An American National Standard

Designation: D 4377 – 00 (Reapproved 2006)

Designation: Manual of Petroleum Measurement Standards (MPMS), Chapter 10.7

Designation: 356/99

Standard Test Method for

Water in Crude Oils by Potentiometric Karl Fischer Titration1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4377; 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.

1. Scope 2.2 API Standards:3

1.1 This test method covers the determination of water in MPMS Chapter 8.1 Manual Sampling of Petroleum and
the range from 0.02 to 2 % in crude oils. Mercaptan and sulfide Petroleum Products (ASTM Practice D 4057)
(S− or H2S) sulfur are known to interfere with this test method MPMS Chapter 8.2 Automatic Sampling of Petroleum and
(see Section 5). Petroleum Products (ASTM Practice D 4177)
1.2 This test method is intended for use with standard Karl MPMS Chapter 10.2 Determination of Water in Crude Oil
Fischer reagent or pyridine-free Karl Fischer reagents. by Distillation (ASTM Test Method D 4006)
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the 3. Summary of Test Method
standard.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the 3.1 After homogenizing the crude oil with a mixer, an
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the aliquot of the crude, in a mixed solvent, is titrated to an
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- electrometric end-point using Karl Fischer reagent.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- 4. Significance and Use
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precau-
tionary statements are given in Section 7. 4.1 A knowledge of the water content of crude oil is
important in the refining, purchase, sale, or transfer of crude
2. Referenced Documents oils.
2.1 ASTM Standards: 2 5. Interferences
D 1193 Specification for Reagent Water
D 4006 Test Method for Water in Crude Oil by Distillation 5.1 A number of substances and class of compounds asso-
(API MPMS Chapter 10.2) ciated with condensation or oxidation-reduction reactions in-
D 4057 Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and terfere in the determination of water by Karl Fischer. In crude
Petroleum Products (API MPMS Chapter 8.1) oils, the most common interferences are mercaptans and
D 4177 Practice for Automatic Sampling of Petroleum and sulfides. At levels of less than 500 µg/g (ppm) (as sulfur) the
Petroleum Products (API MPMS Chapter 8.2) interference from these compounds is insignificant. For more
E 203 Test Method for Water Using Volumetric Karl Fischer information on substances that interfere in the determination of
Titration water using the (Karl Fischer reagent) titration method see Test
Method E 203.

1
6. Apparatus
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on
Petroleum Products and Lubricants and the API Committee on Petroleum Measure- 6.1 Karl Fischer Apparatus, using electrometric end-point.
ment, and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D02.02.0B /COMQ, the joint A suggested assembly of the apparatus is described in Annex
ASTM-API Committee on Sampling, Sediment, Water.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2006. Published December 2006. Originally
A2.
approved in 1984. Last previous edition approved in 2000 as D 4377 – 00 e1.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
3
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM Published as Manual of Petroleum Measurement Standards. Available from
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on American Petroleum Institute (API), 1220 L. St., NW, Washington, DC 20005-4070,
the ASTM website. http://api-ec.api.org.

