This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what

changes have been made to the previous version. Because

it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.

Designation: D1835 − 12 D1835 − 13

Standard Specification for

Liquefied Petroleum (LP) Gases1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1835; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope*
1.1 This specification covers those products commonly referred to as liquefied petroleum gases, consisting of propane, propene
(propylene), butane, and mixtures of these materials. Four basic types of liquefied petroleum gases are provided to cover the
common use applications.
1.2 This specification is applicable to products intended for use as domestic, commercial and industrial heating, and engine
fuels.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are provided for information
only.
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.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:2
iTeh Standards
D1265 Practice for Sampling Liquefied Petroleum (LP) Gases, Manual Method

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D1267 Test Method for Gage Vapor Pressure of Liquefied Petroleum (LP) Gases (LP-Gas Method)
D1657 Test Method for Density or Relative Density of Light Hydrocarbons by Pressure Hydrometer
D1837 Test Method for Volatility of Liquefied Petroleum (LP) Gases
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D1838 Test Method for Copper Strip Corrosion by Liquefied Petroleum (LP) Gases
D2158 Test Method for Residues in Liquefied Petroleum (LP) Gases
D2163 Test Method for Analysis of Liquefied Petroleum (LP) Gases and Propene Concentrates by Gas Chromatography
D2420 Test Method for Hydrogen Sulfide in LiquefiedASTM D1835-13
Petroleum (LP) Gases (Lead Acetate Method)
D2598 Practice for Calculation of Certain Physical Properties of Liquefied Petroleum (LP) Gases from Compositional Analysis
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D2713 Test Method for Dryness of Propane (Valve Freeze Method)
D2784 Test Method for Sulfur in Liquefied Petroleum Gases (Oxy-Hydrogen Burner or Lamp)
D3700 Practice for Obtaining LPG Samples Using a Floating Piston Cylinder
D5504 Test Method for Determination of Sulfur Compounds in Natural Gas and Gaseous Fuels by Gas Chromatography and
Chemiluminescence
D5623 Test Method for Sulfur Compounds in Light Petroleum Liquids by Gas Chromatography and Sulfur Selective Detection
D6667 Test Method for Determination of Total Volatile Sulfur in Gaseous Hydrocarbons and Liquefied Petroleum Gases by
Ultraviolet Fluorescence
D6897 Test Method for Vapor Pressure of Liquefied Petroleum Gases (LPG) (Expansion Method)
D7756 Test Method for Residues in Liquefied Petroleum (LP) Gases by Gas Chromatography with Liquid, On-Column Injection
D7828 Test Method for Determination of Residue Composition in Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Using Automated Thermal
Desorption/Gas Chromatography (ATD/GC)
2.2 Gas Processors Association Standard:3
GPA Standard 2140 Liquefied Petroleum Gas Specifications and Test Methods

1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum Products and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D02.H0
on Liquefied Petroleum Gas.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2012May 1, 2013. Published March 2013May 2013. Originally approved in 1961. Last previous edition approved in 20112012 as
D1835–11.–12. DOI: 10.1520/D1835–12.10.1520/D1835-13.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
Available from Gas Processors Association, 6526 E. 60th St., Tulsa, OK 74145. www.gasprocessors.com

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

1
 D1835 − 13
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 commercial butane, n—a hydrocarbon product for use where low volatility is required.

TABLE 1 Detailed Requirements for Liquefied Petroleum Gases

Product Type
ASTM Test
Commercial Commercial Commercial Special-Duty
Methods (see
Propane Butane PB Mixtures PropaneA
Section 2)
Vapor pressure at 37.8°C (100°F), max
B
kPa 1434 483 1434 D1267 or D2598 or
D6897C
B
psig 208 70 208 D1267 or D2598 or
D6897C

Volatile residue:
evaporated temperature, 95 %, max
°C −38.3 2.2 2.2 −38.3
°F −37 36 36 −37 D1837
or
Butane and heavier, max, vol % 2.5 ... ... 2.5 D2163
Pentane and heavier, max, vol % ... 2.0 2.0 ... D2163
Propylene content, max, vol % ... ... ... 5.0 D2163

Residual matter:D
Residue on evaporation of 100 mL, 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 D2158
max, mL
E E E E
Oil stain observation pass pass pass pass D2158

Density at 15°C or relative density at

15.6/15.6°C (60/60°F)
iTeh Standards
F F F
... D1657 or D2598

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Corrosion, copper, strip No. 1 No. 1 No. 1 No. 1 D1838G
Sulfur, mg/kg (ppm mass) 185H 140H 140H 123H D2784 or D6667I
Hydrogen sulfide pass pass pass pass D2420

