ME 420 MW 1:30 – 4:30 Date Submitted: January 29, 2018

Experiment No. 3

Cloud Point of Petroleum Oil

Group Number: 10 Members: Navales, Dwight C.

I. INTRODUCTION

Cloud point is where the temperature in which the wax in petroleum forms a wax
crystals. The formation of wax is caused by the temperature in which the petroleum product
is exposed to. In lower or cold temperatures, it is more expected that there will be a wax
formation.

Paraffin wax is a colorless or white material comprising of a combination of solid

straight-chain hydrocarbons. It in itself has beneficial applications such as the manufacture
of candles, wax paper, polishes, cosmetics and electrical insulators, though the production
of paraffin wax inside mechanical machineries can diminish the lifespan of the engine if
operation is continuous.

II. THEORETICAL BACKGROUND

There are two ways to measure the cloud point of petroleum products, namely the
“Manual Method”, and the “Automatic Method”. The two methods were from ASTM or
the American Society for Testing and Materials.

Manual Method – in accordance to ASTM D2500, the test oil is essential to be

translucent in layers 40 mm in thickness. The wax crystals normally first form at the lower
part of the wall in a whitish or milky cloud of appearance. The test sample is poured to the
test jar half full in size. The cork carrying the test thermometer is used to close the jar. The
thermometer bulb is placed to rest at the bottom part of the jar. And the test sample is
 subjected to a constant temperature cooling bath on top of a gasket to prevent excess
cooling.

Automatic Method - ASTM D5773, Standard Test Method of Cloud Point of

Petroleum Products (Constant Cooling Rate Method) is another way of testing apart from
the manual test procedure. It utilizes an automatic apparatus and has equivalent so results
to ASTM D2500. D5773 test method creates a faster cloud point in a shorter period of time
than the D2500. Less operator time is essential to run the test using the said method.

III. MATERIALS & EQUIPMENT

1. Thermometer – an apparatus used to measure the temperature of the substance

2. Ice Bath – is used to expose the petroleum sample to temperatures below 0°
3. Test jar – is used to enclose and store the petroleum sample

IV. PROCEDURE

1. The oil to be tested was brought to a temperature of at least 14 ⁰C above the

approximated cloud point. Any moisture present in the oil was removed by a
method of filtration. The filtration process was made of at least 14 ⁰C above the
approximated cloud point.
2. The clear oil was poured into the test jar with a level mark.
3. The test jar was closed tightly with the cork carrying the test thermometer. The
position of the cork and thermometer was adjusted so that the cork fits tightly, the
thermometer and the test jar are coaxial, and the thermometer bulb rests at the
bottom of the test jar.
4. The test jar was immersed in an ice bath maintained at -1 to 2 ⁰C.
5. At each test thermometer reading that is a multiple of 1 ⁰C, the test jar was removed
from the ice bath without disturbing the oil and any traces of cloud were inspected.
This complete cycle did not take more than 3 seconds. If no formation of cloud was
observed, the test jar is immersed back into the ice bath and was allowed to cool
further. This cycle was repeated every 1 ⁰C drop of the thermometer reading until
the formation of cloud is observed.
 6. When the formation of cloud is observed, the temperature was then recorded as the
cloud point.

V. BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. https://www.engineersedge.com/lubrication/cloud_point_oil.htm
2. https://www.astm.org/Standards/D5551.htm
3. http://www.glossary.oilfield.slb.com/Terms/c/cloud_point.aspx
4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_point