LimsPulse
Petroleum testing

Cloud and Pour Point Apparatus

Cools a fuel or oil in a standard glass test jar through a series of cold baths and examines it at set intervals. The cloud point is where wax crystals first appear; the pour point is the lowest temperature at which the sample still flows.

  • Petroleum refining
  • Lubricant blending
  • Fuel distribution in cold climates
  • Crude oil production and pipelines
  • Independent testing laboratories
Illustration of Cloud and Pour Point Apparatus
TROUBLESHOOTING

Common problems, causes and fixes

Cloud point too high (haze seen early)
Likely causes
  • • Water in sample freezing
  • • Dirty or scratched jar bottom
  • • Condensation on outside of jar
What to do
  • • Dry the sample
  • • Use a clean, unscratched jar
  • • Wipe the jar quickly with a dry lint-free cloth before looking
Pour point too low
Likely causes
  • • Jar handled roughly, breaking the wax structure
  • • Inspections too frequent or too long
  • • Insufficient pre-heating
What to do
  • • Tilt gently and only as required
  • • Keep each check within 3 s
  • • Pre-heat to the specified temperature
Bath cannot reach low temperature
Likely causes
  • • Refrigerant low or compressor fault
  • • Coolant contaminated with water
  • • Lid not fitted
What to do
  • • Service refrigeration
  • • Replace coolant
  • • Keep baths covered
Results disagree between operators
Likely causes
  • • Different judgement of first haze or movement
  • • Thermometer not at correct depth
What to do
  • • Train together using reference samples
  • • Set thermometer position with a gauge
In LimsPulse · Calibration Management

Keep every Cloud & pour point tester in control: usage logs, calibration and maintenance schedules, and automatic blocking of overdue instruments.

See how