Presentation Profile
Laboratory Atmospheric Distillation: ASTM D86 and Its Continued Use in the Modern Laboratory
Currently Scheduled: 10/15/2025 - 12:50 PM - 1:10 PM
Room: South Lobby
Main Author
Dr. Raj Shah - Koehler Instrument Company
- Angelina Precilla - Koehler Instrument Company
- Lei Andre Delos Reyes - Koehler Instrument Company
- Mojan Jafaripour - Koehler Instrument Company
- William Streiber - Koehler Instrument Company
Abstract:
Accurate distillation profiling of petroleum products is essential for evaluating fuel performance, safety, and end-use compatibility in automotive and aviation applications. This work presents a refined methodology using Koehler’s Front-View Distillation Apparatus to execute ASTM D86 batch distillation tests under controlled, repeatable conditions. By directly observing the boiling flask through a transparent window, operators can precisely identify key temperature endpoints corresponding to specific recovery percentages. The apparatus features a fully insulated stainless-steel condenser bath, a stepless 1250 W heater with rack-and-pinion elevation controls, and digital temperature regulation to maintain consistent vapor condensation. We detail optimized procedures for sample loading (100 mL), thermometer calibration, and condenser coolant management, ensuring minimal heat loss and accurate collection of distillate fractions. Comparative case studies demonstrate the apparatus’s capability to determine volatility characteristics of motor gasolines, aviation turbine fuels, kerosenes, naphthas, and distillate fuels up to Grade No. 2 diesel oil. Data obtained correlate distillation curves with engine startup behavior, warm-up efficiency, vapor-lock tendencies, and deposit formation risks due to high-boiling residues. In conclusion, this front-view design streamlines operator intervention, reduces test variability, and reinforces compliance with ASTM D86 specifications, providing laboratories and fuel producers a robust platform for safeguarding fuel quality and optimizing engine reliability.