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 D 4377 – 00 (2006)
6.1.1 Presently there is available on the market commercial 7.4.2 Pyridine-Free Karl Fischer (one-component) reagent
Karl Fischer titration assemblies, some of which automatically diluted with xylene—Dilute three parts pyridine-free Karl
stop the titration at the end-point. Instructions for operation of Fischer (one-component) reagent6 (1 mL = 5 mg water) to 1
these devices are provided by the manufacturer and not part xylene. Fresh Karl Fischer reagent must be used.
described herein. This test method is not intended for use with (Warning—See 7.4.1) Must be used with solvent in 7.6.2.
coulometric Karl Fischer titrators. 7.5 Methanol (anhydrous), Maximum 0.1 % water but pref-
6.2 Mixer, to homogenize the crude sample. erably less than 0.05 % water. (Warning—Flammable. Vapor
6.2.1 Non-Aerating, High-Speed, Shear Mixer,4 capable of harmful. May be fatal or cause blindness if swallowed or
meeting the homogenization efficiency test described in Annex inhaled. Cannot be made nonpoisonous.)
A1. The sample size is limited to that suggested by the 7.6 Sample Solvent—Use 7.6.1 for standard Karl Fischer
manufacturer for the size of the probe. reagent containing pyridine and 7.6.2 for pyridine-free Karl
6.3 Syringes: Fischer reagent.
6.3.1 Samples and base liquid are most easily added to the 7.6.1 Sample Solvent—Mix 40 mL of 1-ethylpiperidine, 20
titration vessel by means of accurate glass syringes with LUER mL of methanol, and 40 mL of Karl Fischer reagent in a
fittings and hypodermic needles of suitable length. The bores sealable glass bottle. Allow this mixture to sit overnight before
of the needles used should be kept as small as possible, but adding 200 mL of xylene. Additional methanol may be
large enough to avoid problems arising from back pressure/ required in some cases for the proper function of the elec-
blocking whilst sampling. Suggested syringe sizes are as trodes. (Warning—see 7.3.)
follows: 7.6.2 Sample Solvent for Pyridine-Free Reagents—Mix 3
6.3.1.1 Syringe, 10 µL, with a needle long enough to dip parts chloroform to 1 part pyridine-free solvent using solvent
below the surface of the base solution in the cell during the part of two-component reagent6 (contains SO2 and odorless
standardization procedure (see Section 9). amine dissolved in methanol) and store in a sealable glass
6.3.1.2 Syringes, 2.5 mL, 5 mL, and 10 mL for crude oil bottle. An evaluation of a number of crude oils has demon-
samples (see Section 10). strated that xylene can be substituted for chloroform with no
6.3.1.3 Syringe, 20 mL or larger for sample solvent. apparent change in accuracy of this test method. (Warning—
Flammable. Vapor harmful.) (Also, see 7.4.1.)
7. Reagents and Materials 7.7 Xylene, reagent grade. Less than 0.05 % water.
7.1 Purity of Reagents—Reagent grade chemicals shall be 7.8 Chloroform, reagent grade. (Warning—Harmful if in-
used in all tests. Unless otherwise indicated, it is intended that haled or swallowed. Carcinogen (animal positive). Skin and
all reagents shall conform to the specifications of the Commit- eye irritant. May produce toxic vapors if burned.
tee on Analytical Reagents of the American Chemical Society,
8. Sampling and Test Samples
where such specifications are available.5 Other grades may be
used, provided it is first ascertained that the reagent is of 8.1 Sampling, is defined as all the steps required to obtain an
sufficiently high purity to permit its use without lessening the aliquot representative of the contents of any pipe, tank, or other
accuracy of the determination. system, and to place the sample into the laboratory test
7.2 Purity of Water—Unless otherwise indicated, references container. The laboratory test container and sample volume
to water shall be understood to mean reagent water as defined shall be of sufficient dimensions and volume to allow mixing as
by Type IV of Specification D 1193. described in 8.1.2.1.
7.3 1-Ethylpiperidine (99 + percent). (Warning—Irritant. 8.1.1 Laboratory Sample—Only representative samples ob-
Flammable.) tained as specified in Practice D 4057 (API MPMS Chapter
7.4 Karl Fischer Reagents, Standard reagent containing 8.1) and Practice D 4177 (API MPMS Chapter 8.2) shall be
pyridine (7.4.1) or pyridine-free reagent (7.4.2). used for this test method.
7.4.1 Karl Fischer Reagent Ethylene Glycol Monomethyl 8.1.2 Test Samples—The following sample handling proce-
Ether Solution, stabilized, containing pyridine, (1 mL = 5 mg dure shall apply in addition to those covered in 8.1.1.
of water)—Fresh Karl Fischer reagent must be used. Must be 8.1.2.1 Mix the test sample of crude oil immediately (within
used with solvent in 7.6.1. (Warning—Combustible. Harmful 15 min) before analysis to insure complete homogeneity. Mix
if swallowed, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin.) the test sample at room temperature (25°C) in the original
container.
NOTE 1—The sample should be mixed at room temperature (25°C) or
less. Mixing of the sample should not increase the temperature of the
4
The following mixers were used in a cooperative program and have been found sample more than 10°C, or a loss of water may occur. The type of mixer
satisfactory for samples under 300 mL; Ultra Turrax Model TP 18/10, available depends on the quantity of crude. Before any unknown mixer is used, the
from Tekmar Co., P. O. Box 37202, Cincinnati, OH 45222; Brinkman Polytron specifications for the homogenization test, Annex A1, must be met. The
Model PT 35, Available from Brinkman Instruments Inc., Cantiagu Road, Westbury,
NY 11590; and Kraft Apparatus Model S-25, SGA, Bloomfield, NJ.
5
Reagent Chemicals, American Chemical Society Specifications, American
6
Chemical Society, Washington, DC. For suggestions on the testing of reagents not Pyridine-free Karl Fischer reagent and two-component solvent used in the
listed by the American Chemical Society, see Analar Standards for Laboratory cooperative program and found to be satisfactory are available from Crescent
Chemicals, BDH Ltd., Poole, Dorset, U.K., and the United States Pharmacopeia Chemical Co., Inc., 1324 Motor Parkway, Hauppauge, NY 11788 under the name of
and National Formulary, U. S. Pharmacopeial Convention, Inc. (USPC), Rockville, Hydranal a registered trademark of Riedel Dehaen—Composite 5 and Hydranal—
MD. solvent.

