CDC 7   (206) DTZS  
ICS: 71.100.80  
  
 
 
 
 
© TBS 202 1                 First Edition 202 1 
 DRAFT TANZANIA STANDARD  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
White spirit  (mineral turpentine)  – Specification  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TANZANIA BUREAU OF STANDARDS  
 
 
 CDC 7(207)  DTZS  
6 
  
 
Introduction  
 
White spirit is a flammable, clear, colourless liquid. It is a mixture of chemicals known as 
petroleum hydrocarbons. Other common names for white spirit are Stoddard  solvent, 
turpentine substitute, mineral spirit and paint thinner. It is a mixture of aliph atic, open -chain or 
alicyclic C 7 to C 12 hydrocarbons,  
 
White spirit is commonly used in paints, coatings, waxes, varnishes, adhesives, printing inks 
and liquid photocopier toners. In industry it is also used as a solvent for, cleaning, degreasing 
and subst ance extraction. In households, white spirit is commonly used to clean paint 
brushes or thin paint.   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  CDC 7   (206) DTZS  
©TBS 2020 – All rights reserved                                                                                              7  
Foreword  
 
This Draft Tanzania Standard is being developed by the Industrial and Laboratory Chemicals 
Technical Committee under supervision of the Chemical s Division Standards Committee and 
it is in accordance with the procedures of the Bureau.  
 
In the preparation of this Tanzania Standard assistance has been drawn from:  
 
KS 666:2011 White spiri t — Specification , published  by Kenya Bureau of Standards . 
 
Acknowledgement is hereby made for the assistance derived from these sources:  
 
In reporting the result of a test or analysis made in accordance with this Tanzania Standard, if 
the final value, observed or calculated is to be rounded off, it shall be done in accordance with 
TZS 4 rounding  off numerical values.   CDC 7 (206 ) DTZS  
3 
  
DRAFT  TANZANIA STANDARD                                                    CDC 7(208) DTZS  
 
 
 
White spirit  (mineral turpentine) – Specification  
 
 
1 Scope  
 
This Draft Tanzania S tandard prescribes the requirements, sampling and test methods for white spirit 
(mineral turpentine)  used in paints, varnishes, lacquers, resins, thinners and cleaning solvents.  
 
2 Normative references  
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. The 
latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.  
 
TZS 77/ISO 760, Determination of water - Karl Fischer method (General method)  
ASTM D86 , Test for distillation of petroleum products  
ASTM D4052 , Standard test method for density and relative density of liquids by digital  density 
meter  
ASTM D1218 , Standard test method for refractive index and refractive dispersion of 
hydrocarbon liquids  
ASTM D1319 , Standards test method for hydrocarbon types in liquid petroleum products by 
fluorescent indicator adsorption  
ASTM D1266 , Test for sulfur in petroleum products (lamp method).  
ASTM D56, Standard Test Method for Flash Point by Tag Closed Cup Tester  
ASTM D156 , Standard Test Method for Saybolt Color of Petroleum Products (Saybolt 
Chromometer Method)  
ASTM D2622  Standard Test Method for Sulfur in Petroleum Products by Wavelength Dispersive 
X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry  
ASTM D5453  Standard Test Method for Determination of Total Sulfur in Light Hydrocarbons, 
Spark Ignition Engine Fuel, Diesel Engine Fuel, and Engi ne Oil by Ultraviolet Fluorescence  
ASTM D7039  Standard Test Method for Sulfur in Gasoline, Diesel Fuel, Jet Fuel, Kerosine, 
Biodiesel, Biodiesel Blends, and Gasoline -Ethanol Blends by Monochromatic Wavelength 
Dispersive X -ray Fluorescence Spectrometry  
ASTM  D93 Standard Test Methods for Flash Point by Pensky -Martens Closed Cup Tester  
 
3. Terms and definitions  
There are no terms defined  in this document.  
 
4. Requirements  
 
4.1 General requirements  
 
The white spirit shall consist of a mixture of aliphatic hydrocarbons  (C7 to C 12), clear, colourless and free 
from solid matter.  
  
 
  
6 
 4.2 Specific requirements  
The white spirit  shall also comply with the  specific  requirements given in Table 1.  
 
 
Table 1 Specific requirements for white spirit . 
 
