Measurement and testing
Published over 9 years ago. See the latest and most current information on Measurement and testing.
International regulations regarding the maximum amount of Sulfur in fuels are getting more stringent: multi-annual programs prescribe a maximum concentration of 10 mg/kg. Best repeatability and lowest uncertainty in measuring such low sulfur concentrations is becoming a necessity.
Compared to other analytical techniques, Total Sulfur measurement by UV-Fluorescence provides superior repeatability and the highest accuracy. The lowest possible uncertainty of the actual concentration provides better insight over the Sulfur content during analysis. It ultimately leads to accurate results of Sulfur concentrations to match the maximum allowed 10 mg/kg.
Current and to be implemented multi-annual programs for environmental pollution reduction, like EPA/TIER 3, CHINA 5 and EURO 5, prescribe a maximum allowable amount of 10 mg/kg Sulfur in automotive fuels. An Elemental Combustion Analyser is required to accurately measure Total Sulfur at this level as described in the international method ASTM D5453 which is comparable to ISO 20846 and SH/T 0689.
The XPLORER-S elemental combustion analyser has been used to perform the analysis of Total Sulfur in Light Hydrocarbons according ASTM D5453. Various samples were introduced by the ARCHIE liquids auto sampler into the XPLORER-S. Accuracy, Precision and Limit of Detection tests have been executed successfully on two separate locations. One location is stationed in the Netherlands at TE Instruments and the other location in the USA at HORIBA. The results prove that the XPLORER-S succeeds with ease and is fully compliant with ASTM D5453:
| Location 1 | Location 2 | |
| CRM Standard | 9 mg/kg | 9 mg/kg |
| Days | 20 | 20 |
| Replicates/day | 5 | 5 |
| Mean | 9.0 mg/kg | 8.7 mg/kg |
| Std dev | 0.12 | 0.34 |
The Std dev is well below the allowable 0.5 mg/kg at both locations. The XPLORER-S passes the Precision Test Requirements.
The maximum Std dev for 9 mg/kg Sulfur is 0.5 mg/kg (Std dev ≤ 1.5 * (r / 2.77)).
At the level of 9 mg/kg, r=0.93 based on the formula r=0.1788 X0.75.
| Location 1 | Location 2 | |
| CRM Standard | 10 mg/kg | 10 mg/kg |
| Days | 10 | 10 |
| Replicates/day | 3 | 3 |
| Mean | 9.9 mg/kg | 9.7 mg/kg |
| Std dev | 0.035 | 0.088 |
| RSD (%) | 0.35 | 0.90 |
| Δ | 0.1 | 0.2 |
The absolute difference (Δ) from the mean does not exceed 0.41 mg/kg. The XPLORER-S passes the Accuracy Test Requirements.
The maximum allowable absolute difference (Δ) from the mean is calculated with the formula Max Std dev*.75.
Contact us at to see our Limit of Detection Test and other Data Reports.
PIN 27.2 Apr/May 2026
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