Common use of Pour Point Clause in Contracts

Pour Point. The pour point of a fuel is the temperature at which it will barely flow under standard conditions, and it is significant in connection with fuels that may require heating to make them pumpable and with fuels fed to a pump by gravity flow. Petroleum oils when cooled may change to a plastic state as a result of partial separation of wax (wax pour) or by congealing of hydrocarbons (viscous pour) comprising the oil. A waxy fuel must be maintained at a high enough temperature to ensure that all of the wax is in solution to prevent wax crystals from clogging filters and lines. For distillates, wax separation can usually be avoided by heating the fuel to at least 20-30(Degree)F (11-17(Degree)C) above the pour point. Waxy crude oils used as fuels may require even higher temperature differentials. Each type of waxy fuel must be evaluated individually for minimum wax solution temperature. (For methods, refer to page C2.)