ASTM D3238 Calculation of Carbon Distribution and Structural Group Analysis of Petroleum Oils by the n-DM Method
Carbon distribution and ring content data are used in characterization of oils in the refining-manufacturing process and can also correlate to critical performance properties. Refractive Index, Density and Molecular Weight (n-DM) are used to calculate the following values:
% CA Percentage of Aromatic Carbon % CN Percentage of Naphthenic Carbon % Cp Percentage of paraffinic Carbon RA Average Number of aromatic rings per Molecule RN Average Number of naphthene rings per Molecule RT Average Number of rings per Molecule
The mass % Sulfur must be determined in order to calculate values for RT and RN. The n-DM and Sulfur content are determined by the following:
Refractive Index (n) ASTM D1218 Density at 20°C (d) ASTM D1481 Average Molecular Weight (M) ASTM D2502 Sulfur Content (mass %) ASTM D2622
Applicability of the method is limited to the following: In terms of carbon distribution – up to 75% carbon atoms in ring form; % aromatic less than or equal to 1.5 times the % naphthenic rings. In terms of ring content – up to four rings per molecule with not more than half of them aromatic.
