Distillation Analysis — EN ISO 3405 / ASTM D86 / ASTM D2887

What Is Distillation?

Distillation analysis is the determination of the boiling range of a petroleum product. The sample is heated in a controlled manner, vapors are condensed, and temperatures corresponding to the percentage of volume collected are recorded. The result is a curve extending from the initial boiling point to the final boiling point. Simulated distillation (SimDist) produces the same information as gas chromatography.

Purpose of Distillation

The aim is to determine the volatility behavior of the product. The distillation curve shows cold start and vapor lock behavior in gasoline, ignition and emission in diesel, and contamination and blending errors in product control.

Which Products Is Distillation Applied To?

Gasoline and diesel
jet fuel
Solvents and naphtha
Heating fuels
Refinery intermediate streams

In Which Sectors Is Distillation Used?

Oil & GasPetrokimyaEnergyChemistryAutomotive

Standards Related to Distillation

TS EN ISO 3405 (distillation at atmospheric pressure)
ASTM D86 (distillation of petroleum products)
ASTM D2887 (simulated distillation—gas chromatography)
ASTM D1160 (vacuum distillation—heavy products)

Distillation Conditions

Heating rate: Defined in the standard; Distillation speed affects the result
Group selection: Group conditions defined in the standard apply depending on the product type.
barometric correction: Temperatures are corrected for atmospheric pressure
heavy goods: Vacuum distillation or SimDist is used to prevent degradation

Equipment for Distillation

Automatic distillation apparatus
vacuum distillation apparatus
Gas chromatograph (SimDist)
Barometer and calibrated temperature probes

Sample Requirements for Distillation

Sampling determines the validity of the result in fuel analysis: ISO 3170 (manual) and ISO 3171 (automatic in-line) define the sampling rules. The sample must be taken into a clean container of a suitable material, filled with no air gap, and kept cold for volatile products.
For volatile products, the sample should be kept cold.
The sample must not contain water
Product type must be declared — determines group conditions
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Duration of Distillation

The single distillation experiment takes a short time. SimDist measurement is also fast; The number of samples determines the total time.

Distillation Procedure

1Group conditions are determined according to the product type.
2The sample is placed into the distillation flask in a measured manner.
3Barometric pressure is recorded.
4It is heated at a defined rate and the first drop temperature is recorded.
5Temperatures are read at certain volume percentages.
6Residual and loss are calculated; temperatures are corrected.

Distillation Acceptance Criteria

The acceptance criterion comes from the relevant product specification and varies by season, market and class. Specification versions are updated; the limit values in force for your product are confirmed from the specification text at the quotation stage.

Evaluation of Results

The regions of the curve carry different information: in gasoline, the initial region indicates cold starting, the middle region indicates warming behavior, and the final region indicates the risk of oil dilution. An unexpected heavy tail indicates contamination, while a light start indicates that a different product has been mixed.

Distillation Report

Sample description and product type
Applicable standards and group conditions
Barometric pressure and correction
Initial boiling point, volume percent temperatures, and final boiling point
Remnant and loss
Comparison against specification limits

Accreditation

EUROLAB holds internationally recognised accreditation obtained from accreditation bodies party to the IAF and ILAC multilateral recognition arrangements, under ISO/IEC 17025 for laboratory testing, ISO/IEC 17020 for inspection and surveillance, and ISO/IEC 17021-1 and ISO/IEC 17065 for system and product certification. This chain ensures the reports and certificates issued are accepted worldwide.

Whether this test can be offered within accredited scope depends on your product and the standard applied; since accreditation is method-based, the scope is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.

Scope and authorisations

Related Regulations

98/70/EC Fuel Quality Directive

Petroleum, Fuel and Oil Analysis — What Does This Testing Field Cover?

The section below describes the field that the Distillation test belongs to; the conditions and acceptance criteria of this particular test are given in the sections above. The scope specific to your product is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.

Petroleum, fuel and oil analysis determines whether a fluid meets its specification and how it behaves in use. Standards in this field consist largely of ASTM and EN publications, with a separate method defined for each parameter.

What distinguishes this family is that product specifications are written as PARAMETER LISTS. Specifications such as EN 590 (diesel), EN 228 (petrol), EN 14214 (biodiesel) and ISO 8217 (marine fuels) state for each parameter both the limit and the method by which that limit is to be measured. If the method changes the result may change too; the specification therefore binds the method as well, and the use of an "equivalent method" is possible only where the specification allows it.

On the fuel side, parameters describe three different properties of the product. Physical properties (density, viscosity, distillation curve, pour point, cloud point) determine pumpability and cold weather behaviour. Combustion properties (cetane number, octane number, calorific value) indicate performance in the engine. Contaminant and stability parameters (sulphur, water, sediment, oxidation stability, copper strip corrosion) affect both emissions and storage life.

Oil analysis is carried out for two different purposes and the two must not be confused. Analysis of NEW oil verifies the conformity of the product to its specification: viscosity index, additive content, flash point. Analysis of USED oil, by contrast, is done to read the condition of the machine — elemental analysis shows wear metals (iron, copper, chromium, aluminium), water and fuel contamination point to leaks, and oxidation and acid number determine the remaining life of the oil.

Used oil analysis is therefore a PREDICTIVE MAINTENANCE tool. The trend of samples taken at regular intervals is followed; it is the trend rather than a single result that is meaningful. Iron levels climbing over the course of months allow intervention before a failure occurs.

Marine fuels are the most active sub-body of the field. The global tightening of sulphur limits has brought new blended fuels onto the market; for these fuels stability, compatibility (whether two fuels form deposits when mixed) and catalytic fines content have become critical parameters.

Sampling is part of the result in this family too. A sample taken from the bottom of a tank shows different water and sediment content from one taken from the upper level; in commercial deliveries the sampling point and method are set by contract.

Method groups in this field

Physical properties
Density (oscillating U-tube and hydrometer), kinematic viscosity, distillation, pour and cloud point, flash point.
Combustion properties
Cetane number and cetane index, research and motor octane number, calorific value.
Sulphur and elements
Sulphur by UV fluorescence and XRF; elemental analysis and additive content by ICP.
Stability and corrosion
Oxidation stability, copper strip corrosion, water and sediment, filter blocking tendency.
Composition analysis
Boiling range distribution by gas chromatography, hydrocarbon types (FIA), benzene and aromatics content, fatty acid methyl ester content.
Used oil
Wear metals, contamination (water, fuel, soot), oxidation, acid and base number, change in viscosity.

Commonly confused in this field

The specification binds the method as well; a result measured by a different method may not be accepted for specification conformity.
A single result on used oil is not meaningful; the decision is made on the trend.
The sampling point determines the result; the tank bottom and the upper level show different water and sediment.
The cetane index is a calculated value and is not the same thing as a measured cetane number.
Fuels blended with biodiesel behave differently in terms of storage life and microbial growth; classical diesel parameters are not sufficient.
Mixing marine fuels from different sources can cause deposits; compatibility is assessed separately.

Which decisions these results support

Conformity of a fuel lot to specification and commercial delivery
Predictive maintenance decisions based on used oil analysis
Determining parameters for customs and tax classification
Quality verification after storage, blending and transport
Compliance with sulphur limits under emissions legislation

Related Tests

Frequently Asked Questions About Distillation

Are SimDist and classical distillation results the same?

It is not the same; The two methods are based on different principles and cannot be directly compared. Whichever your specification requires should be implemented. SimDist is especially advantageous for heavy products and samples at risk of degradation.