METHOD OF PREDICTING SHELF LIFE OF HYDROCARBON FUEL IN STORAGE FACILITIES Russian patent published in 2012 - IPC G01N33/22 

FIELD: chemistry.

SUBSTANCE: when predicting shelf life of fuel, an 'acidity' quality factor is used and the effect of surface area S_st of structural materials of the intended storage facilities on the volume V_st of the fuel to be stored based on conditions of the intended storage climatic regions is taken into account. The full surface area s_us of samples of structural material for temperature control is calculated; n (n≥4) batches of samples of structural materials are prepared, each being temperature-controlled at a defined temperature while collecting fuel samples and determining the current acidity value of each sample. Curves of change in acidity value of the fuel from each batch versus the duration of temperature control at given temperatures are plotted, after which the energy factor B of the analysed fuel is determined and for 1000≤B≤45000, the shelf life of the fuel in a specific storage facility and specific climatic region is determined using a formula.

EFFECT: high reliability of analysis results owing to test conditions which are close to natural storage conditions of the fuel.

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