Analysis of petroleum for trace metals: determination of trace quantities of beryllium in petroleum and petroleum products by heated vaporization atomic absorption

Two analytical methods are described for the direct determination of beryllium in petroleum and petroleum products by heated vaporization atomic absorption (HVAA). The methods are applicable to the determination of 1 to 50 ng Be/g with a precision (relative standard deviation) of 10 percent at the 30 to 40 ng/g level. The methods were cross-checked in cooperating laboratories and the results indicate that reliable analyses can be obtained when the methods are applied in other laboratories. (auth)