TITLE: CLOUD AND POUR POINT DETERMINATION

OBJECTIVE:
1. To study Cloud Point and Pour Point of oil
2. To determine the Cloud point and pour point of the given sample.
REQUIREMENTS
Cloud and pour point apparatus, Thermometer, Ice crystals.
DEFINITIONS
The cloud point of a fluid is the temperature at which dissolved solids are no longer completely
soluble, precipitating as a second phase giving the fluid a cloudy appearance. This term is
relevant to several applications with different consequences. The cloud point of oil sample is the
temperature at which a cloud or haze of crystals appear at the bottom of the test jar, when the
sample is cooled under prescribed conditions.
THEORY:
Cloud point and pour point are indicators of the lowest temperature of utility for petroleum
products. Cloud Point gives a rough idea of temperature above which the oil can be safely
handled without any fear of congealing or filter clogging. The sample is periodically examined
while it is being cooled in the cloud and pour point apparatus. The highest temperature at which
haziness is observed (cloud point), or the lowest temperature at which the oil ceased to flow is
observed (pour point), is reported as the test result. The cold filter plugging point test is used to
determine the extent to which diesel fuel or gasoil will flow, even though the temperature is
below that at which wax crystals normally appear, i.e. cloud point. Pour point is a wellestablished test to estimate the temperature at which a sample of oil becomes sufficiently solid to
prevent its movement by pumping. The pour point indicates the waxy nature of the oils.

Figure: Test setup for Cloud Point and Pour Point apparatus

PROCEDURE:
1. The pour point can be defined as the lowest temperature expressed in multiples of 3Cat
which the oil is observed to flow when cooled and examined under prescribed conditions.
2. Oil is poured into the test jar up to the level mark of 51 to 57 mm. If necessary the oil is
heated until it is sufficiently enough to flow.
3. The test jar is closed with the cork carrying the thermometer. The cork position is
adjusted to make it fit properly into the tube.
4. The thermometer bulb is immersed so that the beginning of the capillary is 3mm below
the oil surface.
5. The test jar surrounded by the air jacked is kept in the freezing mixture and it is allowed
to cool.
6. The falling temperature was observed with every degree fall of temperature in the given
sample. The tube was withdrawn from the air jacket for a moment of about (2-3sec) and
examined. It was then replaced immediately.
7. The temperature at which the cloudiness appeared was noted as the cloud point.
8. The test tube was cooled continuously. The test tube was withdrawn often for 5C fall of
temperature to observe the flow or pour point of the sample.
9. The temperature at which the oil does not flow in the tube even when kept horizontal for
5sec is recorded as pour point.

RESULT:
1. The pour point of the given sample was found to be ---------oC.
2. The cloud point of the given sample was found to be ---------oC