LimsPulse
Petroleum testing

Atmospheric Distillation Apparatus

Distils 100 mL of a fuel from a flask at a controlled rate and records the vapour temperature as each volume is collected. The resulting curve (IBP, T10, T50, T90, FBP) describes how the fuel evaporates.

  • Petroleum refining
  • Fuel terminals and retail quality control
  • Aviation fuel quality
  • Solvent manufacture
  • Independent testing laboratories
Photo of a Atmospheric Distillation Apparatus
Photo: Oilguy86, CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped), via Wikimedia Commons
Follow your site SOP
This is a typical operating sequence for learning. Your instrument model and approved SOP take precedence.
STAGE 1

Before you start

  1. 1Check calibration status of the temperature sensor and barometer, and the most recent check-sample result.
  2. 2Set condenser and receiver temperatures for the sample group and let them stabilise.
  3. 3Cool volatile samples (petrol, naphtha) to the group temperature before opening, to avoid losing light ends.
  4. 4Choose the flask support board with the correct hole size and a clean, dry flask.
  • A wet or cracked flask can break when heated and spill burning fuel; inspect each flask before use.
STAGE 2

Setting up

  1. 1Measure 100 mL of sample in the receiving cylinder at the specified temperature and transfer it to the flask, draining the cylinder fully.
  2. 2For samples that may bump, add a few clean boiling chips.
  3. 3Fit the temperature sensor through a tight stopper, centred in the neck, with the top of the bulb level with the bottom of the side-arm.
  4. 4Connect the side-arm to the condenser with a tight seal and place the (undried) receiving cylinder under the condenser outlet.
  • Leaking stoppers or joints let vapour escape, increasing loss and creating a fire risk.
STAGE 3

Distilling

  1. 1Start heating. Record the IBP when the first drop falls from the condenser tip.
  2. 2Move the receiver so the condensate runs down its wall; keep a uniform rate of 4–5 mL per minute.
  3. 3Record temperatures at the required volumes (or let the analyser record them).
  4. 4Near 5 mL residue, make a final heat adjustment and record the FBP (maximum temperature) and the dry point if required.
  5. 5Switch off the heat and let the flask cool and drain into the receiver.
  • Never leave the unit unattended while heating flammable samples.
  • If decomposition is seen (white fumes, falling temperature), stop the test and report the decomposition point.
STAGE 4

After testing

  1. 1Read the total recovery in the receiver once drainage stops.
  2. 2When the flask is cool, pour the residue into a small graduated cylinder and read its volume.
  3. 3Calculate loss = 100 − (recovery + residue); apply barometric corrections to temperatures and loss as the method requires.
  4. 4Clean the flask with solvent, dry it and swab the condenser tube; record results with group and corrections.
  • The flask and heater stay hot for a long time; use heat-resistant gloves and do not touch the heater area.
In LimsPulse · Calibration Management

Keep every Distillation unit in control: usage logs, calibration and maintenance schedules, and automatic blocking of overdue instruments.

See how