ISSN: 1546-962X
CODEN: JAIOAD
Published Online: 8 June 2005
Page Count: 15

DP-SCD and LTMGC for Determination of Low Sulfur Levels in Hydrocarbons

Gras, RL
Dow Chemical, Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta

Luong, JC
Dow Chemical, Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta

Mustacich, RV
RVM Scientific, Santa Barbara, CA

Shearer, RL
Ionics Instruments, Boulder, CO

(Received 7 October 2004; accepted 14 December 2004)

Abstract

A novel measurement technique has been developed for the rapid determination of low levels of sulfur in hydrocarbon matrices. The technique employs low thermal mass gas chromatography (LTMGC) and a dual plasma sulfur chemiluminescence detector (DP-SCD). Highly sensitive total volatile sulfur measurement can be made in less than 30 s with detection limits in the 20–30 parts per billion range. Response is linear over at least three orders of magnitude sulfur with excellent repeatability. By taking advantage of LTMGC's rapid temperature programming and cool down time, it is also possible to measure individual sulfur species, analogous to ASTM D 5623. Conditions have also been developed using the same analytical apparatus to detect the major elemental sulfur allotropes (S₂, S₃, S₆, S₇, and S₈) in gasoline at levels that can cause silver corrosion.

Keywords:
sulfur, elemental, sulfur chemiluminescence detection (SCD), low thermal mass gas chromatography (LTMGC), dual plasma SCD

Paper ID: JAI13090
DOI: 10.1520/JAI13090
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