EXPLANATION
This test method covers the determination by high ionizing voltage, low resolution mass spectrometry of 18 aromatic hydrocarbon types and three aromatic thiophenotypes in straight run aromatic petroleum fractions boiling within the range from 205 to 540° C (400 to 1000° F). Samples must be nonolefinic, must not contain more than 1 mass % of total sulfur, and must not contain more than 5 % nonaromatic hydrocarbons.
TEST SUMMARY
The relative abundances of seven classes of aromatics in petroleum fractions are determined by mass spectrometry using a summation of peaks most characteristic of each class. Calculations are carried out by the use of inverted matrix derived from the published spectra of pure aromatic compounds. The aromatic fraction needed for this analysis is obtained by using liquid elution chromatography by Test Method ASTM D2549.
TEST PRECISION
Based on the interlaboratory study, the following precision estimates were obtained.
This table is Table 5 from Test Method ASTM D3239.
The bias of this test method is not known.