CONRADSON CARBON RESIDE TEST OF PETROLEUM PRODUCTS

Experiment 9
Group # 9 Tamse, Jan Marvin M.
1. Introduction
1.1
This experiment aims at determining the percentage of carbon residue in a
petroleum sample.
2. Theoretical Background
2.1
Basically, there are four different types of carbon in oil or produced by it

[8.3]

These are fixed carbon, free carbon, carbon formation on burner tips and walls of
furnaces, and carbon formed during the carbon test. To determine the fourth type,
specific oil is burned in the absence of air. The carbonaceous residue left after this
process is called the carbon residue. So, the carbon residue is a measure of the
amount of carbonaceous material left after all the volatile components are
2.2

vaporized [8.1].
Carbon residue is the residue left after the evaporation of a sample under specified
conditions

2.3

[8.2]

. It may be determined using test methods, Conradson carbon test

and Ramsbottom.
The carbon residue of a burner fuel serves as a rough estimate its tendency to
form carbon deposits

[8.1]

. However, little is known regarding on the relationship

of carbon residue and performance as far as residual fuel oils go.

3. Material/Equipment Used
3.1
Porcelain Crucible
3.2
Burner
3.3
Spun-sheet iron crucible with cover
3.4
Wire Support
3.5
Circular sheet in iron hood
3.6
Insulator
4. Methodology
4.1

A 10 g of refrigeration oil sample was measured and placed in the porcelain

crucible.

4.2

A small amount of sand was then placed in the spun-sheet iron crucible.

4.3

The porcelain crucible was placed inside the spun-sheet iron crucible and was
then covered by sand.

4.4

The spun-sheet iron crucible was then placed on the wire gauze

4.5

The iron crucible was then covered by an iron hood.

4.6

After setting up, burner was then fired heating the crucible.

4.7

When all of the vapors disappear, the heating was stopped and the crucible was
taken and cooled for a short amount of time.

4.8

The porcelain crucible containing whatever was left after burning was then
weighed.

4.9

The change in mass was then recorded as the mass of the carbon residue.

4.10

The carbon residue percentage was then calculated.

5. Data and Discussion

Sample: Capella oil
Mass of Sample (g)
10

Mass of Carbon Residue (g)

.3

Calculations:
mass of porcelain = 37 g (1)
mass of porcelain w/ carbon residue = 37.3 g (2)
mass of carbon residue = (2) (1) = 37.3 37 = .3 g (A)
carbon residue (%) = (A x 100) / W
where: A = mass of carbon residue
W = mass of sample oil
carbon residue (%) = (.3 x 100) / 10 = 3%

Carbon Residue (%)

3%

6. Conclusion
6.1
As shown in the data and discussions, the carbon residue percentage is 3%. This
value serves a purpose of giving an approximation of the amount of carbon
deposits that may occur. However, it is good to note that the significance of
conradson carbon test results is dependent on the type of engine the fuel is being
used to

[8.1]

. Fuel oils are in different grades with varying carbon residues. So,

using the right grade of fuel oil for a particular unit, the carbon residue will have a
small effect on the combustion [8.3]. So, no trouble is expected if a correct grade of
fuel oil is used.
7. Recommendation
7.1
It is recommended to include Ramsbottom carbon residue test to be able to
7.2

compare the results.

While these tests are limited to fuel oils, it is suggested that other tests may be

further studied regarding the carbon content of solid fuels.

8. Bibliography
8.1
Salvatore, J. Rand. Significance of Tests for Petroleum Products. ASTM Stock
8.2

No: MNL1-7th.
Bloch, Heinz. Practical Lubrication For Industrial Facilities. 2nd ed. Lilburn:

8.3

The Fairmont Press, Inc, 2009.

Schimdt, Paul Frank. Fuel Oil Manual. 4th ed. New York: Industrial Press Inc.,
1985. Print.