PET 309E – Fluid and Rock Properties Lab.

1|6
The Flash and Fire Point of Crude Oil

The Flash and Fire Point of Crude Oil

The flash and fire points are used for determining the fire hazard of fuels and oils being stored or
transported and of oil-contaminated land, underground, sea, and lakes. Therefore, they are used as
main criteria in the regulation of transportation and storage of petroleum and its products.

One of the diagnostic tools used to determine the size and capacity of flammable liquid storage tank
vents to accommodate normal and emergency conditions of tanks is flash point. For example; pressure-
vacuum valves are recommended for ventilation of storage tanks for the oil with flash point below
100°F. On the other hand, open holes can be used for the oil with flash point above 100°F. (API
Petroleum Safety Data 2210, Flame Arrester for Tank Vents).

Light oils such as gasoline can ignite easily under some conditions and causes serious hazards in case of
oil contamination. Additionally, spilled crude oil can also cause a serious hazard since light components
of crude oil are vaporized initially and their flash points are low.

FLASH POINT is defined as the lowest temperature corrected to a barometric pressure of 101.3 kPa (760
mmHg), at which application of an ignition source causes the vapors of a specimen of the sample to
ignite under specific conditions of the test.

FIRE POINT is defined as the lowest temperature corrected to a barometric pressure of 101.3 kPa (760
mmHg), at which application of an ignition source causes the vapors of a specimen of the sample to
ignite and sustain burning for minimum 5 s under specific conditions of the test.

Briefly; when a liquid hydrocarbon is subjected to an ignition source, firstly an instant flashing occurs
and then starts to burn continuously. Flash point is the lowest temperature that the first instant flashing
occurs, and fire point is the lowest temperature that burning proceeds steadily at standard conditions.

APPARATUS used in the Experiment:

• Cleveland Open Cup Apparatus
− Test cup
− Heating plate
− Test flame applicator
• Thermometer
• Energy source (LPG tube)
• Cleaning solvents
PET 309E – Fluid and Rock Properties Lab. 2|6
The Flash and Fire Point of Crude Oil

METHODS used for the Experiment:

Note: This test method is applicable to all petroleum products with flash points above 79°C (175°F) and
below 400°C (752°F) except fuel oils.

Determination of FLASH and FIRE POINT by CLEVELAND OPEN CUP APPARATUS

1. Take a sample of hydrocarbon liquid that its properties are not known. Record the identity of
this sample in the raw data sheet.
2. Fill the test cup with the hydrocarbon sample (the top of the meniscus of the test specimen is
level with the filling mark). If too much test specimen has been added to the cup, remove the
excess using a syringe or similar device for withdrawal of liquid. However, if there is a test
specimen on the outside of the test cup, empty, clean, and refill it.
3. Destroy any air bubbles or foam on the surface of the test specimen with a sharp knife or other
suitable device and maintain the required level of the test specimen. If a foam persists during
final stages of the test, terminate the test and disregard any results.
4. Position the test cup in the center of the heating plate.
5. The temperature of the test cup and the sample shall not exceed 56°C (100°F) below the
expected flash point.
6. Support the thermometer in a vertical position with the bottom of thermometer located 6-7
mm up from the bottom of the inside of the test cup and located at a point halfway between
center and the side of the test cup, a diameter perpendicular to the arc (or line) of the sweep of
the test flame, and on the side opposite to the test flame applicator mounting position.
7. Light the test flame applicator by connecting energy source (LPG tube).
8. Start to heat test specimen. Apply heat initially at such a rate that the temperature as indicated
by the thermometer increases 14 to 17°C/min.
9. When the test specimen temperature is approximately 56°C (100°F) below the expected flash
point, decrease the heat rate that the temperature increases 5 to 6°C/min.
10. During the last 28°C (50°F) rise in temperature prior to the expected flash point, care shall be
taken to avoid disturbing the vapors in the test cup with rapid movements or breathing near the
test cup.
11. When a foam persists on top of the test specimen during the last the last 28°C (50°F) rise in
temperature prior to the expected flash point, terminate the test and disregard any results.
12. Meticulous attention to all details relating to the test flame, the size of the test flame, rate of
temperature increase, and rate of passing the test flame over the test specimen is required for
proper results.
13. Apply the test flame when the temperature of the test specimen is approximately 28°C below
the expected flash point and repeat the flame application every 2°C temperature increment.
14. When testing a sample whose expected flash point temperature is not known, bring the test
specimen in a test cup to a temperature no greater than 50°C (122°F). If the temperature of the
test specimen in a test cup is greater than 50°C (122°F), decrease the temperature to that
PET 309E – Fluid and Rock Properties Lab. 3|6
The Flash and Fire Point of Crude Oil

