1. What is API Weight?

API Weight refers to the weight per gallon of petroleum liquids calculated using the API gravity measurement. It's an important parameter in the petroleum industry for quality assessment and volume conversions.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the API Weight formula:

Where:

• \( API\ Gravity \) — American Petroleum Institute gravity measurement (degrees)
• 8.34 — Conversion factor (lbs/gal for water at 60°F)

Explanation: The formula converts API gravity (which is inversely related to density) to weight per gallon in pounds.

3. Importance of API Weight Calculation

Details: API weight calculation is crucial for petroleum product pricing, inventory management, transportation planning, and quality control in the oil and gas industry.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter API Gravity in degrees. The value must be greater than 0. Typical API gravity values range from 10° (heavy crude) to 50° (light condensates).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is API Gravity?
A: API Gravity is a measure of how heavy or light a petroleum liquid is compared to water. Higher API gravity indicates lighter (less dense) petroleum.

Q2: Why is API Weight important?
A: It helps determine the actual weight of petroleum products for transportation, storage, and pricing purposes since petroleum is often sold by volume but valued by weight.

Q3: What's the relationship between API Gravity and density?
A: API Gravity = (141.5 / specific gravity) - 131.5, where specific gravity is the ratio of petroleum density to water density at 60°F.

Q4: What are typical API Weight values?
A: API Weight typically ranges from 6.8 to 8.3 lbs/gal, with lighter products having lower weights per gallon.

Q5: How accurate is this calculation?
A: The calculation provides a good estimate for standard conditions (60°F). For precise measurements, temperature corrections may be needed.