Agilent 355 Sulfur Chemiluminescence Detector (SCD): Sulfur Compounds in Light Petroleum Liquids Such as Gasoline

Importance of the Topic

A thorough characterization of sulfur compounds in gasoline and other light petroleum liquids is essential for preventing equipment corrosion, catalyst poisoning, and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations.

Study Objectives and Overview

This overview summarizes the application of gas chromatography coupled with the Agilent 355 Sulfur Chemiluminescence Detector according to ASTM D5623-94, targeting the speciation and quantification of sulfur species in light petroleum fractions.

Methodology and Instrumentation

• Detector: Agilent 355 Sulfur Chemiluminescence Detector (SCD)
• Column: 30 m × 0.32 mm i.d., 4 µm methyl silicone WCOT fused silica
• Temperature Program: hold at –10 °C for 3 min, ramp at 10 °C/min to final temperature
• Internal Standard: diphenyl sulfide added to gasoline prior to analysis
• Sample Range: distillates and motor fuels with final boiling point ≤230 °C

Main Results and Discussion

• Separation and identification of 17 sulfur compounds including thiols, sulfides, thiophenes, and benzothiophenes
• Total sulfur content determined at approximately 85 ppm wt in the tested gasoline sample
• SCD response exhibited inherent linearity and equimolarity, eliminating the need for compound-specific response factors
• Hydrocarbons produced negligible background signal, avoiding quenching effects common in flame photometric detection

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Rapid and highly specific detection of sulfur species
• No requirement for linearization or multiple response factor calibration
• Robust performance with minimal hydrocarbon interference
• Applicable to quality control, environmental monitoring, and process optimization in the petroleum industry

Future Trends and Applications

• Integration of chemiluminescence detection with mass spectrometry for enhanced structural elucidation
• Development of portable or in-line SCD systems for real-time monitoring
• Advances in low-temperature and fast GC methods to reduce analysis time
• Application of artificial intelligence for data interpretation and predictive maintenance

Conclusion

The Agilent 355 SCD combined with the ASTM D5623-94 method provides a reliable, linear, and interference-resistant approach for routine speciation of sulfur compounds in light petroleum liquids.

References

• ASTM International. ASTM D5623-94 Standard Test Method for Sulfur Compounds in Light Petroleum Liquids by Gas Chromatography and Sulfur Chemiluminescence Detection.
• Agilent Technologies, Inc. Technical Overview: Agilent 355 Sulfur Chemiluminescence Detector. 2007.