True Boiling Point Distillation – ASTM D2892 Distillation of Crude Oil

by Paul on November 24, 2018

ASTM D2892 illustrationTrue boiling point distillation distills crude oil from the initial boiling point up to 370-400 °C.  D2892 is the ASTM test number.  It is most commonly used to test crude oil and crude oil blends.  It is sometimes used to distill condensate although that is outside the scope of D2892.

The distillation typically takes place in 3 pressure sequences, atmospheric, 100 mmHg vacuum, and 10 mmHg vacuum.  Although it is permitted to go down as low as 2 mmHg.

Pressure Temperature Range
Atmospheric Initial Boiling Point – 200° C
100 mmHg 200 °C – 300 °C
10 mmHg 300 °C – 370 °C

The reflux ratio should be 5:1 for all pressure sequences.  It is permitted to be 2:1 for the lowest pressure level if all parties agree.

A variety of distillation column packings are permitted including Pro-Pak, Heli-Pak, wire mesh and perforated plates.

Packing Type Pro-Pak Heli-Pak Wire Mesh Perforated Plates
Column Diameter

25 mm

36 mm 50 mm 70 mm 25 mm 50 mm 25 mm 50 mm 25 mm

50 mm

Packed height

57 cm

60 cm 80 cm 91 cm 31.5 cm 48 cm 72 cm 99 cm 25*

23*

Minimum Sample Size

1.2 L

2.3 L 6 L 15 L 0.575 L 3.3 L 0.7 L 4.9 L 1 L

4.6 L

Maximum Sample Size

4.8 L

9.2 L 24 L 60 L 2.3 L 13  L 2.8 L 19.4 L 4.2 L

10.4  L

*perforated plates

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