Quantification of Sulfur in Mobility Fuels

Abstract

Methods to quantify sulfur in mobility fuels, particularly for concentrations below 10 ppm, were examined and evaluated at the Naval ResearchLaboratory (NRL). Work was divided into three primary thrusts: infrared (IR) spectroscopy for direct liquid-phase analysis, electrochemicalSO2measurements, and optical SO2 measurements. Much of the work focused on SO2 as a single analyte that could be produced via lean combustionof liquid fuel. Results showed that IR spectroscopy does not have a sufficient, generalized sensitivity toward the range of sulfur compounds typicallyfound in liquid fuels. Cermet (ceramic-metallic) sensor measurements showed promise in terms of response and sensitivity to SO2, but the sensorprogressively degraded and became completely unresponsive. For combustion exhaust gas analysis, conventional NDIR (non-dispersive infrared)instruments do not have sufficient sensitivity to SO2, whereas UVF (ultraviolet fluorescence) instruments have the required sensitivity but sufferfrom performance issues related to other combustion products present (NO, CO, and unburned hydrocarbons). A commercial electrochemicalSO2 sensor showed promise, but might not have sufficient sensitivity and exhibited significant cross-sensitivity to other combustion products.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 20, 2017
Accession Number
AD1032950

Entities

People

  • Brian T. Fisher
  • Jeffrey A. Cramer
  • Katherine M. Hinnant
  • Mark H. Hammond
  • Robert E. Morris

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Analyzers
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Combustion
  • Combustion Products
  • Detection
  • Detectors
  • Dielectric Gases
  • Diesel Fuels
  • Materials Laboratories
  • Materials Science
  • Materials Testing
  • Measurement
  • Petroleum
  • Spectra
  • Spectroscopy
  • Sulfur Compounds

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Combustion science or combustion engineering.
  • Electrochemical Engineering/ Fuel Cell Technologies
  • Optical Fiber Sensing and Electromagnetic Propagation.