temperature. Apply the test flame at least 5°C (9°F) above the starting temperature. Continue
heating the test specimen at a rate of 5 to 6°C/min and testing the test specimen every 2°C until
the flash point is obtained.
15. Record, as the observed flash point, the reading on the thermometer at the time the test flame
causes a distinct flash in the interior of the test cup.

Note: The application of the test flame can cause a blue halo or an enlarged flame prior to the actual
flash point. This is not a flash point and shall be ignored

16. To determine the fire point, continue heating the test specimen after recording the flash point
such that the test specimen temperature increases at a rate of 5 to 6°C/min. Continue the
application of the test flame at 2°C intervals until the test specimen ignites and sustains burning
for a minimum of 5 s. Record the temperature reading as the observed fire point of the test
specimen.
17. Turn off the energy source (LPG tube) and heater safely.
18. Allow the apparatus to cool down to safe handling temperature.
19. Clean and dry the thermometer and test apparatus, and make them ready to use for another
user.

CALCULATIONS and RESULTS:

Observe and record the ambient barometric pressure at the time of test. If the pressure differs from
101.3 kPa (760mmHg), correct the flash point or fire point, or both, as follows:

Corrected temperature = C + 0.25 (101.3 - K)

Corrected temperature = C + 0.033 (760 - P)
Corrected temperature = F + 0.06 (760 - P)

where; C : observed temperature, °C

F : observed temperature, °F
P : ambient barometric pressure, mmHg
K : ambient barometric pressure, kPa
PET 309E – Fluid and Rock Properties Lab. 4|6
The Flash and Fire Point of Crude Oil

LABORATORY REPORT:

1. Prepare your report considering doing this experiment for a private company.
2. The raw data sheet must be added to your report.
3. The report must contain the discussion of the limitations of the test method applied during the
experiment, and the comments on the results obtained.
4. An example of how to report the results to the company have shown below.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PDGM Petroleum Company

Fluid and Rock Properties Lab.

TURKEY OIL COMPANY

Head of Fluid Evaluation Department

Date : 24.11.2020
Subject: The results of Flash and Fire Point Test for the oil sample taken from Plenty of Hydrocarbon Oil
Field.

Regarding your petition which has the record number of 50-03/28R/29 and the date of 17.11.2020, flash
and fire point test of the oil sample you send is performed and the results obtained are presented in
Attachment-I.

Sincerely,

Manager of Fluid and Rock Properties Lab.

Attachments:

1. Test results
2. Raw data sheet
PET 309E – Fluid and Rock Properties Lab. 5|6
The Flash and Fire Point of Crude Oil

PDGM Petroleum Company

Fluid and Rock Properties Lab.
Sedimentary Rock Street, 126
Maslak-Istanbul / Turkey

Sample Data:

Laboratory No
Sample No
Sample Type
Location of Sampled

Date of Sampled (hour, day, month, year)

Sample Amount
Date of Test (hour, day, month, year)

Results:

Measured Data Unit Result Method Applied

Observations and Suggestions:

(Write the limitations and specifications of test method applied and your comments on the results
obtained)
PET 309E – Fluid and Rock Properties Lab. 6|6
The Flash and Fire Point of Crude Oil

Name, Surname : .....................................................................

Faculty ID Number : .....................................................................
Group : .....................................................................
Date : .....................................................................

RAW DATA SHEET

Flash and Fire Point of Crude Oil

Ambient Temperature, °C (°F): --------------------- Ambient Pressure, mmHg : ----------------------

Determination of FLASH and FIRE POINT by CLEVELAND OPEN CUP METHOD

Measurements
Experiment No
Flash Point Fire Point Atmospheric Pressure

Lab. Coordinator Name, Surname:

Date:

Signature: