Type the litres, the density at 15 °C and the temperature. Table 54B gives the volume correction factor, and litres times the factor is litres at 15 °C. 12,000 litres of petrol of 745 kg/m³ at 32 °C is 11,751 litres at 15 °C.
ASTM D1250-80 Table 54B, worked out by its formula for refined products: the band is chosen by density at 15 °C.
The formula
Table 54B is built from one formula. For a product of density ρ at 15 °C, at a temperature t:
α = K0 / ρ² + K1 / ρ (thermal expansion coefficient)
Δt = t − 15
VCF = exp(−α · Δt · (1 + 0.8 · α · Δt))K0 and K1 depend on the band ρ falls in, and the band is chosen by density, not by the product’s name:
| Density at 15 °C | Band | K0 | K1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| below 770.5 | Gasolines | 346.4228 | 0.4388 |
| 770.5 to 787.5 | Transition | α = −0.00336312 + 2680.3206 / ρ² | |
| 787.5 to 838.5 | Jet fuels | 594.5418 | 0 |
| 838.5 and above | Fuel oils | 186.9696 | 0.48618 |
Indian diesel runs from 810 to 845 kg/m³, so a heavy load can fall in the fuel oils band. That is correct, and it is why the band follows the density.
Figures here are for reference. Your oil company’s certified calibration chart, approved instruments and the Marketing Discipline Guidelines always prevail.
Questions
Why do I need the density at 15 °C and not the hydrometer reading?
Table 54B is entered by density at 15 °C. Get it first from your hydrometer reading with Table 53B, or with the density at 15 °C calculator.
Does diesel expand as much as petrol?
No. Lighter products expand more. Cooling from 30 °C to 15 °C, petrol of 745 kg/m³ shrinks by 1.83%; diesel of 820 kg/m³ by 1.33%, and diesel of 840 kg/m³ by 1.27%.