ASTM D7740-11 - 1.7.2011
 
Significance and Use

Accurate elemental analysis of petroleum products and lubricants is necessary for the determination of chemical properties, which are used to establish compliance with commercial and regulatory specifications.

Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) is one of the most widely used analytical techniques in the oil industry for elemental analysis. There are at least twelve Standard Test Methods published by ASTM D02 Committee on Petroleum Products and Lubricants for such analysis. See Table 1.

 
1. Scope

1.1 This practice covers information on the calibration and operational guidance for elemental measurements using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS).

1.1.1 AAS Related Standards—Test Methods D1318, D3237, D3340, D3605, D3831, D4628, D5056, D5184, D5863, D6732; Practices D7260 and D7455; and Test Methods D7622 and D7623.

1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.3 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.

 
2. Referenced Documents

D1318-23

Standard Test Method for Sodium in Residual Fuel Oil (Flame Photometric Method)

D3237-22

Standard Test Method for Lead in Gasoline by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy

D3340-07

Standard Test Method for Lithium and Sodium in Lubricating Greases by Flame Photometer (Withdrawn 2013)

D6299-26

Standard Practice for Applying Statistical Quality Assurance and Control Charting Techniques to Evaluate Analytical Measurement System Performance

D6732-26

Standard Test Method for Determination of Copper in Jet Fuels by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

D6792-25

Standard Practice for Quality Management Systems in Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants Testing Laboratories

D7623-20

Standard Test Method for Total Mercury in Crude Oil Using Combustion-Gold Amalgamation and Cold Vapor Atomic Absorption Method

D5863-22

Standard Test Methods for Determination of Nickel, Vanadium, Iron, and Sodium in Crude Oils and Residual Fuels by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

D3605-22

Standard Test Method for Trace Metals in Gas Turbine Fuels by Atomic Absorption and Flame Emission Spectroscopy

D3831-22

Standard Test Method for Manganese in Gasoline By Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy

D4057-22

Standard Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and Petroleum Products

D4177-22e1

Standard Practice for Automatic Sampling of Petroleum and Petroleum Products (Includes all amendments and changes 3/24/2023).

D4307-17(2021)

Standard Practice for Preparation of Liquid Blends for Use as Analytical Standards

D4628-23

Standard Test Method for Analysis of Barium, Calcium, Magnesium, and Zinc in Unused Lubricating Oils by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

D5056-22

Standard Test Method for Trace Metals in Petroleum Coke by Atomic Absorption

D5184-22

Standard Test Methods for Determination of Aluminum and Silicon in Fuel Oils by Ashing, Fusion, Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry, and Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

D7260-25

Standard Practice for Optimization, Calibration, and Validation of Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES) for Elemental Analysis of Petroleum Products and Lubricants

D7622-20(2025)

Standard Test Method for Total Mercury in Crude Oil Using Combustion and Direct Cold Vapor Atomic Absorption Method with Zeeman Background Correction

D7455-24

Standard Practice for Sample Preparation of Petroleum and Lubricant Products for Elemental Analysis