ISO/TS 23877-1:2023

TECHNICAL ISO/TS
SPECIFICATION 23877-1
First edition
2023-07
Petroleum and related products
from natural or synthetic sources —
Determination of pour point —
Part 1:
Automated step-wise cooling method
Produits pétroliers et connexes d'origine naturelle ou synthétique -
Détermination du point d'écoulement —
Partie 1: Méthode automatisée par refroidissement par paliers
Reference number
© ISO 2023
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ii
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Principle . 2
5 Reagents and materials . 2
6 Apparatus . 2
7 Sampling . 3
8 Preparation of apparatus .3
9 Calibration .4
10 Verification of the performance of the apparatus . 4
11 Procedure . 4
12 Expression of results .5
13 Precision . 6
14 Test report . 6
Annex A (normative) Detection principles . 7
Bibliography .10
iii
Foreword
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This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 28, Petroleum and related products, fuels
and lubricants from natural or synthetic sources.
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iv
Introduction
This document describes the determination of pour point by automated instruments that mirrors
ISO 3016 (which comprises a manual procedure only). This document is based on the techniques used
in the instruments available on the market in 2021.
This test method does not contain any precision at this stage. As this is a newly described technique,
no immediate precision or interim repeatability can be given either. At the time of publication,
an interlaboratory study was ongoing, the results of which will be taken into account in future
standardization activities.
v
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION ISO/TS 23877-1:2023(E)
Petroleum and related products from natural or synthetic
sources — Determination of pour point —
Part 1:
Automated step-wise cooling method
WARNING — The use of this document can involve hazardous materials, operations and
equipment. This document does not purport to address all of the safety problems associated
with its use. It is the responsibility of the users of this document to take appropriate measures
to ensure the safety and health of personnel prior to the application of this document, and to
determine the applicability of any other restrictions.
1 Scope
This document specifies a method for determining the pour point of petroleum products by means of
automated equipment, in which movement of the test specimen is detected using a step-wise cooling
technique.
A separate procedure suitable for the determination of the lower pour point of fuel oils, heavy lubricant
base stock, and products containing residual fuel components is also described.
The procedure described in this document is not suitable for crude oils.
Test results from this method are determined in 3 °C testing intervals.
NOTE Some equipment can also generate results at 1 °C testing intervals, which is an acceptable alternative
procedure, but for which precision and bias have not been determined.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 3170, Petroleum liquids — Manual sampling
ISO 3171, Petroleum liquids — Automatic pipeline sampling
ISO 17034, General requirements for the competence of reference material producers
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1
pour point
lowest temperature at which a sample of petroleum product will continue to flow when it is cooled
under specified standard conditions
3.2
no-flow point
temperature of the test specimen at which a wax crystal structure or viscosity increase, or both,
impeding movement of the surface of the test specimen under specified standard conditions
4 Principle
After preliminary heating, the sample is cooled at a specified rate and examined at intervals of 3 °C for
flow characteristics. The lowest temperature at which movement ("pour" or "flow") of the sample is
detected, by the automated equipment, is recorded as the pour point.
5 Reagents and materials
5.1 Certified reference materials (CRM), from suppliers in accordance with ISO 17034.
6 Apparatus
6.1 Test jar, cylindrical, of clear glass, flat-bottomed, 33,2 mm to 34,8 mm outside diameter and
110 mm to 125 mm in height. The test jar shall have an inside diameter of 30,0 mm to 32,4 mm, with the
constraint that the wall thickness be no greater than 1,6 mm.
The jar shall be marked with a line to indicate a contents level, corresponding to a volume of 45 ml ± 1 ml.
6.2 Sample temperature probe, cylindrical, vertical in the test jar and plunged in the sample, depth
and location specified by the manufacturer of the testing device (see also References [3] and [4]).
A thermometer with digital display (e.g. PT100) shall be used for measuring the sample temperature
with a resolution of at least 0,1 °C and an accuracy of at least 0,5 °C (see Figure 1).
NOTE The exact location of the probe depends on the equipment design manufacturer.
6.3 Anti-moisture device, to close the test jar and bath, preventing the introduction of any moisture.
6.4 Jacket (test jar container), watertight, cylindrical metal, flat-bottomed, dimensions as per the
manufacturer of the testing device. It shall be supported in a vertical position in the cooling device
(6.7), and shall be capable of being cleaned.
6.5 Disc (optional, depending on the design of the equipment), made of any insulating material
(for example cork or felt) approximately 6 mm in thickness, to fit loosely inside the jacket to maintain
the test jar and avoid any direct contact with the jacket.
6.6 Gasket (optional, depending on the design of the equipment), ring form, approximately 5 mm
in thickness, to fit snugly on the outside of the test jar and loosely inside the jacket.
This gasket can be made of rubber, leather or other suitable material, elastic enough to cling to the test
jar and hard enough to hold its shape. The purpose of the gasket is to prevent the test jar from touching
the jacket.
6.7 Cooling device, cooling bath or device with a firm support to hold the jacket vertical, capable of
maintaining the temperature of the jacket as required in Table 1.
6.8 Automated detection device, detection system able to detect movement of the sample by means
of optics (optical reflection), charged-coupled device (CCD) camera, temperature change (thermal
sense) or ultrasonics (sensor), as specified in Annex A.
6.9 Timing device, capable of measuring up to 30 s with an accuracy of 0,2 s.
Dimensions in millimetres
Key
1 anti-moisture device (6.3) 5 test jar (6.1)
2 sample temperature probe (6.2) 6 gasket (optional) (6.6)
3 sample filling mark (6.1) 7 disc (optional (6.5)
4 jacket (6.4)
Figure 1 — Apparatus for pour point test
7 Sampling
Unless otherwise specified in the commodity specification, samples shall be taken as described in
ISO 3170 or ISO 3171.
8 Preparation of apparatus
8.1 Prepare the instrument for operation in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
8.2 Clean and dry the automated detection device and test jar using suitable solvents as instructed
by the manufacturer.
8.3 Turn on the main power switch of the automated instrument.
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