Translated Standard: Russian
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Significance and Use

Determining the type and amount of hydrocarbon impurities remaining from the manufacture of toluene, mixed xylenes, p -xylene, o -xylene, ethylbenzene, benzene, and styrene used as chemical intermediates and solvents is often required. This test method is suitable for setting specifications and for use as an internal quality control tool where these products are produced or are used. Typical impurities are: alkanes containing 1 to 10 carbons atoms, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene (EB), xylenes, and aromatic hydrocarbons containing nine carbon atoms or more.

This method may not detect all components and there may be unknown components that would be assigned inappropriate response factors and thus, the results may not be absolute.

1. Scope

1.1 This test method covers the determination of the total nonaromatic hydrocarbons and trace monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in toluene, mixed xylenes, p -xylene, o -xylene, ethylbenzene, benzene, and styrene by gas chromatography. The purity of toluene, mixed xylenes, p -xylene, o -xylene, ethylbenzene, benzene, and stryene can also be calculated. Similar test methods, using the internal standard calibration technique and the external standard calibration technique, are Test Methods D2360 , D3797 , D4492 , D5060 , D5135 , D5917 , and D6563 respectively.

1.2 Total aliphatic hydrocarbons containing 1 through 10 carbon atoms (methane through decanes) can be detected by this test method at concentrations ranging from 0.0001 to 2.5000 weight %.

1.2.1 A small amount of benzene in toluene, mixed xylenes, p -xylene, o -xylene, ethylbenzene, or styrene may not be distinguished from the non-aromatics and the concentrations are determined as a composite (see 6.1).

1.3 Monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbon impurities containing 6 through 10 carbon atoms (benzene through C ₁₀ aromatics) can be detected by this test method at individual concentrations ranging from 0.0001 to 2.5000 weight %.

1.4 In determining the conformance of the test results using this method to applicable specifications, results shall be rounded off in accordance with the rounding-off method of Practice E29 .

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

1.6 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

D841 Specification for Nitration Grade Toluene

D1555M Test Method for Calculation of Volume and Weight of Industrial Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Cyclohexane [Metric]

D2360 Test Method for Trace Impurities in Monocyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Gas Chromatography

D3437 Practice for Sampling and Handling Liquid Cyclic Products

D3797 Test Method for Analysis of o-Xylene by Gas Chromatography

D4492 Test Method for Analysis of Benzene by Gas Chromatography

D4790 Terminology of Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Related Chemicals

D5060 Test Method for Determining Impurities in High-Purity Ethylbenzene by Gas Chromatography

D5135 Test Method for Analysis of Styrene by Capillary Gas Chromatography

D5136 Specification for High Purity p-Xylene

D5211 Specification for Xylenes for p-Xylene Feedstock

D5917 Test Method for Trace Impurities in Monocyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Gas Chromatography and External Calibration

D6229 Test Method for Trace Benzene in Hydrocarbon Solvents by Capillary Gas Chromatography

D6563 Test Method for Benzene, Toluene, Xylene (BTX) Concentrates Analysis by Gas Chromatography

D6809 Guide for Quality Control and Quality Assurance Procedures for Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Related Materials

E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications

E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods

E260 Practice for Packed Column Gas Chromatography

E355 Practice for Gas Chromatography Terms and Relationships

E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method

E1510 Practice for Installing Fused Silica Open Tubular Capillary Columns in Gas Chromatographs

Keywords

aromatics; benzene; ECN; ethylbenzene; gas chromatography; impurities; mixed xylenes; purity; o -xylene; p -xylene; styrene; toluene; Effective carbon number; Gas chromatography (GC); Monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; Trace impurities

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 71.080.15 (Aromatic hydrocarbons)

DOI: 10.1520/D7504-12

ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.

ASTM D7504