is the method for determining the full range of
volatility characteristics of a
hydrocarbon liquid by progressively boiling
off (evaporating) a sample under controlled heating. Initial boiling
point (IBP) is the fluid temperature at which the first drop falls into
a graduated cylinder after being condensed in a condenser connected to a
distillation flask. Mid-boiling point (MBP) is the temperature at
which 50% of the fluid has collected in the cylinder. Dry point is
the temperature at which the last drop of fluid disappears from the bottom
of the distillation flask. Final boiling point (FBP) is the highest
temperature observed. Front-end volatility and tail-end volatility
are the amounts of test sample that evaporate, respectively, at the low and
high temperature ranges. If the boiling range is small, the fluid is said to
be narrow cut, that is, having components with similar volatilities;
if the boiling range is wide, the fluid is termed wide cut.
Distillation may be carried out by several ASTM test methods, including
ASTM-D-86, D-850,
D-1078, and
D-1160.
Application
Notes:
