The Effect of Inorganic Solid Particles and Water on the Results of a Sulfur Content Measurement in Crude Oil with an X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry

Abstract

The petroleum refining industry requires an accurate sulfur content determination in crude oil which is often achieved by applying energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (EDXRF). This analytical method provides fast and precise determination of total sulfur content in crude oil and petroleum products. However, the presence of large quantities of inorganic solid particles and/or dispersed water in the crude oil samples to be analyzed may lower the results of sulfur content measurements. It was established that a decrease of the results of sulfur content measurements in crude oil depends on the quantities of water and inorganic solid particles in the samples to be analyzed, and, to a large extent, on the position of a sample in the analyzer. The effects of these factors on the results of sulfur content measurements in the crude were assessed quantitatively. It was demonstrated that the sample-surface-side geometry of the analyzer is more efficient than the sample-surface-down geometry since it drastically reduces the adverse effects of water and inorganic solid particles on the results of sulfur content measurements in crude oil.