This non-destructive method is for determining sulfur in liquiddistillate and residual oils, using non-dispersive x-rayfluorescence. The range of detection is 100 ppm up to 5 mass-%. Themethod has two interferences, molybdenum and lead that, when eitheris present at levels above 100 ppm, cause sulfur peak overlap andwill negate use of this method. Higher levels of other metals canalso cause interferences. The interference is not obvious and,therefore, questionable samples must be analyzed for thesecompounds before the determination of sulfur can be made. Suitablescreening techniques include energy dispersive x-ray or atomicabsorption spectroscopy.

The method is written for use with a Horiba Model SLFA-800instrument, however, other equivalent equipment issatisfactory.