University of Zakho

College of Engineering
Petroleum Department

Experiment No. (6)

Determination of flash point

Name: Nazeer Alyas Khalaf

Stage: 2nd
Date of Experiment: 31/3/2019
Date of Submitting: 14/4/2019

Content
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Introduction…………………. 3
The purpose of this experiment ………4
Apparatus and Material………….4
Theory………………………..….. 4
Procedure………………….5
Calculation………………... 6
Discussion……………………..7,8

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 Experiment No. (6)
Determination of flash point
1-Introduction
This International Standard specifies a procedure for the
determination of flash and Fire points of petroleum products using the
Cleveland open cup apparatus. It is Applicable to petroleum products
having an open cup flash point above 79 °C, Except fuel oils, which are
most c commonly tested by the closed cup procedure. Flash point and
fire point are indications of the ability of a substance to form a
Flammable mixture with air under controlled conditions, and then to
support Combustion.
Flash Point: - Flash point of an oil is the lowest temperature at which
the oil Gives sufficient amount of vapor and gives a momentary flash
when a test flame brought Near it.
Fire point Fire point is the lowest temperature at which the oil gives
sufficient amount of vapor and burns continuously when a test flame
brought near it. This apparatus is used to determine the flash and fire
points of oil, if the fire point is less than 70c.

The flash point is a general indication of the flammable or

combustibility of a liquid. Below the flash point, insufficient vapor is
available to support.

2-The purpose of this experiment:

To determine flash point and fire point of an oil product (Diesel) using
manually method.

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The flash point is used measure the tendency of the materials to catch
flames, class the material according to a safety requirement and to
obtain an idea about presence of volatile and flammable substances,
while the fire point is used to measure combustibility of the material.

3-Apparatus and Material

1)Heater
2)Stand and clamp
3)Sample of diesel
4)Thermometer
5)Fire source
6)Beaker

4-Theory:
The flash point is the temperature to which the oil must be heated, in a
standard instrument, to give an inflammable mixture with air under the
prescribed conditions, and flash point is an important parameter for
safety considerations, especially during storage and transportation of
volatile petroleum products (i.e., LPG, light naphtha, gasoline) in a
high-temperature environment. The pensky-marten apparatus is the
British standard instrument for flash point above 50C.

5-Procedure:
 Clean and dry all parts of the cup thoroughly.

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  Fill the cup with the sample to be tested to the level indicated by
the filling mark.
 Place the lid on the cup and set the latter in the stove.
 Be sure to have the locking or locating device properly engaged.
 Light the test flame and adjust to a (4mm) in diameter.
 The heat is supplied in such a way that the rate of rise of
temperature shown on the thermometer is 5°C t0 6°C/min.
 Apply the test flame by operating the mechanism on the cover
which controls the shutter and test flame burner.
 Lower the flame into the vapor position for 1 see, raise quickly to
its high position.
 Record the temperature at which a distinct flash appears in the
interior of the cup, when the test flame is applied.

*Note:
a) If flash point of sample is 104°C or below apply test flame when
temperature is 17°C to 28°C below its expected flash point and
thereafter at a temperature reading that is a multiple of 1°C.
b) If flash point is above 104°C same procedure as (a) is followed
except the temperature readings are multiple of 2°C beginning at a
temperature of 18°C to 28°C below the expected flash point.

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6-Calculation:

a-Record the barometric pressure at the time of test. When pressure

differs from 760mm Hg or 1013 mbar, correct the observed flash point
by means of one of the following expression:
corrected flash point (Cº) = Cº + 0.33760 = P or
corrected flash point (Cº) = Cº + 0.025(1013 - p)
Where C is the observed flash point in C º and P is barometric pressure,
mm Hg P is the barometric pressure, mbar.
b- Record the corrected flash point to the nearest 0.5 ºC and report the
result as flash point (PM closed)
P = 1013 mbar
C = 55.5
Flash point = C + 0.025(1013-P)
= 55.5+0.0025(1013-1013)
= 55.5

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7-Discussion:
The flash point is taken as the temperature read on the thermometer
at the time of the flame application that causes a bright flash in the
interior of the cup in closed system. for open cup it is the instance
when flash appears first at any point on the surface of the material.
For example diesel fuel flash points vary between 52 and 96 °C (126
and 205 °F). Diesel is suitable for use in a compression-ignition engine.
Common uses of the flash point :
• Petroleum and Chemical Industries are mostly affected by
contamination problems. Multiple storage tanks may contain different
product which can range in purity. These tanks may use common
pipeline systems which will be cleaned between product batch but
there is a risk of contamination if they are not cleaned thoroughly.
• Changes in flash point indicate that a sample may have been
contaminated or adulterated, for example petroleum spirit in engine
oil will lower the flashpoint and an abnormally low flash point on a
sample of kerosene can indicate gasoline contamination.
Contamination of fuel oil, lubrication oil and hydraulic oil by lighter
hydrocarbons can lead to problems with the operation of expensive
equipment – for example on ships, at power plants and in construction
and mining machinery.
• The flash point can also identify whether the base oil was a wide
or narrow single cut or whether it represents a blend of two fractions
(two base oils of different viscosities mixed together). And, the flash
point may give some indication about the volatility and content of the
most volatile components of the test oil

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• Flash point can indicate the possible presence of highly volatile
and flammable materials in a relatively non-volatile or non-flammable
material. Many industries use solvents in their products (paints,
vanishes) which is used to classify the flashpoint for the finished
product. Some solvents are not highly flammable so establishing the
exact flashpoint can save money. Users would be advised to use the
Seta flash test method in these circumstances as it quickly provides an
accurate flash point value to correctly classify the true hazard nature of
a product.
• Originally, the flash point was developed for the purpose of
determining the fire hazard of fuels and oils being stored or
transported. However, combined with other tests such as viscosity,
viscosity index, and specific gravity, the flash point can help reveal both
the quality of the crude oil.

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