Distillation of Heavy Hydrocarbon Mixtures (Vacuum Potstill Method)
Distillation of Heavy Hydrocarbon Mixtures (Vacuum Potstill Method)
Distillation of Heavy Hydrocarbon Mixtures (Vacuum Potstill Method)
1 2
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Petroleum Products and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
D02.08 on Volatility. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2011. Published April 2012. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approved in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as D5236–03(2007). The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
DOI: 10.1520/D5236-03R11. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
6.2.2 Flasks are made of borosilicate glass except those 6.4.1 The flask shall be heated by means of a nickel
larger than 10 L, which are made of stainless steel for reasons reinforced quartz fabric heating mantle on the lower half so
of safety. that boiling rates of up to 150 mL/h per cm2 of the cross
6.2.3 The flask is fitted with a thermowell reaching to within sectional area of the neck can be maintained. A heat density of
6 mm of the bottom and offset from the center to avoid a 0.5 W/cm2 is adequate. Usually two or more circuits are used
stirring bar. In the case of glass flasks, the bottom shall be to improve heat control by applying automatic heat to the
slightly flattened or slightly concave, but not perfectly flat to bottom circuit.
facilitate the rotation of the magnetic stirrer. Steel flasks can 6.4.2 A temperature sensor shall be located between the wall
have a cooling coil for rapid quenching of the distillation in an of the flask and the mantle for control of the skin temperature.
emergency. Fig. 3 shows a typical example. 6.4.3 The upper half of the flask shall be covered with a
6.3 Stirring System—A magnetically driven stirring bar mantle to compensate for heat losses. A heat density of 0.2
approximately 3-mm diameter and 20-mm long shall be W/cm2 is adequate.
provided for the glass flasks, or 6-mm diameter by 50-mm long 6.5 Distilling Head:
for the steel flasks. The edges shall be rounded to minimize 6.5.1 The head shall conform to the details shown in Fig. 1.
grinding the wall of the flask. The external magnetic drive must It shall be made of borosilicate glass and be totally enclosed in
be capable of rotating the bar in the flask when located directly a silvered glass vacuum jacket having a permanent vacuum of
below and touching the mantle. The drive can be used to less than 0.0001 kPa (0.00075 mm Hg).
support the apparatus above. An adjustable jacking mechanism 6.5.2 The head shall be enclosed in a heat insulating system
is recommended for raising and lowering the stirrer. such as a glass fabric mantle capable of maintaining the outer
6.4 Heating System: wall of the glass vacuum jacket at a temperature 5°C below the
FIG. 2 Apparatus
TABLE 1 Standard Charge and Flask Size 6.5.4 The vapor temperature sensor shall be either a plati-
Inside
Throat num resistance thermometer, a thermocouple with the junction
Cross-Sectional Charge, L Flask, L head fused to the lower tip of the well or any other device
Diameter, mm
Area, cm2
which meets the requirements in 6.5.4 and 6.5.4.1. It shall have
25 5 1–2 2–3
36 10 2–4 3–6 a response time of less than 60 s as described in Annex A1.
50 20 4–8 6–12 6.5.4.1 The vapor temperature measuring device shall have
70 40 8–16 12–24
an accuracy of 0.5°C or better and be measured with a
resolution of 0.1°C or better.
internal vapor temperature in the head. For this purpose the 6.5.4.2 The vapor temperature measuring device shall be
vacuum jacket shall have a temperature sensor fastened to the calibrated over the full range of useful temperatures in com-
outer wall of the jacket at a point level with the vapor bination with its associated instrument at the time of first use
temperature sensor and opposite to the outlet arm of the head. and at least once per year thereafter as described in A2.2.2.
6.5.3 The head shall be fitted with an adapter to support the Alternatively, certified sensors may be used, provided the
vapor temperature sensor so that it is held centered in the neck calibration of the sensor and its associated recording instru-
with the top of the sensing tip 3 6 1 mm below the spillover ment can be traced back to a primary temperature standard.
point. This dimension can be checked by removing the Recalibrate when either the sensor or the instrument is repaired
temperature sensor and inserting in its place a copper wire or serviced. (Warning—Vapor temperature measurement is
having a short right angle bend at the bottom. By feeling for the one of the two major sources of error in distillation data.)
spillover point, the distance from the top joint of the adaptor 6.5.4.3 Verification of the calibration of the vapor tempera-
can be found. Laying the wire on the temperature sensor will ture measuring devices is to be made on a regular basis.
then permit checking of this dimension. Verification at least once a month is recommended. Verification
SYSTEM SIZE A B
25 mm 35/25 3L
36 mm 65/40 6L
50 mm 75/50 12 L
70 mm 102/75 24 L
9. Procedure
9.1 Determine the density of the sample by one of the
following test methods: Test Method D941, D1217, D1480,
D5002, or D1298. Refer to Guide D1250 to correct densities to
15°C.
