ASTM D 4868 : 1990 : R1995 : EDT 1

1.1 This test method covers the estimation of the gross and net heat of combustion in SI units, megajoules per kilogram, of petroleum fuels from the fuel density, sulfur, water, and ash content.

Note 1--The equation for estimation of net and gross heat of combustion used in this method were originally published by the NIST Publication No. 97.

1.2 This test method is especially useful for estimating, using a minimum number of tests, the heat of combustion of burner and diesel fuels for which it is not usually critical to obtain very precise heat determinations.

Note 2--More accurate estimation methods are available for aviation fuels (Test Methods D1405 and D3338, and D4529). However, those estimation methods require additional tests to those required in this test method.

1.3 This test method is purely empirical (Note 1). It is applicable only to liquid hydrocarbon fuels derived by normal refining processes from conventional crude oil that conform to the requirements of specifications for petroleum fuels as described in Note 3. This test method is valid for those fuels in the density range from 750 to 1,000 kg/m³ and those that do not contain an unusually high aromatic content. High aromatic content fuels will not normally meet fuel specification criteria.

Note 3--The estimation of the heat of combustion of a hydrocarbon fuel from its density and sulfur, water, and ash content is justifiable only when the fuel belongs to well-defined classes for which a relationship between these quantities have been derived from accurate experimental measurements on representative samples of these classes. Even in these classes, the possibility that the estimate may be in error by large amounts for individual fuels should be recognized. This test method has been tested for a limited number of fuels from oil sand bitumen and shale oil origin and has been found to be valid. The classes of fuels used to establish the correlation presented in this test method are represented by the following applications:

1.4 This test method is not applicable to pure hydrocarbons. It is not intended as a substitute for experimental measurements of heat of combustion (Note 4).

Note 4--The procedures for the experimental determination of the gross and net heats of combustion are described in Test Methods D240 and D4809.

1.5 The values stated in acceptable SI units are to be regarded as the standard.

1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.