GPA Standard 2140-97

Liquefied Petroleum Gas

Specifications and Test Methods

Adopted as Recommended Procedures 1931

Revised 1940-1947-1948-1951-1955-1957-1959-1960-1962-1968
1970-1973-1975-1977-1980-1984-1986-1988-1990-1992-1996-1997
Reprinted 1998

Gas Processors Association

6526 East 60th Street
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74145

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Disclaimer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ii

Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ii

GPA Specifications for Liquefied Petroleum Gases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ASTM D-1265-92: Sampling Liquefied Petroleum Gases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ASTM D-1267-95: Vapor Pressure of Liquefied Petroleum Gases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ASTM D-1657-89: Density or Relative Density of Light Hydrocarbons

by Pressure Hydrometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

10

ASTM D-1837-94: Volatility of Liquefied Petroleum Gases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

14

ASTM D-1838-91: Copper Strip Corrosion by Liquefied

Petroleum Gases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

17

ASTM D-2158-92: Residues in Liquefied Petroleum Gases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

20

ASTM D-2163-91: Analysis of Liquefied Petroleum (LP) Gases and

Propylene Concentrates by Gas Chromatography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

24

ASTM D-2713-91: Dryness of Propane (Valve Freeze Method) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

29

ASTM D-2784-92: Sulfur in Liquefied Petroleum Gases

(Oxyhydrogen Burner or Lamp) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

31

GPA 2174-93:

Obtaining Liquid Hydrocarbon Samples Using a Floating

Piston Cylinder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Propane Dryness Test (Cobalt Bromide Method) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Note:

37
50

ASTM test methods included in this publication have been adopted by GPA, and are included through a
right-to-reprint a g r e e m e n t with, and by special permission of, the A m e r i c a n Society of Testing and
Materials, 1916 Race Street, Philadelphia, Pa.

DISCLAIMER
GPA publications necessarily address problems of a general nature and may be used by anyone desiring to do so.
Every effort has been made by GPA to assure accuracy and reliability of the information contained in its publications. With
respect to particular circumstances, local, state, and federal laws and regulations should be reviewed. It is not the intent of
GPA to assume the duties of employers, manufacturers, or suppliers to warn and properly train employees, or others
exposed, concerning health and safety risks or precautions.
GPA makes no representation, warranty, or guarantee in connection with this publication and hereby expressly
disclaims any liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from its use or for the violation of any federal, state, or
municipal regulation with which this publication may conflict, or for any infringement of letters of patent regarding
apparatus, equipment, or method so covered.

FOREWORD
These specifications generally define physical properties and characteristics of liquefied petroleum gases (LP-Gas)
which make them suitable for private, commercial, or industrial applications. These specifications do not purport to
specifically define all possible requirements to meet all possible applications. Therefore the user is cautioned to exercise
judgement in formulating final specifications for specific applications.
The Gas Processors Association, its management, and supporting companies claim no specific knowledge of how
manufacturers and users will produce, handle, store, transfer or consume the products defined herein and therefore, are not
responsible for any claims, causes of action, liabilities, losses or expenses resulting from injury or death of persons and/or
damage to property arising directly or indirectly from the use of LP-Gas or these specifications relating to LP-Gas.
LP-gases are composed of hydrocarbon compounds, predominately propane and butane, produced during the
processing of natural gas and also in the conventional processing of crude oil. The composition of LP-gases may vary
depending on the source and the ratios of propane and butane content. They exist as gases at atmospheric pressure and
ambient temperatures, but are readily liquefied under moderate pressures for transportation and utilization
There are many uses for LP-gases, the major ones being as (1) petrochemical, synthetic rubber, and motor gasoline
feedstocks, and as (2) commercial, domestic and industrial fuel. The following may be accepted as a general guide for the
common uses for the four fuel types covered by these specifications:
Commercial Propane is the preferred fuel type for domestic, commercial and industrial fuels. It is also a suitable fuel
for low severity internal combustion engines.
Commercial Butane is used principally as feedstock for petrochemicals, synthetic rubber, and as blending stocks or
feedstocks in the manufacture of motor gasolines. Its use as a fuel is generally limited to industrial applications where
vaporization problems are not encountered; however, small quantifies are used as domestic fuel.
Commercial Butane-Propane Mixtures cover a broad range of mixtures, which permits the tailoring of fuels or
feedstocks to specific needs.
Propane HD-5 is less variable in composition and combustion characteristics than other products covered by these
specifications. It is also suitable as a fuel for internal combustion engines operating at moderate to high engine severity.

