EPSILON 1 FOR ULTRA-LOW SULFUR
Compliance with low running costs     NO NEED FOR HELIUM!

ASTM D4294
ISO 8754
ISO 20847
IP 336
IP 496
JIS K2541-4

23

QUANTIFICATION OF ULTRA-LOW
SULFUR IN AUTOMOTIVE FUELS
In compliance with international test methods
Epsilon 1 is the ideal analytical solution. The system ispre-calibrated in the factory and is an out-of-the-box
solution for the analysis of ultra-low sulfur content in fuelsin compliance with ISO 13032. Epsilon 1 also complies withless-stringent sulfur test methods such as ASTM D4294and ISO 8754.
We have a strong reputation for high-end X-ray
instrumentation. Epsilon 1 is built using our marketleading, superior-quality technology and underpinned by
our worldwide services and application support.

Epsilon 1 gives you precise and accurate data, starting at
5 ppm sulfur in fuels, with minimal sample preparation
and running costs. Thanks to the high sensitivity of its
excitation and detection components, you don’t needhelium gas to achieve ISO 13032-compliant results. The
air pressure and temperature sensors in the instrument,
combined with advanced software algorithms, makeevery measurement result stable and independent of theenvironmental conditions. This innovation keeps the total
running cost to a minimum, at only € 1.- per analysis.

THE TOTAL SOLUTIONCONSISTS OF•••••

ISO 13032

 psilon 1 instrument.
Ewith user software.
Factory pre-calibration for sulfur in fuelsin compliance with ISO 13032.
Precalibrated for Chlorine analysis - optional.
A validation standard.
A starting kit for preparing 100 liquidcups for analysis.
Monitor samples to keep thecalibration up to date.

ASTM D4294
ISO 8754
ISO 20847
IP 336
IP 496
JIS K2541-4

Sample preparation foils

Preparation tool

Liquid cups

Validation standard

45

RESULTS IN JUST 4 STEPS
Easy sample preparation

1

Use the handy tool for preparing the liquid cup.

2Fill the cup two thirds full.

Easy analysis

3

Place your sample for measurement.

4Enter sample name and touch the ‘measure’ icon.

COMPLIANT RESULTS
MEASURE IN YOUR OWN LANGUAGE

Ten most common languages areavailable for the operator:
测量Measure
測定Mesurer
Messung
MesureZmierzyć
MedidaИзмеритьMédir

67

BUILT FOR HIGH SULFUR AND
CHLORINE SENSITIVITY
The Epsilon 1 is a fully integrated energy dispersive XRF analyzer consisting of a spectrometer, built-in computerand analysis software. Powered by the latest advances in excitation and detection technology the Epsilon 1 is astar performer in the low-cost benchtop instrument class. A well-designed optical path, a wide range of excitation
capabilities ranging from 7 to 30 kV for light and heavier elements and a highly sensitive SDD detector system
contribute to the Epsilon 1’s uniqueness.

Easy communication / connection

Self-contained system

Built-in computer running Microsoft Windows 10 with apowerful CPU and 120 GB hard drive ensures flexibility tostore and handle thousands of results.

USB and network connections for use of standard
computer peripherals enable extended use, application
development and seated operator.

Repeatability for years

Best accuracy

Highly concentrated samples can cause detector
saturation resulting in lower accuracy or longer measuring
times. Epsilon 1 uses the latest in silicon drift technology
to handle these highly concentrated samples without anyloss of accuracy or increased measuring times.

A low-drift X-ray tube and a handy drift correction routine
give compliant results for years without the need for timeconsuming re-calibration.

Maximum sensitivity

The thin-window vanadium anode X-ray tube, designed
and manufactured by Malvern Panalytical, ensures highquality and sensitivity. The selection of vanadium anodematerial is ideal for the accurate quantification of S and Cl
without interference of possible line overlaps in the XRF
spectrum, leading to more reliable results.

Atmospheric variations

Low-energy X-ray photons, like those of phosphorus,
sulfur and chlorine are sensitive to air-pressure andtemperature variations. Built-in temperature and airpressure sensors compensate for these atmosphericvariations, ensuring excellent results whatever theweather.

Spillage protection

In order to shield the delicate heart of the system fromspillage, a protection foil is in place. In case of spillage, thefoil can be replaced easily by the operator.

Sample positioning

Highly repeatable sample positioning reduces
sample-to-sample variations.

