ASTM D4007

The water and sediment content of crude oil is significant because it can cause corrosion of equipment and problems in processing. A determination of water and sediment content is required to measure accurately net volumes of actual oil in sales, taxation, exchanges, and custody transfers. It is not anticipated that this test method, which is written with a dedicated laboratory facility in mind, is likely to be used in field test rooms or sample rooms due to safety concerns for proper ventilation    and handling.

1. Scope

1.1 This test method describes the laboratory determination of water and sediment in crude oils by means of the centrifuge procedure. This centrifuge method for determining water and sediment in crude oils is not entirely satisfactory. The amount of water detected is almost always lower than the actual water content. When a highly accurate value is required, the revised procedures for water by distillation, Test Method D 4006 (API MPMS Chapter 10.2) (Note 1), and sediment by extraction, Test Method D 473 (API MPMS Chapter 10.1), shall be used.

Note 1—Test Method D 4006 (API MPMS Chapter 10.2) has been determined to be the preferred and most accurate method for the determination of water.

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

1.3 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. Specific warning statements appear in 6.1, 8.3, and A1.5.4.

2. Referenced Documents

D1796 Test Method for Water and Sediment in Fuel Oils by the Centrifuge Method (Laboratory Procedure) (API Chapter 10.6)
D4006 Test Method for Water in Crude Oil by Distillation (API Chapter 10.2)
D4057 Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and Petroleum Products (API Chapter 8.1)
D4177 Practice for Automatic Sampling of Petroleum and Petroleum Products (API Chapter 8.2)
D473 Test Method for Sediment in Crude Oils and Fuel Oils by the Extraction Method (API Chapter 10.1)
D5854 Practice for Mixing and Handling of Liquid Samples of Petroleum and Petroleum Products (API Chapter 8.3)
D665 Test Method for Rust-Preventing Characteristics of Inhibited Mineral Oil in the Presence of Water
D95 Test Method for Water in Petroleum Products and Bituminous Materials by Distillation (API Chapter 10.5)
E969 Specification for Glass Volumetric (Transfer) Pipets
Chapter 10.1 Determination of Sediment in Crude Oils and Fuel Oils by the Extraction Method (ASTM Test Method D473)
Chapter 10.2 Determination of Water in Crude Oil by Distillation (ASTM Test Method D4006)
Chapter 10.4 Determination of Sediment and Water in Crude Oil by the Centrifuge Method (Field Procedure)
Chapter 10.5 Determination of Water in Petroleum Products and Bituminous Materials by Distillation (ASTM Test Method D95)
Chapter 10.6 Determination of Water and Sediment in Fuel Oils by the Centrifuge Method (Laboratory Procedures) (ASTM Test Method D1796)
Chapter 8.1 Manual Sampling of Petroleum and Petroleum Products (ASTM Practice D4057)
Chapter 8.2 Automatic Sampling of Petroleum and Petroleum Products (ASTM Practice D4177)
Chapter 8.3 Mixing and Handling of Liquid Samples of Petroleum and Petroleum Products (ASTM Practice D5854)
ISO 5272:1979 Toluene for Industrial Use-Specifications
Methods Book, Appendix B Specification for Methylbenzenes (Toluenes)

Index Terms

centrifuge; centrifuge tube; crude oil; laboratory procedure; sampling; sediment and water; solvent; Centrifuge method; Crude petroleum products; Laboratory water testing; Sediment content; Water content--crude oil; Water plus sediment content; Centrifuge method; Crude petroleum products; 0Laboratory water testing; Sediment content; Water content--crude oil; Water plus sediment content; ICS Number Code 75.040 (Crude petroleum)

Citing ASTM Standards

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