INTRODUCTION

The mercury (Hg) content in crude oil and petroleum products varies in a wide range and poses a number of technological and environmental problems. Besides, the concentration of Hg in petroleum products affects the product cost. The organic matrix makes it difficult to quantify mercury using conventional techniques. Atomic absorption spectroscopy with Zeeman background correction allows direct mercury determination in crude oil and oil products according to ASTM D7622 and SN/T 4429.2. These methods can be implemented using Lumex Instruments mercury analyzers for direct analysis of crude oil and oil distillation products such as condensate, naphtha, gasoline, diesel fuel, lubricants, etc.