20. Petroleum Processing
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Smoke Point: The smoke point is a test that measures the burning qualities of kerosene and jet fuel. It is defined as the maximum height in mm, of a smokeless flame of fuel. Smoke point is related to the hydrocarbon composition of kerosene—it is highest with paraffins, considerably lower with naphthenes and very much lower with aromatics.
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Aniline Point:
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The lowest temperature at which an equal volume mixture of the petroleum oil and aniline are miscible is the aniline point.
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Since aniline is an aromatic compound, a petroleum fractions with high aromatic content will be miscible in aniline at ambient conditions. However, if the oil has more paraffins, it will require a higher temperature and thus higher aniline point in order to be miscible in aniline.
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This property is important for the specifications of diesel fuels.
\[\text{High Aniline Point} \Longrightarrow \text{Paraffinic} \Longrightarrow \text{High Diesel Index} \Longrightarrow \text{Good ignition quality}\]
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Reid Vapor Pressure:
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The Reid vapor pressure (RVP) is frequently used as an indication of volatility of liquid hydrocarbons. The RVP of a product is the vapor pressure determined in a volume of air four times the liquid volume at 37.8\(^\circ\)C (100 \(^\circ\)F).
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This property measures the vapor-lock tendency of gasoline.
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It also indicates the explosion and evaporation hazards of the fuel.
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Flash Point: It is the lowest temperature at which application of test flame causes vapor to ignite. It differs from autoignition temperature because in the latter there is no source of ignition.
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It is measured by Cleveland closed cup and Pensky Martin open cup apparatus.
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It indicates the explosive range of a fuel.
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Fire Point: It is the temperature at which vapors of the flammable liquid continue to burn even after removal of ignition source.
It is typically 5–10\(^\circ\)C more than flash point.