Additional Considerations
Odorization
For certain applications including, but not limited to, use of LP-gas for residential and commercial fuels, users of LPgas should be aware of additional requirements of other standards, principally NFPA 58 "Storage and Handling of Liquefied
Petroleum Gases"(1) and other regulations (2). NFPA 58 has been adopted widely by local, state and other regulatory bodies
in the form of laws, ordinances, or regulations governing the safe storage, transportation, and use of LP-gas as fuels.
Among other requirements, NFPA 58 (See. 1-4.1.1) stipulates that LP-gases "be odorized by the addition of a warning
agent of such character that they are detectable, by a distinct odor, down to a concentration in air of not over one-fifth the
lower limit of flammability". NFPA notes that "ethyl mercaptan in the ratio of 1.0 lb. per 10,000 gallon of liquid LP-Gas has
been recognized as an effective odorant. Other odorants and quantities meeting the requirements of 1-4.1.1 may be used.
Research on odorants has shown that thiophane in a ratio of at least 6.4 lbs. per 10,000 gallon of liquid LP-Gas may satisfy
the requirements of 1-4.1.".

Ammonia
NFPA 58 also states that LP-gas stored or used in systems within the scope of this standard "shall not contain
ammonia". Although ammonia is not a naturally occurring contaminant of LP-gas, certain industry practices, including the
dual use of transportation or storage equipment, may inadvertently result in contamination of LP-gas by ammonia. When
such a possibility exists, users should test for the presence Of ammonia in propane and take appropriate means to eliminate
ammonia from the system, since such contamination may cause stress corrosion cracking of copper bearing alloys in the
distribution system.
ii

Fluorides
Certain refining processes can, during process upset or malfunction, result in contamination of LP-gas by fluoride
compounds. Such contamination can be extremely destructive in the distribution and end user system. In addition, the
combustion products of fluorides can cause physical damage to property and personal health. Similarly, fluorocarbons, such
as certain refrigerants, can contaminate gas through dual use of storage or tankage facilities. Such contamination is rare but,
if the possibility exists, users of LP-gas should take extreme precautions to insure the absence of fluorides.

Sulfur Compounds
Sulfur compounds such as elemental sulfur, hydrogen sulfide, and carbonyl sulfide may be naturally occurring
contaminates of natural gas from which LP-gas is derived. The Copper Strip Corrosion Test (ASTM D-1838) and the Total
Sulfur Test (ASTM D-2784) assure limitation of objectionable sulfur compounds to prevent corrosion of equipment
containing brass fittings and copper tubing. However this test method is not applicable to liquefied petroleum gases
containing corrosion inhibitors or any other agents which diminish the corrosivity of the sample to the copper strip.

Methanol
There is a possibility that a small amount of methanol may be present in LP-Gas. If methanol is present, ASTM D2713, "Standard Test Method for Dryness of Propane--Valve Freeze Method" is not applicable for determining the dryness
of propane type products.

Residual
LP-gas as produced is normally free of residual matter, which includes those heavier hydrocarbons boiling above
100 F, including any solid foreign materials. If residuals are present as shown by ASTM D-2158, "Standard Test Method
for Residues in LP-Gas", and are in excess of the amount allowed by these specifications, such material may cause improper
operation of regulators, vaporizers, or combustion apparatus.
(1) NFPA 58 "Storage and Handling Liquefied Petroleum Gases"--National Fire Protection Assciatin, Battery'March
Park, Quincy, MA 02269
(2) Code of Federal Regulations, CFR 49:173.315(b)(1)
Other Trace Constituents
Trace constituents other than those mentioned above can also be present in LP-gas as a natural occurrence or from
processing. These may include olefins, mercury, and arsenic. Users of LP-gas with processes that can be harmed by these
constituents are advised to take appropriate precautions to prevent damage to catalysts and/or process equipment from these
trace materials.

iii

GPA LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS SPECIFICATIONS

Product Designation

Predominantly
Composition ................................................................................
propane and/or
propylene

Vapor pressure at 100F, psig, max .........

at 37.8C, kPa, max
Volatile residue:
temperature at 95% evaporation,
deg. F, max .........................................................................
deg. C, max ..........................................................................
--=i.

or

butane and heavier, liquid volume percent max .....

pentane and heavier, liquid volume percent max...

Commercial
Butane

Commercial
B-P
Mixtures

Propane
HD-5

Test
Methods

Predominantly
butanes and/or

Predominantly
mixtures of
butanes and/or
butylenes with
propane and/or
propylene

not less than 90

liquid volume percent propane; not
more than 5 liquid
volume percent
propylene

ASTM Do2163-91

Commercial
Propane

Product Characteristics

butylenes

208
1434

70
483

208
1434

208
1434

ASTM D-1267-95

-37
-38.3
2.5

36
2.2

36
2.2

-37
-38.3
2.5

ASTM D-1837-94

0.05 ml
pass (1)

ASTM D-2158-92
ASTM D-2158-92

2.0

2.0

ASTM D-2163-91
ASTM D-2163-91

Residual matter:
residue on evaporation of 100 ml, max ........
oil stain observation

0.05 ml

pass (1)

Corrosion, copper strip, max ...........

No. 1

No. 1

No. 1

No. 1

ASTM D-1838-91
(Note A)

Total sulfur, ppmw ....

185

140

140

123

ASTM D-2784-92

(NoteB)
Moisture content ......

pass

pass

GPA Propane
Dryness Test
(Cobalt Bromide)
or

D-2713-91
Free water content ....