9.2 Insert the stirring bar.
9.3 From Table 1, determine the volume of the charge and
calculate the mass to be charged by multiplying its density by
the desired volume.
9.4 Weigh this mass of charge into the flask to the nearest
0.1 %. In the case of flasks too large to handle, the flask can be
put in place and the charge drawn in from a container (weighed
with its transfer line) using a pressure of 90 to 95 kPa in the
still. The charge may need to be warmed to facilitate transfer.
Its mass can be determined from the difference.
9.5 Attach the flask to the column (in the case of smaller
flasks), and put on all the heating mantles. Put the stirring
device in place and turn it on. (Warning—Ensure that the
safety shield is in place.)
9.6 A contiguous cutting scheme may be achieved in one of
two ways, while remaining within the scope of the key aspects
of this method. It may be achieved by gradually reducing the
pressure over the course of the distillation (dynamic) or done
stepwise, by slowing (or stopping) the takeoff rate to allow
INTERMEDIATE RECEIVER DIMENSION CHART
lowering of the operating pressure to achieve the final cut
System Size A B C temperature. In each case, this must be done keeping in mind
25 mm 45 mm 120 mm 35/25
36 mm 51 mm 120 mm 35/25 the necessity to avoid starving the distillation (due to a slow
50 mm 64 mm 150 mm 50/30 takeoff rate), while at the same time avoiding entrainment (by
70 mm 75 mm 150 mm 50/30 reducing too quickly the pressure applied to the system).
FIG. 6 Receiver System 9.7 Apply heat to the flask at a rate that will raise the
temperature of the charge quickly, but no faster than 300°C/h
(540°F/h). Do not exceed a skin temperature on the flask of
8. Preparation of Apparatus 400°C (750°F) or cracking may result on the walls of the flask.
8.1 Clean and dry all glass parts and assemble them with (Warning—Some hydrocarbon mixtures cannot tolerate
freshly lubricated joints as shown in Fig. 2. In the case of ball 400°C for any useful length of time. Reducing the skin
joints, use only enough lubricant to produce a thin continuous temperature may be necessary in these cases.)
film. An excess of lubricant can promote leakage. The rings of
9.8 Turn on the head compensation mantle and maintain the
O-ring joints should be made of Vitron-A5, or silicone of
outer wall of the glass vacuum jacket at a temperature
equivalent hardness, and be lightly lubricated.
approximately 40°C below the temperature of the liquid in the
8.2 Tare the receivers to the nearest 0.1 % of the weight of flask.
the charge.
9.9 Reduce the pressure in the system gradually to a suitable
8.3 To check for leaks, pump the system down to a pressure starting pressure. Choose from Table 2 the highest pressure that
of approximately 0.05 kPa (0.4 mm Hg) and isolate it from the is consistent with the expected initial boiling point as well as
vacuum source. If, after 1 min, the rise in pressure is no greater the lowest pressure that is consistent with the maximum
than 0.01 kPa (0.075 mm Hg), the system is acceptable. If the cutpoint, using Fig. 7 as a guide. A pressure of 0.133 kPa (1.0
rise in pressure is greater than 0.01 kPa (0.075 mm Hg) in 1 mm Hg) has been found satisfactory for starting a material
min, the gage and its connections must be examined and leaks having an initial boiling point of 343°C (650°F) AET, such as
corrected before proceeding. residues from Test Method D2892 distillations.
NOTE 2—Degassing of the charge is sometimes evident before the
5
Vitron A is a registered trademark of DuPont E.I. De Nemours and Co., actual distillation begins. This appears as bubbling at the surface without
Wilmington, DE 19898. generation of condensable vapors.
