Materials Analyst November 2005: Petroil

Petrochemical regulations are becoming stricter demanding lower levels of quantification for key elements such as sulfur (S), Pb etc. WDXRF technique, which has proven its ability to produce highly reliable and repeatable results,is being increasingly solicited for this analysis.

Thermo’s ARL OPTIM’X and ARL ADVANT’X series of XRF spectrometers have been shown to be compliant with various norms such as ASTM D2622, ISO 14596, etc. thanks to their high sensitivity and stability. In addition, various other elements used as additives in lubricants, residual oils or wear metals need to be analysed in a typical blending control station or in a central laboratory. Thermo Fisher Scientific (NYSE:TMO) has developed Petroil Quant^TM, a unique pre-calibration program to help analysts in the petrochemical and petroleum industries meet these requirements. Petroil Quant is designed for use in conjunction with Thermo’s ARL OPTIM’X and ARL ADVANT’X X-ray spectrometers and is capable of quantifying up to 24 elements in a variety of automotive fuels, lubricants and heavy residual oils both quickly and cost-effectively.

With Petroil Quant, Thermo’s X-ray spectrometers are calibrated for a series of elements in a wide dynamic range covering multiple oil matrices. Petroil Quant requires no analytical expertise and provides a "ready to run" analytical package for beginners as well as advanced users of thermo's XRF instruments. Further refinement or fine tuning for specific elements can always be achieved either in the factory prior to shipment or after installation using customer’s own set of samples.

In addition to sulfur in automotive fuels, Petroil Quant covers other elements generally needed for blending control of fresh lubricants such as Sodium (Na), Magnesium (Mg), Silicon (Si), Phosphorus (P), Chlorine (Cl), Potassium (K), Calcium (Ca), Zinc (Zn), Molybdenum (Mo), Bromine (Br) and Barium (Ba).

Petroil Quant can be installed on ARL OPTIM'X equipped with SmartGonio and is best suited for key elements such as sulfur (S) and lead (Pb) in automotive fuels and lubricants. To know more on ARL  OPTIM’X XRF spectrometer: http://www.thermo.com/com/cda/product/detail/1,1055,17125,00.html

The program can also be installed on the ARL ADVANT'X series with SmartGonioTM or with the Universal Goniometer for a more extended range of elements including residual oils and more demanding concentration limits. In addition, Petroil Quant facilitates further improvements of accuracy on specific elements whenever needed. To know more on ARL ADVANT’X XRF series: http://www.thermo.com/com/cda/product/detail/1,1055,11100,00.html