air pollutant and a known carcinogen.

Applications

The use of SIST EN 238:1998 provides several practical benefits and is applicable in multiple scenarios related to petroleum product analysis:

• Quality Control in Refineries: Fuel producers and refineries use this standardized method as part of quality assurance processes to ensure that petrol complies with regulatory benzene limits.
• Regulatory Compliance: Agencies and laboratories can rely on this method to verify that commercial petrol does not exceed legal thresholds for benzene content.
• Environmental Monitoring: Supporting efforts to monitor and reduce benzene emissions from transportation fuels, this standard aids in meeting environmental objectives and public health protection.
• Health and Safety Assessments: By routinely measuring benzene concentrations in fuel, organizations contribute to minimizing occupational and consumer exposure to this toxic compound.
• Trade and Specification Validation: Accurate, standardized determination of benzene content is essential for certifying that fuel batches meet contractual and international specification criteria.

Related Standards

The determination of benzene content in petrol is often performed alongside other methods and standards, including:

• EN 238:1996: The European harmonized version on which SIST EN 238:1998 is based.
• ISO standards for fuel analysis: Various ISO standards cover analytical methods for petroleum products, such as measuring aromatic hydrocarbon content.
• Standards for ethanol and toluene content: Regulations ensuring that interferences from ethanol or toluene are well managed.
• Other infrared spectrometry methods: Standards defining IR spectrometric procedures for assessing different fuel components.

SIST EN 238:1998 is a key reference for laboratories, fuel suppliers, and regulatory bodies concerned with reliable, standardized benzene measurement in petrol. Using this standard, organizations can help ensure environmental compliance, consumer safety, and product consistency.

Standards Content (Sample)

2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.Flüssige Mineralölerzeugnisse - Ottokraftstoff - Bestimmung des Benzolgehaltes durch InfrarotspektrometrieProduits pétroliers liquides - Essence - Détermination de la teneur en benzene par spectrométrie infrarougeLiquid petroleum products - Petrol - Determination of the benzene
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