IS: 1448[P:lO]-1970

,( RealTimwd 1997 )
( Reaffirmed 2003 )

Indian Standard
METHODS OF TEST FOR
PETROLEUM AND ITS PRODUCTS
[P:lO]
CLOUD POINT AND POUR POINT

( First Revision)
Sixth Reprint DECEMBER 19%
UDC 665.6p 7 : 53642 1.2

Adaptcdfiom thejoint ASTMJP Stan&& No. ASTM D97/66-IP 15167

and ASTMD 2500166~IP 219167
1. SCOPE
1.1 These methods prescribe procedures for the determination of the cloud
point and pour point of petroleum products.
1.1.1 The method for cloud point ( Section I ) is intended for use only
on oils which are transparent in layers, 40 mm in thickness and have a
cloud point below 49°C.
1.1.2 The method for pour point ( Section II ) is intended for use on
any petroleum oil;
1.12.1 A special procedure suitable for the determination of pour
points of black oils, cylinder stock and non-distillate fuel oil is also
described in 8.9.
2. Y’ERMQWLOGY
2.0 For the purpose of this standard, the following definitions shall apply.
2.1 Glassd Point - That temperature, expnzssed as a multiple of 1“C, at
which a cloud or haze of wax crystals appears at the bottom of the test
jar when the oil is cooled under prescribed conditions.
2.2 Poar Poiot -The lowest tern ratsare, expressed as a multiple of
3”C, at which the oil is observed to 8”ow when cooled and examined under
prescribed conditions.
8 f&+ 1971
BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS
~~ANAK BHAVAN. 9 BAHADURSHAH 7AFAR MARG
Gr 2 NEWDELHI June 1971
IS: 14481 P: LOJ- 1970

3. OUTLINE OF METHODS
3.1 In the determination of the cloud point, the sample is cooled at a
specified rate and examined periodically. The temperature at which
haziness is first observed at the bottom of the test jar is noted and recorded
as the cloud point of the material.
3.2 In the determination of pour point, the sample is first heated and then
cooled at a specified rate. It is examined at intervals of 3°C for Bow
characteristics. The lowest temperature at which the oil is observed to
flow is noted and recorded as the pour point of the material.

4. APPARATUS
4.0 The apparatus consists of the following parts assembled as shown in
Fig. 1 and 2.
4.1 Test Jar - A cylindrical test jar of clear glass, flat bottom, 115 to
125 mm in height and 30 to 34 mm in inside diameter. In order to
indicate the sample height, the jar should be marked with a line 54 f 3 mm
above the inside bottom. The test jar shall be fitted with a cork bored
centrally to take the test thermometer.
4.2 Thermometers -Schedule Mark 2 and Schedule Mark 3 of
IS : 2480-1964* with the depth of immersion as 75 mm and with the
modification to have an expansion chamber to allow heating to 160%
shall be used.
4.2.1 For determination of pour points above 39”C, Schedule Mark 7
of IS : 2480-1964* may also be used.
NOTE- Since separation of the mercury or toluene thread of thermometers
occasionally occurs, and since sueb separation may otherwise escape immediate detec-
tion, it is recommended that the ice points of the thermometers be checked immediately
prior to the test. Any thermometer that shows an ice point differing from 0°C by
more than 1°C should be further e&mined or recalibrated, or both, before use.
4.3 Jacket - of glass or metal, water-tight, cylindrical in form and with
a flat bottom, about 115 mm in depth and with an inside diameter
10 to 12 mm greater than the outside diameter of the test jar.

4.4 Disc - of cork or felt 6 mm in thickness with the same diameter as

the inside of the jacket.
4.5 Gasket - A ring gasket. about 6 f 1 mm thick fitting snugly round
the outside of the test jar and loosely inside the jacket. It may be made
of cork, felt, or any other suitable material, elastic enough to cling to the
test jar and hard enough to hold its shape. The purpose of the ring
gasket is to prevent the test jar from touching the jacket.

*Specification for general purpose glass thermometers. (Since revised ).

2
 IS : I446 [ P : IO I- 1970

4.6 coo* Bath -of a size and shape convenient for obtaining the
required temperatures, and equipped with a support which will hold the
jacket firmly in a vertical position.

4.6.1 For determinations below 9”C, two or more baths are needed.

MERYOMETERS

I I /-TEST JAR

BATH

A 1 Internaldia of jacket to be 10 to 12 mm greaterthan outer dia of test jar.

AU dimensbns in millimetrca.

FIG. 1 APPARATUS
FOR CLOUD POINT TEST

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IS: 1448[P: IO]-I970

THERMOMETERS

1 /TEST JAR

CORK

GASKET\

A = In tcmal dia of jacket to be 10 to 12 mm greater than outer dia of testjar.

