1. What is the Gammon API Gravity?

The API gravity is a measure of how heavy or light a petroleum liquid is compared to water. It was developed by the American Petroleum Institute (API) to measure the density of petroleum liquids.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Gammon API equation:

Where:

• \( API \) — API gravity in degrees
• \( SG \) — Specific gravity (dimensionless)

Explanation: The equation converts specific gravity (relative density) to the API gravity scale which is inversely proportional to specific gravity.

3. Importance of API Gravity

Details: API gravity is important in the petroleum industry for classifying crude oils. Lighter oils (higher API gravity) are generally more valuable as they produce more high-value products like gasoline.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter specific gravity (SG) value. The SG must be greater than 0 (typically between 0.6 and 1.2 for petroleum products).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the range of API gravity values?
A: API gravity typically ranges from 10° (heavy crude) to 50° (very light crude). Water has an API gravity of 10°.

Q2: How does API gravity relate to oil quality?
A: Higher API gravity indicates lighter oil which is generally more valuable as it yields more gasoline and diesel when refined.

Q3: What's the difference between API gravity and specific gravity?
A: API gravity is an inverse scale - higher values indicate less dense liquids, while specific gravity is direct (higher values = more dense).

Q4: Why is API gravity important for refineries?
A: It helps determine the processing requirements and expected yield of different crude oil types.

Q5: How is API gravity measured in practice?
A: Typically measured using a hydrometer at standard temperature (60°F or 15.6°C) in the petroleum industry.