Determination of nitrogen in petroleum crudes and products

This article presents data from a feasibility study of the application of a chromatographic method of nitrogen determination to the analysis of petroleum crudes and products. Even very small amounts of nitrogen will reduce the activity of cracking catalysts and lower the stability of petroleum products in extended storage. The proposed measuring method is based on oxidative breakdown of the organic substances under static conditions in a reactor of the tube type in a bed of heat-resistant oxidizer (NiO). The method can determine nitrogen contents of 0.1% and higher. Advantages of the method include completeness of oxidation of the organic matter, including heterocyclic compounds; a smaller sample weight, which ensures complete decomposition; a shorter time required for analysis; the absence of any particularly toxic reagents; and the elimination of the operations with boiling sulfuric acid. Includes a table.