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
W1= M1 – M2 where W1 = weight of ash
M2 = weight of porcelain crucible empty
M1 = weight of porcelain crucible after burning

Ash % = W1 weight of ash / W2 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 ?