AUTOMATIC METHODS FOR THE SIMULTANEOUS DETERMINATION OF CARBON, HYDROGEN, NITROGEN, AND SULFUR, AND FOR SULFUR ALONE IN ORGANIC AND INORGANIC MATERIALS

Automatic methods for the simultaneous determination of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and sulfur, and for sulfur alone in organic and inorganic materials are described. They are based upon combustion of the samples in oxygen-helium, reduction over copper or copper(I) oxide at 700-800 °C, and gas chromatographic separation and measurement of the reaction products. The tube fillings have a long lifetime and can furthermore be regenerated many times. The carrier gas is doped with sulfur dioxide to provide for a better chromatographic separation. A very simple method for the preparation of reliable gas permeation tubes is described. © 1979, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.