ASTM D4808

ASTM D4808 – Standard Test Methods for Hydrogen Content of Light Distillates, Middle Distillates, Gas Oils, and Residua by Low-Resolution Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

Description:

Significance and Use

5.1 The hydrogen content represents a fundamental quality of a petroleum product that has been correlated with many of the performance characteristics of that product.

5.2 This test method provides a simple and more precise alternative to existing test methods, specifically combustion techniques (Test Methods D5291) for determining the hydrogen content on a range of petroleum products.

Scope

1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the hydrogen content of petroleum products ranging from atmospheric distillates to vacuum residua using a continuous wave, low-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer. (Test Method D3701 is the preferred method for determining the hydrogen content of aviation turbine fuels using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.)

1.2 Three test methods are included here that account for the special characteristics of different petroleum products and apply to the following distillation ranges:

Test Method	Petroleum Products	Boiling Range, °C (°F) (approximate)
A	Light Distillates	15–260 (60–500)
B	Middle Distillates	200–370 (400–700)
	Gas Oils	370–510 (700–950)
C	Residua	510+ (950+ )

1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard. The preferred units are mass %.