UOP 357-80 PDF

Full title and description

St UOP 357-80 — "Trace Sulfur in Petroleum Distillates by the Nickel Reduction Method". A UOP analytical method that describes the determination of low concentrations of sulfur (trace levels) in petroleum distillates using Raney (pyrophoric) nickel reduction to convert organic sulfur to hydrogen sulfide, followed by chemical absorption and titration for quantification.

Abstract

UOP 357-80 (published 1980) specifies a wet-chemistry procedure for measuring trace sulfur in distillate petroleum streams. The method converts organically-bound sulfur to nickel sulfide using activated Raney nickel; subsequent acidification releases hydrogen sulfide which is absorbed and titrated to give sulfur content. The procedure is intended for low-level sulfur (sub-ppm to low hundreds of ppm) in non‑olefinic or low‑olefin distillates and includes precision limits, sample restrictions and practical safety notes for handling Raney nickel and evolved H2S.

General information

• Status: Withdrawn (historical method; withdrawn from some catalogues and superseded in practice by instrumental and microcoulometric methods).
• Publication date: 1980 (UOP method designation 357-80).
• Publisher: UOP (Universal Oil Products) / UOP LLC (Honeywell UOP).
• ICS / categories: 71.080 (Organic chemicals / analytical methods for organic hydrocarbons).
• Edition / version: Original UOP 357-80 edition (1980).
• Number of pages: 6 (concise procedural method sheet).

Scope

The method covers determination of trace sulfur in petroleum distillates free of hydrogen sulfide, with an effective analytical range reported at about 0.1 to 200 mg/kg (ppm). It is intended for non‑olefinic materials (examples: straight‑run naphthas, hydrogen‑treated stocks, reformates and aromatic hydrocarbons) and is limited to samples containing not more than approximately 2% olefins. Oxidized sulfur species (for example sulfonic acids) are not reliably measured by this technique; use with oxidized or acid‑treated stocks requires caution or alternate methods.

Key topics and requirements

• Scope and applicable sample types: low‑sulfur distillates (0.1–200 ppm), low olefin content (≤ ~2%).
• Principle: reduction of organically bound sulfur with activated Raney (pyrophoric) nickel to form nickel sulfide, acid decomposition to release H2S, capture of H2S in an alkaline/solvent absorber and titration for sulfur quantification.
• Reagents and apparatus: activated Raney nickel (special handling and storage), acid for decomposition, alkaline/acetone absorber solution, standard mercuric acetate titrant and dithizone (or equivalent) indicator; standard volumetric glassware and fume‑hood facilities.
• Analytical performance: method reporting limits in the sub‑ppm to low‑ppm range; precision and allowable deviations are specified by concentration ranges (method includes repeatability guidance for duplicate determinations).
• Interferences and limitations: oxidized sulfur compounds give low recovery; halides, certain metals or matrix effects can interfere; olefins above the method limit affect accuracy.
• Safety and environmental controls: Raney nickel is pyrophoric and must be handled under suitable conditions; evolved hydrogen sulfide is toxic and requires effective ventilation, gas‑scrubbing and appropriate PPE.
• Quality control: use of blanks, standards and duplicate analyses recommended; calibration and method checks for accuracy at low ppm levels.

Typical use and users

This method was historically used by refinery and petrochemical laboratory analysts for quality control and feedstock screening where low‑level sulfur measurements were required and instrumental alternatives were not available. Typical users: refinery QC laboratories, feedstock evaluation groups, petrochemical research laboratories and some contract testing labs. Over time many laboratories moved to microcoulometric, UV‑fluorescence or XRF/combustion‑based instrumental techniques for routine trace sulfur work.

Related standards

Common modern or related methods and standards for sulfur determination in petroleum products include UOP microcoulometric methods (for example UOP 727 and similar microcoulometric procedures), UOP 836 (XRF approaches), ASTM instrumental methods such as ASTM D4294 (energy‑dispersive XRF), ASTM D2622 (WDXRF) and ASTM D5453 (combustion with ultraviolet fluorescence), plus IP/ISO variants and microcoulometric methods such as IP 373. These instrumental and microcoulometric methods are frequently used today as alternatives to wet‑chemical Raney nickel procedures.

Keywords

UOP 357-80; trace sulfur; Raney nickel; nickel reduction method; petroleum distillates; sulfur determination; H2S absorption; mercuric acetate titration; low‑sulfur analysis; refinery QC.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: UOP 357-80 is a UOP analytical method titled "Trace Sulfur in Petroleum Distillates by the Nickel Reduction Method" that describes a wet‑chemical procedure using Raney nickel to measure low levels of sulfur in distillate hydrocarbon samples. It was published in 1980.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers sample applicability (distillates free of H2S, low olefin content), the chemical reduction of organic sulfur to nickel sulfide, liberation of hydrogen sulfide by acid, absorption of H2S and quantitative titration. The method specifies reagents, apparatus, a reported analytical range (~0.1–200 ppm), precision guidance and known limitations (not quantitative for oxidized sulfur forms).

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Historically, refinery and petrochemical QC laboratories and contract testing labs used UOP 357-80. Today it may still appear in older laboratory procedures, method comparisons, or teaching, but routine industrial testing has largely shifted to microcoulometric or instrumental techniques (XRF, UV‑fluorescence, combustion) for convenience, safety and throughput.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: UOP 357-80 is a historical UOP method (1980); many catalogues list it as withdrawn and contemporary practice typically favors microcoulometric and instrumental methods (examples: UOP 727/IP 373 microcoulometry, UOP 836/XRF, ASTM D5453 UV‑fluorescence, ASTM D4294 XRF). Laboratories should confirm applicable regulatory or contractual requirements before selecting a replacement method.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — UOP 357-80 is part of the UOP analytical methods series for petroleum and related products. UOP publishes numerous numerical method sheets addressing sulfur, metals, hydrocarbons and other analytes; users often consult the broader UOP method collection when assembling laboratory test suites.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Trace sulfur, Raney nickel, nickel reduction, hydrogen sulfide, petroleum distillates, low‑sulfur analysis, UOP 357-80, refinery QC.