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 D 4377 – 00 (2006)
mixer must be re-evaluated for any changes in the type of crude, quantity with a paper tissue and reweigh the syringe to 0.1 mg. Titrate
of crude, or shape of the sample container. the water with Karl Fischer reagent as in 9.3.1.
8.1.2.1.1 For small sample volumes, 50 to 500 mL, a 9.4 Calculate the water equivalence of the Karl Fischer
non-aerating, high speed, shear mixer is required. Use the reagent as follows:
mixing time, mixing speed, and height above the bottom of the F 5 W/T (1)
container found to be satisfactory to Annex A1. Clean and dry
the mixer between samples. where:
8.1.2.2 The test sample size is selected as indicated in Table F = water equivalence of the Karl Fischer reagent, mg/mL,
1 based on the expected water content. W = water added, mg, and
T = reagent required for titration of the added water, mL.
9. Calibration and Standardization 9.5 Duplicate values of water equivalence should agree
9.1 Standardize the Karl Fischer reagent at least once daily. within 2 % relative. If the variation between the two titrations
9.2 Add enough solvent to the clean, dry titration vessel to is greater than 2 % relative, discard the contents of the titration
cover the electrodes. The volume of solvent depends on the vessel. Introduce a further portion of sample solvent into the
size of the titration vessel. Seal all openings to the vessel and vessel and repeat the standardization procedure. If the titrations
start the magnetic stirrer for a smooth stirring action. Turn on for two further portions of distilled water still vary by more
the indicating circuit and adjust the potentiometer to give a than 2 %, it is likely that either the Karl Fischer reagent or the
reference point with approximately 1 µA of current flowing. sample solvent, or both, have aged. Replace these with fresh
Add Karl Fischer reagent in suitable amounts to the solvent to reagents and repeat the procedure for calibration and standard-
cause the needle to deflect from the reference point. At first the ization.
needle will deflect due to local concentration of the unreacted 9.6 Determine and record the mean water equivalence
reagent about the electrodes but will fall back to near the value.
reference point. As the end-point is approached, the needle will
fall back more slowly after each addition of Karl Fischer 10. Procedure
reagent. The end-point is reached when, after the addition of a 10.1 Add the fresh sample solvent to the titration vessel and
single drop of reagent, the needle remains deflected at least 1 bring the solvent to end-point conditions as described in 9.2.
µA from the reference point for at least 30 s. Swirl the titration 10.2 Add the crude to the titration vessel immediately after
vessel to dry the inside walls of the vessel. Add more Karl the mixing step described in 8.1.2.1 using one of the following
Fischer reagent, if needed, until a steady end-point is reached methods:
for at least 30 s. 10.2.1 Starting with a clean, dry syringe (10 or 5 mL), rinse
9.3 Standardize the Karl Fischer reagent with distilled water the syringe two times with the sample and discharge to waste.
by one of the following methods: Withdraw the required amount of sample and discharge any air
9.3.1 From a water filled weighing pipet or syringe previ- bubbles. Weigh the syringe to the nearest 0.1 mg. Inject the
ously weighed to the nearest 0.1 mg, add 1 drop of distilled sample into the titration vessel, clean the needle with a paper
water (about 20 mg) to the sample solvent at end-point tissue, and reweigh the syringe. Titrate the sample until a
conditions and reweigh the syringe. Record the weight of the steady end-point for at least 30 s is reached and record the
water added. Titrate the water with Karl Fischer reagent added volume of Karl Fischer reagent to the nearest 0.01 mL (see
from the buret until a steady end point is reached for at least 30 Note 2 and Note 4).
s. Record to the nearest 0.01 mL the volume of the Karl Fischer NOTE 4—The solvent should be changed when the sample content
reagent needed to reach the end-point. exceeds 2 g of crude per 15 mL of solvent or when 4 mL of titrant per 15
NOTE 2—After adding water do not shake the cell. mL of solvent has been added to the titration vessel.
NOTE 3—When wiping the needle exercise care, so not to siphon liquid 10.2.2 For viscous crudes, add the sample to a clean, dry
through the tip of the needle. dropper bottle and weigh the bottle and crude. Quickly transfer
9.3.2 Fill a 10-µL syringe with water taking care to elimi- the required amount of sample to the titration vessel with the
nate air bubbles, wipe the needle with a paper tissue to remove dropper. Reweigh the bottle. Titrate the sample as in 10.2.1.
any residual water from the needle and accurately determine NOTE 5—After adding the sample do not shake the cell.
the weight of syringe plus water to 0.1 mg. Add the contents of
the syringe to the sample solvent in the cell which has been 11. Calculations
adjusted to the end point ensuring that the tip of the needle is 11.1 Calculate the water content of the sample as follows:
below the surface of the sample solvent. Reseal the vessel
water, mass % 5 CF/W~10!
immediately. Remove any solvent from the needle by wiping
(2)

