selection of oil fuel using cloud and pour point

1. Lab report of Energy Engineering lab
Cloud point and pour point
1
Objective
To Determine the Cloud and Pour Point Of Given Oil Sample
Apparatus:
1. Given oil sample (Coconut oil)
2. Thermometer
3. Beaker
4. Cooling bath
5. Cork
6. Testing jar
Related Theory:
Cloud point is the temperature at which oil becomes cloudy or hazy when an oil is cooled at
specified rate.
Pour Point is the temperature at which oil just ceases to flow.
The pour point of a liquid is the lowest temperature at which it becomes semi solid and loses
its flow characteristics.
Cloud and pour points are related to low temperature characteristics of fuel and tells the
behavior of fuel at low temperatures. Haziness may be due to separation of waxes or increase
in viscosity at low temperature. Due to the separation of waxes, viscosity of fuel oil increases
and its fluidity decreases. Te presence of solidified waxes thickens the oil and clogs fuels
filters and injectors in engine. So, the presence of these solid waxes affects the performance
of engines. Usually the difference between cloud and pour points is 4-60F. Pour point tells us
the temperature below which oil cannot be used as lubricant. Cloud point indicates the
tendency of oil to plug filters or small orifices at cold operating temperatures. So, cloud and
pour points also tell us the suitability of lubricating oils in cold condition.
Fig: Cloud point and pour point apparatus

2. Lab report of Energy Engineering lab
Cloud point and pour point
2
The presence of some components in the formulation can depress or increase the cloud point
of solution/oil. For example the addition of coupler or hydrotrope can increase the cloud
point of a solution/oil, where as builders or some other salts will decrease the cloud point
temperature. Also microfiltration was used to separate the waxes that precipitate out at
different temperature in waxy crude oils.
Procedure:
First I cooled the oil to be tested to a temperature at least 250C about the approximate cloud
point. Then I removed moisture present by filtration through any linthless filter paper until
the oil was perfectly clear. Then I poured the clear oil into the test jar up to the level marked.
Then I adjusted the position of the cork carrying the test thermometer so that the cork fits
tightly. Thermometer and jar were co-axial and thermometer bulb was heating at the bottom
of the jar. Then I placed the ring gasket around the test jar one inch from the bottom. The disk
gasket and inside the gasket should be clear and dry. Then I inserted the test gar in the jacket
and maintained the temperature of cooling bath at 30-350C and put the jacket containing test
gar in the cooling bath. After every 20C fall in temperature, I removed the test jar from the
jacket quickly, but without disturbing the oil. Inspected for the cloud and replaced in the
jacket. This complete operation shall not require more than three seconds. I repeated the
procedure till inspection reveals distinct cloudiness in the bottom of test jar. Then I recorded
the readings.
Results:
Cloud point of given oil sample (coconut oil) = 170C
Pour point of given oil sample (coconut oil) = 130C
Discussion:
 While observing the thermometer sometime there is a sudden rise or sudden drop in
temperature so, we should take care of it otherwise reading may alter.
 For pour point we must check the fluidity of oil for at least 5sec.
 Take care while observing cloud point it shows cloudy appearance in the oil while the
cold condense water also shows cloudy appearance.