De La Salle University – Dasmariñas

College of Engineering, Architecture, and Technology

Mechanical Engineering Program

Mechanical Engineering Lab 2

MEET324L - MEE31

CLOUD AND POUR POINT TESTS

Experiment No. 9

Submitted by:
Barillo, John Paolo D.
Dones, Victor Lorenz E.
Escober, Christian A.
General, Paul Ryan L.

Submitted to
RENE D. RUBIO PhD, PME, OSH Consultant

GROUP No. 5

Date Submitted:
June 15, 2022
TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Objective

II. Theory

III. List of Components

IV. Procedures

V. Safety Precautions

VI. Questions and Problems

VII. Solution and Answers

VIII. Conclusion

IX. Recommendation
I. OBJECTIVE

1. To determine the temperature at which paraffin wax found in oil crystallizes and

separates from the oil.

2. To determine the temperature at which the hydrocarbon separates from and float

on the surface of the oil.

II. THEORY

The cloud point of lubricating oil is the temperature at which the hydrocarbon

components of the oil become insoluble. At this point, it indicates that the paraffin wax or

other solid substances in the oil begin to crystallize when they are under these specific

conditions. Meanwhile, the pour point is the minimum temperature at which a certain

amount will become insoluble to prevent flow under specified conditions. A high pour point

implies that in cold weather the fuel oil will not flow easily through the filters and fuel system

of the engine.
 This test is important for oil used in automobiles during winter. The pour test of oil

may be taken after the cloud test temperature has been determined; thus, the cloud test

has a higher temperature than the pour test.

III. List of components

Qty Unit Description

3 pc Test Tubes with Rubber Stoppers

5 pc Thermometers

1 pc Beaker with cracked ice

1 pc Electric Heater
IV. PROCEDURE

A. Cloud test

1. Heat the oil sample to 150°F and cool down to 70°F by air cooling to remove moisture
from the sample.

2. Pour the test oil in a test tube.

3. Insert a thermometer through the tight-fitting cork and place it in the test tube.

4. Place the test tube in a cooling bath maintained at a temperature range of 30°F.

5. For every drop in temperature of 2 V, remove the test tube from the bath and be careful
not to affect the oil by removing the thermometer.

Note: This complete operation should require not more than 3 seconds.

6. Record the temperature of the cloud point on the data sheet. This should be the
temperature the moment the oil surface has a cloud.

7. Repeat the steps for the two remaining oil samples.

B. Pour Point

1. Heat the oil sample to 150°F and cool down to 70°F.

2. Pour the test oil into a test tube.

3. Insert the thermometer through a tight-fitting cork and place it in the test tube.

4. From a temperature of 35°F below zero, remove the test tube from the cooling bath
and inspect the condition of the oil.

5. At each drop in temperature of 5°F, remove the bottle and incline from the vertical
position just sufficient to be certain whether there is a movement of the oil in the test
tube.

6. The inspection period should not last more than 3 minutes. Record oil sample and
temperature on the data sheet.

7. Repeat the steps for the two remaining oil samples.

V. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

1. The instructor must orient the students in the proper handling of the apparatus before the
actual experiment to avoid accidents.
2. Always follow the instruction manual and the limits of operation in the lab.
3. Move away and keep a safe distance from the device while on going experiments to avoid
accidents.
4. Never touch any part of the machine or the test piece during the testing operation.

VI. SET-UP OF THE EXPERIMENT

VII. TABULATION OF DATA (PRELIMINARY DATA SHEET)

Preliminary Data Sheet:

Oil Sample Cloud Point Temp °C Pour Point Temp °C

Kerosine -20.9 -24.8

Diesel -8.3 -11.4

Stanadyne -32.3 -36.3

 Final Data Sheet:

Oil Sample Cloud Point Temp °C Pour Point Temp °C

Kerosine -20.9 -24.8

Diesel -8.3 -11.4

Stanadyne -32.3 -36.3

VIII. PROBLEM SOLVING

1. Paraffin and other similar substances in the oil crystallize at a certain temperature. What
is the effect of this during operation?
2. Give the importance in determining the cloud and pour of fuel oil.
3. Is the determination of cloud and pour point values a must for locally used machines?
Why?
4. Cite Particular error in the performance of this experiment. How can you minimize errors?

IX. ANSWERS TO PROBLEM SOLVING

1. Wax deposits enhance wall roughness, which increases friction and hence reduces

pipeline flow capacity.

2. The importance of determining the cloud and pour of fuel oil is that it informs the user the

condition of the oil. If the fuel oil is becoming thick or it clogs the fuel filters and injectors

of engines, these signs affect the performance of the engine.

3. Yes it is a must, because if the machines are used daily the values of cloud and pour

point matters, because this can help the machine live longer, and also to avoid damages

on the machines/engines.

4. Some errors are the measurements of the fluids, it may not be exactly the same as written

on the paper. To minimize errors, the researchers must use close measurements and the

right type of lab equipment so that errors can be minimized.

X. CONCLUSION
Wax deposition has long been an issue in the oil and gas sector, and determining
and controlling it has been a major study area. The cloud and pour point, at which crude
oil produces wax crystals and loses its flow properties, is an important aspect of wax
deposition and the subject of this study.

XI. RECOMMENDATION

As the study points out, several elements impact cloud and pour point temperature,
which, if correctly handled, can assist to prevent wax crystallization and deposition. In
order to avoid wax deposition, midstream enterprises involved in crude oil transportation
should properly and efficiently handle these aspects.
XII. REFERENCES

Akhil, A. G., Mohammed, A. K. P. K., Akhilesh, S., Muhammad, A. C. A., Salman,

K., & Kanna, D. R. (2017, September). Determination of Cloud And Pour Point of Various
Petroleum Products. Www.Irjes.Com. http://www.irjes.com/Papers/vol6-
issue9/A6910104.pdf

Eyankware, E., Ulakpa, W., & Eyankware, M. (2016, July). Determination of Cloud

and Pour Point of Crude Oil with Reference to Crude Transportation.

Www.Academia.Edu.

https://www.academia.edu/40285174/Determination_of_Cloud_and_Pour_Point_of_Cru

de_Oil_with_Reference_to_Crude_Transportation

Chin Ph.D., W. (2016). Paraffin Deposition. Www.Sciencedirect.Com/.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/paraffin-deposition