ASTM D4807-05 (2020) PDF

Full title and description

ASTM D4807-05(2020) — Standard Test Method for Sediment in Crude Oil by Membrane Filtration. This method describes a membrane‑filtration procedure to determine the sediment (solid particulate or insoluble material) content of crude oils by filtering a prepared sample through a membrane, drying and weighing the residue, and reporting sediment as a mass percent of the sample.

Abstract

ASTM D4807-05(2020) provides a laboratory test method for quantifying sediment in crude oil using a 0.45 µm membrane filtration technique. The procedure includes sample dissolution, vacuum filtration, washing/drying of the filter, and calculation of sediment as mass percent. The method has been validated for crude oils containing sediments up to about 0.15 % by mass and is widely used for refinery operations, custody transfer checks, and quality control.

General information

• Status: Active — reapproved in 2020 (current active revision D4807-05R20).
• Publication date: May 1, 2020 (current reapproval/publication).
• Publisher: ASTM International (issued jointly in the Manual of Petroleum Measurement Standards for MPMS Chapter 10.8).
• ICS / categories: 75.040 (Crude petroleum).
• Edition / version: Designation D4807-05; reapproved 2020 (listed as D4807-05R20 / D4807-05(2020)).
• Number of pages: 5.

Scope

The standard covers the determination of sediment in crude oils by membrane filtration. It is applicable to crude oils with sediment levels up to approximately 0.15 % by mass (the accepted reporting unit is mass percent; an equation to convert to volume percent is included). The method specifies apparatus, sample preparation, filtration and drying procedures, calculation of results, and notes on safety and procedural limits.

Key topics and requirements

• Sample preparation and representative sampling for crude oil analysis.
• Use of solvent (where applicable), heating/dissolution steps, and filtration under vacuum through a 0.45 µm membrane filter.
• Requirements for vacuum apparatus, membrane filter specifications, and analytical balance accuracy for residue determination.
• Drying, washing, and handling steps to ensure reproducible residue mass measurements.
• Calculation and reporting of sediment as mass percent (with guidance to convert to volume percent if needed).
• Validation limits and stated precision (method validated to about 0.15 % mass sediment) and notes on method applicability and safety considerations (see annexes).

Typical use and users

This test method is typically used by petroleum testing laboratories, refinery QC labs, custody transfer and commercial crude purchasers/sellers, pipeline and shipping inspection laboratories, and government or defense laboratories that monitor crude oil quality. It is used where a membrane‑filtration assessment of insoluble sediment is required for operational, commercial, or regulatory purposes.

Related standards

Commonly used alongside or compared with other sediment determination methods such as ASTM D473 (sediment by extraction with toluene) and the API Manual of Petroleum Measurement Standards (MPMS) chapter content on sediment (D4807 is published as MPMS Chapter 10.8). Users should consider D473 when extraction‑based results are required or to cover ranges/conditions outside the membrane method validation.

Keywords

sediment; crude oil; membrane filtration; residue; mass percent; ASTM D4807; MPMS Chapter 10.8; vacuum filtration; oil quality; refinery; custody transfer.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM D4807-05(2020) is a laboratory test method that specifies a membrane‑filtration procedure to determine the sediment content of crude oil and report it as a mass percent.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers sampling considerations, sample dissolution/preparation, vacuum membrane filtration through a 0.45 µm filter, drying and weighing the residue, calculation of sediment as mass percent, method limits, and safety notes. The method has been validated for sediment levels up to about 0.15 % by mass.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Petroleum/refinery laboratory analysts, crude oil traders and inspectors, pipeline and shipping quality labs, custody transfer laboratories, and regulatory or defense laboratories concerned with crude oil cleanliness and particulate content.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The document is the reapproved 2005 designation (D4807-05) and was reapproved/published in 2020 as the active version (D4807-05(2020) / D4807-05R20). It remains an active ASTM test method.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: D4807 is part of ASTM Committee D02 (Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants) outputs and is published in the ASTM Annual Book of Standards (Book of Standards Volume 05.02) and as MPMS Chapter 10.8. It is commonly referenced alongside other sediment test methods such as ASTM D473.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Sediment, crude oil, membrane filtration, residue, mass percent, vacuum filtration, membrane filter, D4807, MPMS 10.8.