GPA Standard 2140-97 Liquefied Petroleum Gas Specifications and Test Methods Adopted as Recommended Procedures 1931 Revised 1940-1947-1948-1951-1955-1957-1959-1960-1962-1968 1970-1973-1975-1977-1980-1984-1986-1988-1990-1992-1996-1997 Reprinted 1998 Gas Processors Association 6526 East 60th Street Tulsa, Oklahoma 74145 TABLE OF CONTENTS Disclaimer ........................................................................................ ii Foreword ......................................................................................... ii GPA Specifications for Liquefied Petroleum Gases ....................................................... 1 ASTM D-1265-92: Sampling Liquefied Petroleum Gases .................................................. 2 ASTM D-1267-95: Vapor Pressure of Liquefied Petroleum Gases ........................................... 5 ASTM D-1657-89: Density or Relative Density of Light Hydrocarbons by Pressure Hydrometer ............................................................ 10 ASTM D-1837-94: Volatility of Liquefied Petroleum Gases ............................................... 14 ASTM D-1838-91: Copper Strip Corrosion by Liquefied Petroleum Gases .................................................................. 17 ASTM D-2158-92: Residues in Liquefied Petroleum Gases ................................................ 20 ASTM D-2163-91: Analysis of Liquefied Petroleum (LP) Gases and Propylene Concentrates by Gas Chromatography ........................................ 24 ASTM D-2713-91: Dryness of Propane (Valve Freeze Method) ............................................. 29 ASTM D-2784-92: Sulfur in Liquefied Petroleum Gases (Oxyhydrogen Burner or Lamp) ...................................................... 31 GPA 2174-93: Obtaining Liquid Hydrocarbon Samples Using a Floating Piston Cylinder ................................................................... 37 Propane Dryness Test (Cobalt Bromide Method) ........................................................ 50 Note: ASTM test methods included in this publication have been adopted by GPA, and are included through a right-to-reprint agreement with, and by special permission of, the American Society of Testing and Materials, 1916 Race Street, Philadelphia, Pa. DISCLAIMER GPA publications necessarily address problems of a general nature and may be used by anyone desiring to do so. Every effort has been made by GPA to assure accuracy and reliability of the information contained in its publications. With respect to particular circumstances, local, state, and federal laws and regulations should be reviewed. It is not the intent of GPA to assume the duties of employers, manufacturers, or suppliers to warn and properly train employees, or others exposed, concerning health and safety risks or precautions. GPA makes no representation, warranty, or guarantee in connection with this publication and hereby expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from its use or for the violation of any federal, state, or municipal regulation with which this publication may conflict, or for any infringement of letters of patent regarding apparatus, equipment, or method so covered. FOREWORD These specifications generally define physical properties and characteristics of liquefied petroleum gases (LP-Gas) which make them suitable for private, commercial, or industrial applications. These specifications do not purport to specifically define all possible requirements to meet all possible applications. Therefore the user is cautioned to exercise judgement in formulating final specifications for specific applications. The Gas Processors Association, its management, and supporting companies claim no specific knowledge of how manufacturers and users will produce, handle, store, transfer or consume the products defined herein and therefore, are not responsible for any claims, causes of action, liabilities, losses or expenses resulting from injury or death of persons and/or damage to property arising directly or indirectly from the use of LP-Gas or these specifications relating to LP-Gas. LP-gases are composed of hydrocarbon compounds, predominately propane and butane, produced during the processing of natural gas and also in the conventional processing of crude oil. The composition of LP-gases may vary depending on the source and the ratios of propane and butane content. They exist as gases at atmospheric pressure and ambient temperatures, but are readily liquefied under moderate pressures for transportation and utilization There are many uses for LP-gases, the major ones being as (1) petrochemical, synthetic rubber, and motor gasoline feedstocks, and as (2) commercial, domestic and industrial fuel. The following may be accepted as a general guide for