Rapid Determination of Sulfur in Liquid Hydrocarbons for At-Line Process Applications Using Combustion/Oxidation and UV-Fluorescence Detection

摘要

With the reduction in sulfur levels in gasoline and diesel products, it is necessary to have a method available which can precisely and accurately measure the very low levels of sulfur in these fuels. ASTM test method D 5453, Sulfur by Combustion and Ultraviolet Fluorescence (UVF), is a laboratory-based technology that has been widely used in the industry for such purposes for more than a decade. An on-line/at-process version of this technique is described which can complete a fast analysis in less than one minute. Thus, near real-time data can be obtained when refineries and terminals need to make rapid determinations of sulfur levels for process control and pipeline distribution decisions involving the new generation "clean" hydrocarbon fuels. Particularly discussed is the advantage gained for decision making involving detection of transport boundaries and related custody transfer issues.