Presentation Profile

Recent Improvements for ASTM D86 Distillation Testing including the Development of a New Hydrocarbon Synthetic Standard

Currently Scheduled: 10/15/2019 - 11:10 AM - 11:30 AM
Room: South Lobby

Main Author
Raj Shah - Koehler Instrument Company, Inc.

Additional Authors
  • Cindy Klager - Koehler Instrument Company, Inc.
  • Gary Lew - Spectrum Standards
Abstract Number: 105
Abstract:

ASTM D86 is the Standard Test Method for Distillation of Petroleum Products and Liquid Fuels at Atmospheric Pressure and has been used across the industry for decades. It is one of the oldest test methods under the ASTM D02 Jurisdiction and we are continuously looking for ways to improve the method. This poster will take a look at some of the most recent improvements and work being done to improve the precision, usability and overall robustness of ASTM D86.  

The ASTM D02 subcommittee on Volatility has launched a ruggedness study to begin testing new options for ASTM D86. With this study the committee hopes to eliminate the use of Mercury thermometers, which has been a widely discussed topic across ASTM D02, with Gallium thermometers. Another main goal of this ruggedness study is to test the newly developed Synthetic Reference Fluid. Currently toluene is used as a verification fluid for calibration and hexadecane is used at higher temperatures. The recently developed synthetic hydrocarbon standard will cover a wider range than what is currently being used. It is another goal of ASTM to harmonize standards with comparable international organization standards. In the case of ASTM D86 it is requested to harmonize it with the ISO 3405 test method for distillation. ISO recently conducted a study using higher level biodiesel blends (B30) which offered results that lie within the current precision statement. ISO will be adding distillate fuels containing up to 30% biodiesel to the scope of ISO 3405 which will also have to be taken into account during the study within ASTM in order to harmonize the methods. All of the aforementioned changes will bring overall improvements to the ASTM D86 test method.

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