Chemical plants and contract and research laboratories will all be likely users of a new ASTM International standard, D 7183, Test Method for Determination of Total Sulfur in Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Related Chemicals by Ultraviolet Fluorescence. D 7183 was developed by Subcommittee D16.04 on Instrumental Analysis, part of ASTM International Committee D16 on Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Related Chemicals.
 
“This test method is used to analyze sulfur in aromatic hydrocarbons,” says Ralph Brooks, laboratory development manager, Amspec. “In the manufacturing of hydrocarbons, we must be able to see sulfur concentrations of less that 1 mg/kg or the sulfur will destroy the catalyst, which is very expensive.”
 
Brooks notes that Committee D16 always seeks more participation in their subcommittees. “We are looking for all types of participants, including manufacturers, vendors and users,” says Brooks. Subcommittee D16.04 plans to conduct a research report in order to develop future revisions of the standard that will include lower sulfur concentrations.

ASTM International standards are available for purchase from Customer Service (phone: 610/832-9585; https://www.astm.org/contact/) or at www.astm.org.

For further technical information, contact Ralph Brooks, Amspec, Galena Park, Texas (phone: 713/330-1000; BrksRdb@aol.com). Committee D16 meets Jan. 30-31, 2008, at the January committee week in Tampa, Fla. For membership or meeting information, contact Nancy Morrissey, Technical Committee Operations, ASTM International (phone: 610/832-9736; nmorriss@astm.org).

Release #7838