Organic Carbon and Sulfur Analysis

Combustion Analysis for Sulfur and Carbon Determination

The LECO 832 Series redefines carbon and sulfur determination in coal, coke and fuel oils, cements, soils, limestone, and other materials. Featuring a high-efficiency combustion furnace, advanced IR cell technology, and rugged construction, it delivers fast, accurate results with exceptional reliability. Integrated Cornerstone software and an intuitive touchscreen interface streamline operation, simplify data handling, and enable complete control from a single screen—boosting productivity while reducing operator burden. 

For laboratories demanding more flexibility, the 832 Series offers multiple model configurations, including high-temperature and dual-range options, plus automation-ready features like a 100-position autoloader. These enhancements empower labs to accelerate workflows, minimize downtime, and achieve uncompromising precision across diverse applications—all while lowering cost-per-analysis and improving overall efficiency.

How the 832 Series Works

Using high-temperature combustion with non-dispersive infrared detection (NDIR), the 832 Series is specifically designed to determine the sulfur and carbon content in a wide variety of materials, including coal, coke, fuel oils, soils, cements, and limestones.

Analysis begins as a sample is weighed into a combustion boat and placed into the furnace, typically regulated at 1350 ºC with a pure oxygen environment. The sample combusts, releasing carbon as CO₂ gas with the sulfur forms being oxidized and released as SO₂ gas. After a preset time, additional oxygen is introduced via a ceramic lance directly above the sample to ensure rapid and complete combustion.

The combustion gases are swept to the back of the furnace and then forward through the inner and outer furnace tubes, allowing the combustion gases to remain in the high-temperature zone of the furnace, ensuring efficient oxidation. Upon exiting the furnace, the combustion gases flow through anhydrone tubes, removing moisture, and on to the flow controller, setting the flow of the combustion gases through the NDIR sulfur and/or carbon detection cells. 

Non-dispersive infrared cells are based on the principle that CO₂ and SO₂ absorb infrared (IR) energy at unique wavelengths within the IR spectrum. Incident IR energy at these wavelengths is absorbed as the gases pass through IR absorption cells with the absorption being dependent upon the path length of the cell.

The Dual Range (DR) Sulfur 832 model has a wider sulfur range due to short and long path length IR cells provided for measurement of high and low range sulfur signals. The software automatically selects which cell to use for optimum measurement in the 832DR model. The concentration of unknown samples is determined relative to calibration standards.

An external PC with LECO Cornerstone brand software manages all of the quantitative calculations and saves all of the data.

Instrument Support

Ensure reliable instrument performance with extensive support, training, and maintenance services. Need tailored support for your elemental analyzers? Our experts are standing by.