View source for Cloud point

{{Short description|Temperature point in liquids}}
In liquids, the '''cloud point''' is the temperature below which a transparent solution undergoes either a liquid-liquid [[phase separation]] to form an [[emulsion]] or a liquid-solid [[phase transition]] to form either a stable [[sol (colloid)|sol]] or a [[suspension (chemistry)|suspension]] that settles as [[Precipitation (chemistry)|precipitate]].  The cloud point is analogous to the '[[dew point]]' at which a gas-liquid [[phase transition]] called [[condensation]] occurs in [[water vapour]] (humid air) to form liquid water ([[dew]] or [[clouds]]).  When the temperature is below 0 °C, the dew point is called the frost point, as water vapour undergoes gas-solid phase transition called [[deposition (phase transition)|deposition]], solidification, or freezing.  

In the petroleum industry, '''cloud point''' refers to the temperature below which [[paraffin wax]] in diesel or biowax in [[biodiesel]]s forms a cloudy appearance. The presence of solidified waxes thickens the oil and clogs fuel filters and injectors in engines.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Steven A.|first1=Treese|title=Handbook of Petroleum Processing|last2=Peter R.|first2=Pujado|last3=David S. J.|first3=Jones|publisher=Springer|year=2015|isbn=978-3-319-14528-0|edition=2|pages=79}}</ref> The wax also accumulates on cold surfaces (producing, for example, pipeline or heat exchanger [[fouling]]) and forms an [[emulsion]] or [[sol (colloid)|sol]] with water. Therefore, cloud point indicates the tendency of the oil to plug filters or small orifices at cold [[operating temperature]]s.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.dcpetroleum.com/ | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20060709231522/http://www.dcpetroleum.com/ | archivedate = 2006-07-09 | title = Definition from dcpetroleum | publisher = }}</ref>

An everyday example of cloud point can be seen in olive oil stored in cold weather. Olive oil begins to solidify (via liquid-solid [[phase separation]]) at around 4 °C, whereas winter temperatures in temperate countries can often be colder than 0 °C. In these conditions, olive oil begins to develop white, waxy clumps/spheres of solidified oil that sink to the bottom of the container.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.oliveoilsource.com/page/freezing-olive-oil | title = Freezing olive oil | publisher = The Olive Oil Source}}</ref>

In crude or heavy oils, cloud point is synonymous with [[wax appearance temperature]] (WAT) and [[wax precipitation temperature]] (WPT).

The cloud point of a nonionic [[surfactant]] or [[glycol]] [[Solution (chemistry)|solution]] is the [[temperature]] at which the mixture starts to phase-separate, and two phases appear, thus becoming cloudy. This behavior is characteristic of non-ionic surfactants containing [[polyoxyethylene]] chains, which exhibit reverse solubility versus temperature behavior in water and therefore "cloud out" at some point as the temperature is raised. [[Glycols]] demonstrating this behavior are known as "cloud-point glycols" and are used as [[shale]] [[Reaction inhibitor|inhibitors]]<!--see Talk-->. The cloud point is affected by [[salinity]], being generally lower in more saline fluids.

{{Table of phase transitions}}

==Measuring cloud point of petroleum products==

=== Manual method ===
The test oil is required to be transparent in layers 40&nbsp;mm in thickness (in accordance with [[ASTM]] D2500). The wax crystals typically first form at the lower circumferential wall with the appearance of a whitish or milky cloud. The cloud point is the temperature just above where these crystals first appear. 

The test sample is first poured into a test jar to a level approximately half full. A cork carrying the test thermometer is used to close the jar. The thermometer bulb is positioned to rest at the bottom of the jar. The entire test subject is then placed in a constant temperature cooling bath on top of a gasket to prevent excessive cooling.

At every 1&nbsp;°C, the sample is taken out and inspected for cloud then quickly replaced. Successively lower temperature cooling baths may be used depending on the cloud point. Lower temperature cooling bath must have temperature stability not less than 1.5 K for this test.

=== Automatic method ===
ASTM D5773, Standard Test Method of Cloud Point of Petroleum Products (Constant Cooling Rate Method) is an alternative to the manual test procedure. It uses automatic apparatus and has been found to be equivalent to test method D2500.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.astm.org/Standards/D5773.htm|title=ASTM D5773 - 21 Standard Test Method for Cloud Point of Petroleum Products and Liquid Fuels (Constant Cooling Rate Method)}}</ref>

The D5773 test method determines the cloud point in a shorter period of time than manual method D2500. Less operator time is required to run the test using this automatic method. Additionally, no external chiller bath or refrigeration unit is needed. D5773 is capable of determining cloud point within a temperature range of -60&nbsp;°C to +49&nbsp;°C. Results are reported with a temperature resolution of 0.1&nbsp;°C.

Under ASTM D5773, the test sample is cooled by a Peltier device at a constant rate of 1.5 +/- 0.1&nbsp;°C/min. During this period, the sample is continuously illuminated by a light source. An array of optical detectors continuously monitor the sample for the first appearance of a cloud of wax crystals. The temperature at which the first appearance of wax crystals is detected in the sample is determined to be the cloud point.

==See also==
* [[Cold filter plugging point]]
* [[Gel point (petroleum)|Gel point]]
* [[Krafft point]] – visually similar but specific to solutions of surfactants
* [[Petroleum]]
* [[Pour point]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.phase-technology.com/ Phase Technology] Manufacturer of ASTM D5773 automatic cloud point analyzers

[[Category:Chemical properties]]
[[Category:Edible oil chemistry]]