This document describes the analysis of liquefied petroleum gases according to ASTM D 5504-95. It utilizes gas chromatography with sulfur chemiluminescence detection to identify and quantify sulfur compounds in petroleum feeds and products, including liquefied petroleum gases (LPGs) and natural gas liquids (NGLs). Sulfur compounds can have corrosive effects, inhibit or destroy catalysts in downstream processing, and introduce undesirable properties to products. However, certain odorous sulfur compounds like ethyl mercaptan, tetrahydrothiophene, and occasionally thiophane are intentionally added to propane as warning agents for detecting LPG leaks. The ability to speciate sulfur compounds in these liquids is useful for quality assurance of odorant addition and better control of sulfur compounds in finished products.
This document provides a technical overview of the analysis of liquefied petroleum gases (LPGs) and natural gas liquids (NGLs) using gas chromatography with sulfur chemiluminescence detection. It details the determination of individual volatile sulfur-containing compounds as well as total sulfur content in gaseous fuels.
The method provides for the determination of individual volatile sulfur-containing compounds as well as total sulfur content.
Odorous sulfur compounds such as ethyl mercaptan, tetrahydrothiophene, and occasionally thiophane are added.
The particular NGL sample contained approximately 100 ppm wt total sulfur.