Economical footprint

Safety guaranteed

Compact design with a built-in computer and touch screen
reduces the requirement of valuable lab space to less than
0.15 m2.

Epsilon 1 complies with the latest Machinery Directive,CSA, IEC, EMC, Vollschutz norms and standards forprotection and radiation safety to guarantee a safe
instrument for the operator.

Easy operation

High-resolution (1024 x 768), 10.4” LCD touchscreen foreasy walk-up and operation.

1

H
1.008

3Li4

Be

6.941

9.012
1211Na Mg
K20

CaRb38Cs

132.905
87Fr(223)

Sc

Possible to analyze with Epsilon 1ZNot possible to analyze with Epsilon 1Sr22Ti

40

Zr

44.96
39

Y

2

He
4.003

587.6288.906

L72A

104

56

137.3388Ra
226.02

6B
10.81

C

14

Al

23

24

V

25

50.94

52.00

4154.94

42

Nb Mo

91.22

92.91

178.49180.95183.85

Db

L
A

89

La
138.91

Ac
(227)

Ce
140.1290Th
232.04190.2

Pr

140.91
91Pa231.04(270)

60(281)144.2492

U

238.03(145)93

150.3694

151.9795

204.38

(285)

64

Gd

(244)

157.2596(243)207.21

Tb
158.9397(247)

(247)

(289)

Dy
162.50

98

Cf
(251)

127.60Ho
164.93

99

Es
(252)

100

Rn(210)(222)
118

Ts(293)167.26

86

117

Lv

Er

131.29126.90(209)68

Xe

At116(289)

67

83.80
54

I

85

PoMcKr

79.904
53

84

115

Fl

66

78.96

Bi39.948
36

Br

Te

208.98

114

(286)

65

83

Ar

35.45352

121.75

Pb

113

Np Pu Am Cm Bk
237.05118.7182

Tl

Cn Nh(281)63

Nd Pm Sm Eu

114.82200.59

Rg

74.92

Sb

20.180
18Cl

35Se

51

Sn

Ne

18.998

34

As

10

F

17S

32.066

33

72.61
50

In81

Hg

112

111

Ds

62

112.4180

196.97110(278)61

107.87

Au195.08

Mt

49

CdO

16

P

30.974Ge

915.999

14.007

32

69.72

48

Ag

79

Pt

Ga

8

N

15Si
28.09

31

Zn
65.39

47

106.4

109

Hs(270)

59

Pd78

Ir

30

63.55

46192.2

108

Bh(269)

58

77

Cu

58.69

Rh
102.95

Os

186.2

Sg

58.93

76

29

Ni

45

101.1

107

106(270)

57

55.85

Re

28

Co

Ru

75

W

105(267)27

44

Tc(98)

74

Ta

Rf

43

95.94

73

Hf

26

Cr Mn Fe

712.0111347.88

Ba

85.47
55

Z

26.98
21

40.08

39.09837

Factory pre-calibrated

24.31

22.990
19ZOg

(293)

69(294)70

Tm Yb
168.96101

173.04102

Fm Md No(257)

(258)

(259)

71

Lu
174.97103

Lr(260)ADVANTAGES OF XRF FOR
FUELS ANALYSIS•

Quick quantification method• imple, fast and safe sample
Spreparation•

Non-destructive analysis•

 ide analytical concentration rangeW(ppm – %) reducing the necessity fordilution and associated errors•

 ccurate and reproducible dataA
compared to other techniques•

No need for helium

89

ROBUST AND ACCURATE QUANTIFICATION OF SULFUR IN FUELS
Instrument complianceRepeatability

Commercially available fuel certified reference materials(CRM) from LGC-VHG Labs Inc (US) were used to precalibrate Epsilon 1 for sulfur using the ISO 13032
international test method. The gasoline and diesel CRMs
for setting up the calibration were measured in duplicates.
The measurement time was 10 minutes per sample. The
calibration root mean square (RMS) value and correlation
factor, together with the calibration graph, show a highdegree of accuracy for the method.

According to ISO 13032 test method, the peak-tobackground ratio (Rs-Rb)/√Rb of a 10 mg/kg sulfur in oil
CRM should be > 1.3 Without the need of helium, thepeak-to-background ratio of this dedicated Epsilon 1 is4.0.

Repeatability is another important requirement of ISO13032. Epsilon 1 easily passes the requirements set in thelatest version of the test method.