the common uses for the four fuel types covered by these specifications: Commercial Propane is the preferred fuel type for domestic, commercial and industrial fuels. It is also a suitable fuel for low severity internal combustion engines. Commercial Butane is used principally as feedstock for petrochemicals, synthetic rubber, and as blending stocks or feedstocks in the manufacture of motor gasolines. Its use as a fuel is generally limited to industrial applications where vaporization problems are not encountered; however, small quantifies are used as domestic fuel. Commercial Butane-Propane Mixtures cover a broad range of mixtures, which permits the tailoring of fuels or feedstocks to specific needs. Propane HD-5 is less variable in composition and combustion characteristics than other products covered by these specifications. It is also suitable as a fuel for internal combustion engines operating at moderate to high engine severity. Additional Considerations Odorization For certain applications including, but not limited to, use of LP-gas for residential and commercial fuels, users of LP- gas should be aware of additional requirements of other standards, principally NFPA 58 "Storage and Handling of Liquefied Petroleum Gases"(1) and other regulations (2). NFPA 58 has been adopted widely by local, state and other regulatory bodies in the form of laws, ordinances, or regulations governing the safe storage, transportation, and use of LP-gas as fuels. Among other requirements, NFPA 58 (See. 1-4.1.1) stipulates that LP-gases "be odorized by the addition of a warning agent of such character that they are detectable, by a distinct odor, down to a concentration in air of not over one-fifth the lower limit of flammability". NFPA notes that "ethyl mercaptan in the ratio of 1.0 lb. per 10,000 gallon of liquid LP-Gas has been recognized as an effective odorant. Other odorants and quantities meeting the requirements of 1-4.1.1 may be used. Research on odorants has shown that thiophane in a ratio of at least 6.4 lbs. per 10,000 gallon of liquid LP-Gas may satisfy the requirements of 1-4.1.". Ammonia NFPA 58 also states that LP-gas stored or used in systems within the scope of this standard "shall not contain ammonia". Although ammonia is not a naturally occurring contaminant of LP-gas, certain industry practices, including the dual use of transportation or storage equipment, may inadvertently result in contamination of LP-gas by ammonia. When such a possibility exists, users should test for the presence Of ammonia in propane and take appropriate means to eliminate ammonia from the system, since such contamination may cause stress corrosion cracking of copper bearing alloys in the distribution system. ii Fluorides Certain refining processes can, during process upset or malfunction, result in contamination of LP-gas by fluoride compounds. Such contamination can be extremely destructive in the distribution and end user system. In addition, the combustion products of fluorides can cause physical damage to property and personal health. Similarly, fluorocarbons, such as certain refrigerants, can contaminate gas through dual use of storage or tankage facilities. Such contamination is rare but, if the possibility exists, users of LP-gas should take extreme precautions to insure the absence of fluorides. Sulfur Compounds Sulfur compounds such as elemental sulfur, hydrogen sulfide, and carbonyl sulfide may be naturally occurring contaminates of natural gas from which LP-gas is derived. The Copper Strip Corrosion Test (ASTM D-1838) and the Total Sulfur Test (ASTM D-2784) assure limitation of objectionable sulfur compounds to prevent corrosion of equipment containing brass fittings and copper tubing. However this test method is not applicable to liquefied petroleum gases containing corrosion inhibitors or any other agents which diminish the corrosivity of the sample to the copper strip. Methanol There is a possibility that a small amount of methanol may be present in LP-Gas. If methanol is present, ASTM D- 2713, "Standard Test Method for Dryness of Propane--Valve Freeze Method" is not applicable for determining the dryness of propane type products. Residual LP-gas as produced is normally free of residual matter, which includes those heavier hydrocarbons boiling above 100 °F, including any solid foreign materials. If residuals are present as shown by ASTM D-2158, "Standard Test Method for Residues in LP-Gas", and are in excess of the amount allowed by these specifications, such material may cause improper operation of regulators, vaporizers, or combustion apparatus. (1) NFPA 58 "Storage and Handling Liquefied Petroleum Gases"--National Fire Protection Ass°ciati°n, Battery'March Park, Quincy, MA 02269 (2) Code of Federal Regulations,