ASTM D95: Water by Distillation

ASTM D95 Water in Petroleum Products and Bituminous Materials by Distillation

The use, sale and refining of petroleum products is often dependent upon the amount of water present. This test determines the water content of bituminous materials and petroleum products including fuel oils and lubricating greases and oils for levels of water up to 25%.

The sample is combined with a water-immiscible solvent and refluxed to allow the co-distillation of water and solvent. The water-solvent mixture is captured in a calibrated trap, the volume of water is measured and reported as a volume percent.

Related tests offered by Petro-Lubricant Testing Laboratories:

When very low levels of water are expected (10 to 25,000 ppm), consider a coulometric method:

ASTM D6304 Determination of Water in Petroleum Products, Lubricating Oils and Additives by Coulometric Karl Fischer Titration

Consider a potentiometric method when slightly higher levels of water are predicted (0.2 to 2%):

ASTM D4377 Water in Crude Oils by Potentiometric Karl Fischer Titration

Consider the centrifuge method for levels of water up to 30%, or if both water and sediment are of interest:

ASTM D1796 Water and Sediment in Fuel Oils by Centrifuge Method (Laboratory Procedure)