Some process catalysts used in petroleum and chemical refining can be poisoned when trace amounts of sulfur bearing materials are contained in the feedstocks. This test method can be used to determine sulfur in process feeds sulfur in finished products, and can also be used for purposes of regulatory control.

1.1 This test method covers the determination of total sulfur in liquid hydrocarbons, boiling in the range from approximately 25 to 400°C, with viscosities between approximately 0.2 and 20 cSt (mm²/S) at room temperature.

1.2 Three separate interlaboratory studies (ILS) on precision, and three other investigations that resulted in an ASTM research report, have determined that this test method is applicable to naphthas, distillates, engine oil, ethanol, Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME), and engine fuel such as gasoline, oxygen enriched gasoline (ethanol blends, E-85, M-85, RFG), diesel, biodiesel, diesel/biodiesel blends, and jet fuel. Samples containing 1.0 to 8000 mg/kg total sulfur can be analyzed (Note 1).

Note 1—Estimates of the pooled limit of quantification (PLOQ) for the precision studies were calculated. Values ranged between less than 1.0 and less than 5.0 mg/kg (see Section 8 and 15.1).

1.3 This test method is applicable for total sulfur determination in liquid hydrocarbons containing less than 0.35 % (m/m) halogen(s).

1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.5 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 warning statements, see 3.1, 6.3, 6.4, Section 7, and 8.1.