Significance and Use

Gasoline-range olefinic hydrocarbons have been demonstrated to contribute to photochemical reactions in the atmosphere, which result in the formation of photochemical smog in susceptible urban areas.

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has specified a maximum allowable limit of total olefins in motor gasoline. This necessitates an appropriate analytical test method for determination of total olefins to be used both by regulators and producers.

This test method compares favorably with Test Method D1319 (FIA) for the determination of total olefins in motor gasolines. It does not require any sample preparation, has a comparatively short analysis time of about 10 min, and is readily automated. Alternative methods for determination of olefins in gasoline include Test Methods D6839 and D6296 .

1. Scope

1.1 This test method covers the determination of the total amount of olefins in blended motor gasolines and gasoline blending stocks by supercritical-fluid chromatography (SFC). Results are expressed in terms of mass % olefins. The application range is from 1 to 25 mass % total olefins.

1.2 This test method can be used for analysis of commercial gasolines, including those containing varying levels of oxygenates, such as methyl tert /butyl ether (MTBE), diisopropyl ether (DIPE), methyl tert /amyl ether (TAME), and ethanol, without interference.

Note 1This test method has not been designed for the determination of the total amounts of saturates, aromatics, and oxygenates.

1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.

ASTM Standards

D1319 Test Method for Hydrocarbon Types in Liquid Petroleum Products by Fluorescent Indicator Adsorption

D4052 Test Method for Density, Relative Density, and API Gravity of Liquids by Digital Density Meter

D5186 Test Method for Determination of the Aromatic Content and Polynuclear Aromatic Content of Diesel Fuels and Aviation Turbine Fuels By Supercritical Fluid Chromatography

D6296 Test Method for Total Olefins in Spark-ignition Engine Fuels by Multidimensional Gas Chromatography

D6299 Practice for Applying Statistical Quality Assurance and Control Charting Techniques to Evaluate Analytical Measurement System Performance

D6839 Test Method for Hydrocarbon Types, Oxygenated Compounds and Benzene in Spark Ignition Engine Fuels by Gas Chromatography

Keywords

motor gasolines; olefins; supercritical-fluid chromatography; unsaturated hydrocarbons; Gas chromatography (GC)--petroleum products; Gasoline; Motor fuels; Olefins content; SFC (supercritical fluid chromatography); Unsaturated hydrocarbons ;

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 27.060.10 (Liquid and solid fuel burners)

DOI: 10.1520/D6550-10

ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.

ASTM D6550