Petroleum Engineering Department

PETROLEUM PROPERTIES
Lecture 9

PETROLEUM FRACTION DISTILLATION

INTERCONVERSION ) API methods)

By: Foad Yousefi

2020
 Petroleum Properties Lecture 9

INTERCONVERSION OF ASTM D86-TBP DISTILLATIONS AT ATMOSPHERIC

The following equation is used to convert an ASTM D86 distillation 50% point temperature to a
true boiling point distillation 50% point temperature.

1.a

Where:

TBP (50) = true boiling point distillation temperature at 50 volume percent distilled, degrees
Fahrenheit.

ASTM D86 (50) = observed ASTM D86 distillation temperature at 50 volume percent distilled,
degrees Fahrenheit

To determine the difference between adjacent cut points, use the following equation:

1.b
𝑌𝑖 = 𝐴𝑋𝑖𝐵
Where:

Yi = difference in true boiling point distillation temperature between two cut points, degrees

Fahrenheit.

Xi = observed difference in ASTM D86 distillation temperature between two cut points, degrees
Fahrenheit.

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 Petroleum Properties Lecture 9

A, B = constants varying for cut point ranges, described as follows.

To determine the true boiling point temperature at any percent distilled, add or subtract the
proper difference(s) from the predicted 50% true boiling point temperature.

1.c

Procedure

Step 1: Use equation (1.a) to calculate the TBP distillation temperature at 50% distilled.

Step 2: Use equation (1.b) to calculate necessary TBP differences.

Step 3: Use equation(s) (1.c) to calculate desired TBP distillation temperatures.

To determine the ASTM D86 distillation temperatures from the TBP distillation temperatures,
reverse the procedure. Thus, equation (1.a) becomes

ln (𝑇𝐵𝑃(50))⁄0.87180
(𝐴𝑆𝑇𝑀 𝐷86 (50)) = 𝑒𝑥𝑝 [ 1.0258
] 1.d

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 Petroleum Properties Lecture 9

Similarly, all equations (1.a,b) can be reversed, and all equations (1.c) can be modified by
changing TBP to ASTM

Example 9.1.

Estimate the atmospheric TBP distillation temperatures for a petroleum fraction having the
experimental ASTM D86 distillation temperatures given in the following table. The experimental

TBP temperatures are given for comparison with the predicted temperatures.

Volume percent distilled 10 30 50 70 90

ASTM D86 temperature, F 350 380 404 433 469

TBP temperature, F 321 371 409 447 491

Solution 9.1.

Using equation (1.a)

TBP (50) = 0.87180 (404)1.0258 = 411.2 F

Using equation (1.b) at the 30% point

Y4 = 3.0305 [X4]0.80076

where X4 = 404 - 380 = 24 F therefore, Y4 = 38.6 F

Using equation (1.c) at the 30% point

TBP (30) = TBP (50) -Y4 = 41 1.2 - 38.6 = 372.6 F

Similarly, using equations (3A1.1-2) and (3A1.1-3) at the other cut points,

Y2 = 45.5, Y3 = 40.0, Y5 = 56.0

TBP (10) = 372.6 - 56.0= 316.6 F

TBP(70) = 411.2+40.0=451.2F

TBP (90) = 451.2 + 45.5 = 496.7 F

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 Petroleum Properties Lecture 9

The reverse conversion from experimental TBP temperatures to ASTM D86 temperatures is
illustrated only for the 50% and 30% points.

(1) Use equation (1.d) to convert the experimental TBP 50% point temperature.

ASTM D86 (50) = Exp [In (409/0.87180)/ 1.0258] = 401.9 F

(2) Use equation (1.b) to determine the 50 to 30% ASTM increment.

X4 = exp [ln (Y4 /3.0305)/0.80076] = 23.5 F

where Y4 = 409 - 371 = 38

(3) ASTM D86 (30) = ASTM D86 (50) – X4 = 401.9 - 23.5 = 378.4 F

CONVERSION OF SIMULATED DISTILATION (ASTM D2887) TO TURE BOILING

The true boiling point temperature at 50 volume percent distilled is taken to be equal to the
simulated distillation temperature at 50 weight percent distilled

TBP (50) = SD (50) 2.a

TBP (50) = true boiling point temperature at 50 volume percent distilled, degree Fahrenheit.

