ASTM D323 for vapor pressure of petroleum products (Reid method)
1. Scope
1.1 This test method covers procedures for the determination of vapor pressure (see Note 1) of gasoline, volatile crude oil, and other volatile petroleum products. Procedure A is applicable to gasoline and other petroleum products with a vapor pressure of less than 180 kPa (26 psi). Procedure B may also be applicable to these other materials, but only gasoline was included in the interlaboratory test program to determine the precision of this test method. Neither procedure is applicable to liquefied petroleum gases or fuels containing oxygenated compounds other than methyl t-butyl ether (MTBE) (see Note 2). Procedure C is for materials with a vapor pressure of greater than 180 kPa (26 psi) and Procedure D for aviation gasoline with a vapor pressure of approximately 50 kPa (7 psi).

NOTE 1 - Because the external atmospheric pressure is counteracted by the atmospheric pressure initially present in the vapor chamber, the Reid vapor pressure is an absolute pressure at 37.8°C (100°F) in kilopascals (pounds-force per square inch). The Reid vapor pressure differs from the true vapor pressure of the sample due to some small sample vaporization and the presence of water vapor and air in the confined space.

NOTE 2 - For determination of the vapor pressure of liquified petroleum gases refer to Test Method D1267. For determination of the vapor pressure of gasoline-oxygenate blends refer to Test Method D4953.

1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The inch-pound units given in parentheses are provided for information only.

1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety 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. Specific precautionary statements are given in Sections 6 and 17, and Note 6, Note 9, Note 12, Note 13, Note A1.1 and Note A1.2.

2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1267 Test Method for Vapor Pressure of Liquefied Petroleum (LP) Gases (LP-Gas Method)
D4057 Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and Petroleum Products
D4953 Test Method for Vapor Pressure of Gasoline and Gasoline-Oxygenate Blends (Dry Method)
E1 Specification for ASTM Thermometers