All dhakons in millimetres.
Fro. 2 APPARATUS FOR POUR POINTTEST

4.6.2 The required bath temperatures may be maintained by refrigera-

tion, if available. Alternatively, one of the following freezing mixtures
may be used in the bath:
Free&g hf ixture For Tempnatures Down to

Crushed ice and water 10°C

Crushed ice and sodium chloride - 12°C
crystals

4
 15:M48[P:10]-1970

Free.+g Mixture For Ttm#eraturrsDown to

Crushed ice and calcium chloride - 26OC
CryStEtlS
Solid carbon dioxide and acetone - 57°C
or petroleum naphtha
4.6.2.1 For making a freezing mixture of solid carbon dioxide and
acetone or petroleum naphtha, chill a suitable amount of acetone or
petroleum naphtha in a covered metal beaker to - 12OC or lower, by
means of an ice-salt mixture. Then add enough solid carbon dioxide to
the chilled acetone or petroleum naphtha to give t& desired temperature.
NOTE- If solid carbon dioxide ir not available, invert a cylinder of liquid carbon
dioxide and draw off carefully into a chamois skin bag the desired amount of carbon
dioxide which, through rapid evaporation, will quickly become solid.

SECTION I CLOUD POINT

5. PROCEDURE

5.1 Bring the oil sample to be tested to a temperature of at least 14°C

above the approximate cloud point. Remove any moisture resent by
any suitable method, such as by filtration through dry lintless & ter paper
until the oil is perfectly clear, but make such filtration at a temperature of
at least 14°C above the approximate cloud point.

5.2 Pour the clear oil into the test jar to the level mark of 51 to 57 mm.
5.3 Close the test jar tightly by the cork carrying suitable test therms-
meter. Adjust the position of the cork and the thermometer so that the
cork fits tightly, the thermometer and the jar are coaxial, and the thermo-
meter bulb is resting on the bottom of the jar.

5.4 Place the disc in the bottom of the jacket. Place the ring gasket
around the test jar 25 mm from the bottom. Insert the test jar in the jacket
making sure that the disc, gasket and the inside of the jacket are clean and
dry.
5.5 Maintain the bath temperature at - 1 to + 2OC. Support the jacket
containing the test jar firmly in a vertical position in the cooling bath so
that not more than 25 mm of the jacket projects out of the cooling medium.
5.6 At each test thermometer reading, that is a multiple of l”C, remove
the test jar from the jacket quickly but without disturbing the oil, inspect

5
 the material for cloud, and replace the test jar in the jacket; this complete
operation shall not take more than 3 seconds. If the sample does not
show a cloud when it has been cooled to WC, transfer the test jar to
another jacket in a second bath maintained at a temperature. of - 18 to
- 15°C. ( Do not transfer the jacket. ) If the sample does not show a
cloud when it has been cooled to - 7”C, trparrfer the test jar to another
jacket in a third bath maintained at a temperature of - 35 to - 32°C.
For the determination of very low cloud ‘ints, additional batha are
required, each one maintained at 17°C be p” ow the temperature of the
preceding bath. In each case transf~ the test jar when the temperature
of the oil reach a point 28°C above the temperature ofthe new bath. At
no time the cold test jar shall be placeddirectly in the cooling medium.

5.7 When such inspection first reveals a distinct cloudiness or haze in the
oil at the bottom of the test jar, record the reading of the test thermo-
meter as the cloud point.

NOTE - A wax cloud or hare ia always noted fint at the bottom of the test jar where
the temperature ia lowest. A slight haxe throughout the entire sample whichslowly
becomes more apparent as the temperature i lmvered, is usually due to traces of water
in the oil. Cenerally, this water haze will not interfere with the determination of wax
cloud point. In most casea of interference,filtration through dry lint.less tilter papers,
such aa described in 5.1 ia sufficient.

In cam of diesel fuels, however, if the haxe is very dense, a fresh portion of the
sample should be dried by shaking 199 ml with 5 g of anhydrous sodium sulphate for
at least 5 minutes and then f&ring through dry lintless filter paper. Given sufficient
contact time, this procedure will remove or sufficiently reduce the water haze so that
the wax cloud may be readily discerned.

Drying and filtering should be done always at a temperature at least 14°C above the
approximate cloud point but otherwise not in excess of 49°C. Remove moisture, if
present, by any suitable method a~ by filtration through dry lintless filter paper until
the oil is perkctly clear, but make such filtration at a temperature at least 14°C above
the approximate cloud point.

