b New automated x-ray methods for determining elements in organic materials, including petroleum and petrochemicals, use bath x-ray emission and scatter methods. Methods for matrix effect and background corrections suitable fot automated analyses were investigated in detail. When possible, correction methods were based only on x-ray data, and more generalized methods capable of simplification for less complex analyses were developed. Specific analytical applications illustrate the utility of the direct and ashing methods for determining vanadium and nickel and direct methods for determining sulfur, carbon, and hydrogen. Direct-reading analyses for some of the more routine determinations were achieved. The use of the new correction methods and techniques speeds analyses and requires much less operator attention for both routine and special analyses.