Page 12 - Shimadzu Journal vol.8 Issue2

Insight from customer / Report

Reliable Sulphur Detection in

Petrochemistry

An investigation using gas chromatography with

sulphur chemiluminescence detection

Rebecca Kelting, Shimadzu Europa GmbH, Duisburg, Germany
Pierre Giusti, Marco Piparo/Total Refining and Chemicals, Total Research & Technology Gonfreville, Harfleur, 76700, France,
International Joint Laboratory — iC2MC: Complex Matrices Molecular Characterization, Harfleur, France

Abstract Sulphur compounds, even at low concentrations, are of sulphur amount in the fuels is steadily decreasing to the higher level
high importance in petrochemical products as they can act as catalyst of 10 ppm for diesel and gasoline. Since even low sulphur concen-
poisons in the refining process. This poses the need for sensitive, yet
trations are harmful, already trace-level identification of potential
selective detectors providing reliable detection and quantitation of
potential sulphur compounds. Using the example of diesel matrix, an poisons is essential. This creates the demand for a highly sensitive
investigation of petrochemical samples via gas chromatography (GC) detector, which can also cope with the high matrix interference
combined with sulphur chemiluminescence detection (SCD) is presented.
seen when analysing petrochemical samples. Universal detectors
Selectivity, reproducibility, equimolarity and recovery of the setup are
examined to judge reliability of the sulphur content determination. do not fulfil this condition, therefore sulphur selective detectors are
the key to success.

Sulphur in petrochemistry
Sulphur chemiluminescence detection
Sulphur compounds are of high importance in petrochemical prod-
ucts. Crude oils are even classified to be sweet or sour depending Selective sulphur detection is particularly essential for high matrix
on their sulphur content: Sweet crude oils contain less than 0.5% load samples, as in these cases the hydrocarbon background cannot
sulphur, whereas sour ones hold more than 0.5% sulphur, part of be separated chromatographically from the sulphur compounds,
it as H2S . Yet, compounds containing sulphur are non-favoured typically present in low concentrations down to trace levels. Flame
1
substances in petrochemistry. Besides the health risk H2S poses by photometric detection (FPD) is widely used for selective sulphur
itself, sulphur compounds generate several problems because they detection e.g. in food chemistry, but it suffers from hydrocarbon
are responsible of atmospheric pollutions (SO2 and SO3) and are quenching and non-linearity of calibration curves . Consequently,
2
proven to be poison for catalysts used in refining processes . The this detector is not an ideal choice for petrochemical samples where
2

Shimadzu Journal vol.8 Issue2 54