Experiment NO 3

Name of experiment

Ash content

Objective of experiment

To determine ash content in crude oil

Ash content represents the incombustible component remaining

after a sample of the furnace oil is completely burned. The ash
content of petroleum products is generally low. It is defined as
inorganic residue that remains after combustion of the oil in air at
specific high temperature. Ash ranges from 0.1–0.2%. The ash
content of a fuel is a measure of the amount of inorganic
noncombustible material it contains. Some of the ash forming
constituents occur naturally in crude oil; others are present as a
result of refining or contamination during storage or distribution.

Knowledge of the amount of ash-forming material present in a

product can provide information as to whether or not the product
is suitable application. The ash content of petroleum products
came from the carbon residue of oil.
Procedure of experiment
1-clean the​ ​porcelain crucible and dry it for 15 minutes, then
weigh it empty after cooling it.

2-​ ​weight 10 grams of crude oil .

3-​ ​ put the sample in​ ​the porcelain crucible and weight it ,then
burn it in furnace at 750 degrees until the sample is completely
burned for 15 minutes

4-We wait for the porcelain crucible to cool and weigh it.

Calculation
W​1​= M​1​ – M​2 where
​ W​1​ = weight of ash
M​2 ​= weight of porcelain crucible empty
M​1​ = weight of porcelain crucible after burning

Ash % = W​1 weight

​ of ash / W​2 weight
​ of sample (crude oil ) *100%

Discussion

1 – what is the ash content ?

2- what is the purpose of calculation the ash content ?

3- what is the effects of ash content on crude oil ?