Background
Lead (Pb), in the form of alkyl lead such as tetraethyl lead, was used as an antiknock additive to increase the octane rating in gasoline in the past. However, alkyl lead is highly poisonous and gasoline containing alkyl lead, called leaded gasoline, causes air pollution. Nowadays, most countries, except some in Africa, ban leaded gasoline for vehicles. Alkyl lead is still used as an additive in aviation gasoline.
Although lead-free gasoline, called unleaded gasoline, is common in most countries, lead occurs as a contaminant—either unintentionally or intentionally—in some places. Therefore, it is necessary to check the lead concentration in gasoline.
This application note demonstrates quantitative analysis of low concentration lead in gasoline according to ASTM D5059-21 on Rigaku’s Supermini200, a benchtop wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WDXRF) spectrometer.
WDXRF Products from Rigaku
Benchtop tube below sequential WDXRF spectrometer analyzes O through U in solids, liquids and powders
High-power, tube-below, sequential WDXRF spectrometer with new ZSX Guidance expert system software
High power, tube above, sequential WDXRF spectrometer with new ZSX Guidance expert system software
High-throughput tube-above multi-channel simultaneous WDXRF spectrometer analyzes Be through U
