The determination of trace amounts of total nitrogen in petroleum distillates extractive percolation method

A new method is presented for the determination of trace amounts of total nitrogen in petroleum distillates ranging from gasolines to lubricating oils. The method is based on percolation of the sample through concentrated sulphuric acid distributed on a carrier, Owing to its high precision the proposed method allows a sharp differentiation between nitrogen contents even at levels below 10 p.p.m. Factors which commonly interfere with the detection of traces of nitrogen are minimized. The relative simplicity of the method makes it suitable for routine application.