9.10 When distillation begins, evidenced by vapors entering NOTE 3—Although a range of distillation rates is permitted, 80 % of the
the neck of the flask, reduce the heat input to a level that will maximum allowed is recommended.
maintain the chosen distillation rate from Table 2 (see Note 2). 9.11 In cases in which the observed initial vapor tempera-
Adjust the heat compensator on the head to maintain the outer ture will be 150°C (302°F) or lower, it is desirable to
wall of the glass vacuum jacket at a temperature 5°C below the refrigerate the first fraction receiver to ensure the retention of
vapor temperature. light ends. If solid waxy material appears on the walls, warm
9.16 Alternatively, the stepwise method can be achieved by 9.25 Determine the relative density of all fractions and
initializing the distillation and operating at the pressure at convert to 15°C (59°F) using Guide D1250 where applicable.
which the distillation stabilizes (see 9.9). Continue taking 9.26 In the case of the smaller stills, recover the wettage by
product and making cuts until the final cutpoint is achieved or boiling up a small quantity of solvent such as toluene in a
10. Calculation
10.1 Calculate the weight recovery by adding the masses of
all the fractions plus the holdup or wettage. The total must be
between 99.6 % and 100.1 % of the weight of the charge to be
acceptable. Show the actual loss on the record, and prorate the
loss among all fractions.
10.2 Calculate the volume of each fraction by dividing the
mass of each fraction by its relative density.
11. Report
11.1 A summary sheet for the run must include the follow-
ing:
11.1.1 The mass of the charge in grams,
11.1.2 The density of the charge in grams per millilitre at
15°C to four significant figures,
11.1.3 The volume of the charge in millilitres at 15°C,
11.1.4 The gain or loss in mass and volume to the nearest
0.1 %,
11.1.5 A listing of the fractions in order of boiling point
with the residue recorded last, and
11.1.6 The cumulative mass and volume percentages.
FIG. 8 Distillation Report
11.2 The observations recorded in 9.14 during the distilla-
tion are normally included as a second sheet attached to the under constant operating conditions on identical test materials
summary sheet. Examples of a distillation report and record are would, in the long run, in the normal and correct operation of
illustrated in Fig. 8 and Fig. 9. this test method, exceed the following values only in one case
11.3 Plot curves of temperature in degrees Celsius AET as in twenty:
ordinates against the percents by mass and volume calculated Liquid Volume (LV), % Distilled Repeatability, °C
for the fractions above. A smooth curve through this plot 10 6.1
20 4.5
constitutes the final distillation curve. 30 6.1
40 4.9
12. Precision and Bias 50 5.7
60 4.1
12.1 Precision—The precision of this test method as deter- 70 4.8
mined by the statistical examination of the interlaboratory test 80 4.9
90 4.4
results is as follows:6
12.1.2 Reproducibility—The difference between two single
NOTE 7—The following precision data were developed from data
obtained from a 1986 cooperative program (six samples, five laboratories),
and independent results obtained by different operators work-
a 1988 cooperative program (three samples, four laboratories), and ing in different laboratories on identical material would, in the
individual laboratory data on different samples (five samples, three long run, exceed the following values only in one case in
laboratories). Although these data do not meet the statistical requirements twenty:
of RR:D02-1007, due to the time and cost involved it is unlikely that an
Liquid Volume (LV), % Distilled Reproducibility, °C
additional cooperative program will be initiated soon. 10 16.9
12.1.1 Repeatability—The difference between successive 20 12.8
30 13.5
results obtained by the same operator with the same apparatus 40 11.2
50 14.2
60 8.4
6
Supporting data have been filed at ASTM International Headquarters and may 70 11.4
be obtained by requesting Research Report RR:D02-1288. 80 5.1
(Mandatory Information)
A1.1 Scope allowing interpolation to 0.1°C (0.2°F). Set the chart speed at
A1.1.1 The test method in this annex is for the determina- 30 cm/h for readability.
tion of temperature response time based upon the rate of A1.3.3 Insert the sensor into a hole in the center of one side
cooling of the sensor under prescribed conditions. of a closed cardboard box about 30 cm on a side. Hold the
sensor in place by a friction fit on the joint. Allow the sensor to
A1.2 Significance and Use reach equilibrium temperature. Record the temperature when it
A1.2.1 This test method is performed to ensure that the becomes stable.
sensor is able to respond to changes in temperature fast enough A1.3.4 Remove the sensor and insert it into the heated
that no error due to lag is introduced in a rapidly rising thermowell in the beaker of water. After the sensor has reached
temperature curve. a temperature of 70°C (158°F), remove it and immediately
A1.2.2 The importance of this test method is greatest under insert it into the hole in the box. Note with a stopwatch, or
vacuum conditions when the heat content of the vapors is record on the strip chart, the time interval while the sensor
minimal. cools from 30°C (54°F) above to 5°C (9°F) above the tem-
perature recorded in A1.3.3.