S/N Characteristic  Requirement (on dry 
basis)  Method of test  
1.  Appearance  Clear, no solid matter 
present  Visual inspection  
2.  Odour  Free from kerosene smell  Olfactorily  
3.  water content % m/m, max  0.05 TZS 77/ISO 760  
4.  Colour (S aybolt), min  +25 ASTM D 156  
5.  a) Initial boiling point (IBP) , °C 145 – 175  
ASTM D 86  b) Dry point (D.P) , °C 166 – 237   
c) Distillation range for 50 percent 
distillate , °C 162 – 172 
6.  Density (20°C ± 2°C)  g/mL  0.775 – 0.785   ASTM D4052  
7.  Refractive index (R.I.) at  
20°C ± 2°C, min.  1.434  
 ASTM D1218  
 
8.  Aromatic content, % (v/v) max.  20 ASTM D1319  
9.  Residue on evaporation, mg/100 mL , 
max  5 Annex A  
10.  Sulphur content, ppm max.  5 ASTM D1266  
ASTM D2622  
ASTM D5453  
ASTM D7039  
11.  Flash point. °C, min.  40  
 ASTM D56  
ASTM D93  
12.  Neutrality   
 
To pass the test  When 50 mL of sample is  
shaken with 20 mL of  
distilled  water, the water 
layer shall be  neutral, to 
methyl orange  
 
5. Pack aging and marking  
 
5.1 Packaging  
The white spirit shall be supplied in clean, dry and air tight containers, without faults, made of 
material which do not affect the contents. The method of closing the containers shall prevent the 
contents from contamination and evaporation.  
 
5.2 Marking  
Each container shall bear the following information given in visibly , legible and durable marked  in 
English or Kiswahili:  
 
a) the name of the product  
b) manufacturer ’s name  
c) registered trade mark if any;  
d) net content;  
e) batch/code number;  
f) cautionary statement/symbols with the words: “Inflammable liquid”;  
g) country of origin;  
h) date of manufacture and best before date;  
i) instructions for use, storage and disposal and  
j) safety precautions.  
 
  
©TBS 2020 – All rights reserved                                                                                              7 6. Sampling  
Representative samples, each having a volume of not less than 500 m L, shall be taken in triplicate 
from one or more original and unopened containers or from the bulk during packaging and shall be 
packed in clean,  dry, airtight containers. The containers shall be of such a size that they are nearly 
filled by the sample. Each  sample container shall be sealed with a material unaffected  by the 
contents.  
 
7. Storage  
The material shall be stored in suitable container which shall not affect integrity of the product in 
terms of quality.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
6 
  
Annex A 
(normative)  
Determination of residue on evaporation  
A.1 Note  
Residue on evaporation: The amount of non -volatile residue obtained under the conditions of test.  
 
A.2 Apparatus  
 
 
 
 
Figure . 1 — Distillation apparatus  
 
A.2.1 Evaporation bath, either a solid metal -block bath using a metal of high thermal conductivity, or  
a liquid bath fitted with a reflux condenser, electrically heated and constructed in accordance with the 
general  principles shown in Figure.1. The electric supply to the liquid bath shall be sufficient to keep 
the Liquid  boiling through the preheating coil a t the specified rate. The evaporation bath shall be 
provided with wells  and air jets for three or more beakers and be insulated. The preheaters, 
manifolds, and air outlets shall be  so constructed as to allow the required rate of air flow (see Clause 
A.2.2). The beaker wells shall be made  sufficiently deep to allow insertion of the 100 ml beakers to a 
depth of 70 mm. If a liquid bath is used, it shall  be filled to within 25 mm of the top with a stable liquid 
having a boiling point within 160  °C and 165  °C; (ethylene glycol) containing approximately 3 per cent 
of water is suitable for this purpose.  
 
 
 
©TBS 2020 – All rights reserved                                                                                              7 A.2.2 Air supply apparatus, capable of supplying filtered air at a pressure not greater than 34.5 
kN/m2 
(0.35 kgf/cm2) to the inlet of the preheating coil of the b ath, and at a rate sufficient to provide a flow 
from each outlet of 1 000 ± 150 m L/s at a temperature of 155 ± 5 °C. 
 
A.2.3 Flowmeter, capable of metering a flow of air equivalent to 1 000 m L/s for each outlet of the  
evaporation bath at the operating temperature. The use of a calibrated flowmeter allowing a flow              
of 600  ± 90 m L/s, measured at room temperature, will ensure delivery of 1 000 ± 90  mL/s at the 
operating  temperature, provided that the pressure a t the outlet of the flowmeter is not greater than 
34.5 kN/m2 (0.35 kgf/cm2). 
 
A.2.4 Beakers, of 100 mL capacity, flat bottomed as shown in Figure 1. The beakers shall be 
arranged  in sets, the number in each set depending on the number of beaker wells in the evaporation 
bath 
 
A.2.5 Cooling vessel, suitable covered vessel for cooling the beakers before weighing, such as a 
glass  desiccator or a tightly covered metal vessel for each set of beakers. A drying agent is not to be 
used in the  cooling vessel.  
 