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Moisture content pass ... ... pass D2713
Free water content ... noneJ noneJ ... ...
A
Equivalent to Propane HD-5 of GPA Standard 2140.
B
The permissible vapor pressures of products classified as PB mixtures shall not exceed 1430 kPa (208 psig) and additionally shall not exceed that calculated from the
following relationship between the observed vapor pressure and the observed relative density:
ASTM D1835-13
Vapor pressure,max 5 1167 2 1880 srelative density at 60/60°Fd or 1167 2 1880 srelative density at 15.6/15.6°Cd
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A specific mixture shall be designated by the vapor pressure at 100°F in pounds per square inch gage. To comply with the designation, the vapor pressure of the mixture
shall be within +0 to −10 psi of the vapor pressure specified.
C
In case of dispute about the vapor pressure of a product, the value actually determined by Test Method D1267 shall prevail over the value calculated by Practice D2598
or measured by Test Method D6897.
D
See X1.2.4 for information about residues in LPG and for information about a gas chromatographic testtests for residues in LPG.
E
An acceptable product shall not yield a persistent oil ring when 0.3 mL of solvent residue mixture is added to a filter paper, in 0.1-mL increments and examined in daylight
after 2 min as described in Test Method D2158.
F
Although not a specific requirement, the density or relative density can be needed for other purposes and should be reported. Additionally, the relative density of PB
mixture is needed to establish the permissible maximum vapor pressure (see Footnote B).
G
This method may not accurately determine the presence of reactive materials (for example, H2S, So) in liquefied petroleum gas if the product contains corrosion inhibitors
or other chemicals which diminish the reaction with the copper strip.
H
The total sulfur limits in these specifications do include sulfur compounds used for stenching purposes.
I
Test Method D6667 may be used as an alternative means of sulfur measurement for LPG samples within the range that has been validated in Test Method D6667.
J
The presence or absence of water may be determined by visual inspection of the samples on which the density or relative density is determined.

3.1.2 commercial PB mixtures, n—mixtures of propane and butane for use where intermediate volatility is required.
3.1.3 commercial propane, n—a hydrocarbon product for use where high volatility is required. Commercial propane is suitable
for certain low severity internal combustion engine applications.
3.1.4 special-duty propane, n—a product composed chiefly of propane which exhibits superior antiknock characteristics and
was specifically developed for use as fuel in spark ignition internal combustion engines.

4. Sampling
4.1 Proper sampling of liquefied gases is extremely important if the test results are to be significant. Obtain representative
samples in accordance with Practice D1265 or Practice D3700. In the event of a dispute involving sample integrity when sampling
for testing against D1835 requirements, Practice D3700 shall be used as the referee sampling procedure.

2
 D1835 − 13
5. Detailed Requirements
5.1 The four types of liquefied petroleum gases shall conform to the requirements prescribed in Table 1.

6. Keywords
6.1 butane; HD-5 propane; liquefied petroleum (LP) gases specifications; LPG; propane; special duty propane

APPENDIX

(Nonmandatory Information)

X1. SIGNIFICANCE OF ASTM SPECIFICATIONS FOR LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM (LP) GASES

X1.1 General

X1.1.1 Liquefied petroleum gas products are composed of those readily liquefiable hydrocarbon compounds that are produced in
the course of processing natural gas and also in the course of the conventional refining of crude oil. The composition of liquefied
gases can vary widely depending upon the source and the nature of the treatment to which the products have been subjected.

X1.1.2 There are many uses for liquefied petroleum gases. Important uses include, (1) as domestic, commercial, and industrial
fuels, (2) as a carbon source material in metal treating operations, ( 3) as refinery raw materials for synthesis of gasoline
components, and (4) as petrochemical raw materials. The nature of the needs dictates the required composition characteristics in
these various applications. Since the last three uses of those listed are in the category of specialty applications, which involve
iTeh Standards
special requirements, they are excluded from consideration in the specifications.

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X1.1.3 In substance, this specification is designed to properly define acceptable products for domestic, commercial, and industrial
uses. In many cases it will be found that products meeting the specifications will also be usable in applications other than the ones

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for which they were designed. The following can be accepted as a general guide in the more common use applications of the four
types of fuels:

X1.1.3.1 Commercial Propane—This fuel type is adequate for domestic, commercial, and industrial use, particularly in
geographical areas and in seasons where low ambientASTM D1835-13
temperatures are common, and where uniformity of fuel is an important
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consideration. Commercial propane can be suitable for certain low severity internal combustion engine applications.

X1.1.3.2 Commercial PB Mixtures—This fuel type, since it covers a broad range of mixtures, permits the tailoring of fuels to
specific needs. The various mixtures find application as domestic, commercial, and industrial fuel in areas and at times when low
ambient temperature conditions are not encountered. This fuel type is not suitable for vapor withdrawal applications in cool or cold
climates.

X1.1.3.3 Commercial Butane—This fuel type finds limited application as a domestic fuel in areas of warmer climates. It is
similarly used in industrial applications where problems of fuel vaporization are not present, such as direct liquid injection.

X1.1.3.4 Special-Duty Propane—This fuel type, equivalent to HD-5 propane, is a product tailored to meet the restrictive needs
of internal combustion engines operating under moderate to high engine severity (that is, normal automotive applications). Fuel
products of this type will be less variable in composition and combustion characteristics than the other products covered by this
specification. Special-Duty Propane can be used as a substitute for Commercial Propane.

X1.2 Significance and Use

X1.2.1 This specification addresses commercial liquefied petroleum gases consisting of either propane or butane or mixtures
thereof. Consequently, the important characteristics of these products can be defined and controlled by a relatively few simple
measurements. The specification test methods provided achieve the desired results. The significance of the various tests as they
can apply to consumer problems is summarized here.

X1.2.2 Vapor Pressure, Volatility, and [Relative] Density: