Characterisation of middle-distillates by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC × GC): A powerful alternative for performing various standard analysis of middle-distillates

• Published in: Journal of Chromatography A 2005-09, Vol.1086 (1), p.21-28
• Main Authors: Vendeuvre, Colombe, Ruiz-Guerrero, Rosario, Bertoncini, Fabrice, Duval, Laurent, Thiébaut, Didier, Hennion, Marie-Claire
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analytical chemistry; Applied sciences; ASTM methods; Chemical Sciences; Cheminformatics; Chemistry; Chromatographic methods and physical methods associated with chromatography; Chromatography, Gas - methods; Chromatography, Liquid - methods; Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography; Crude oil, natural gas and petroleum products; Energy; Exact sciences and technology; Fuels; Gas chromatographic methods; Group type separation; Hydrocarbons; Mass Spectrometry - methods; Prospecting and production of crude oil, natural gas, oil shales and tar sands; Simulated distillation
• ISSN: 0021-9673; 1873-3778
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2005.05.106

The detailed characterisation of middle distillates is essential for a better understanding of reactions involved in refining process. Owing to higher resolution power and enhanced sensitivity, comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC × GC) is a powerful tool for improving characterisation of petroleum samples. The aim of this paper is to compare GC × GC and various ASTM methods – gas chromatography (GC), liquid chromatography (LC) and mass spectrometry (MS) – for group type separation and detailed hydrocarbon analysis. Best features of GC × GC are demonstrated and compared to these techniques in terms of cost, time consumption and accuracy. In particular, a new approach of simulated distillation (SimDis-GC × GC) is proposed: compared to the standard method ASTM D2887 it gives unequal information for better understanding of conversion process.