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API Gravity Lab 1

This document describes a laboratory experiment to determine the API gravity of petroleum liquids using the hydrometer method. It provides background on density and API gravity. The procedure involves using a hydrometer and thermometer to measure the specific gravity and temperature of samples, then calculating API gravity using a formula. Kerosene, gasoline, diesel/lube oil, and crude oil were tested. Gasoline had the highest API gravity and diesel/lube oil had the lowest, with kerosene and crude oil in between. The document also includes data, calculations, and safety precautions.

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108 views4 pages

API Gravity Lab 1

This document describes a laboratory experiment to determine the API gravity of petroleum liquids using the hydrometer method. It provides background on density and API gravity. The procedure involves using a hydrometer and thermometer to measure the specific gravity and temperature of samples, then calculating API gravity using a formula. Kerosene, gasoline, diesel/lube oil, and crude oil were tested. Gasoline had the highest API gravity and diesel/lube oil had the lowest, with kerosene and crude oil in between. The document also includes data, calculations, and safety precautions.

Uploaded by

Justin
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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UNIVERSITY OF TRINIDAD & TOBAGO

Course Code: INCT2002

Laboratory Experiment
A.P.I. Gravity- Hydrometer Method (modified A.S.T.M D287)

1.0 TITLE: To determine the A.P.I. Gravity of petroleum liquids using the hydrometer
method.

2.0 BACKGROUND INFORMATION:


2.1 DENSITY is the ratio of the weight of a given material to the volume occupied by
that material.

OR

Where: ρ, DENSITY is measured in grams per cubic centimeter g/cm3 (g/mL)


m, MASS is measured in grams, g
v, VOLUME is measured in milliliters, mL

2.2 A.P.I GRAVITY: the American Petroleum Institute has arbitrarily defined the
following density of gravity concept

NB. To derive the API gravity from the density or specific gravity, the density is first
measured using the hydrometer.

An inverse measure used to determine the weight of petroleum liquids in comparison to


water is known as API gravity, which is abbreviated as API. A liquid is considered a light
oil that floats on water if its API gravity is greater than 10. The liquid will sink and be
classified as heavy oil if its API gravity is less than 10. Even though API gravity is
primarily used to compare and contrast the relative densities of petroleum liquids, it
primarily measures the relative densities of water and petroleum liquids.
API gravity doesn't have any dimensions in math. However, a hydrometer instrument is
used to grade the measurement in degrees. The majority of petroleum liquids will be
classified between 10 and 70 API gravity degrees as a result of a strategic API scale
design.

August 2009
3.0 APPARATUS AND MATERIAL
Relative Density glass hydrometers
Glass thermometers, general purpose in ˚C
250 ml graduated cylinders
Paper towels

4.0 PROCEDURE
4.1 Obtain a sample for measurement and pour the sample, without splashing of
spilling, into a 250ml graduated cylinder. Fill about 80% full to allow the liquid to
rise once the hydrometer is inserted.
4.2 Lower the glass hydrometer gently into the fluid and allow it to float vertically
and away from the cylinder walls. Sometimes spinning the hydrometer will centre
it and get rid of any air bubbles that could cause false readings.
4.3 The hydrometer scale is read to the nearest scale division. The correct reading is
the point on the hydrometer scale at which the liquid cuts the scale, when viewed
with a horizontal line of sight. For opaque or dark liquids, the eye level has to be
above the liquid surface and the reading requires a correction. For S.G readings
add 0.001 to the observed result.
4.4 The temperature of the sample should be measured before a dafter the test to the
nearest 0.5˚C. If the temperature has changed, average the results and report to the
nearest degree Celsius.
4.5 Remove the thermometer and hydrometer and dry with paper towel. Store
horizontally. Remember to dispose of paper towels in a proper waste container.

5.0 Laboratory Report


5.1 As per Report Format
5.2 Fill in the data table and complete all calculations
5.3 Answer the following:
5.3.1 A high API gravity will give a low specific gravity value.
5.3.2 Using the appropriate formula convert an API gravity reading of
63.5 at 15˚C to a density at 15˚C in g/cm3 and kg/m3.
Using the formula
141.5/ (131.5 + API gravity)
=141.5/ (131.5 +63.5)
=0.7231 g/cm3
=7.231x10-4 kg/m3.
5.3.3 If a sample had an API gravity of 63.5 at 15.6˚C, then this sample
would be a sample of Gasoline.

August 2009
6.0 DATA SHEET
Results Table
Calculated Specific
Measured Specific
Gravity at 15.6 degrees C
Gravity at ambient Calculated API
Description of (consult relative density
Temperature Gravity at 15.6
Sample tables)
degrees C
S.G. TEMP S.G. TEMP

Kerosene 0.800  200C  0.8031  60.08 44.69 


Gasoline  0.760    200C  0.7675   60.08  52.86
Diesel/Lube Oil 0.850   200C   0.8529  60.08   34.40
Crude Oil 0.805   200C   0.8081  60.08  43.60 

A.P.I. gravity was calculated using this formula

Eg. A.P.I. of Kerosene = (141.5/0.8031)-131.5


= 44.69

Discussion
In this lab the A.P.I gravity of petroleum liquids using the hydrometer method was found.
The first sample was of petroleum was Kerosene the specific gravity at ambient
temperature of 20°C/68°F was found to be 0.800 and using the relative density tables the
Specific gravity at 15.6°C/60.08°F was found to be 0.8031. Using these values, the A.P.I
gravity at 15.6°C/60.08°C was found to be 44.69.
The second sample was of petroleum was Gasoline the specific gravity at ambient
temperature of 20°C/68°F was found to be 0.760 and using the relative density tables the
Specific gravity at 15.6°C/60.08°F was found to be 0.7675. Using these values, the A.P.I
gravity at 15.6°C/60.08°C was found to be 52.86.
The Third sample was of petroleum was Diesel/Lube Oil the specific gravity at ambient
temperature of 20°C/68°F was found to be 0.850 and using the relative density tables the
Specific gravity at 15.6°C/60.08°F was found to be 0.8529. Using these values, the A.P.I
gravity at 15.6°C/60.08°C was found to be 34.40.
The last sample was of petroleum was Crude Oil the specific gravity at ambient
temperature of 20°C/68°F was found to be 0.805 and using the relative density tables the
Specific gravity at 15.6°C/60.08°F was found to be 0.8081. Using these values, the A.P.I
gravity at 15.6°C/60.08°C was found to be 44.60.

From these results we can see that that Gasoline had the highest A.P.I value because it
also had the lowest specific gravity, and Diesel/Lube Oil had the Lowest A.P.I gravity
because it had the highest Specific gravity. Kerosene and Crude oil had almost the same
specific gravity value therefore they had around the same A.P.I gravity values with
Kerosene having a slightly higher value of A.P.I gravity.

August 2009
Precautions
1. The hydrometer was read at eye level to avoid parallax error.
2. The Thermometer was read at eye level to avoid parallax error.
3. It was ensured that the hydrometer didn’t touch the glass of the cylinder.

Conclusion
The A.P.I. gravity of petroleum liquids using the hydrometer method was done
successfully with the following results:
Kerosene=44.69
Gasoline=52.86
Diesel/Lube Oil=34.40
Crude Oil=43.60

August 2009

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