A COMPUTERIZED ANALYSIS OF THE SULFUR-CONTENT IN DIESEL FUEL BY CAPILLARY GAS-CHROMATOGRAPHY WITH FLAME PHOTOMETRIC DETECTOR

A new method is proposed for the computerized determination of sulfur in diesel fuel by capillary gas chromatography with a flame photometri c detector (FPD). The diesel fuel is injected in the gas chromatograph after dilution with n-hexane. After recording the chromatogram, the s ulfur content in the diesel fuel (mg L(-1) or w/w) is given directly b y an integrator provided with a Basic card or by a personal computer i n which the algorithm of the calibration curve has been entered. Use o f a calibration curve does not require the identification of the numer ous sulfur compounds present in diesel fuel. The calibration curve was corrected for the quenching effect that the hydrocarbon components of the diesel fuel produce on the detector response. The method was test ed using diesel fuel with a known sulfur concentration and was found t o be very accurate; it is reproducible, fast and may be automated.