Patent ID: 8372247
Filing Date: 2013-02-12
Classification: B01D,C10G,G01N

Abstract:
1. A method for automatic distillation of liquid samples of petroleum products under atmospheric pressure in accordance with ASTM D86, the method comprising the steps of: classifying the sample to be analyzed in a group defined by ASTM D86, the classification defining distillation characteristics of the sample to be analyzed including a time to the initial boiling point (IBP) and/or the 5% distillation point and/or the point at which there is only 5% of sample to be analyzed remaining in the distillation flask; providing a distillation device, the distillation device comprising: introducing a predefined quantity of the sample to be analyzed into the distillation flask, positioning the distillation flask on the heating element, closing the distillation flask, and connecting the distillation flask to the condenser; initiating the distillation of the sample to be analyzed; constantly measuring the quantity of condensate collected in the collecting cylinder, the temperature of the evaporated vapors, the temperature of the liquid sample present in the distillation flask, and the operating variable of the heating element during the distillation; and controlling the operating variable of the heating element with the controller to obtain the distillation characteristics in accordance with ASTM D86; wherein, before the IBP, the temperature T where dTliq/dt is when the liquid sample is a group 1 or group 3 sample according to ASTM D86, when the liquid sample is a group 2 sample according to ASTM D86, and when the liquid sample is a group 4 sample according to ASTM D86.