A sample is placed in a sample boat. The boat is then inserted into a high temperature combustion tube where the sulphur is oxidized to sulphur dioxide (SO2) in an oxygen-rich atmosphere. The sample combustion gases are next exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light. The SO2 absorbs the energy from the UV light and is converted to excited sulphur dioxide (SO2*). The fluorescence emitted from the excited SO2* as it returns to a stable state (SO2) is detected by a photomultiplier tube of a total sulphur analyser, and the resulting signal is a measure of the sulphur contained in the sample. 

Main Research: Yung Chee Liang