The intuitive Saybolt and ASTM D1500 color scales can be used individually or in tandem to rank low- and high-chroma petroleum-based products by color.
The Saybolt color scale is used for petroleum products with a slightly yellow but low tint such as mineral oil, kerosene, gasoline, naphtha, aviation fuel, white petroleum wax, and pharmaceutical white oil.
The visual Saybolt color scale is defined in ASTM D156 Standard Test Method for Saybolt Color of Petroleum Products (Saybolt Chromatography).
The ASTM D1500 visual color scale (also known as “D1500” or “ASTM Color”) is applied to higher-hue or more colorful petroleum products such as lubricants, additives, and oils.
Visual “ASTM Color” or “D1500 Color” is determined by ASTM Standard Test Method D1500 for ASTM Color of Petroleum Products (ASTM Color Scale).
The instrumental correlation in HunterLab EasyMatch QC software with both of these color scales follows ASTM D6045 Standard Test Method for Color of Petroleum Products by the Automated Tristimulus Method which describes the instrumental correlation with the visual Saybolt color scale and ASTM D1500.
A standard 50 mm transmittance sensor (HunterLab Part #13-8573-20) is required to measure Saybolt Color of low chroma oil or petrochemical samples, and a 33 mm transmittance sensor (HunterLab Part # B04-1003-801 Transmittance Sensor, 33 mm) is required to measure high chroma D1500 Color.
Suitable options are limited-pass versions of these sensors for better handling of volatiles – the 50 mm limited-pass sensor (HunterLab Part # D12-1011-892) for the Saybolt Color and the 33 mm limited-pass sensor (HunterLab Part # D12-1011-891) (Transmittance Cell, 33 mm) for the D1500 Color.
Both sensors fit into the transmissive compartments of the ColorQuest XT, ColorQuest XE, UltraScan VIS, and UltraScan PRO instruments using the standard Transmissive Cell Holder (HL# C02-1005-481). HunterLab
The 33 mm path length transmissive sensor will fit into the transmission compartments of the ColorQuest XT, ColorQuest XE, UltraScan VIS, and UltraScan PRO instruments using the standard Transmissive Sensor Holder (HL# C02-1005-481). HunterLab also offers a version of the transmissive cell holder that combines the Spill Tray and Cell Holder (HL# D02-1011-568), a combined spillage transmissive cell holder for accident situations.
Saybolt colorimetric method
Standardize the HunterLab d/8 spherical instrument in TTRAN (Total Transmission, LAV – Large Field of View, Nominal UV Filter) mode using a suitable 50 mm path length cell filled with distilled water. Reread the
water filled cell as a PQ Performance Assessment step to ensure that the instrument is set up correctly and performance is satisfactory for further sample readings.
The Saybolt Color for distilled water reread in the 50 mm cell after TTRAN LAV standardization should read approximately 30 with L* = 100.0, a* = 0, b* = 0 D65/10.
If the reread PQ of DI water matches the expected value, your performance is satisfactory for proceeding with readings of low chromatic petrochemical samples.
Measure near colorless liquid petrochemical samples and report CIE L*, a*, b* D65/10 and Saybolt-50/100mm color values.
ASTM D1500 Colorimetric Method
Configure the EasyMatch QC software to display ASTM D1500 Colors.
Calibrate the HunterLab d/8 sphere device in TTRAN Total Transmission mode using a 33 mm path length cell filled with distilled water.
Re-read the water filled cell as a PQ Performance Evaluation step to ensure that the instrument is set up correctly and performance is adequate to continue reading samples. .
ASTM D1500 The color of distilled water read back in a 33 mm cuvette after TTRAN LAV standardization should read 0.3 approximately with L* = 100.0, a* = 0, b* = 0 D65/10.
If the DI water PQ reading matches the expected value then you are performance qualified to proceed with reading high chromatic oil and petrochemical samples.
Measures highly chromatic liquid petroleum chemical samples and reports CIE L*, a*, b* D65/10 and ASTM D1500-33mm color values.
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Oil Analysis Laboratory
Best Regards.,
Mr. Nguyen Huu Nhat – Director, Analytical Instruments
Viet Instruments Joint Stock Company
Office: 187 Road No 10, Ward 8, Go Vap Dist, Ho Chi Minh,Vietnam
T: +84.375136242 | F : +84.8.35107658 | M: +84.909470840 – 0901427775
E-mail: nhat.nguyen@vietinstrument.com
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