Basic Petroleum Engineering Science 1st year DAE student Manual (PET-112)

Chapter # 4 Physical Properties of Hydrocarbon

Physical Properties of Hydrocarbon

Density; It is defined as the mass of substance to the volume of substance is called density. It is denoted by rho( ). The S.I unit is kg/m3. D= m/v = kg/m3 = M/L3

Specific Gravity; It is defined as the ratio between two densities, the density of given substance to the density of reference substance. It is unitless parameter. For liquid, water will be reference density, and for Gases, air will be reference density. Specific gravity is measure by an instrument Hydrometer. SG= density of substance/ reference density Solubility; The amount of solute that can be added into solvent and make saturated solution at a given temperature and pressure is called Solubility. Factor Affecting of Solubility. solubility of solids, liquid solute increase as temperature increase. solubility of gases, solute decrease as temperature increase. solubility of gases, solute increase as pressure increases. pressure does not affect on solid and liquid. Viscosity The viscosity of a fluid is a measure of its internal resistance to flow. Viscosity depends on temperature and decreases as the temperature increases. Any numerical value for viscosity has no meaning unless the temperature is also specified. Viscosity is measured in Stokes / Centistokes. Sometimes viscosity is also quoted in Engler, Saybolt or Redwood. Each type of oil has its own temperature - viscosity relationship. The measurement of viscosity is made with an instrument called Viscometer.

Equilibrium Vapor Pressure

When a volatile liquid is stored in an open container the liquid eventually evaporates, leaving the container empty. In contrast, if a liquid is stored in a sealed container, the liquid will evaporate while the vapor re-condenses simultaneously. The equilibrium vapor pressure is the pressure exerted by the vapor when equilibrium between vaporization and condensation is reached. It is a measure of the volatility of a compound, i.e. the tendency of its molecules to escape from the liquid phase and enter the vapor phase at a given temperature. Vapor pressure is measured in the standard units of pressure. The International System of Units (SI) recognizes pressure as a derived unit with the dimension of force per area and designates the pascal (Pa) as its standard unit. One pascal is one newton per square meter (Nm2 or kgm1s2).

Reid vapor pressure (RVP)

Reid vapor pressure (RVP) is a common measure of the volatility of gasoline. It is defined as the absolute vapor pressure exerted by a liquid at 100 F (37.8 C) as determined by the test method ASTM-D-323. The test method applies to volatile crude oil and volatile nonviscous petroleum liquids, except liquified petroleum gases. Note; The RVP of Gasoline should always below 14.7 psi.

By; M.SHAKAIB QUREHI AWAIS RAZA QURESHI

Basic Petroleum Engineering Science 1st year DAE student Manual (PET-112)

Chapter # 4 Physical Properties of Hydrocarbon

Specific Heat Capacity

The amount of heat required to raise its temperature through one degree is called specific heat capacity. It is mathematically expressed as;

C=Q/mT
The unit of Specific heat capacity is kcal/kg.C

Heat of Combustion
The heat of combustion of a substance is the change in enthalpy of the system when one gram mole of substance is completely oxidized. As for example, the heat of combustion of methane is -21,000 cal as shown by reaction

CH4 + 2O2 ------------------------ CO2 + 2H2O H = -21,000 Latent Heat

The quantity of heat absorbed or released by a substance undergoing a change of state, such as ice changing to water or water to steam, at constant temperature and pressure. or The amount of heat which can changes the phase of matter is called latent heat.

Crude Oil Properties

Some of the most important physical properties of crude oil include:
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API(American Petroleum Institute) API = (141.5/SG 15oF) 131.5 The purpose of this equation was to extend the range of the specific gravity scale. Crude oil SG changes, although small, may be important. Crude Oils oAPI = 10 50 Higher oAPI, more paraffinic crude, higher yields of gasoline. Lower oAPI, more aromatic crude, lower yields of gasoline. Viscosity Resistance to flow, usually measured at 100oF in centistokes (kinematic viscosity) Pour Point Measured by ASTM D-97 temperature at which oil ceases to flow. Diesel may contain waxes, smaller than candle wax, which could solidify in cold weather. Flash Point Temperature above which the oil will spontaneously combust. Fractions in vacuum tower are the least combustible. They are the heaviest. Vapor Pressure Measured by ASTM D-323. Also know as Reid vapor pressure (RVP). True vapor pressure is usually 5-9% > RVP
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By; M.SHAKAIB QUREHI AWAIS RAZA QURESHI

Basic Petroleum Engineering Science 1st year DAE student Manual (PET-112) Carbon Residue The solid residue (%wt) remaining after heating to coking temperatures (700-800oC) ASTM D-524 Ramsbottom Carbon ASTM D-189 Conradson Carbon CCR incr. then Asphaltene incr. Salt Content Measured by ASTM 3230 (lb NaCl/1000 bbl) Desalting is necessary because NaCl content > 10 lbs/1000 bbl leads to corrosion Metals Measured by EPA Method 3040 These include Ni, V, Ag, Hg, Na, and Ca. Metals can cause catalyst deactivation and corrosion. Sediment and Water Measured by ASTM D 96 These inorganic particles can lead to operational problems. Acidity Measured by ASTM 664 Sulfur Measured by ASTM D 129, 1552, 2622 Sour crudes > 0.5 wt% and sweet crudes < 0.5 wt%. Today it is difficult to find crudes below 1% sulfur.

Chapter # 4 Physical Properties of Hydrocarbon

By; M.SHAKAIB QUREHI AWAIS RAZA QURESHI