Accuracy

RMS = 1.5 mg/kg
Corr. factor = 0.9990

10203040506070

S concentration (mg/kg)

8090

The accuracy of the method is demonstrated bymeasuring a diesel validation CRM as an unknown sample
and comparing the measured concentration against
the certified concentration. The data in the table showsexcellent accuracy.
ElementS

Certifiedconcentration(mg/kg)Measuredconcentration(mg/kg)1010.1 ± 0.3

The line shows the maximum difference allowed by ISO13032. The average concentration, largest difference
between successive measurements and the maximum
permitted difference allowed by the method, are shown in
the table.

To test the repeatability of the method, 30 freshly
prepared samples of a diesel CRM were measured
consecutively. The repeatability of this method isillustrated graphically. The bar graph shows the absolutedifference between successive measurements.

ElementS

Averageconcentration(mg/kg)Largestdifference(mg/kg)Max. permitteddifference byISO 13032(mg/kg)

10.2

0.9

1.1

2
Absolute Concentration diﬀerence (mg/kg)

Another criterion of the instrument compliance in thenorm is that the relative standard deviation of a repeatedmeasurement should be < 5 %. With the same sulfur in oil
CRM, a relative standard deviation of 3 % was achieved.
Both results show that the Epsilon 1 instrument cananalyze sulfur in fuels, well within the performance
characteristics of the ISO 13032 test method.

80 160 240 320 400 480

Rcorr (S cps)

Calibration

1,510,50123456789 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Sequence

1011

TRACE ANALYSIS OF CHLORINE IN
CRUDE OILS
Another pre-calibrated application option available
Many applications can be set-up on the same Epsilon 1
instrument. In addition to sulfur in automotive fuels,
traces of chlorine in crude oils can also be quantified.

Calibration
Commercially available oil CRMs from VHG Labs Inc (US)were used to pre-calibrate Epsilon 1 for trace analysisof chlorine with high sulfur content of up to 1.5 wt%.
The measurement time was 10 minutes per sample. The
calibration root mean square (RMS) value and correlation
factor, together with the calibration graph, demonstrate ahigh degree of accuracy for the method.

Repeatability
Measurement repeatability shows the stability of thebenchtop instrument. To test the repeatability of the wholeapplication method, 20 freshly prepared samples of an oil
sample were measured consecutively. The repeatabilityof this method can be seen in the graph. The average
concentrations and the RMS values for chlorine and sulfur
are also visible in the graph. The results show a stableperformance of the method, even with the presence of 0.8
wt% sulfur in the oil sample.

40

RMS = 0.5 mg/kg
Corr. factor = 0.9999

1020

30

40

50

60

7080

CI concentration (mg/kg)

6080

100 120

CI in crude oil

Rcorr (CI cps)

Epsilon 1 is a star-performing benchtop ED- XRF instrument and is well
suited for the analysis of sulfur in fuels in compliance with the latest
ISO 13032 test method. The results of the repeatability test for sulfur
are well within the limits set by ISO 13032, even without helium gas.
With the same Epsilon 1 instrument, ultra-low levels of chlorine canalso be quantified in high sulfur crude oils with low running costs.

10987
6
5
43
2
10090

51015Sequence

CI concentration (mg/kg)

Accuracy
Commercially available oil CRMs from VHG Labs Inc (US)were used to pre-calibrate Epsilon 1 for trace analysisof chlorine with high sulfur content of up to 1.5 wt%.
The measurement time was 10 minutes per sample. The
calibration root mean square (RMS) value and correlation
factor, together with the calibration graph, demonstrate ahigh degree of accuracy for the method.

Ultra-low chlorine levels in high sulfur crude
samples
The detection limit is influenced by the measuring time,
material type and the presence of neighboring elements in
the XRF spectrum. The table shows detection capabilities
for chlorine in crude samples with low and high sulfur
concentrations, in 10 minute measuring times.

Cl
concentration(mg/kg)S
concentration(wt%)

5 mg/kg Cl with 0.5 wt% S

4.7

0.55 mg/kg Cl with 1 wt% S

5.6

1.0

with 0.5 wt% S

1.3

with 1.5 wt% S

1.5Oil standard

10 mg/kg Cl with 0.5 wt% S

10.6

0.5

10 mg/kg Cl with 1 wt% S

10.9

1.0

Crude oil sample

Detection limitfor Cl(mg/kg)

20

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MALVERN PANALYTICAL

www.malvernpanalytical.com/epsilon1

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Worcestershire, WR14 1XZ,
United KingdomLelyweg 1,7602 EA Almelo,
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