ASTM D6560 Test Method for Determination of Asphaltenes (Heptane Insolubles)
ASTM D6560 Standard Test Method for Determination of Asphaltenes (Heptane Insolubles) in Crude Petroleum and Petroleum Products
1. Scope
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for the determination of the heptane insoluble asphaltene content of gas oil, diesel fuel, residual fuel oils, lubricating oil, bitumen, and crude petroleum that has been topped to an oil temperature of 260°C (see A1.2.1.1).
1.2 The precision is applicable to values between 0.50 and 30.0 % m/m. Values outside this range may still be valid but may not give the same precision values.
1.3 Oils containing additives may give erroneous results.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
1.5 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
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D86 Test Method for Distillation of Petroleum Products
D1298 Test Method for Density, Relative Density (Specific Gravity), or API Gravity of Crude Petroleum and Liquid Petroleum Products by Hydrometer Method
D4052 Test Method for Density and Relative Density of Liquids by Digital Density Meter
D4057 Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and Petroleum Products
D4177 Practice for Automatic Sampling of Petroleum and Petroleum Products
2.2 IP Standard:
Specifications for IP Standard Thermometers
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 asphaltenes, n - wax-free organic material insoluble in heptane, but soluble in hot toluene (benzene).
NOTE 1 - Benzene is included in this definition solely on the basis of its classical references in the definition of asphaltenes. The precision of this test method when using toluene has been found to be the same as when using benzene.
