Abstract
The determination of sulfur in heavy oils by X-rays fluorescence analysis was investigated by using scattered X-rays as the internal standard. The carbon-hydrogen ratio, contaminating elements in heavy oils such as vanadium, nickel, copper, iron, sodium, chlorine, oxygen, nitrogen, etc. and water gave some influences on SKα intensity. It was found, however. that the effects of matrix elements, unevenness of sample surface and change of instrumental conditions on SKα intensity were remarkably reduced by using the scattered X-ray as the internal standard. For the range of 1.07% to 4.15% sulfur in heavy oil, a simple calibration curve was obtained in terms of sulfur content against intensity ratio of SKα/WLβ. Determination of sulfur in heavy oil referring to this calibration curve gave standard deviation of 0.0180.049 % against the value by conventional chemical analysis.
