Articles

RSS

Agilent Technologies Inc. (Palo Alto, CA) has released three application notes that discuss the various ways of detecting sulfur in chemical samples: "A Comparison of Sulfur Selective Detectors for Low Level Analysis in Gaseous Streams" (Literature #5988-2426), "Automated Dynamic Blending System for the Agilent 6890 Gas Chromatograph: Low Level Sulfur Detection" (Literature #5988-2465) and "Analysis of Trace Sulfur Compounds in Beverage Grade Carbon Dioxide" (Literature #5988-2464). You can read short overviews of the application notes or download them below.

"Comparison of Sulfur Selective Detectors for Low Level Analysis in Gaseous Streams"
This note discusses a comparison of four types of sulfur detectors for analysis of single-digit ppb level sulfur and compares example applications under real-world conditions. The detectors include the AED (Atomic Emission Detector), SCD (Sulfur Chemiluminescent Detector), PFPD (Pulsed Flame Photometric Detector), and FPD (Flame Photometric Detector).

Applications showing detection of trace sulfur in hydrocarbon streams using these four detectors are presented. Agilent offers recommendations to help the reader to choose a chromatographic system for a given application. If the matrix is reasonably simple and sulfur levels are in the low ppm to 50 ppb range, then the FPD will usually be a good choice. In terms of overall performance, the AED will handle the widest range of applications obtaining carbon and sulfur chromatograms simultaneously without time-consuming "tuning" for optimal operation; analysis down to 5 ppb in complex matrices is easily accomplished.

Click here to download the application note.

"Automated Dynamic Blending System for the Agilent 6890 Gas Chromatograph: Low Level Sulfur Detection"
With the growing use of selective detectors for trace-level analysis of volatile sulfur and other small molecules, a clear need has emerged for simple and reliable calibration/blending systems. Accurate trace-level gas analysis is critical in many diverse industries including the hydrocarbon processing, semiconductor fab, and food/beverage industries. The "Automated Dynamic Blending System for the Agilent 6890 Gas Chromatograph: Low Level Sulfur Detection" application note reviews a novel point-of-use dynamic blending system for gaseous sample preparation and calibration that has been developed for the Agilent 6890 GC. This system is inexpensive, automatable, and can be assembled quickly with a few readily available components and one channel of an Aux EPC module. Calibrations to single digit ppbV levels are attainable with active components such as H2S, COS, sulfides, and light mercaptans when the system is constructed with Silcosteel or Sulfinert tubing and fittings.

Click here to download the application note.

"Analysis of Trace Sulfur Compounds in Beverage Grade Carbon Dioxide"
The food and beverage industry has strict guidelines on the quality of CO2 required for use in products for human consumption. Food grade CO2 (>99.95 percent) can contain a number of impurities. Impurities can produce off-odors or flavors and in some rare instances a health hazard. Guidelines have been established recently for allowable levels of impurities by chemical type, the most common of which are acetaldehyde, methanol, ethanol, hydrogen sulfide, carbonyl sulfide, and sulfur dioxide. The "Analysis of Trace Sulfur Compounds in Beverage Grade Carbon Dioxide" application note examines detection methods for these impurities. A chromatographic system based on the Agilent 6890 GC equipped with a sulfur selective detector can easily quantify sulfur at levels well below those required for food grade CO2. The system is suitable for use in the lab, manufacturing plant or storage terminal.

For detection of sulfur impurities in beverage grade CO2 at levels down to 25 ppb, the FPD offers an easy-to-use low cost solution when coupled to the optimized sample introduction system. The AED offers the most complete solution when analysis of hydrocarbons is also desired with a single valve-column-detector combination.

Click here to download the application note.

About Agilent Technologies
Agilent Technologies Inc. is a global technology leader in communications, electronics, life sciences and healthcare. With 48,000 employees serving customers in more than 120 countries, Agilent had net revenue of $10.8 billion in fiscal year 2000. Information about Agilent can be found on the Web at www.agilent.com.

For more information: Agilent Technologies, Inc., 71 Southgate Boulevard, 4201, New Castle, DE 19720. Tel: 800-227-9770. Email: carol_dunn@agilent.com.

Source: Agilent Technologies Inc.

Sign up for our free newsletter.

Send comments to Laboratory Network.com's content manager at contentmanager@laboratorynetwork.com.