New Application Report Published on Analysis of Sulphur and Ultra-Low Chlorine in Crude Oil

Applied Rigaku Technologies, Inc. (USA) is pleased to announce the publication of a new application report that details the simultaneous analysis of sulphur (S) and chlorine (Cl) in oil by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF). The report includes complete information about sample preparation, method calibration and repeatability, and demonstrates the multi-element capabilities of the Rigaku NEX CG Cartesian-geometry EDXRF spectrometer.

EDXRF is a commonly used technique for sulphur measurement within the petroleum industry. It is also used for measuring other elements present in oils and fuels. Chlorine, for example, is often present in crude oils and, left unmeasured, can bias sulphur measurement during the blending of crude oil, or cause corrosion during the refining process. The analysis method described in the new report provides a fast, simple technique for screening and monitoring the chlorine content of crude at the well site and at other pre-refining stages, e.g. along pipelines, during blending. For the analysis described in the report, eight certified oil standards were used to develop empirical calibrations for sulphur and chlorine. The empirical method was used to determine the detection limits for both elements.

Measurements shown in the report were carried out on the Rigaku NEX CG spectrometer, which was engineered with a unique close-coupled Cartesian Geometry (CG) optical kernel that significantly improves signal-to-noise levels. The results demonstrate that the Rigaku NEX CG analyser, using indirect excitation and polarisations, delivers a simple means of measuring sulfur and chlorine concurrently while offering the lowest chlorine detection limits by EDXRF. They also demonstrate that compact benchtop instrumentation employing semiconductor detectors can easily resolve and measure sulphur, chlorine and other elements present in oil.