Determination of cloud and pour point of petroleum products
Experiment # 8
Objective:
Determination of cloud and pour point of petroleum products
Apparatus:
Name Description Figure
Cork Jacket
Used to fit the thermometer in the testing jar
Thermometer
A thermometer is a device that measures temperature or temperature gradient using a variety of different principles.
Test Tube
A test tube, also known as a culture tube or sample tube, is a common piece of laboratory glassware consisting of a finger- like length of glass or clear plastic tubing, open at the top, usually with a rounded U-shaped bottom.
Cooling Bath
A cooling bath, in laboratory chemistry (often but not always organic chemistry) practice, is a liquid mixture which is used to maintain low temperatures, typically between 13 C and 196 C.
Chemical: Coconut Oil
Theory:
Cloud Point: The cloud point of a fluid is the temperature at which dissolved solids are no longer completely soluble, precipitating as a second phase giving the fluid a cloudy appearance. This term is relevant to several applications with different consequences.
Pour Point: The pour point of a liquid is the temperature at which it becomes semi solid and loses its flow characteristics. In crude oil a high pour point is generally associated with a high paraffin content, typically found in crude deriving from a larger proportion of plant material.
Procedure:
1. Cool the oil to be tested to a temperature of 25 o C about the approximate cloud point. 2. Remove any moisture content present by filtration by using linthless filter paper until the oil is perfectly cleared but make this filtration at a temperature of 25 o C about the approximate cloud point. 3. Pour the clear oil into the test jar up to the level mark. 4. Adjust the position of cork carrying the test thermometer so that cork fit tightly. 5. Thermometer and jar are coaxial and thermometer bulb is in heating on the bottom of jar. 6. Place the ring gasket around the test jar 1 inch high from bottom. 7. Insert the test jar in jacket and maintain the temperature of cooling bath at 30-35 o C and put the jacket in cooling bath. 8. Remove the test jar from jacket quickly after each 2 o C fall in temperature without disturbing the oil. 9. Note down cloud point and pour point accordingly where first cloud appears and cloud formation stops respectively. 10. Put another jacket in second bath maintained at 0-5 o C and see the cloud. 11. Repeat this procedure until distinct cloudiness or there is oil in the bottom of test jar. 12. Examine the jar at every minute and held horizontally for few seconds. 13. Continue this process until there is no movement in jar and this is the pour point of product i.e. no more cloud will be form.
Observations:
Cloud Point: 21 o C Pour Point : 16 o C
Precautions:
1. Carefully note the cloud, when the color of coconut oil changes to white and vapors are formed. 2. Similarly note carefully the point at which coconut oil freezes and is known as pour point. 3. Use high cloud ad pour point thermometer if the expected cloud point is above 36 o F and low cloud and pour thermometer if cloud point is below -36 o F. 4. The difference in the temperature of the baths must be 30 o F and the temperature of the oil must be at least 50 o F when it is going to be transferred to the next bath.