This method is for determining total carbon on catalysts and in other inorganic materials using a
high temperature induction furnace carbon analyzer. The method is generally applied over a range of
0.01 to 20 mass-% carbon; however, up to 100 mass-% carbon can be determined with appropriate
calibration. On used catalyst, the carbon may be present as coke and/or hydrocarbons. If only the
carbon present as coke is desired, hydrocarbons are removed by extraction prior to analysis, as
described in UOP Method 602, “Soxhlet Extraction of Catalysts.” Analysis of catalysts containing
light hydrocarbons can be problematic due to thermal loss of the hydrocarbons before controlled
combustion occurs. For such materials, other methods, such as ASTM D5291, “Instrumental
Determination of Carbon, Hydrogen, and Nitrogen in Petroleum Products and Lubricants,” should be
utilized.
Analyzers that utilize combustion tube, rather than induction furnace technology may be used if it
can be proven that they yield precision data at least as good as that listed herein.