Group 3
Amr Tarek
Mahmoud Abuzaid
Moetaz Saeed
Omar Ossama
Yasser Ashour
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Abstract
The aim of this experiment is to test and determine the vapor pressure of certain petroleum
products, such products include gasoline, crude oil and other products that are volatile. The tests
are conducted by cooling down the petroleum product sample (gasoline) while heating up the va-
por chamber of the tank. After the sample is left to return to the atmospheric pressure, it is then
placed into the liquid chamber. The apparatus is then placed in a 37.8 C bath and tested for pressure
at certain time intervals. The vapor pressure of the 95 gasoline after 5 minutes was found to be 5
PSI or 34.47 kPa.
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Table of Contents
Abstract ............................................................................................................................................ i
1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 1
1.5 The difference between true vapor pressure & Reid vapor pressure .................................... 3
7. Conclusion ............................................................................................................................. 13
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List of Figures
Figure 1 Reid vapor pressure .......................................................................................................... 1
Figure 2 REID VAPOR PRESSURE APPARATUS DEVICE ..................................................... 5
Figure 3 VAPOR PRESSURE APPARATUS ............................................................................... 5
Figure 4 APPARATUS FOR VAPOR PRESSURE, PROCEDURE B ......................................... 6
Figure 5 VAPOR CHAMBER TUBE INSERTED IN VAPOR CHAMBER. .............................. 7
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1. Introduction
As per gasoline, the vapor pressure is critical for both execution and natural reasons. To begin
with, since gasoline motors requirement makes the fuel vaporized in arrange of burning, gasoline
meets the least vapor pressure to guarantee the instability sufficient to vaporize beneath the start
of cold conditions. Motors too have a greatest constrain of pressurized vapor, which is set due to
the concerns over of vaporization within the fuel line, which might lead to vapor bolt, which is the
fuel line blockage.
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In any case, the most basic constrain of the pressurized vapor in almost every markets pres-
ently is natural concern around evaporative outflows exterior for the vehicle, contributing that
to contamination. Regularly, concerning that, it sets the basic greatest vapor pressure determina-
tion for most grades of gasoline. (Amellia, 2018)
Is a common measure of the volatility of petrol and other oil products. The absolute vapor
pressure of liquid vapor and any dissolved gasses / humidity of 37,8 ° C is defined as the absolute
vapor pressure exerted by the ASTM-D-323 test method that was initially developed and revised
several times in 1930, and which is the last release ASTM D323-15a. The test procedure is de-
signed to measure gasoline vapor pressures, volatile crude oil, jet fuel, petroleum products and
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naphtha. No material solidifying in such a temperature can be covered in this step. ASTM D323-
15a requires a 0-1-degree cooling of the sample, then the appliance is dumped into. In non-evacu-
ated chambers, ASTM-D-323 measures sample pressure gage. The GDP is often reported as vo-
latilization at air pressure in kilometers or pounds per square centime. (H.C.Nascimento, 2018)
For the function and operation of petrol generated vehicles, in particular carburized vehicles,
the problem of vapor pressure is vital. High vaporization levels should be required to start and
operate in winter and less steam locking should be avoided during the summer heat. If vapor is
present in the fuel line (summer), and fluid gasoline is not vaporized in the combustion chambers,
the pumping of fuel in the fuel line is harder. This way, Reid Vapor Pressure is seasonally manip-
ulated by oil refineries to keep the gasoline engine reliable. (H.C.Nascimento, 2018)
The Reid steam pressure (RVP), since RVP, is the vapor pressure measured at 37.8 ° C (100 °
F) and TVP is the temperature dependence of a mixture, differs substantially from the true vapor
pressure (TVP) of the liquids. R VPP is defined as measured at a 4:1 vapor to liquid ratio, while
TVP of mixtures may depend on the actual vapor to liquid ratio. The RVP shall include the pres-
sure related to the presence in the sample of dissolved water and air (excluding some but not all
TVP definitions); and the RVP method shall apply to a sampling that has had the option of volatiz-
ing before the measurement, i.e., only 70-80 percent liquid full sample container should be used.
(H.C.Nascimento, 2018)
1.5 The difference between true vapor pressure & Reid vapor pressure
Fuels such as gasoline and other liquid fuels can vaporize or transform form liquid to vapor
when applying heat with respect to temperature above its boiling point. There are two types of
measurement for vapor pressure of petroleum products: Reid vapor pressure and true vapor pres-
sure. The Reid vapor pressure test measures the pressure of the vapor and liquid petroleum product
in a closed container at temperature of 37.8oC. The true vapor pressure is measured without air
present. (Petreoleumprogrammer, 2010)
Moreover, the Reid pressure is used commonly in the petroleum industry where vapor pressure is
measured in a closed container at one temperature; not removing the air present. This test is done
to differentiate fuels from each other or done to see the impacts of the performance additives. Reid
vapor pressure has low vapor pressure than true vapor pressure, this is due to water and air together
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in the container affects its pressure which is the main difference of Reid vapor pressure form true
vapor pressure. Also, Reid vapor pressure can be only applied to gasoline, volatile crude oil and
other petroleum products but not to liquefied petroleum gases. (Lyddon, 2007)
Reid vapor pressure could also be measured during filling or draining processes to help forecast
the losses from petroleum storage tanks. It is also an important criterion that is referenced to before
the mixing and blending of certain petroleum products. In crude oil refinery, Reid vapor pressure
is measured to help apprehend refiners the nature and properties of the petroleum feed stocks that
is going to be processed and help ease decisions feedstock processing decisions. It can also con-
tribute in the understanding of certain emissions caused by petroleum products and the effects of
fuels on engine’s performance, which in return provides a criterion for the sale of such products
and fuels. (Intertek, n.d.).
