Detection and quantification of sulfur in oil products by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy for on-line analysis

Determination of sulfur in petroleum products is described using Laser Induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). A study of buffer gases employed to improve sulfur IR line detection is presented. Optimisation of the flow rate led to a 1.4 L/min optimal helium flow rate. An adaptation between a typical laboratory setup to a compact system allowed to obtain detection limits in the 0.2% w/w range. Calibration is made under the process conditions (70 °C) and at room temperature. Normalization with a helium emission line compensates for liquid level variations and for the temperature variations. The analysis of a sample over the course of 2 days under the conditions of the industrial process was tested and gave a good repeatability.