TABLE 1 Test Sample—% Water Content Based on Sample Size where:

Expected Water Sample Size, C = Karl Fischer reagent required to titrate the sample,
Content, % g mL,
0–0.3 5 F = water equivalence of Karl Fischer reagent, mg/mL,
0.3–1 2 W = sample used, g, and
1–2 1
10 = factor for converting to percent.

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 D 4377 – 00 (2006)
12. Precision and Bias 7 r 5 0.034 ~X1/3! (3)
12.1 The precision of this test method as determined by the 12.1.1.2 Pyridine-Free Karl Fischer Reagents:
statistical examination of interlaboratory test results is as
r 5 0.032 ~X1/3! (4)
follows:
12.1.1 Repeatability—The difference between successive where:
results obtained by the same operator with the same apparatus X = sample mean from 0.0 to 2 %.
under constant operating conditions on identical test material 12.1.2 Reproducibility—The difference between two single
would, in the long run, in the normal and correct operation of and independent results obtained by different operators work-
the test method, exceed the following values only in one case ing in different laboratories on identical test material would, in
in twenty. (See Table 2.) the long run, exceed the following values only in one case in
12.1.1.1 Standard Karl Fischer Reagents: twenty.
12.1.2.1 Standard Karl Fischer Reagents:
7
R 5 0.111 ~X1/3! (5)
Supporting data are available from ASTM Headquarters. Request RR:
D02–1173. 12.1.2.2 Pyridine-Free Karl Fischer Reagents:
R 5 0.095 ~X1/3! (6)
TABLE 2 Precision IntervalsA
Mass Standard Karl Pyridine-Free where:
% Water Fischer Reagents Reagents X = sample mean from 0.00 to 2 %.
r R r R
0.05 0.013 0.041 0.012 0.035 12.2 Bias:
0.1 0.016 0.052 0.015 0.044 12.2.1 Compared to the results of Test Method D 4006 (API
0.3 0.023 0.074 0.021 0.064
0.5 0.027 0.088 0.025 0.075
MPMS Chapter 10.2), no significant bias was found.
0.7 0.030 0.099 0.028 0.084 12.2.2 The interference from mercaptan sulfur follows the
1.0 0.034 0.111 0.032 0.095 theoretical stoichiometry of 1 to 0.28, that is 1000 µg/g (ppm)
1.3 0.037 0.121 0.035 0.104
1.5 0.039 0.127 0.037 0.109
of mercaptan sulfur can generate a response equivalent to 280
1.7 0.041 0.132 0.038 0.113 µg/g (ppm) (0.03 mass %) water by this test method. The
2.0 0.043 0.140 0.040 0.120 validity of correcting measured water contents for known
A
r = repeatability and R = reproducibility. mercaptan/sulfide sulfur levels has not been evaluated.