6. REPORTING

6.1 Report the temperature recorded in 5.7 and express to the nearest
degree Celsius, as the cloud point.

7. PRECISION

7.1 Results of duplicate tests shall not differ by more than the following:
Refieatability R+miucibi&,v

Gas oils 2°C 4°C

Other oils 6°C 6°C

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 IS: 1448 [P: IO] - I970

SECTION II POUR POINT

8. PROCEDURE

8.1 Pour the oil into the test jar to the level mark of 51 to 57 mm. If
necessary, heat the oil in a water-bath until it is just sufficiently fluid to
pour into the test jar.
- When it is knownthat a sample has been heated to some temperature higher
than 46 C durmg the proceedm 24 h or when the thermal history of the sample is not
kn::heat the sample to KU& and then keep it at room temperature for 24 h before

8.2 Close the test jar with the cork carrying the thermometer. Adjust the
position of the cork and the thermometer so the cork fits tightly, the
thermometer and the jar are coaxial, and the thermometer bulb is
immersed so that the beginning of the capillary is 3 mm below the surface
of the oil.
8.3 Subject the oil in the test jar to the following preliminary treatment:
4 OiLF Having Pour Points Between + 33°C and - 33°C - Heat the
oil without stirring to 46°C in a water-bath maintained at 48°C.
Cool the oil to 35°C in air or in a water-bath at approxi-
mately 25” C.
b) Oils Having Pour Points Above + 33”C- Heat the oil in a water-
bath without stirring to 46°C or to a temperature approximately
9% above the expected pour point, whichever is higher.
C>Oils Having Pour Points Below - 33°C - Heat the oil without
stirring to a temperature of 46°C in a water-bath maintained
at 48°C. Cool to 15°C in a water-bath maintained at 7°C.
8.4 Place the disc in the bottom of the jacket. Place the ring gasket
around the test jar, 25 mm from the bottom. The disc, gasket, and inside
of the jacket shall be clean and dry. Insert the test jar in the jacket.
8.5 Maintain the bath temperature at - 1 to + 2°C. Support the
jacket, containing the test jar, firmly in a vertical position in the cooling
g;ii,; that not more than 25 mm of Jacket projects out of the cooling
.
8.6 After the oil has cooled enough to allow the formation of paraffin wax
crystals, take great care not to disturb the mass of the oil nor permit the
thermometer to shift in the oil, any disturbance of the spongy net work of
wax crystals will lead to low and fictitious results.
8.7 Beginning at a temperature 9°C above the expected pour point in case
of oils with pour point above 39°C and for other oils at a temperature
12% above the expected pour point, at each test thermometer reading

7
IS : 1448 [ P : IO ] - 1970

which is a multiple of 3”C, remove the jar from the jacket carefully xnd
tilt it enough to ascertain whether there is a movement of the oil ix. the
test jar. The complete operation of removal and replacement shall not
take more than 3 seconds. If the oil has not ceased to flow when it has
been cooled to 9”C, transfer the test jar to another jacket in a second bath
maintained at a temperature of - 18 to - 15OC. ( The jacket may be
left in the bath or transferred with the test jar ). If the oil has not ceased
to flow when it has been cooled to -6”C, transfer the test jar to another
jacket in a third bath maintained at a temperature of -35” to -32OC.
For the determination of very low pour points, additional baths are
required, each bath to be maintained at 17°C below the temperature of
the preceding bath. In each case, transfer the test jar when the tempera-
ture of the oil reaches a Roint 27OC above the temperature of the new
bath. Never place the cold test jar directly into the cooling medium. As
soon as the sample in the test jar does not flow when the jar is tilted, hold
the test jar in a horizontal position for exactly 5 seconds as noted by a
stop watch or other accurate timing device, and observe carefully. If the
sample shows any movement under these conditions, replace the test jar
immediately in the jacket and repeat the test for flow at next temperature
3°C lower.
8.8 Continue the test in this manner until a point is reached at which the
oil in the test jq shows no movement when the test jar is held in a
horizontal position for exactly 5 seconds. Record the observed reading of
the test thermometer.
8.9 For black oil, cylinder stock, and non-distillate fuel oil, the result
obtained by the procedure described in 8.1 to 8.8 is the upper ( maximum )
pour point. If r+ired, deteetmine the lower ( minimum ) pour point by
heating the sample with stirring to 105”C, pouring it into the jar, cooling
it to 36% as before++nd determining the pour point as described in 8.1
f0 8.8.
9. GALCULATIO~ AND REPOFTING
9.1 Add 3°C to the temperature recorded in 8.8 and report the result as
the pour point. For black oil, cylinder stocks and non-distillate fuel oil,
report the result as upper pour point or lower pour point as required.
10.PRECISION
10.1Results of duplicate tests shall not diier by more than the following:
Rcpcotcrbil~ty Itqmdwibiriry
3°C 6°C
10.2 The pour poine of black oils, cylinder stocks and non-distillate fuel .
oils ( determined in 8.9 ) may show greater variations depending on the
previous thermal history of the sampk.
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Reprogrbphy Unit, BIS, New Delhi, India