PROCEDURE FOR MEASURING TOTAL REACTIVE SULFUR

Measuring the real corrosion risk that organosulfur compounds present in refinery operations is simplified by first measuring the total sulfur content of a sample of a hydrocarbon material. The sample is then combined with a specific quantity of high surface area iron powder at a temperature representative of the highest temperature anticipated in a refining process for a period of time, such as one hour. The solid phase is then removed, and the total sulfur content is again measured. The difference between the before and after represents the total reactive sulfur of the hydrocarbon material. The hydrocarbon material is then blended with other hydrocarbon materials to create a stream that can be optimized to utilize the maximum volume of the lowest cost feedstock while managing the corrosion risk to the refinery equipment and piping.