The water and sediment content of crude oil is significant because it can cause corrosion of equipment and problems in processing. A determination of water and sediment content is required to measure accurately net volumes of actual oil in sales, taxation, exchanges, and custody transfers. It is not anticipated that this test method, which is written with a dedicated laboratory facility in mind, is likely to be used in field test rooms or sample rooms due to safety concerns for proper ventilation    and handling.

1.1 This test method describes the laboratory determination of water and sediment in crude oils by means of the centrifuge procedure. This centrifuge method for determining water and sediment in crude oils is not entirely satisfactory. The amount of water detected is almost always lower than the actual water content. When a highly accurate value is required, the revised procedures for water by distillation, Test Method D 4006 (API MPMS Chapter 10.2) (Note 1), and sediment by extraction, Test Method D 473 (API MPMS Chapter 10.1), shall be used.

Note 1—Test Method D 4006 (API MPMS Chapter 10.2) has been determined to be the preferred and most accurate method for the determination of water.

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

1.3 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 warning statements appear in 6.1, 8.3, and A1.5.4.