Republic of the Philippines

CAMARINES SUR POLYTECHNIC COLLEGES

College of Engineering
Nabua, Camarines Sur
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE

Laboratory Experiment 2

POUR POINT AND CLOUD POINT TESTING OF LIQUID FUELS/SUBTANCES

I. Objectives

1. Determine the Cloud Point and Pour Point of the liquid fuels/substances.
2. Know the properties of the different liquid fuels/substances at a low temperature.
3. Evaluate the accuracy of the test results and identify any potential sources of error.

II. Concept of Pour and Cloud Point Testing

Pour Point and Cloud Point Testing is used to determine the lowest temperature at
which liquid fuels/substances can be used in a given application. These two test are used
to measure the temperature at which a liquid fuels/substances will become to solidify or
form a cloudy suspension. The pour point is the temperature at which the liquid will no
longer flow, while the cloud point is the temperature at which the liquid will form a
cloudy suspension.
These tests are important for determining the suitability of a fuels/substances for
use in a certain application, such as automotive engines, where the fuel must remain in a
liquid state at all temperatures.

III. Apparatus
 Thermometer
 Substance (Corn Oil)
 Refrigerator (Freezer)
 Glass Container

IV. Procedure

1. Gather the necessary materials: corn oil, a thermometer, a glass container.

2. At a room temperature, measure out a sample of corn oil and pour it into the glass
container.
3. Dip the thermometer at the glass container with a corn oil inside, then wait a few
seconds to measure the temperature before putting it inside the freezer. That will be
the initial temperature.
4. Before putting the oil inside the freezer, measure also the temperature of the freezer
using the thermometer.
5. Put the corn oil and the container inside the freezer.
 Republic of the Philippines
CAMARINES SUR POLYTECHNIC COLLEGES
College of Engineering
Nabua, Camarines Sur
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE

6. Monitor the oil at least every 10-15 minutes. Then check its temperature using the
thermometer and document the progress in respect to every 10-15 minutes
interval.
7. When the temperature of the corn oil begins to drop to the point where the crystals
form become a cloudy suspension. Measure it using the thermometer, then record
and document its temperature. When it is no longer flowing, then it has now
reached its pour point.
8. After reaching the pour point, continue to lower the temperature then leave the
corn oil and the container inside the freezer overnight.
9. When the temperature of the corn oil is at which, the crystals become cloudy.
Measure and document the oil again by using a thermometer, then this will now be
its cloud point.
10. Lastly, discard the corn oil from the glass container, then wash it and also the
thermometer then cleans your surroundings. Then you can finally answer some
questions below in accordance with the findings from designated oil.

V. Data

TIME TEMPERATURE
0 min. (at room temperature) 25 C
After 10-15 mins 11 C
After 30 mins 6 C (Pour Point)
Overnight 1 C (Cloud Point)
Note:
If no further readings were measured since it exceed the
allowable measurement of the thermometer used. Thus, the substance
was left in the freezer (overnight) for it to reach its cloud point.

VI. Analysis
This experiment of getting the pour point and cloud point of corn oil provides
valuable insight into the properties of the oil. The pour point is the temperature at which the
oil begins to flow, while the cloud point is the temperature at which the oil begins to form a
cloudy suspension.
In conducting this experiment, a sample of corn oil should be placed in a glass
container and placed in a freezer. The temperature of the freezer should be set to a low
temperature. At each temperature, the corn oil should be observed for any changes in the
oil's appearance. When the oil begins to flow, the temperature at which this occurs is the
pour point. When the oil begins to form a cloudy appearance, the temperature at which this
occurs is the cloud point. By measuring these two points, we gain an understanding of the
corn oil's viscosity and its ability to flow at different temperatures. Also, it can be used to
determine the best temperature for storing and using the oil, as well as to identify any
potential problems with the corn oil's performance.
 Republic of the Philippines
CAMARINES SUR POLYTECHNIC COLLEGES
College of Engineering
Nabua, Camarines Sur
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE

Additionally, the results of this experiment can be used to determine the suitability of
the corn oil for various applications, such as lubrication or cooking and can be used to
compare not only corn oil but also to different types of oils and to identify any potential issues
with the oil's quality.

Olive Oil Palm Oil Vegetable Oil Coconut Oil Corn Oil
Pour point 1C 9C 20 C 13 C 6C
Cloud point -5 C -7 C 18 C 0C 1C

VII. Documentations
 Republic of the Philippines
CAMARINES SUR POLYTECHNIC COLLEGES
College of Engineering
Nabua, Camarines Sur
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE

GROUP MEMBERS:
Bayrante, Laurence B.
Deguino, Elyssa Claire C.
Layones, John Carlo M.
Magalona, Shela Marie A.
Mayao, Justine Marbie
Saludo, Mikhaela Kim
Samillano, Kimberly M.