ASTM D2713-20

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Designation: D2713 − 15 D2713 − 20
Standard Test Method for
Dryness of Propane (Valve Freeze Method)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2713; 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.
ε NOTE—The IP logo was removed editorially in July 2018.
1. Scope*
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of the dryness of propane products that do not contain antifreeze agents such as,
but not limited to, commercial propane and special duty propane (see Specification D1835).
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values in parentheses are for information only.
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
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1265 Practice for Sampling Liquefied Petroleum (LP) Gases, Manual Method
D1835 Specification for Liquefied Petroleum (LP) Gases
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.1.1 freeze-off time, n—the time, in seconds, for a propane water test valve to freeze under the conditions of this test method.
3.1.2 propane water test valve, n—a specific valve designed and manufactured for performing in this test method.
3.1.3 valve freeze, adj—relating to the procedure for determining the dryness of propane for this test method.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 A liquid-phase sample of the product to be tested is flowed through the propane water test valve to cool the valve body. After
cooling, the test valve is partially closed to a small preset flow rate and the time required for the valve to freeze, due to water
dissolved in the sample and thus interrupt the normal flow, is recorded. Higher dissolved water concentrations will result in shorter
freeze-off times. The average observed time for several successive observations is recorded as the observed valve freeze time.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 This test is a functional test in which the water concentration in the product is related to product behavior characteristics
in a pressure-reducing system of special design to arrive at a measure of product acceptability in common use applications.
Experience has demonstrated that excessive water content (dissolved water) will cause freeze-up difficulties in pressure reducing
systems.
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 July 1, 2015May 1, 2020. Published July 2015May 2020. Originally approved in 1968. Last previous edition approved in 20132015 as
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D2713 – 13.D2713 – 15 . DOI: 10.1520/D2713-15E01.10.1520/D2713-20.
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volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*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
D2713 − 20
6. Interferences
6.1 Antifreeze agents will interfere with this test method and can indicate that the product is drier than it really is. However,
the relative freeze-off times of such materials tested by this procedure can be an indication of the tendency of these products to
cause freezing in pressure-reducing regulators.
7. Apparatus
7.1 Propane Water Test Valve —A specially constructed and calibrated valve manufactured solely for this test (Note 1). The
valve has two open positions, a wide open position for flushing, and a small preset flow position for testing.
NOTE 1—The propane water test valve is a precision instrument and it should be so treated. It should not be dropped, strained in any way, or
disassembled, except to clean the filter in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Valves suspected of being defective should be returned to the
manufacturer for inspection, reconditioning or recalibration.
7.2 Stop Watch or Timer, measuring in seconds.
7.3 LP Gas Sample Cylinder, of suitable volume. In order to perform multiple tests, a container having a minimum capacity of
11 L (3 U.S. gal) is typically required.
7.4 Cloth, dry, clean.
7.5 Connection Tubing, clean pipe or metallic tubing for connecting the propane water test valve to the sample point or sample
cylinder. Do not use a rubber hose or plastic-lined hose.
8. Hazards
8.1 The primary hazards of handing propane are fire, explosion, and freezing “burns” due to the autorefrigeration of LP gas as
it expands.
9. Sampling
9.1 Moisture test measurements on propane samples should be performed by connecting the test valve directly to the bulk
supply if possible, rather than on samples taken from the bulk supply, due to the risk of uncontrollable sampling errors that can
affect the sensitivity of moisture test measurements. Referee tests should be conducted on the bulk supply.
9.2 If the test cannot be run by connecting the apparatus directly to the bulk propane supply, a sample may be taken into a clean,
dry sample cylinder (7.3). In such cases, the sample shall be collected strictly in accordance with directions given in Practice
D1265.
9.2.1 When using a sample cylinder, be careful not to vent LPG vapor from the sample cylinder.
NOTE 2—Venting vapor from a sample cylinder would result in loss of water from the LPG sample. The partition coefficient of water in LPG results
in a higher concentration of water in the vapor phase than in the liquid phase. Further, after some liquid LPG has been withdrawn and there is a significant
volume of vapor phase relative to the volume of liquid phase in the sample cy
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