ASTM D5287-25 PDF

Full title and description

ASTM D5287-25 — Standard Practice for Automatic Sampling of Gaseous Fuels. Provides recommended practices for the selection, installation, operation, and maintenance of automatic sampling systems used to collect representative samples of single‑phase gaseous fuels for composition, custody transfer, and related purposes.

Abstract

This practice defines procedures and system considerations for automatic sampling of gaseous fuels (natural gas and synthetic equivalents). It addresses probe selection, sampler configuration, sample handling and containers, system maintenance and proving, and safety considerations, but does not specify analytical test methods for analysis of the acquired sample. The standard applies only to single‑phase gas streams (not two‑phase streams).

General information

• Status: Active (current edition D5287-25).
• Publication date: July 1, 2025 (designated D5287-25).
• Publisher: ASTM International.
• ICS / categories: 75.160.30 (Gaseous fuels).
• Edition / version: D5287-25 (2025 edition).
• Number of pages: 6 pages.

Scope

This practice covers collection of gaseous fuels and their synthetic equivalents using automatic sampling equipment. It is limited to single‑phase gas mixtures and explicitly excludes two‑phase streams. The document addresses requirements for selection, installation, operation, maintenance, and safety of automatic sampling systems but does not include laboratory analysis procedures for the collected samples.

Key topics and requirements

• Selection and siting of automatic sampler probes to obtain representative samples from flowing gas streams.
• Sampler configuration and control logic appropriate to source dynamics (steady vs. variable flow) and presence of liquids or contaminants.
• Container types, sample handling, mixing, and precautions to maintain sample integrity (e.g., dryness, avoidance of adsorption).
• Installation, routine maintenance, proving, and performance monitoring of automatic sampling systems.
• Safety warnings and handling precautions for flammable/toxic gases; user responsibility for compliance with applicable safety and regulatory requirements.
• Notes on units: primary values stated in inch‑pound units with SI conversions for information.

Typical use and users

Used by gas transmission and distribution companies, custody transfer and fiscal metering organizations, industrial users consuming pipeline gas, analytical laboratories that receive automatically collected gas samples, system integrators/manufacturers of automatic samplers, and regulators. The practice supports accurate compositional analysis, heating‑value and flow calculations, and billing where representative sampling is required. It is commonly referenced by regulators and incorporated into procedures where automatic sampling is specified.

Related standards

Commonly used together with ASTM analysis and sampling standards such as Test Method D1945 (analysis of natural gas by gas chromatography) and Practice D4177 (automatic sampling of petroleum/liquid products for analogous sampling practices). The standard is published in ASTM Book of Standards Volume 05.06 and was developed under Committee D03 on Gaseous Fuels.

Keywords

automatic sampling, gaseous fuels, natural gas, sampler probe, sample handling, custody transfer, sampling system maintenance, representative sample, gas sampling practice.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM D5287-25 is the 2025 edition of the Standard Practice for Automatic Sampling of Gaseous Fuels. It provides recommended practices for automatic sampling systems used to collect representative single‑phase gas samples.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers selection, installation, operation, maintenance, and safety considerations for automatic samplers and sampling systems for gaseous fuels; it does not prescribe laboratory analytical methods for the collected samples and excludes two‑phase streams.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Pipeline and distribution operators, custody‑transfer metering personnel, manufacturers and integrators of automatic sampling equipment, analytical laboratories, and regulators involved in gas measurement and billing.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: Current — the active edition is D5287-25 (published July 1, 2025). Earlier editions (for example D5287-97 and D5287-08) have been superseded by this 2025 edition.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is part of ASTM Committee D03 work on gaseous fuels and appears in the ASTM Annual Book of Standards, Volume 05.06; it is commonly referenced alongside related gas analysis and sampling standards (e.g., D1945, D4177).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Automatic sampling, gaseous fuels, natural gas, representative sample, custody transfer, sampler probe, sample integrity, sampling system maintenance.