ASTM D4294-02
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Sulfur in Petroleum Products by Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy
Standard Test Method for Sulfur in Petroleum Products by Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of sulfur in hydrocarbons, such as diesel, naphtha, kerosine, residuals, lubricating base oils, hydraulic oils, jet fuels, crude oils, gasoline (all unleaded), and other distillates. In addition, sulfur in other products, such as M-85 and M-100, may be analyzed using this technique. The applicable concentration range is 0.0150 to 5.00 mass % sulfur.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The preferred concentration units are mass % sulfur.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific warning statements, see Section 7.
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An American National Standard
Designation: D 4294 – 02
Standard Test Method for
Sulfur in Petroleum and Petroleum Products by Energy-
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Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4294; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope from previously prepared calibration standards that bracket the
sample concentration range of interest to obtain the sulfur
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of sulfur in
concentration in mass %.
hydrocarbons, such as diesel, naphtha, kerosine, residuals,
lubricating base oils, hydraulic oils, jet fuels, crude oils,
4. Significance and Use
gasoline (all unleaded), and other distillates. In addition, sulfur
4.1 This test method provides rapid and precise measure-
in other products, such as M-85 and M-100, may be analyzed
ment of total sulfur in petroleum products with a minimum of
using this technique. The applicable concentration range is
sample preparation. A typical analysis time is 2 to 4 min per
0.0150 to 5.00 mass % sulfur.
sample.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
4.2 The quality of many petroleum products is related to the
standard. The preferred concentration units are mass % sulfur.
amount of sulfur present. Knowledge of sulfur concentration is
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
necessary for processing purposes. There are also regulations
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
promulgated in federal, state, and local agencies that restrict
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
the amount of sulfur present in some fuels.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
4.3 This test method provides a means of compliance with
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific
specifications or limits set by regulations for sulfur content of
warning statements, see Section 7.
petroleum products.
2. Referenced Documents 4.4 If this test method is applied to petroleum matrices with
significantly different composition than the white oil calibra-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
tion materials specified in this test method, the cautions and
D 3120 Test Method for Trace Quantities of Sulfur in Light
recommendations in Section 5 should be observed when
Liquid Petroleum Hydrocarbons by Oxidative Microcou-
2 interpreting the results.
lometry
4.5 Compared to other test methods for sulfur determina-
D 4057 Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and
3 tion, Test Method D 4294 has high throughput, minimal sample
Petroleum Products
preparation, good precision, and is capable of determining
D 4177 Practice for Automatic Sampling of Petroleum and
3 sulfur over a wide range of concentrations. The equipment
Petroleum Products
specified is in most cases less costly than that required for
E 29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
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4 alternative methods. Consult the ASTM Subject Index for
Determine Conformance with Specifications
names of alternative test methods.
3. Summary of Test Method
5. Interferences
3.1 The sample is placed in the beam emitted from an X-ray
5.1 Spectral interferences result when some sample compo-
source. The resultant excited characteristic X radiation is
nent element or elements emit X-rays that the detector cannot
measured, and the accumulated count is compared with counts
resolve from sulfur X-ray emission. As a result, the lines
produce spectral peaks that overlap with each other. Spectral
interferences may arise from samples containing water, lead
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This test method is under the jurisdiction of Committee D02 on Petroleum
alkyls, silicon, phosphorus, calcium, potassium, and halides if
Products and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D02.03 on
present at concentrations greater than one tenth of the mea-
Elemental Analysis.
sured concentration of sulfur, or more than a few hundred
Current edition approved April 10, 2002. Published July 2002. Originally
published as D 4294-83. Last previous edition D 4294-98.
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.01.
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.02.
4 5
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 00.01.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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D4294–02
milligrams/kilogram. Follow the manufacturer’s operating- 6.1.3 X-ray Detector, with sensitivity at 2.3
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