Overview
ISO 9162:2013 - "Petroleum products - Fuels (class F) - Liquefied petroleum gases - Specifications" - defines the required characteristics and supplier information for commercial liquefied petroleum gases (LPG), specifically commercial propane and commercial butane, intended for international transfers. The standard harmonizes test requirements and documentation without replacing national regulations or codes. It covers physical and chemical limits, sampling, test precision, and documentation that vendors must supply to purchasers.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Product scope: Applies to commercial propane and commercial butane (LPG) used in international trade.
- Mandatory properties and limits (when tested by the referenced methods):
- Evaporation residue: maximum 60 mg/kg (EN 15470, EN 15471, EN 16423).
- Corrosiveness to copper: maximum rating 1 (ISO 6251 - copper strip test).
- Sulphur content: maximum 50 mg/kg (ASTM D6667).
- Hydrogen sulphide: presence must pass ISO 8819 (lead acetate method).
- Free water: none detectable by visual inspection.
- Gauge vapour pressure: specified maxima (tested by ISO 4256 or ISO 8973); ISO 4256 prevails in disputes.
- Density at 15 °C: to be reported (ISO 3993 or ISO 8973).
- Volatility, hydrocarbon composition, unsaturates and dienes: reported or limited per Table 1 and ISO 7941.
- Sampling: Non-refrigerated LPG samples follow ISO 4257. Refrigerated LPG requires an agreed sampling procedure due to phase behavior.
- Precision & disputes: Use stated method precision; in disputes apply ISO 4259 to interpret test results.
- Documentation: Vendors must supply at minimum: reference to ISO 9162:2013, LPG type (propane/butane), brand name, ISO designation code (ISO‑F‑LP or ISO‑F‑LB), production code/date, and safety/precautionary advice.
Applications and who uses it
- LPG producers and suppliers - to certify product quality for export and to meet purchaser requirements.
- Trading companies and purchasers - to verify incoming LPG meets agreed specifications.
- Testing laboratories - to perform standardized analyses (vapour pressure, sulphur, residues, copper strip).
- Transporters and storage operators - to assess physical limits for safe handling and compatibility with equipment.
- Appliance and vaporizer manufacturers (industrial and automotive) - to evaluate sensitivity to non-volatile residues and ensure reliable vaporizer/engine performance.
- Regulators and standards committees - as a reference for international trade, while respecting national codes.
Related standards
- ISO 3993, ISO 4256, ISO 4257, ISO 4259, ISO 6251, ISO 7941, ISO 8216‑3, ISO 8819, ISO 8973
- EN 15470, EN 15471, EN 16423 (evaporation residue methods)
- ASTM D6667 (total volatile sulphur)
Keywords: ISO 9162:2013, liquefied petroleum gases, LPG specifications, commercial propane, commercial butane, evaporation residue, vapour pressure, sulphur content, sampling, ISO standards.