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2. Materials & apparatus
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Equipment for vapor pressure test procedure B:
1. Vapor Pressure Apparatus
2. Pressure Gage
3. Cooling bath
4. water bath
5. Thermometer
6. Pressure Measuring Device
7. Flexible Coupler
8. Vapor Chamber Tube
9. Sample transfer
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Figure 5 VAPOR CHAMBER TUBE INSERTED IN VA-
POR CHAMBER.
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3. Methods & Procedures
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IV. Observe and note the pressure reading until get the same consecutive gage readings, where the
equilibrium take place at constant pressure.
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4. Experimental Results
The experiment has shown that at a temperature of (T = 37.8oC) the vapor pressure of gasoline
95 after subjected in the Reid vapor pressure bath device for 5 minutes was 5 psi or 34.47 kPa.
5. Discussion
After testing our gasoline 95 in Reid vapor pressure device. It is time to compare the vapor
pressure specification of gasoline with respect to 3 countries which are: Europe (5,6), Egypt and
USA (all states). The vapor pressure obtained during the lab experiment was 5 psi (34.47 kPa).
Comparing this to the experimental result which was 34.47 kPa for gasoline conducted in the lab
experiment it does not meet the recommended ranges for European standards since it is out of the
range of 45 to 60 in summer conditions and 60-90 at winter conditions. (Consilari, n.d.)
Comparing our results conducted in lab with American gasoline standards for All states.
This source is based on the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
According to Environmental Protection Agency in the United States of America (EPA), It limits
RVP from 7.8 psi in non-attainment areas and 9 psi in ozone attainment area. Since our experi-
mental result is 5 psi it does not meet the standard RVP requirement in America. (EPA, 2018)
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Comparing our results conducted in lab with Egyptian gasoline standards.
Comparing this to our result which was 5 psi it meets the recommended requirements of Egyptian
gasoline standards since, the maximum value of RVP of the gasoline is 7 psi.
At the end, it is important to measure the Reid vapor pressure of the gasoline or petroleum products
because it helps forecast the evaporation rate and tendency of such liquids and products, is related
to the warming up and ignition of certain engines with spark ignited combustion systems, effects
the vapor lock tendency in some fuel operated pumps and also helps test and detect low value
butanes that has been used to spike crude oil’s API to increase its’ value. (Herbert Loria, 2016).
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6. Sources of Error
There are two types of errors; which are type one and type two.
1- Model errors which are errors related to miss-setup of the system’s used materials, and
could be not fixing the amount or the grade of gasoline
2- Configuration errors are errors related to miss-setup of the system itself, and could be the
failure of device itself, improper calibration or lag time
3- Power errors which are errors based on the power behavior of the unit or instrument, and
could be device improper power usage
1- Determinate errors which are errors, and could be standard error percentage, maximum
power percentage, or sensitivity. It’s a regular error having a specific value with a known
cause being used by the same measurements tool systematically.
2- Indeterminate errors which is and could be either device parts wearing or device tearing.
It’s a random error occurred unpredictably having no control or proper distribution that can
be simply applied.
3- Influence errors which are errors that are related to surrounding’s impact on the system,
and could be room temperature, electronic noise, or physical influence (such as vibrations)
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7. Conclusion
This experiment was conducted to test and determine the vapor pressure of gasoline. The test
was conducted by cooling down gasoline while heating up the vapor chamber of the tank. After
the sample is left to return to the atmospheric pressure, it was then placed into the liquid chamber.
The apparatus is then placed in a 37.8 C bath and tested for pressure at certain time intervals. The
vapor pressure of the 95 gasoline after 5 minutes was found to be 5 PSI. Also, the vapor pressure
brought from the experiment is compared with respect to 3 countries (Europe, USA and Egypt)
where it did not meet the gasoline requirements in Europe and USA, but it meet the requirements
for the Egyptian gasoline RVP regulations.
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8. List of References
1. Amellia. (2018, March 14). Egypt's gas production to hit 6.5 billion cu ft/d by. Retrieved
from Egypt today: http://www.egypttoday.com/Article/3/53415/Egypt-s-gas-production-
to-hit-6-5-billion-cu
4. EPA. (2018, 11 27). United States Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved from
https://www.epa.gov/gasoline-standards/gasoline-reid-vapor-pressure
5. H.C.Nascimento, M. (2018, November 06). Gasoline Reid Vapor Pressure. Retrieved
from Environmental Protection Agency: https://www.epa.gov/gasoline-
standards/gasoline-reid-vapor-pressure
9. Lyddon, L. (2007, 1 16). BRE. Retrieved from Bryan Research & Engineering. LLC:
https://www.bre.com/Blog/True-and-Reid-Vapor-Pressure.aspx
10. M.Bendi. (2014, December 29). More than A 100-year journey. Retrieved from Egypt
Oil & Gas: https://egyptoil-gas.com/features/more-than-a-100-year-journey/
11. Petreoleumprogrammer. (2010). Petreoleum programmer. Retrieved from
http://www.petroleumprogrammer.com/?p=533
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