ASTM D5623 is a method primarily for the determination of volatile sulfur-containing compounds in light petroleum liquids with a final boiling point of 230 °C or lower at atmospheric pressure, such as petroleum distillates and gasoline. Many sulfur compounds in light petroleum liquids are odorous, can cause corrosion to equipment, inhibit or destroy catalysts, and ultimately have a negative impact on product costs and quality. Sulfur in fuels also causes air pollution. The ability to speciate sulfur compounds is useful in controlling them in finished products and is often more important than determining total sulfur content alone. Gas chromatography combined with a Pulsed Flame Photometric Detector (PFPD) can provide a reliable means to identify and quantify sulfur compounds in petroleum liquids. Other sulfur selective detectors may be used for ASTM D5623, but the PFPD offers several advantages. The PFPD has improved sulfur selectivity from hydrocarbon matrices, increased sensitivity, and equimolar sulfur response vs. standard Flame Photometric Detectors (FPDs).

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5383 Pulsed Flame Photometric Detector (PFPD)

The Model 5383 Pulsed Flame Photometric Detector (PFPD) uses superior sensitivity and increased selectivity to easily and accurately analyze sulfur, phosphorus, and 26 other elements.

The superior sensitivity of the 5383 PFPD makes it the instrument of choice for the analysis of sulfur, phosphorus, and other elements. Its linear, equimolar response to sulfur allows selective measurement of individual sulfur species from low ppb to ppm levels, and total sulfur as the sum of individual peaks. The unique capability to obtain simultaneous sulfur and hydrocarbon chromatograms from a single PFPD detector sets it apart from other sulfur detection technologies.

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