Thermo Scientific sulphur analyser for improved refinery efficiency

Thermo Fisher Scientific has launched the TS 4000, a new Total Sulphur (TS) analyser.

Marking an expansion on the TS 3000 routine analyser, the latest model incorporates the patent pending Thermo Scientific True Total Sulphur (TTS) technology, which removes nitrogen interference to provide "true total sulphur results".

"This novel TTS technology is capable of determining trace level sulphur in Cetane Improver, offering high productivity performance allowing for accurate and precise analysis of sulphur levels in automotive fuels," said Thermo Scientific in a statement.

"The unique versatility, robustness and sensitivity of the analyser make it ideally suited for a range of refinery and petroleum sample types with a high nitrogen concentration," the statement continued.

As new US regulations dictate strict limitations on the sulphur content levels in automotive fuels, the firm’s TTS technology was developed by researchers in response.

Featured alongside the TS 4000’s UV-F detection system, the technology enables the analyser to detect sulphur at extremely low levels in liquids, solids and gas samples.

With ultra-low sulphur diesels already in use across much of Europe and Asia, they are expected to become a viable alternative to mainstream fuels by 2010.