Experiment #8

Determination of cloud and pour point of petroleum products

Experiment # 8

Objective:

Determination of cloud and pour point of petroleum products

Apparatus:

Name Description Figure



Cork Jacket



Used to fit the thermometer in the
testing jar




Thermometer


A thermometer is a device that
measures temperature or
temperature gradient using a
variety of different principles.





Test Tube

A test tube, also known as a
culture tube or sample tube, is a
common piece of laboratory
glassware consisting of a finger-
like length of glass or clear plastic
tubing, open at the top, usually
with a rounded U-shaped bottom.





Cooling Bath

A cooling bath, in laboratory
chemistry (often but not always
organic chemistry) practice, is a
liquid mixture which is used to
maintain low temperatures,
typically between 13 C and 196
C.



Chemical:
Coconut Oil



Theory:

Cloud Point: The cloud point of a fluid is the temperature at which dissolved solids
are no longer completely soluble, precipitating as a second phase giving the fluid a
cloudy appearance. This term is relevant to several applications with different
consequences.

Pour Point: The pour point of a liquid is the temperature at which it becomes semi
solid and loses its flow characteristics. In crude oil a high pour point is generally
associated with a high paraffin content, typically found in crude deriving from a larger
proportion of plant material.

Procedure:

1. Cool the oil to be tested to a temperature of 25
o
C about the approximate cloud
point.
2. Remove any moisture content present by filtration by using linthless filter paper
until the oil is perfectly cleared but make this filtration at a temperature of 25
o
C
about the approximate cloud point.
3. Pour the clear oil into the test jar up to the level mark.
4. Adjust the position of cork carrying the test thermometer so that cork fit tightly.
5. Thermometer and jar are coaxial and thermometer bulb is in heating on the bottom
of jar.
6. Place the ring gasket around the test jar 1 inch high from bottom.
7. Insert the test jar in jacket and maintain the temperature of cooling bath at 30-35
o
C
and put the jacket in cooling bath.
8. Remove the test jar from jacket quickly after each 2
o
C fall in temperature without
disturbing the oil.
9. Note down cloud point and pour point accordingly where first cloud appears and
cloud formation stops respectively.
10. Put another jacket in second bath maintained at 0-5
o
C and see the cloud.
11. Repeat this procedure until distinct cloudiness or there is oil in the bottom of test
jar.
12. Examine the jar at every minute and held horizontally for few seconds.
13. Continue this process until there is no movement in jar and this is the pour point of
product i.e. no more cloud will be form.



Observations:

Cloud Point: 21
o
C
Pour Point : 16
o
C


Precautions:

1. Carefully note the cloud, when the color of coconut oil changes to white and
vapors are formed.
2. Similarly note carefully the point at which coconut oil freezes and is known as
pour point.
3. Use high cloud ad pour point thermometer if the expected cloud point is above
36
o
F and low cloud and pour thermometer if cloud point is below -36
o
F.
4. The difference in the temperature of the baths must be 30
o
F and the
temperature of the oil must be at least 50
o
F when it is going to be transferred to
the next bath.