Safe and Accurate Analysis of Distillate Oils
Distillate oil testing methods, including thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), require a smaller sample size - about 10 mg, as compared to legacy method requiring sample of 2-3 g. TGA recognizes the displacement sequence of the constituents of distillate oil during spontaneous saturation procedure. The data collected regarding ash content exhibits greater accuracy of about 1 × 10?5 mg.
To determine ash content in oil, distillate oil testing methods, such as microwave ashing, utilize silicon carbide for swift heating due to high absorption of microwave energy. The air valve allows passage of fresh air into the heating room, eliminating fumes and odors in sync delivering the oxygen required for fast oxidation. Inclusion of rapid heating/cooling crucibles in microwave ashing method enhances safety, and efficacy. Further, microwave ashing technique exhibits the ability to ash larger samples for more exact outcomes.
Determining ‘Flash Point’ and ‘Pour Point’ to Enhance Transfer & Storage
Flash point is one of the paramount aspects for the determination of hazardous waste characteristic of ignitability for liquids, where distillate oils with flash point above 60 degrees Celsius (~140 degrees Fahrenheit) are considered safe as per the ASTM standards. In addition, distillate oils having high flash point correspond to higher temperature required for the fuel to flash, as such, the fuel does not undergo instant ignition, ensuring safety.
Distillate oil testing methods such as, ASTM D93 (Pensky - Martines Closed Tester), determine the amount of light materials present in the distillate oil - crucial to ensure safe handling of petroleum products (transfer and storage) and smooth ignition of fuel.
Determination of pour point is important following the fact that the conditions for pumping, storage and transfer of oil in pipelines and tanks are specified as per the pour point and the viscosity. Industrial applications majorly rely on distillate oils for lighting purposes on grounds of lower paraffinicity equating to decreased risk of inflammation.
Distillate oil testing methods complying with ASTM D97-96a (petroleum products) ASTM D5853-95 (for crude oil) standards are performed to ascertain relative paraffinicity and aromacity of distillate oils.
Developed and Developing Countries - Government Standards Underpinning the Growth
Distillate oils including, fuel oil, lube oil, bunker oil, and residual oil find purposes in diverse applications as per the oil grade. As such, analysis of distillate oil according to government norms in the US, and the UK – ASTM (America Society for testing Material), and IP (Institute of Petroleum) standards respectively – becomes paramount.
The unprecedented growth of the US as a major oil exporter is expected to overhaul Russia, and approach Saudi Arab, setting high hopes for market players. Furthermore, in Asia, India is estimated to equal China in terms of oil demand in the upcoming years following latter’s sluggish demand growth.
Satiating Customers’ Requisites and Testing Standards - Key Tenets to Define Stakeholders’ Tactics
Major players - Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. and SGS SA – account for ~37% of the total revenue of global distillate oil testing market. Time, and efficiency are always recognized as vital factors in industrial operations. Market players, including SGS, are offering mobile field laboratory services to support oil and gas producers by onsite testing and reporting.
Distillate oil testing service providers are seeking government approvals across various countries. For instance, Intertek Group Plc has been granted approval to perform legal audits on occupational risk prevention systems by the Basque Government in Spain.
Furthermore, market forces are targeting countries, including Mexico, and Saudi Arab, citing upgradation and construction of oil refineries. The Mexican government launched a scheme - the National Refining Plan - in a bid to energy self-relaint by 2022, which includes development and redesigning at Pemex’s six refineries, as well as building in Dos Bocas of a seventh refinery.
How Growth Will Unfold
Escalating demand for transportation fuels across the globe echoes increasing production capacity of oil manufacturers for domestic and international trade – a trailblazer for distillate oil testing service providers. Administration bodies across various countries are issuing strong appeals to incline towards alternative transportation fuels to counter net carbon footprint, and enhance energy security. As a consequence, distillate oil testing providers are offering analyzing services for biofuels derived from renewable sources of energy.
Frequently Asked Questions About distillate oil testing service market
How is regulatory framework expected to impact the distillate oil testing service market?
Testing and inspection of distillate oil products need to conform to ASTM 396 (Standard Specification for Fuel Oil), ISO and IP standards. In addition, as safe handling of petroleum products is of paramount importance, testing services offered by market players must comply with ASTM D97-96a (petroleum products) ASTM D5853-95 (for crude oil) standards.
What are key regional trends influencing the growth of the distillate oil testing service market?
Emergence of the U.S. and Russia as a major oil exporters continues to attract huge attention from market players. Saudi Arabia’s diversification into the downstream sector and ongoing operations of large-scale refinery projects will also remain instrumental to the market growth.
Which market verticals of distillate oil testing services will have the most growth over the next 5 years?
Off-site services continue to witness higher demand as compared to on-site services, accounting for over 80% of total revenue share. Adoption by refineries has resulted in increased market share, while application in the chemical space is growing on a significant pace.
What revenues will distillate oil testing services generate over the next decade?
Global adoption of distillate oil testing services is expected to account for revenues worth over US$ 2.3 Bn by 2029, maintaining an average annual increase of 5.5% from 2019 to 2029.
What are main industry challenges and competitive risks faced by market players?
As global focus on alternative transportation fuels to reduce carbon footprint and enhance energy security grows strong, market stakeholders are hard pressed to increase their investments in analyzing the quality of range of bio-fuels. Further, as competition intensifies in the market, stakeholders will need to set their services apart to stay ahead of the curve.
Key Segment
By Test Type
- Ash Content
- Pour Point
- Flashpoint
- Oxidation Stability
- Others
By Service Type
- Off-Site
- On-Site
By Sample Type
- Fuel Oil
- Lube Oil
- Vacuum Gas Oil
- Residual Fuel
- Others
By End Use
- Refineries
- Chemical
- Research & Academic
- Others
By Region
- North America
- Latin America
- Europe
- South Asia
- East Asia
- Oceania
- Middle East and Africa
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by - Sudip Saha, Managing Director and Co-Founder of Future Market Insights
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