Analysis of Sulfur and
Chlorine in Oil under Air
Conditions, using EDXRF
This Application note describes the use of the Thermo Scientific ARL QUANT’X EDXRF spectrometer for the analysis of light elements like sulfur
and chlorine in oil, at low concentration levels under air conditions. Equipped with a unique multi stage Si(Li) Peltier cooled detector, the ARL
QUANT’X offers the best energy resolution and the highest peak to background ratio necessary for detecting ppm levels of S and Cl without
the need for peripheral dependence, like helium or liquid nitrogen. Analysis of S and Cl under air conditions is made possible due to the high
power on the X-ray tube, the close coupling distances: X-ray tube-sample-detector and the large solid stage Si(Li) crystal, thus eliminating the
need for Helium or vacuum conditions, resulting in significant cost savings and ease of maintenance. The level of quantifications reached
with the ARL QUANT’X under these conditions easily meets the requirements for analyzing light elements in oil.