TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES THAT KEEP YOU PRODUCTIVE, PROFITABLE, AND COMPLIANT

Importance of Topic

This compendium addresses critical analytical challenges in the energy and chemical industries, where rapid, accurate, and compliant methods are required to characterize complex gas and liquid streams. Regulatory mandates, process optimization, and stringent product specifications demand high-throughput, high-resolution techniques that deliver reliable results for refinery gases, simulated distillation profiles, and trace impurities.

Objectives and Overview

The series of application notes presents advanced gas chromatography (GC) and simulated distillation (SimDis) methods developed by Agilent to enhance laboratory productivity and ensure compliance with ASTM and UOP standards. The goals include:

• Complete refinery gas analysis (RGA) within six minutes using parallel GC channels.
• Dual-channel SimDis of both hydrocarbon and sulfur distributions on a single 7890A GC.
• Quantitation of trace hydrocarbon impurities in benzene by GC–FID according to ASTM D4492.

Methodology and Instrumentation

These methods leverage state-of-the-art Agilent instrumentation and consumables:

• Agilent 7890A GC with three parallel detectors (FID and two TCDs) for simultaneous RGA.
• Agilent 7820A GC with split/splitless inlet and EZChrom Elite software for benzene purity testing.
• High-temperature PTV inlet and 355 Sulfur Chemiluminescence Detector (SCD) for dual-channel SimDis of carbon and sulfur.
• Agilent Rapid Resolution LC (1200 Series RRLC) for ultra-fast separations of polymer additives.
• Columns: HP-PLOT Al2O3, HayeSep Q, DB-1, HP-INNOWax, HP-1, ZORBAX Eclipse XDB-C18, SB-C18.
• Automated sample prep via 7693A dual-tower and tray system for SimDis standards.

Main Results and Discussion

Key performance highlights include:

• RGA in six minutes with detection limits down to 50 ppm and linear, simultaneous quantitation of C1–C5 hydrocarbons, permanent gases, and hydrogen sulfide.
• Dual-channel SimDis achieving ASTM D2887 hydrocarbon and sulfur profiles with boiling point agreement within consensus limits and RSD < 1%.
• Trace hydrocarbon impurity analysis in benzene achieving RSD < 2% for peak area and retention time repeatability under ASTM D4492.
• Ultra-fast (3 min) separations of phenolic antioxidants and slip agents in polymers on RRLC with limits of detection < 1 ppm.

Benefits and Practical Applications

These integrated solutions offer laboratories the ability to:

• Consolidate multiple ASTM methods onto fewer GC systems and columns.
• Reduce analysis time and solvent usage by 50–70%.
• Maintain high sensitivity and resolution for routine quality control and research.
• Automate sample preparation and data processing to minimize operator intervention.

Future Trends and Possibilities

Emerging directions in analytical chemistry for the energy and chemical sectors include:

• Further miniaturization of GC and LC systems for field-deployable analyses.
• Integration of machine-learning algorithms for real-time data interpretation and predictive maintenance.
• Development of greener solvents and consumables to align with sustainability goals.
• Expansion of comprehensive two-dimensional chromatography for even more complex sample matrices.

Conclusion

Agilent’s suite of GC, SimDis, and RRLC technologies meets the demanding requirements of modern energy and chemical laboratories. By combining high throughput, automated workflows, and robust detection capabilities, these methods drive productivity, ensure compliance, and enable deeper insight into complex chemical streams.

Used Instrumentation

Major systems and components include:

• Agilent 7890A and 7820A Gas Chromatographs with EPC-controlled inlets and detectors.
• Agilent 355 Dual Plasma Sulfur Chemiluminescence Detector.
• Agilent 7693A Automatic Liquid Sampler and dual-tower tray system.
• Agilent 1200 Series Rapid Resolution LC with diode array detector.
• Columns: HP-PLOT Al2O3, HayeSep Q, DB-1, HP-INNOWax, HP-1, ZORBAX XDB-C18, SB-C18.

Reference

• ASTM D1945-03: Analysis of Natural Gas by GC.
• ASTM D1946-90 (2006): Analysis of Reformed Gas by GC.
• UOP Method 539: Refinery Gas Analysis by GC.