ANNEXES

(Mandatory Information)

A1. HOMOGENIZATION EFFICIENCY OF UNKNOWN MIXERS

A1.1 The homogenization efficiency of each unknown filled syringe previously weighed (nearest 0.1 mg), inject the
mixer must be evaluated before use. The grade of crude oil, the water below the surface of the crude near the inlet to the mixer.
sample size, and the sample container expected to be used with Reweigh the syringe (to the nearest 0.1 mg) and determine the
the mixer should be used in this test. The specifications of this amount of water added. Wipe any oil on the needle off before
test should be met before running this method and any changes weighing. Mix the sample in the same manner as in A1.2.
in the mixing procedure should be re-evaluated by this test. The Determine the water content of the crude immediately after
crude oil used in this test should be dry (less than 0.1 % water). mixing. Sample the crude just below the liquid level.
A1.2 Weigh the sample container to the nearest 0.01 g. Fill A1.4 Without additionally mixing the crude, determine the
the container half way (or the level normally used) with the dry water content of the crude 15 and 30 min after the initial
crude. Immerse the mixer into the crude with the bottom of the mixing in A1.3.
mixer 5 mm above the bottom of the container and mix the
crude at the speed and for the amount of time you expect to A1.5 Remix the sample in the same manner as A1.2.
use. Suggested mixing time is between 1 and 5 min at 5 to 7 Immediately after mixing, determine the water content in
thousand rpms. Immediately determine the water content in duplicate.
duplicate (10.1) of the dry crude. Obtain the average of the
duplicate results. A1.6 The water contents of the crude determined in A1.3,
A1.4, and A1.5 minus the base determined in A1.2 should
A1.3 Weigh the crude and container to the nearest 0.01 g. agree within 0.05 % absolute of the added water and to each
Immerse the mixer into the crude as in A1.2. Knowing the other. If they do not agree, this test should be repeated while
weight of the crude, add enough water to increase the water changing the mixing time, the mixing speed, or the height of
content 1 % above the base level found in A1.2. From a water the mixer, in the crude or a combination thereof, until these

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 D 4377 – 00 (2006)
conditions are met.

A2. APPARATUS

A2.1 Titration Assemblies A2.1.1.1 Buret—A 10-mL buret graduated 0.05-mL subdi-
A2.1.1 The titration assembly (Fig. A2.1) shall include the visions and fitted within a three-way stopcock. Some stopcock
following: greases are affected by Karl Fischer reagent.

FIG. A2.1 Apparatus for Determination of Water by Karl Fischer Reagent

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 D 4377 – 00 (2006)
A2.1.1.2 Reagent Reservoir, any convenient-size glass A2.2.1.3 Electrodes—Suitable electrodes (Fig. A2.2) can be
bottle. constructed as follows. Seal a piece of platinum wire approxi-
A2.1.1.3 Stirrer, magnetic stirrer. mately 25 mm (1 in.) in length (diameter of wire 0.3 to 0.8 mm
A2.1.1.4 Titration Flask, a three-neck flask of approxi- (0.01 to 0.03 in.)) into a piece of small bore soft glass tubing
mately 500-mL capacity. approximately 160 mm long. Approximately 7.1 mm (0.28 in.)
A2.1.1.5 Assemble the apparatus as shown in Fig. A2.1. All of the wire should extend above the seal on the inside of the
possible precuations must be taken to prevent absorption of tubing and approximately 15.2 mm (0.60 in.) extend outside of
moisture from the atmosphere. Cracks between glass and the seal. Bend the glass tubing slightly about 20 to 30 mm
stoppers should be sealed with a suitable sealing material and above the seal as shown in Fig. A2.2. Make a small loop
necessary openings should be protected by the use of drying approximately 6.4 mm (0.25 in.) in diameter in the end of the
tubes containing anhydrous calcium sulfate. platinum wire. Place sufficient mercury in the glass tube to
A2.2 Electrical Circuit provide contact for the leads to complete the circuit. Two
electrodes are required. Exercise care so that cracks do not
A2.2.1 The electrical circuit (Fig. A2.1) shall include the
develop around the seal, which will make the electrodes
following:
useless.
A2.2.1.1 Microammeter, A d-c microammeter having a
range from 0 to 50 µA and internal resistance of approximately A2.2.1.4 Potentiometer, a potentiometer having a resistance
1500 V. of 2000 V.
A2.2.1.2 Battery, a 1.5-V dry cell. A2.2.1.5 Assemble the circuit as shown in Fig. A2.1.

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FIG. A2.2 Electrode

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