This application note describes the analysis of sulfur contents larger than 0.10 wt% in crude oils, according to international standard ISO 8754, using the Epsilon 4.
Currently X-ray fluorescence spectrometry is used extensively for the analysis of sulfur in petroleum products. Simple sample preparation, high accuracy, high precision and good detection limits are the main reasons for what makes X-ray fluorescence spectrometry an excellent technique for production control.
Analyzing sulfur content in crude oil and fuels is a crucial requirement, not only as a quality control procedure to comply with standards or to monitor detrimental effects on engine performance, but also to comply with the large number of environmental regulations.
Currently X-ray fluorescence spectrometry is used extensively for the analysis of sulfur in petroleum products. Simple sample preparation, high accuracy, high precision and good detection limits are the main reasons for what makes X-ray fluorescence spectrometry an excellent technique for production control.
This application note describes the analysis of sulfur contents larger than 0.10 wt% in crude oils, according to international standard ISO 8754, using the Epsilon 4 energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometer.
Measurements were performed using the Epsilon 4 EDXRF spectrometer, equipped with a 10 W, 50 kV silver anode X-ray tube, 6 filters, a helium purge facility, a high-resolution silicon drift detector (SDD), a sample spinner and a 10-position removable sample tray.
A series of commercially available sulfur in crude oil standards, from Malvern Panalytical in cooperation with VHG Labs, were used to set up the calibration for the determination of sulfur in petroleum products. Seven and a half grams of each oil standard were poured into a 15 ml liquid cell, assembled with a 3.6 µm Mylar supporting foil. Mylar was chosen because of its robustness for gasoline and diesel samples.
The measurement condition for sulfur in crude oil is given in Table 1. All analyses were performed in air and the total counting time per sample was 100 seconds. Figure 1 shows the XRF spectra of eight standards with sulfur concentrations of 0.10, 0.25, 0.50, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 wt%.
Figure 2 shows the calibration graph for sulfur in crude oil. A good correlation between the certified concentrations and the measured intensities is demonstrated. Table 2 lists the correlation coefficient and the root mean square (RMS).
Table 1. Measurement conditions
Figure 1. Spectra of various sulfur concentrations in white oil sample
Figure 2. Calibration graph for sulfur in crude oil
Table 2. Calibration results
Table 3. Results of the repeatability test
Measurement precision is an important aspect of analysis and good precision is an inherent characteristic of the Epsilon 4 spectrometer. The repeatability requirement of ISO 8754 states that, for test results obtained by the same operator with the same apparatus under constant working conditions on identical test material, test results should not exceed the given limits for more than one case in twenty. The test method limit specified in ISO 8754 can be derived using the equation:
Repeatibility (r) = 0.0215 (x + 0.15),
where x is the average of the results of the sulfur contents being compared.
To test the precision of the instrument, one sulfur (0.21 wt%) in white oil sample was measured 20 times consecutively. A newly prepared cup was used each time.
The results of the repeatability test for sulfur, including the largest difference between two measurements and the maximum permissible difference according to ISO 8754 standard are presented in Table 3.
Figure 3 illustrates the allowed difference between two measurements and by that the high degree of precision achieved. Epsilon 4 easily meets the repeatability criteria at a level of 0.21 wt% sulfur, even without use of helium. Hence demonstrating that the Epsilon 4 is capable of satisfying more stringent, future sulfur regulations.
Figure 3. Repeatability measurements of preparing and measuring 0.21 wt% sulfur in white oil samples according to ISO 8754. Dashed lines indicate the precision set in the method.
The results demonstrate that the Epsilon 4 EDXRF spectrometer is capable of analyzing sulfur according to ISO 8754 standard. The high detector resolution and sensitivity, together with the powerful software contribute to accurate and precise results. In addition, because of its versatility, Epsilon 4 is well suited for other applications such as sulfur in biofuels and additives in lubricating oils.
