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U.S. Department of Energy
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Instrumental methods of analysis of sulfur compounds in synfuel process streams. Quarterly technical progress report, October-December 1982

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6417036

The general objective is to develop dependable and accurate instrumental analysis methods for the determination of sulfur moieties. These will include polysulfides, dithionite and polythionates. Calorimetric procedures (thermometric titrations, injection enthalpimetry) and electroanalytical techniques (voltammetry, coulometric analysis, etc.) will be used. The complete speciation of sulfur will be undertaken in representative synfuel process stream samples. Total sulfidic sulfur has been quantitated with the aid of diffusion currents engendered by the anodic depolarization of the dropping mercury electrode. Classical chemical reactions involving polythionates were surveyed as to their applicability to analytical determinations by Direct Injection Enthalpimetry (DIE). Reactions included polythionate decomposition by sulfide precipitation with mercuric chloride, silver nitrate, and thallows nitrate; polythionate oxidation, cyanolysis, and complexation with aquopentaammine cobalt (+3) chloride. An analysis of two H-Coal sour water samples was undertaken using thermochemical, electrochemical and classical methods. The various methods yielded consistent sulfidic and polysulfidic sulfur levels. This internal consistency substantiated the accuracy of the findings.

Research Organization:
Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park (USA). Dept. of Chemistry
DOE Contract Number:
FG22-81PC40783
OSTI ID:
6417036
Report Number(s):
DOE/PC/40783-T9; ON: DE83009819
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English