A1.3 Procedure
A1.3.5 A time interval in excess of 60 s is unacceptable.
A1.3.1 Arrange a 1-L beaker of water on a hot plate with a
glass thermowell supported vertically in the water. Maintain A1.4 Precision and Bias
the temperature of the water at 80 6 5°C (175 6 9°F). A1.4.1 No statement is made concerning either the preci-
A1.3.2 Connect the sensor to an instrument, preferably with sion or bias of this annex for determining the temperature
a digital readout, with readability to 0.1°C. Alternatively, response time because the result is used to determine whether
connect the sensor to a strip chart recorder of suitable range there is conformance to the stated criteria in this test method.
FIG. A2.1 Melting Point Bath for Temperature Standards TABLE A2.1 Primary Temperature Standards (Melting Points)
Material Temperature, °C
Ice Melting point 0.0
Tin:Lead:Cadmium Melting point 145.0
A2.2.3.1 This practice is not regarded as primary tempera- (50:32:18)
ture reference but is an acceptable procedure for verification of Sn Melting point 231.9
calibrated temperature sensors. Pb Melting point 327.4
A4. PRACTICE FOR CONVERSION OF OBSERVED VAPOR TEMPERATURE TO ATMOSPHERIC EQUIVALENT TEM-
PERATURE (AET)
where:
A4.2 Significance and Use
P = operating pressure, kPa, or
A4.2.1 Final data on atmospheric equivalent temperatures
are to be obtained by computation. Fig. 7 is provided only as
a guide in estimating the AET during distillation. 6.761559 2 0.987672 log10 P
A5 (A4.5)
3000.538 2 43.00 log10 P
A4.3 Calculation
where:
A4.3.1 Convert observed vapor temperature to atmospheric
P = operating pressure, mm Hg.
equivalent temperature using Eq A4.1:
748.1A A4.3.2 The equations are correct only for fractions that have
AET 5 2 273.1(A4.1) a Watson K-factor of 12.0 6 0.2. The K-factor shall be
@ 1/ ~ T1273.1! # 10.3861A 2 0.00051606
assumed to be 12 and any effect of K-factor ignored unless
where: there is mutual agreement to the contrary.
AET = atmospheric equivalent temperature, °C, and
T = observed vapor temperature, °C. A4.3.3 If correction is required, calculate the K-factor using
Eq A4.6:
A4.3.1.1 If the operating pressure $0.266 kPa ($2 mm
Hg), calculate A using Eq A4.2 or Eq A4.3: =3 1.8 ~ B1273.1!
K5 (A4.6)
D
5.143222 2 0.972546 log10 P
A5 (A4.2)
2579.329 2 95.76 log10 P
where:
where:
B = mean average boiling point, °C, and
P = operating pressure, kPa, or D = relative density at 15.6/15.6°C.
By custom, either the mid-vapor temperature of the fraction
5.994295 2 0.972546 log10 P or the midpoint of a gas chromatographic distillation of the
A5 (A4.3)
2663.129 2 95.76 log10 P fraction can be used for the mean average boiling point. In
either case the method must be specified.
7
Maxwell and Bonnell, Industrial Engineering Chemistry , Vol 49, 1957, p. A4.3.3.1 An estimate of the K-factor can be made using Fig.
1187. A4.1.
NOTE 1—Reprinted from API Technical Data Book, June 1980, by permission of American Petroleum Institute.
This standard is subject to revision at any time by the responsible technical committee and must be reviewed every five years and
if not revised, either reapproved or withdrawn. Your comments are invited either for revision of this standard or for additional standards
and should be addressed to ASTM International Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the
responsible technical committee, which you may attend. If you feel that your comments have not received a fair hearing you should
make your views known to the ASTM Committee on Standards, at the address shown below.
This standard is copyrighted by ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959,
United States. Individual reprints (single or multiple copies) of this standard may be obtained by contacting ASTM at the above
address or at 610-832-9585 (phone), 610-832-9555 (fax), or [email protected] (e-mail); or through the ASTM website
(www.astm.org). Permission rights to photocopy the standard may also be secured from the ASTM website (www.astm.org/
COPYRIGHT/).