SD (50) = simulated distillation temperature at 50 weight percent distilled, degree Fahrenheit.

To determine the difference between adjacent cut points, use the following equation:

𝑾𝒊 = 𝐂𝐕𝐢𝑫 2.b

Where:

Wi = true boiling point temperature difference between two cut points, degree Fahrenheit.

Vi = simulated distillation temperature difference between two cut points, degree Fahrenheit.

C, D = constants varying for cut point ranges

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 Petroleum Properties Lecture 9

To determine the true boiling point temperature at any percent distilled, add or subtract the
proper difference (s) from the predicted 50% true boiling point temperature.

2.c

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 Petroleum Properties Lecture 9

Procedure:

Step 1: Use equation (2.a) to calculate the TBP at the 50% distilled point.

Step 2: Use equation (2.b) to calculate necessary TBP differences.

Step 3: Use equation (2.c) to calculate desired TBP temperatures.

Reliability:

Differences between the predicted and experimental TBP temperatures at various % distilled
points are given below.

Example:9.2.

Estimate the atmospheric TBP distillation temperatures for a petroleum fraction having an
experimental simulated distillation as given in the following table. Experimental TBP temperatures
given for comparison with the calculated temperatures.

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 Petroleum Properties Lecture 9

Solution 9.2.

Using equation (2.a):

TBP (50) = SD (50) = 336 °F

Using equation (2.b) at the 30% point

W5 = 0.05342[ V5]1.6988 , Where V5 = 336 - 324 = 12 therefore W5 = 3.6 F

Using equation (2.c) at the 30% point

TBP (30) = TBP (50) - W5 = 336 - 3.6 = 332.4 F

Using equation (2.b): Using equation (2.c):

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 Petroleum Properties Lecture 9

CONVERSION OF SIMULATED DISTILATION (ASTM D2887) TO ASTM D86

The ASTM D86 temperature at the 50 volume percent distilled point is calculated from the
simulated distillation temperature at 50 weight percent distilled point.

3.a

Where:

ASTM (50) = ASTM D86 temperature at 50 volume percent distilled, degree Fahrenheit.

SD (50) = simulated distillation temperature at 50 weight percent distilled, degree Fahrenheit

To determine the difference between adjacent cut points, use the following equation:

𝑼𝒊 = 𝑬TiF 3.b
Where:

Ui = ASTM D86 distillation temperature difference between two cut points, degree Fahrenheit.

Ti = simulated distillation temperature difference between two cut points, degree Fahrenheit.

E, F = constants varying for cut point ranges.

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 Petroleum Properties Lecture 9

To determine the true boiling point temperature at any percent distilled, add or subtract the proper
difference (s) from the predicted 50% true boiling point temperature.

3.c

Procedure:

Step 1: Use equation (3.a) to calculate the ASTM at the 50% distilled point.

Step 2: Use equation (3.b) to calculate necessary ASTM differences.

Step 3: Use equation (3.c) to calculate desired ASTM temperatures.

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 Petroleum Properties Lecture 9

Reliability:

Differences between the predicted and experimental ASTM D86 temperatures at various %
distilled points are given below.

Example 9.3.

Estimate the atmospheric ASTM D86 distillation temperature of a petroleum fraction having an
experimental simulated distillation as given in the following table. Experimental ASTM D86
temperatures given for comparison with the calculated temperatures.

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 Petroleum Properties Lecture 9

Solution 9.3.

Using equation (3.a)

ASTM (50) = 0.77601 (215)1.0395 = 206.3 F

Using equation (3.b) at the 30% point

U4 = 0.07978 T41.5386 where T4 = 215 - 148 = 67, therefore U4 = 5 1.5 F

Using equation (3.c) at the 30% point

ASTM (30) = 206.3 - 51.5 = 154.8 F

Using equation (3.b): Using equation (3.c):

Reference:

1. Characterization and Properties of Petroleum fractions. M. R. Riazi fourth edition.

2. Api 11 - Technical Databook - Petroleum Refining

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