ASTM boiling point control

Kerosene can vary widely in its burning quality as measured by carbon deposition, smoke formation, and flame radiation. This is a function of hydrocarbon composition—paraffins have excellent burning properties, in contrast to those of the aromatics (particularly the polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons). As a control measure the smoke point test (ASTM D-1322, IP 57) gives the maximum smokeless flame height in millimeters at which the fuel will burn in a wick-fed lamp under prescribed conditions. The combustion performance of wide-cut fuels correlates well with smoke point when a fuel volatility factor is included, because carbon formation tends to increase with boiling point. A minimum smoke volatility index (SVI) value is specified and is defined as ... 

Specifications for fuel oil may include limits on the temperatures at which 10% and 90% of the fuel are distilled by the standard procedure (ASTM D-396). For kerosene-type fuel oil (ASTM D-1) these values control the volatility at both ends of the distillation range, whereas for gas oil (ASTM D-1, ASTM D-2), where the front-end volatility is not so critical, only the 90% distillation temperature is normally specified. This ensures that high-boiling-point components, which are less likely to burn and which can cause carbon deposition, are excluded from the fuel. 

The pour point is a measure of how easy or difficiilt to pump the crude oil, especially in cold weather. Specifically, the pour point is the lowest temperature at which a crude oil will flow or pour when it is chilled without disturbance at a controlled rate. The pour point of the whole crude or oil fractions boiling above 232 °C (450 °F) is determined by the standard test ASTM D97. 

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