Abel-Pensky apparatus

Nitromethane can be ignited by an open flame. Corelli [25] reported, that the flash point in the Abel-Pensky apparatus is 35-37°C and the temperature of auto-ignition is 440°C (Constam and Schlaepfer s method). 

The apparatus have various names, Abel-Pensky, Pensky-Martens (PM in our tables), Tag (T), Cleveland (C), Setaflash (S), Luchaire. These abbreviations can be associated with the oc and cc abbreviations. Each country has its own preferences, and, plainly, this situation will not enable flashpoints to be obtained with minimum required coherence. 

Abel-Pensky flash-point apparatus. Instrument used for the determination of the flash point of petroleum. 

The closed cup flash point is measured by the Abel apparatus when the flash point is below 23 (BS 2000 Part 33 1982, NF M 07-011-1955), by the Abel-Pensky... 

Figure 6.6 Schematic representation of an apparatus for the determination of a flash point with a closed cup according to Abel-Pensky [11].

The Pensky-Marten apparatus using a closed or open system (ASTM D-93, IP 34, IP 35) is the standard instrument for flash points above 50°C (122°F), and the Abel apparatus (IP 170) is used for more volatile oils, with flash points below 50°C (122°F). The Cleveland open-cup method (ASTM D- 92, IP 36) is also used for the determination of the fire point (the temperature at which the sample will ignite and bum for at least 5 s). 

The Abel closed-cup apparatus (IP 170) consists of a brass cup sealed in a small water bath that is immersed in a second water bath. The cover of the brass cup is fitted in a manner similar to that in the Pensky-Marten apparatus. For crude oils and products with flash point higher than 30°C (>86°F), the outer bath is filled with water at (131°F) and is not heated further. The oil under test is then placed inside the cup. When the temperature reaches 19°C (66°F) the pilot flame is introduced every 0.5°C (l.O F) until a flash is obtained. For oils with flash points in excess of 30°C (>86 F) and less than 50°C (<122°F), the inner water bath is filled with cold water to a depth of 35 mm. The outer bath is filled with cold water and heated at a rate of l°C/min (1.8°F/min). The flash point is obtained as before. 

Flowever, for cut-backs and fluxed bituminous binders, the flash point is usually determined by the Pensky-Martens closed-cup apparatus (ISO 2719 2002 or ASTM D 93 2013), by the tag open-cup apparatus (AASHTO T 79 2012 ASTM D 3143 2008) or by the Abel closed-cup apparatus (CEN EN ISO 13736 2013). 

When the Pensky-Martens apparatus is used, the expected flash point of cut-backs and fluxed bituminous binders should be >60°C when the tag open-cup apparatus is used, the expected flash point may vary from >38°C to >66°C and when the Abel closed-cup apparatus is used, the flash point may vary from 23°C or less to >45°C. 

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