(1)

none

none

An acceptable product shall not yield a persistent oil ring when 0.3 ml of solvent residue mixture is added to a filter paper m 0.1 increments and examined in daylight
after 2 minutes as described in ASTM D-2158.
NOTE A: This method may not accurately determine the corrosivity of the liquefied petroleum gas if the sample contains corrosion inhibitors or other chemicals which
diminish the corrosivity of the sample to the copper strip. Therefore, the addition of such compounds for the sole purpose of biasing the test is prohibited.
NOTE B: Be advised that the total sulfur limits in these specifications 40 include sulfur compounds used for stenching purposes.

(~

Designation:D 1265- 92

An American National Standard

Standard Practice for

Sampling Liquefied Petroleum (LP) Gases (Manual Method) I
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 1265; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the ease of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last re.approval. A
superscript epsilon (0 indicates an editorial change since the last revision or re.approval.

1. Scope
1.1 This practice covers the procedures for obtaining
representative samples of liquefied petroleum gases such as
propane, butane, or mixtures thereof, in containers other
than those used in laboratory testing apparatus. These
procedures are considered adequate for obtaining representative samples for all routine tests for LP gases required by
Specification D1835 except analysis by Test Method
D 2163. They are not intended for obtaining samples to be
used for compositional analysis. A sample procedure that
avoids changes in composition must be used for compositional analysis.

5. General Information
5.1 Considerable effort is required to obtain a representative sample, especially if the material being sampled is a
mixture of liquefied petroleum gases. The following factors
must be considered:
5.1.1 Obtain samples of the liquid phase only.
5.1.2 When it is definitely known that the material being
sampled is composed predominantly of only one liquefied
petroleum gas, a liquid sample may be taken from any part
of the vessel.
5.1.3 When the material being sampled has been agitated
until uniformity is assured, a liquid sample may be taken
from any part of the vessel.
5.1.4 Because of wide variation in the construction details
of containers for liquefied petroleum gases, it is difficult to
specify a uniform method for obtaining representative sampies of heterogeneous mixtures. If it is not practicable to
agitate a mixture for homogeneity, obtain liquid samples by
a procedure which has been agreed upon by the contracting
parties.
5.1.5 Directions for sampling cannot be made explicit
enough to cover all cases. They must be supplemented by
judgment, skill, and sampling experience. Extreme care and
good judgment are necessary to ensure samples which
represent the general character and average condition of the
material. Because of the hazards involved, liquefied petroleum gases should be sampled by, or under the supervision
of, persons familiar with the necessary safety precautions.

NOTE ImPractice D 3700 describes a r e c o m m e n d e d method for

obtaining a representative sample o f a hydrocarbon fluid and the
subsequent preparation o f that sample for laboratory analysis.

1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the

safety problems, 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
2.1 A S T M Standards:
D 1835 Specification for Liquefied Petroleum (LP) Gases2
D 2163 Test Method for Analysis of Liquefied Petroleum
(LP) Gases and Propene Concentrates by Gas
Chromatography 2
D 3700 Practice for Containing Hydrocarbon Fluid Samples Using a Floating Piston Cylinder 3

NOTE 2 - - S a m p l e s to be tested for presence o f corrosive compounds

or sulfur compounds should be taken in stainless steel containers
equipped with stainless steel valves; otherwise, determinations o f
mercaptans and hydrogen sulfide, for example, can be misleading,

3. Summary of Practice
3.1 A liquid sample is transferred from the source into a
sample container by purging the container and filling it with
liquid, then providing 20 % outage so that 80 % of the liquid
volume remains.

5.1.6 Hydrocarbon vapors vented during sampling must

be controlled to assure compliance with applicable safety and
environmental regulations.
6. Apparatus
6.1 Sample Container--Use metal sample containers of a
type that ensures maximum safety and are resistant to
corrosion by the product being sampled. A suitable material
is stainless steel. The size of the container depends upon the
amount of sample required for the laboratory tests to be
made. The sample container should be fitted with an internal
outage (ullage) tube to permit release of 20 % of the
container capacity. The end of the container fitted with the
outage (ullage) tube shall be clearly marked. Typical sample
containers are shown in Figs. I and 2. If the container is to be
transported, it must often conform to specifications pubIished in Tariff No. 10, "I.C.C. Regulations for Transportation of Explosives and Other Dangerous Articles," its supplemerits, or reissues.

4. significance and Use

4.1 Samples of liquefied petroleum gases are examined by
various test methods to determine physical and chemical
characteristics. The test results are often used for custody
transfer and pricing determination. It is therefore essential
that the samples be representative of the product to be tested.
i This practice is under the joint jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-2 on
Petroleum and Petroleum Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D02.H on Liquefied Petroleum Gas.
Current edition approved March 15, 1992. Published May 1992. Originally
published as D 1265 - 53 T. Last previous edition D 1265 - 87.
2 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.01.
3 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vnls 05.02.