Analysis of volatile organic sulphur compounds in kraft liquors by full evaporation headspace gas chromatography

This study demonstrated a full evaporation (FE) technique for direct organi c sulphide analysis in kraft pulping liquors using headspace gas chromatogr aphy (HSGC). A very small volume (10 mu L) of liquor sample is introduced i nto a sampling vial of about 20 mL and heated to art elevated temperature. Near-complete analyte transfer from the condensed phase to the vapour phase (headspace) is achieved in a very short period of time because of the smal l sample size and overheating; therefore, HSGC analysis provides the direct measurements of the analytes without sampling the liquid phase. The FE HSG C eliminates the matrix effects on the calibration for quantitative analysi s. Furthermore, calibration using an external gas standard can be applied w hen the liquid standard is not available. The method eliminates the solvent extraction ol gas-stripping requirement for organic sulphide analysis in k raft liquors. It is simple, rapid and accurate.