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The petroleum market is probably the second largest market
for XRF after the geological mining and minerals. There
are a number
of applications at virtually every stage.
Sulfur
in Oil and Fuels
Sulfur is a major element of importance because it can
form sulfuric acid in the atmosphere when burned. Environmental
regulatory agencies continue to reduce the allowable
levels of sulfur in fuels, so it is important to monitor
for it throughout the refining process. EDXRF instruments
are used for this purpose, and have ASTM methods in place.
Specific applications include:
A.
Sulfur in Crude oil
B. Sulfur in Gasolines
C. Sulfur in Diesel
D. Sulfur in Kerosene
E. Sulfur in Fuel oil, Heating oil, and Residual Fuel oil
F. Sulfur in Asphalt
Lead in Gasoline
Lead is an anti-knock additive that is added to gasoline.
It is used at concentrations of several hundred PPM is
leaded gasolines and approximately 13 mg/L in unleaded
gasolines.
Manganese in Gasoline
Manganese is another anti-knock additive that is used primarily
in Canada at very low PPM concentrations. This application
can be done with EDXRF instruments.
Chlorine in Crude Oil
Crude oil is desalinated to remove salts that are naturally
present. Crude oil needs to typically be below 50 PPM
before it can be refined. EDXRF analyzers can be used
for this application.
Nickel and Vanadium in
Crude Oil
These elements can poison catalysts used in the refining
process. Less than 5 PPM concentrations are preferred.
EDXRF analyzer can do this application.
Sulfur, Nickel, and Vanadium
in Residual Oil
These elements are monitored for either emissions or recovery
purposes.
Sulfur in Coke or Carbon
There are numerous uses for Coke and Carbon, and the material
becomes more valuable the lower the sulfur, with electrode
grade carbon being quite valuable. This application can
be done with EDXRF instruments.
Mg, P, S, Ca, Ba, Zn, Mo in Lubricating
Oils
Lube oils contain a number of additives. Some additives
are stabilizers, and others improve lubrication. Motor
oils are the largest single class of lubricating oils in
terms of volume. EDXRF has ASTM methods covering some of
these additives. S, Cl, As, Pb, Cd in Waste Oil
and Waste Fuel Oil
Waste oils such as used lubrication oil are used in a number
of oil fired power plants and kilns. These are monitored
for toxic metals chlorine, and sulfur per environmental
protection agency guidelines. EDXRF instruments can perform
these measurements. |
