ASTM D323-99a

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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
An American National Standard
Designation: D 323 – 99a
Standard Test Method for
1
Vapor Pressure of Petroleum Products (Reid Method)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 323; 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 approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
2
1. Scope leum (LP) Gases (LP-Gas Method)
D 4057 Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and
1.1 This test method covers procedures for the determina-
3
Petroleum Products
tion of vapor pressure (see Note 1) of gasoline, volatile crude
D 4953 Test Method for Vapor Pressure of Gasoline and
oil, and other volatile petroleum products. Procedure A is
3
Gasoline-Oxygenate Blends (Dry Method)
applicable to gasoline and other petroleum products with a
4
E 1 Specification for ASTM Thermometers
vapor pressure of less than 180 kPa (26 psi). Procedure B may
also be applicable to these other materials, but only gasoline
3. Summary of Test Method
was included in the interlaboratory test program to determine
3.1 The liquid chamber of the vapor pressure apparatus is
the precision of this test method. Neither procedure is appli-
filled with the chilled sample and connected to the vapor
cable to liquefied petroleum gases or fuels containing oxygen-
chamber that has been heated to 37.8°C (100°F) in a bath. The
ated compounds other than methyl t-butyl ether (MTBE) (see
assembled apparatus is immersed in a bath at 37.8°C (100°F)
Note 2). Procedure C is for materials with a vapor pressure of
until a constant pressure is observed. The reading, suitably
greater than 180 kPa (26 psi) and Procedure D for aviation
corrected, is reported as the Reid vapor pressure.
gasolinewithavaporpressureofapproximately50kPa(7psi).
3.2 All four procedures utilize liquid and vapor chambers of
NOTE 1—Because the external atmospheric pressure is counteracted by
the same internal volume. Procedure B utilizes a semi-
the atmospheric pressure initially present in the vapor chamber, the Reid
automatic apparatus immersed in a horizontal bath and rotated
vapor pressure is an absolute pressure at 37.8°C (100°F) in kilopascals
while attaining equilibrium. Either a Bourdon gage or pressure
(pounds-force per square inch). The Reid vapor pressure differs from the
transducer may be used with this procedure. Procedure C
true vapor pressure of the sample due to some small sample vaporization
utilizes a liquid chamber with two valved openings. Procedure
and the presence of water vapor and air in the confined space.
NOTE 2—Fordeterminationofthevaporpressureofliquifiedpetroleum D requires more stringent limits on the ratio of the liquid and
gases refer to Test Method D 1267. For determination of the vapor
vapor chambers.
pressure of gasoline-oxygenate blends refer to Test Method D 4953.
4. Significance and Use
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
4.1 Vapor pressure is an important physical property of
standard. The inch-pound units given in parentheses are
provided for information only. volatileliquids.Thistestmethodisusedtodeterminethevapor
pressure at 37.8°C (100°F) of petroleum products and crude
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the oils with initial boiling point above 0°C (32°F).
4.2 Vapor pressure is critically important for both automo-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- tive and aviation gasolines, affecting starting, warmup, and
tendency to vapor lock with high operating temperatures or
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precau-
tionary statements are given in Sections 6 and 17, and Note 6, high altitudes. Maximum vapor pressure limits for gasoline are
legally mandated in some areas as a measure of air pollution
Note 9, Note 12, Note 13, Note A1.1 and Note A1.2.
control.
2. Referenced Documents
4.3 Vapor pressure of crude oils is of importance to the
2.1 ASTM Standards: crude producer and the refiner for general handling and initial
D 1267 Test Method for Vapor Pressure of Liquefied Petro- refinery treatment.
4.4 Vapor pressure is also used as an indirect measure of the
evaporation rate of volatile petroleum solvents.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-2 on
Petroleum Products and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
2
D02.08 on Volatility. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.01.
3
Current edition approved April 10, 1999. Published June 1999. Originally Annual Book of ASTM Sta
...