A.2.6 Balance, having a sensitivity of at least 0.1 mg, preferably with no drying agent in the case.  
 
A.2.7 Thermometer, of the mercury -in-glass type, nitrogen -filled, graduated on the stem, enamel -
baked,  adjusted for 76 mm immersion and allowing temperature in the range 150 °C to 160 °C to be 
measured with an accuracy of ± 1 °C at an average temperature of the mergent mercury column of 
65 °C (see note below ). 
 
NOTE: It is far more important that the greatest volume of mercury be immersed in the refluxing zone 
than that the immersion mark on the thermometer be placed at any specific point.  
 
A.3 Cleaning liquids  
 
A.3.1 A mixture of equal volumes of toluene and acetone, of analytical reagent quality.  
 
A.3.2 Chromic/sulphuric acid solution.  
 
E.4 Preparation of apparatus  
 
A.4.1 Assemble the apparatus as shown in Figure 1. With the apparatus at room temperature, adjust  
the air flow to a rate of 600 mL/s at one of the outlets. Measure the flow at the remaining outlets and 
make  any necessary adjustments so that the rate at each outlet is 600 ± 90 mL/s ( see A.2.3). Heat 
the bath and  when its temperature reaches 160 °C to 165 °C, place a beaker in each well ( A.2.1). 
Submit air at the rate  required with the conical jets in position. Check the temperature in each well by 
placing the bulb of the  thermometer on the bottom of the beaker in the well. Do not use any well 
where the temperature does not lie  between 150 °C and 160 °C. 
 
A.4.2 Clean new beakers by immersion in the chromic/sulphuric acid solution ( A.3.2) for at least 6 h.  
Remove the beakers from the solution by means of stainless -steel  forceps and handle only with 
forceps  
thereafter. Wash the beakers thoroughly, first with tap water, then with distil led water.  
 
NOTE : Protective clothing such as gloves and goggles must be worn by operators using 
chromic/sulphuric acid solution.  
 
Clean beakers which have been used in previous determinations by removing the residue with the 
mixture  (A.3.1), then immerse them for at least 6 h in chromic/sulphuric acid cleaning solution 
followed by washing  as described above. Clean the tare beakers in a similar manner. Dry the beaker 
for 1 h in an oven at 150 °C and allow them to cool for at least 2 h in  the cooling vessel placed in the 
vicinity of the balance.  
 
A.5 Procedure  
 
For each sample, weigh to the nearest 0.1 mg two test beakers for a duplicate determination, using 
analytical balance. Repeat the weighing  without changing the order in which the beakers are  
6 
 weighed, until consecutive masses for the beakers agree within 0. 1 mg, and record the masses. If 
suspended or solid matter is present, mix the contents of the sample container thoroughly. 
Immediately filter, at atmospheric pressure, the necessary quantity of the sample through a sintered -
glass funnel of porosity grade p .100 (pore size index 40 m m to 100 m m). 
 
Using a graduated measuring cylinder, pour 50 m L of the sample into each test beaker. Place the full  
beakers and also the empty tare beaker in the evaporation bath, previously heated to the specified  
temperature (16 0°C to 165 °C). Replace the conical jet as each beaker is filled, centre  the jet 
vertically  above the surface of the liquid. The time elapsing between filling the first and second 
beakers shall be as  short as possible. Supply air at the required rate.  
 
After 30 min evaporation, remove the beakers from the bath  place them in the cooling vessel and 
allow to  cool in the vicinity of the balance for at least 2 h. Weigh the beakers in the same manner and 
in the same  sequences as was followed previously, repeating the weighing  until consecutive masses 
agree within 0.1mg. If the results of the two evaporations differ by more than 1.0 mg, repeat the 
determinations.  
 
A.6 Expression of results  
 
A.6.1 Calculate the residue on evaporation A, in milligrams per 100 mL, by the formula.  
 
A = 2 000 ( m1 – m0) 
where,  
m1 = the mass, in grams, of the test beaker plus residue; and  
m0= the mass, in grams, of the empty test beaker.  
 
A.6.2 Report the mean of the sum of the results of the duplicate determinations to the nearest 
milligram per 100 ml as the residue on evaporation. After the numerical value designated by the word 
‘filtered’ if the  sample has been so treated.  
 
A.7 Precision  
For results of the order of 10 mg/100 mL (i.e. the maximum permitted residue), duplicate results shall 
not be considered suspect unless they differ by more than 3 mg/100 mL (repeatability) or 6 mg/100 
mL 
(reproducibility).