Light Cycle Oil Testing & FCC Distillate Analysis

Providing ISO/IEC 17025 accredited Light Cycle Oil (LCO) Testing Services for cetane index, aromatic content, sulfur compliance, and diesel-pool blending characterization.

Compositional Profiling for FCC Distillate Streams

Light Cycle Oil (LCO) is a mid-distillate byproduct of the fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) process, and its highly aromatic, olefinic character makes it one of the most analytically demanding refinery streams to characterize and blend. AGT Labs provides professional Light Cycle Oil Testing Services to support refiners, distillate blenders, and marine fuel formulators with the precise data needed to manage this complex stream.

LCO exits the FCC unit with a boiling range typically between 200°C and 370°C, overlapping with diesel and distillate fuel oil fractions. However, its elevated aromatic content — often exceeding 60–70% by volume — makes direct blending into on-road diesel technically constrained under ASTM D975 and EN 590 cetane index requirements. Our test panel quantifies cetane index, total aromatics (FIA), sulfur speciation, distillation profile, and cold-flow properties for blending engineers managing winter-grade distillate pools, hydrocracker feed qualification, and marine fuel formulation under ISO 8217.

Key Technical Parameters for LCO Quality

Accredited analysis supporting our Light Cycle Oil Testing Services suite for FCC distillate blending, hydrocracker feed, and marine fuel evaluation.

Cetane Index / CCN
ASTM D4737
Total Aromatics (FIA)
ASTM D1319
Distillation Profile
ASTM D86
Total Sulfur
ASTM D5453
Flash Point
ASTM D93
Kinematic Viscosity
ASTM D445
Cold Filter Plugging Point
ASTM D6371
API Gravity
ASTM D4052
Carbon Residue
ASTM D524
Copper Corrosion
ASTM D130

Industries We Serve

Providing specialized FCC distillate analysis across refining, blending, and marine fuel sectors utilizing our accredited Light Cycle Oil Testing Services.

Refineries & FCC Operators

Process control data for FCC unit performance evaluation, LCO yield optimization, and downstream routing decisions.

Diesel Pool Blenders

Cetane index and total aromatics testing for blending LCO into ULSD pools under ASTM D975 and EN 590 specifications.

Hydrocracker Feed Qualification

Feedstock characterization for hydrocracker units to optimize catalyst protection, conversion rates, and product yields.

Marine Fuel Blenders

LCO evaluation under ISO 8217 for incorporation into residual marine fuels and distillate marine grades.

Carbon Black Feedstock

Analytical screening for LCO destined as carbon black feedstock (CBFS), focused on aromatic content and metals.

Petroleum Traders

Independent third-party verification of LCO cargo specifications for custody transfer and dispute resolution.

Laboratory Capabilities

Analytical Systems

Our Light Cycle Oil Testing Services utilize automated atmospheric distillation units (ASTM D86), high-resolution Gas Chromatography with sulfur-selective detection for ASTM D5453, FIA columns for total aromatics quantification, and precision viscometers, flash-point analyzers, and density meters. All instrumentation is operated under our ISO/IEC 17025 accredited quality system.

Advanced Technical Support

  • ISO/IEC 17025 Accredited Laboratory Operations
  • Blending advisory for ULSD pool and marine distillate
  • Rapid Turnaround for Refinery & Trade Logistics
  • Application-Specific Test Scope Consultation
Analytical lab instruments for light cycle oil testing services

Sampling, Handling & Chain of Custody

Reliable Light Cycle Oil Testing Services depend on careful sampling to maintain volatile component integrity and prevent contamination. We accept samples from refinery process streams, intermediate storage tanks, blending lines, and cargo lifts under documented chain of custody.

Download Chain of Custody Form

Containers & Handling

  • Use clean, dry glass or epoxy-lined metal containers with proper closures.
  • Fill minimizing headspace to preserve flash point and light-end integrity.
  • Cool samples promptly and shield from prolonged light or heat exposure.

Transport & Logistics

  • Label clearly with Batch ID, FCC Unit Source, and Sampling Date.
  • Ship to our Houston lab with completed chain of custody documentation.
  • Samples tracked via LIMS for complete historical data management.

Quality & Reporting

Reports from our Light Cycle Oil Testing Services provide definitive quality assurance for refinery process control, distillate blending compliance, and marine fuel specification verification.

  • ✓ COA with full specification limits and analyst verification.
  • ✓ Secure PDF Delivery via automated client technical portal.
  • ✓ Blending guidance for ULSD pool, hydrocracker, and marine applications.
  • ✓ Expert consultation for off-spec cetane index or sulfur issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does LCO require a different test panel than standard crude or diesel?
LCO is a processed FCC byproduct, not a raw crude stream. Its defining quality challenges are high aromatic content, low cetane index, and elevated sulfur — parameters critical for diesel blending compliance, hydrocracker feed qualification, and marine fuel specification verification under ISO 8217.
Can LCO be blended directly into ULSD diesel?
Direct blending of LCO into ULSD is technically constrained because LCO's high aromatic content lowers cetane index and its sulfur level typically exceeds the 15 ppm ULSD specification without hydrotreatment. Most refiners hydrotreat LCO before blending, and our test panel quantifies the parameters needed to determine the maximum blend ratio for ASTM D975 or EN 590 compliance.
What is Calculated Cetane Number (CCN) and how does it relate to cetane index?
Calculated Cetane Number (CCN) is derived from API gravity and distillation data using the four-variable equation in ASTM D4737. It estimates the ignition quality of middle distillates including LCO without requiring an engine test. Cetane index is a similar correlation that approximates cetane number for diesel blendstocks where direct cetane number measurement is impractical.
How quickly can I receive LCO test results?
Routine LCO analysis is typically available within 24–48 hours depending on the panel scope. We offer expedited rush services for urgent refinery process control decisions, blending operations, and time-sensitive cargo certifications.

Certify Your LCO Stream

Need reliable accredited Light Cycle Oil Testing Services for FCC distillate blending, hydrocracker feed, or marine fuel evaluation? Contact our technical team today for a custom analysis quote.

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