THE COMPARATIVE INVESTIGATION OF METHODS OF THE DETERMINATION OF SULFUR IN ORGANIC PRODUCTS USING ABSORPTION OF X AND GAMMA RADIATIONS

The possibilities of applicntion of isotopic sources of gamma and x radiations for the determination of sulfur in hydrocarbons are discussed. The analytical methods are based on the absorption of radiation utilizing a difference between the absorption coefficients of hydrocarbon and sulfur for the energy about 20 kev. The properties of a Sn/sup 113/ source whlch has a radiation energy of 25.8 kev were presented. Thls source is inexpensive and has a useful shape of metallic foil, but the physical properties do not 147/, Cd/sup 109/, Sn/sup 113, and x-ray tube are discussed as sources. Sensitivity, precision, detectable limit, the dependence on the composition of hydrocarbon and haif time of decay were taken into account. It appears that the detectable limit of sulfur is (0.05 plus or minus 0.025)% S obtained with Fe/sup 59/ as a radiation source. The optimum range of the method is from 0.3 to several per cent of sulfur. In practice the most useful isotopic sources of radiation are: T/ sup 3/, for constant composition of hydrocarbon, and Pm/sup 147/ for strongly varying composition. The advantages of the isotopic sources resulting from a simplicity of application and from the possibilities of application to continuous analysis aremore » discussed. (auth)« less