A knowledge of the composition of hydrocarbon refinery streams is useful for process control and quality assurance.

Aromatics in gasoline are soon to be limited by federal mandate. This test method can be used to provide such information.

1.1 This test method provides for the determination of paraffins, naphthenes, and aromatics by carbon number in low olefinic hydrocarbon streams having final boiling points of 200°C or less. Hydrocarbons with boiling points greater than 200°C and less than 270°C are reported as a single group. Olefins, if present, are hydrogenated and the resultant saturates are included in the paraffin and naphthene distribution. Aromatics boiling at C₉ and above are reported as a single aromatic group.

1.2 This test method is not intended to determine individual components except for benzene and toluene that are the only C₆ and C₇ aromatics, respectively, and cyclopentane, that is the only C₅ naphthene. The lower limit of detection for a single hydrocarbon component or group is 0.05 mass %.

1.3 This test method is applicable to hydrocarbon mixtures including virgin, catalytically converted, thermally converted, alkylated and blended naphthas.

1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, 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. Specific precautionary statements are given in Section 7 and Table 1.