5.1 Knowledge of the olefinic, aromatic, and benzene content is very important in quality specifications of petroleum products, such as spark ignition fuels (gasoline) and hydrocarbon solvents. Fast and accurate determination of hydrocarbon types and benzene of petroleum distillates and products is also important in optimization of process units.

5.2 This test method provides a fast standard procedure for determination of hydrocarbon types and benzene in light oxygenate-free petroleum distillates and products.

1.1 This test method covers and provides for the quantitative determination of total saturates, total olefins, total aromatics and benzene in light petroleum distillates having a final boiling point below 215 °C by multidimensional gas chromatography. Each hydrocarbon grouping as well as benzene can be reported in both volume and mass percent.

1.2 This test method is applicable to light petroleum distillates such as oxygenate-free motor gasoline or spark ignition fuels, naphthas and hydrocarbon solvents over the content ranges from 1 % (V/V) to 70 % (V/V) total olefins, 1 % (V/V) to 80 % (V/V) total aromatics and 0.2 % to 10 % (V/V) benzene. This test method may apply to concentrations outside these ranges, but the precision has not been determined. Interlaboratory testing for precision used full range blending streams, such as FCC, reformates and spark ignition fuel or blended motor gasolines.

1.3 This test method is not intended to determine oxygenated components. Light petroleum distillate products such as motor gasoline may contain oxygenates. Oxygenates such as methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), tert-amyl methyl ether (TAME), ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE), ethanol and methanol etc. will coelute with specific hydrocarbon groups. If there is any suspicion the sample contains oxygenates, the absence of oxygenates should be confirmed by other standard test methods such as Test Methods D4815, D5599, or D6839 before using this test method.

1.4 This test method is not applicable for the determination of individual hydrocarbon components with the exception of benzene. Test Method D6733 may be used to determine a large number of individual hydrocarbons to complement this test method.

1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.6 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.