ASTM D6377-16

5.1 Vapor pressure of crude oil at various V/Ls is an important physical property for shipping and storage.

5.2 Vapor pressure of crude oil is important to crude oil producers and refiners for general handling and initial refinery treatment.

5.3 The vapor pressure determined by this test method at a vapor-liquid ratio of 4:1 (VPCR₄) of crude oil at 37.8 °C can be related to the vapor pressure value determined on the same material when tested by Test Method D323 (see Appendix X1).

5.4 Air saturation of crude oil shall not be done to avoid potential vapor loss. However air saturation of the chilled verification fluid is mandatory (see 7.2 and Section 11).

5.5 This test method can also be applied in online applications.

1.1 This test method covers the use of automated vapor pressure instruments to determine the vapor pressure exerted in vacuum of crude oils. This test method is suitable for testing samples that exert a vapor pressure between 25 kPa and 180 kPa at 37.8 °C at vapor-liquid ratios from 4:1 to 0.02:1 (X = 4 to 0.02).

1.2 This test method also allows the determination of vapor pressure for crude oil samples having pour points above 15 °C provided the proper sample handling, transfer, and analysis procedures are followed.

1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific warning statements, see 7.2.1 – 7.3.2.