ASTM D6228-98(2003)

Standard Test Method for Determination of Sulfur Compounds in Natural Gas and Gaseous Fuels by Gas Chromatography and Flame Photometric Detection

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Many sources of natural gas and petroleum gases contain varying amounts and types of sulfur compounds, which are odorous, corrosive to equipment, and can inhibit or destroy catalysts used in gas processing. Their accurate measurement is essential to gas processing, operation, and utilization.
Small amounts, typically, 1 to 4 ppmv of sulfur odorant compounds, are added to natural gas and liquefied petroleum (LP) gases for safety purposes. Some odorant compounds can be reactive and may be oxidized, forming more stable compounds having lower odor thresholds. These gaseous fuels are analyzed for sulfur odorants to help ensure appropriate odorant levels for safety.
This test method offers a technique to determine individual sulfur species in gaseous fuel and the total sulfur content by calculation. Gas chromatography is used commonly and extensively to determine other components in gaseous fuels including fixed gas and organic components (see Test Method D 1945). This test method dictates the use of a specific GC technique with one of the more common detectors for measurement.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of individual volatile sulfur-containing compounds in gaseous fuels by gas chromatography (GC) with flame photometric detection (FPD). The detection range for sulfur compounds is from 20 to 20 000 picograms (pg) of sulfur. This is equivalent to 0.02 to 20 mg/m3 or 0.014 to 14 ppmv of sulfur based upon the analysis of a 1-mL sample.
1.2 This test method describes a GC-FPD method using a specific capillary GC column. Other GC-FPD methods, with differences in GC column and equipment setup and operation, may be used as alternative methods for sulfur compound analysis with different range and precision, provided that appropriate separation of the sulfur compounds of interest can be achieved.
1.3 This test method does not intend to identify all individual sulfur species. Total sulfur content of samples can be estimated from the total of the individual compounds determined. Unknown compounds are calculated as monosulfur-containing compounds.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values stated in inch-pound units are for information only.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all 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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-May-2003
• ICS: 71.040.50 - Physicochemical methods of analysis
• ICS: 75.160.10 - Solid fuels
• Technical Committee: D03 - Gaseous Fuels

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM D6228-10 - Standard Test Method for Determination of Sulfur Compounds in Natural Gas and Gaseous Fuels by Gas Chromatography and Flame Photometric Detection (Withdrawn 2019)
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2010

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:D6228–98 (Reapproved 2003)
Standard Test Method for
Determination of Sulfur Compounds in Natural Gas and
Gaseous Fuels by Gas Chromatography and Flame
1
Photometric Detection
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6228; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope D1072 Test Method for Total Sulfur in Fuel Gases by
Combustion and Barium Chloride Titration
1.1 This test method covers the determination of individual
D1265 Practice for Sampling Liquefied Petroleum (LP)
volatile sulfur-containing compounds in gaseous fuels by gas
Gases, Manual Method
chromatography(GC)withflamephotometricdetection(FPD).
D1945 Test Method for Analysis of Natural Gas by Gas
The detection range for sulfur compounds is from 20 to 20 000
Chromatography
picograms (pg) of sulfur. This is equivalent to 0.02 to 20
3
D3609 Practice for Calibration Techniques Using Perme-
mg/m or 0.014 to 14 ppmv of sulfur based upon the analysis
ation Tubes
of a 1-mL sample.
D4468 Test Method for Total Sulfur in Gaseous Fuels by
1.2 This test method describes a GC-FPD method using a
Hydrogenolysis and Rateometric Colorimetry
specific capillary GC column. Other GC-FPD methods, with
D4626 Practice for Calculation of Gas Chromatographic
differences in GC column and equipment setup and operation,
Response Factors
may be used as alternative methods for sulfur compound
D5287 Practice for Automatic Sampling of Gaseous Fuels
analysis with different range and precision, provided that
D5504 Test Method for Determination of Sulfur Com-
appropriate separation of the sulfur compounds of interest can
pounds in Natural Gas and Gaseous Fuels by Gas Chro-
be achieved.
matography and Chemiluminescence
1.3 This test method does not intend to identify all indi-
E840 Practice for Using Flame Photometric Detectors in
vidual sulfur species. Total sulfur content of samples can be
Gas Chromatography
estimated from the total of the individual compounds deter-
2.2 EPA Standards:
mined. Unknown compounds are calculated as monosulfur-
EPA–15 Determination of Hydrogen Sulfide, Carbonyl Sul-
containing compounds.
fide and Carbon Disulfide Emissions from Stationary
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
Sources, 40 CFR, Chapter 1, Part 60, Appendix A
standard. The values stated in inch-pound units are for infor-
EPA–16 Semicontinuous Determination of Sulfur Emis-
mation only.
sions from Stationary Sources, 40 CFR, Chapter 1, Part
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all the safety
60, Appendix A
concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and
3. Terminology
health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
3.1 Abbreviations:
limitations prior to use.
3.1.1 A common abbreviation of a hydrocarbon compound
2. Referenced Documents is to designate the number of carbon atoms in the compound.
2
A prefix is used to indicate the carbon chain form, while a
2.1 ASTM Standards:
subscript suffix denotes the number of carbon atoms, for
example, normal decane = n-C , isotetradecane = i-C .
10 14
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD03onGaseous
3.1.2 Sulfur compounds commonly are referred to by their
Fuels and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D03.05 on Determination of
initials, chemical or formula, for example, methyl mercaptan =
Special Constituents of Gaseous Fuels.
MeSH, dimethyl sulfide = DMS, carbonyl sulfide = COS,
Current edition approved May 10, 2003. Published August 2003. Originally
approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 1998 as D6228 – 98. DOI:
di-t-butyl trisulfide = DtB-TS, and tetrahydothiophene = THT
10.1520/D6228-98R03.
or thiophane.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
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D6228–98 (2003)
4. Summary of Test Method including fixed gas and organic components (see Test Method
D1945). This test method dictates the use of a specific GC
4.1 Sulfur analysis ideally is performed on-site to eliminate
technique with one of the more common detectors for mea-
potential sample deterioration during storage. The reactive
surement.
nature of sulfur components may pose problems both in
sampling and analysis. Samples should be co
...