What are the different test methods used in the testing of sulphur in oils?
Sulphur is used in lubricating oils as EP additive, Extreme Pressure additive mainly in gear oils. There are two types of sulphur compounds – Active Sulphur and Inactive Sulphur. The difference between the two is, in active additives – the additive that contains sulphur reacts with the surface of the machinery at a much lower temperature, whereas in inactive additives – the additive that contains sulphur reacts with the surface of the machinery at a much higher temperature.
EP additives which contain sulphur and phosphorus provide the following advantages:
- They help minimize sludge formation
- Decrease wear of the parts of the gears exposed to extremely high pressure
- Prevents galling or scuffing of metal surfaces
- Give high load carrying ability and wear protection
- Resists foaming of the oil
- Strong protection against corrosion of copper, steel and alloys
- Helps in an increase of oil service life
Atlas Lab provides a comprehensive state-of-the-art Sulphur Testing and Analysis Program. The objective is two-fold, to test the samples to ensure that the quality is as per National & International specifications and to spot any potential problems by analyzing the condition of the sulphur in the lube oil which could potentially cause harm to the health and operation of the machinery.
The amount of sulphur added in the lubricating oil is tested in ATLAS LAB using the following testing methods :
METHOD | DESCRIPTION |
ASTM D2622 | Standard Test Method for Sulfur in Petroleum Products by Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry |
ASTM D4294 | Standard Test Method for Sulfur in Petroleum and Petroleum Products by |
ASTM D5453 | Standard Test Method for Determination of Total Sulfur in Light Hydrocarbons, Motor Fuels and Oils by Ultraviolet Fluorescence |
ASTM D129 | Standard Test Method for Sulfur in Petroleum Products (General Bomb Method) |
ASTM D5623 | Standard Test Method for Sulfur Compounds in Light Petroleum Liquids by |
ASTM D1552 | Standard Test Method for Sulfur in Petroleum Products by High Temperature Combustion and Infrared (IR) Detection or Thermal Conductivity |
ASTM D7220 | Standard Test Method for Sulfur in Automotive, Heating, and Jet Fuels by |
ISO 20884 | Petroleum products — Determination of sulfur content of automotive fuels |
ISO 20846 | Petroleum products — Determination of sulfur content of automotive fuels |
IP 61 | Determination of sulfur — High pressure combustion method |
IS 1448 – Part 153 | Methods of Test for Petroleum and its Products, Petroleum Products Determination of Sulfur Content of Automotive Fuels Energy-Dispersive X-Ray |
IS 1448 – Part 33 | Methods of test for petroleum and its products, Sulphur by Bomb method |
IS 1448 – Part 109 | Methods of test for petroleum and its products, Determination of thio (mercaptan) sulphur in light and middle distillate fuels |
Test equipments used for determining Sulphur :
XRF – EDXRF SULPHUR
