Comprehensive multi-dimensional chromatographic studies on the separation of saturated hydrocarbon ring structures in petrochemical samples

• Published in: Journal of Chromatography A Vol. 1086; no. 1; pp. 12 - 20
• Main Authors: Edam, R., Blomberg, J., Janssen, H.-G., Schoenmakers, P.J.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 09.09.2005; Elsevier
• Subjects: Analytical chemistry; Applied sciences; Chemistry; Chromatographic methods and physical methods associated with chromatography; Chromatography, Gas - methods; Chromatography, Liquid - methods; Crude oil, natural gas and petroleum products; Energy; Exact sciences and technology; Fuels; Gas chromatographic methods; Hydrocarbons - chemistry; Multi-dimensional chromatographic studies; Other chromatographic methods; Petrochemical samples; Prospecting and production of crude oil, natural gas, oil shales and tar sands; Sample dimensionality; Saturated hydrocarbon ring structures; Petrochemical samples; Saturated hydrocarbon ring structures; Multi-dimensional chromatographic studies; Sample dimensionality; Multidimensional chromatography; Chemical analysis; Hydrocarbon; Diesel fuel; Coupled method; HPLC chromatography; Flame ionization detector; Naphthenic hydrocarbon; Gas chromatography; Ultraviolet detector; Chemical composition; Aromatic compound; Petrochemical product
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2005.02.048
• ISSN: 0021-9673

Characterization of complex petrochemical samples has been a classical subject of comprehensive two-dimensional (2D) gas chromatography (GC × GC). Macroscopic properties of these samples can be described accurately by separation of compounds in classes of identical molecular functionality. Ring structures in the carbon backbone of these compounds, which can be divided in saturated and unsaturated, are amongst the foremost functionalities affecting samples properties. Unfortunately, GC × GC tuned for separation of both saturated and unsaturated ring structures is likely to result in convoluted chromatograms when a distribution of both molecular properties is present in the sample. An independent liquid chromatographic (LC) separation preceding GC × GC could be used to resolve the mixture based on unsaturated rings, allowing saturated rings to be resolved separately in the GC × GC separation. This three-dimensional separation (abbreviated LC–GC × GC) was performed after rigorous evaluation of LC as part of a multidimensional separation using LC × GC. Group-type separation was achieved using this separation for components with either saturated or unsaturated rings. Results of this separation were used to compare information obtained by GC × GC with LC–GC × GC.