Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence analysis of chloride in reforming catalysts

A relatively less expensive Phillips PV 9500/SY 585 automatic energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXFR) spectrometer with rhodium target, was modified using a commercial kitchen aluminium wrapping foil filter, for the determination of chloride in bifunctional reforming catalysts. Quantitation of chloride was carried out by the Claisse-Quintin method with a catalyst sample of known chloride content as an external standard. The results of EDXRF chloride analysis of different catalyst samples, containing varying amounts of percent carbon and chloride, compared well (p>0.75) with those obtained by silver chloride precipitation method. The small values of percent relative standard deviations at 0.4 to 4.5% showed a good reproducibility of the method. With the total analysis time of a few minutes combined with no sample preparation, the present method seems to be superior as compared to presently employed methods of chloride analysis in reforming catalysts.