Evaluation of capillary gas chromatography for the measurement of hydrocarbons by participating in an intercomparison experiment

Summary By participating in an International Hydrocarbons Intercomparison Experiment, a method for the determination of nonmethane hydrocarbons was evaluated. The method involves Tenax-TA sampling, thermal desorption and preconcentration combined with capillary gas chromatography with flame ionization detection. Sixty target compounds from C₂ to C₁₁ were separated by using a megabore capillary column with a thick film of bonded nonpolar siloxane stationary phase (5 μm, Rtx-1). The unusually thick film in the column was an advantage for resolving light hydrocarbons (C₂−C₃) at room temperature. The percent difference between the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and our laboratory in the intercomparison experiment is in the range of 0.99%–19.70%.     

Improvement of a cryogenic preconcentration unit for C2 - C6 hydrocarbons in ambient air at ppt levels

A previously described method for the quantitative analysis of C₂ - C₆ hydrocarbons in the ppt range based on cryogenic preconcentration has been improved further. Problems caused by condensation of O₂ and traces of water from the sample were overcome using a modified dyring procedure and a tandem preconcentration trap. In addition, the flow path through the unit was simplified further. Technical details are given. The reproducibility of both quantitative results and retention times was improved by these modifications. Typical standard deviations were in the order of 2% at the 200 ppt level.     

Quantitative determination of airbone C1- and C2-halocarbons by GC/ECD

The atmospheric levels of C₁- and C₂-halocarbons are determined by trapping on an adsorbent, thermodesorption, cryofocussing, gas chromatographic separation on a thick-film capillary, and electron-capture detection. The various aspects relevant to reliability and accuracy are discussed, such as type of adsorbent, range of detector response, and levels of contaminants present in blanks. These in turn have implications for optimum sample size and amount of adsorbent. The adopted method is suitable for routine analysis of airborne halocarbons at variable locations. The air concentrations of C₁- and C₂-halocarbons on the ground of mountain forests are similar to those in cities, a fact which supports the hypothesis that chlorocarbons are involved in the initiation of a phytotoxicological phenomenon commonly referred to as “forest decline”.     

On-line gas chromatographic analysis of light Fischer-Tropsch synthesis products

Summary A simple gas chromatographic system has been developed for the rapid on-line analysis of light Fischer-Tropsch products. This involves a single chromatography fitted with two columns, a porous-layer open-tubular column coated with KCl deactivated alumina and a packed Porapak-Q column. The capillary column separates the 16 most common C₁−C₄ hydrocarbons and permits a reasonable analysis of the hydrocarbons in the C₅−C₇ range. The packed column is used for the separation of methane, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, water and methanol. Retention characteristics for the analysis on the capillary column are presented. The total analysis cycle is 30 minutes.     

A high resolution GC-analysis method for determination of C2-C10 hydrocarbons in air samples

An analytical method for the determination of non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC) in air was developed using simultaneously pressure and temperature programmed gas chromatography (GC) on a capillary column. The separation of C2-C10 hydrocarbons was performed in a single GC-run using a fused silica capillary column (FSCC) with a chemically bonded non-polar stationary phase (CP-Sil-5-CB). A combination of on-column cryofocusing and GC reinjection provided baseline separation of C2 hydrocarbons at subambient initial temperature (?40°C). The cryofocusing was performed on the column head immersed in liquid nitrogen. Quantitative retention of all C2-C10 hydrocarbons was achieved only when a temperature gradient is created along the cooled column section. The focused components are eluted from the column head without supplementary heating by removing the coolant. To eliminate matrix effects, the enrichment procedure was designed to remove CO₂ and H₂O. The detection limit was found to be 2.0 × 10^?12 g propane.     

Use of Capillary Gas Chromatography for Determining Hydrocarbons in High-Purity Silane

A procedure was proposed for the 2D gas-chromatographic determination of C₁-C₄ hydrocarbons in high-purity silane. The impurities were separated in a capillary column with a newly proposed adsorbent, poly(trimethylsilylpropyne). The detection limits for the impurities are (2?6) × 10^?7 vol %, which is 2.5–15 times lower than those found in the literature.     

An improved method for determination of light hydrocarbons in stabilized crude oil

Summary This paper reports a quick, and simple method for quantitative determination of C₂ to C₆ hydrocarbons in stabilized crude oil without using a back flush system. A mixture of crude oil and internal standard is injected into a GC equipped with a 6 meter length of fused silica capillary as a guard column. The light hydrocarbons are separated individually up to the last peak of the hexane group with the heavier components trapped in the guard column. The total analysis time for each sample is 15 minutes. The base line is table for up to 15 consecutive analyses. The guard column and the injector port are then reconditioned by simply heating them for one hour at 300 °C.     

Capillary gas chromatography of lower aliphatic C2?C5 aldehydes in the free form as a group of pungent odorants in air

The capillary gas chromatography of the C₂-C₅ lower aliphatic aldehydes (e.g.,acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde, n- and i-butyraldehydes, n- and i-valeraldehydes) which, in the free form in air, have unpleasant odors and low threshold odor values, has been studied using cold-trap preconcentration with liquid oxygen. The capillary column outlet was connected to enable simultaneous detection by FID, ECD, FPD AND FTD (SID).     

Measurements of dissolved nonmethane hydrocarbons in sea water

Summary An automated stripping technique for the measurement of dissolved hydrocarbons in sea water is presented together with some results obtained during a ship cruise from Europe to Brazil. The sea water concentrations of NMHC were determined in a three step process: degassing, preconcentration, and gas chromatographic analysis. In a stripping chamber the dissolved gases were purged from sea water with helium. The stripped hydrocarbons were cryogenically concentrated, and after thermal desorption they were injected into the gas chromatograph. The light fraction (C₂–C₄) was separated on a packed and the heavy fraction (C₅–C₁₀) on a capillary column. All valves were microprocessor controlled in order to achieve an automated process. For the C₂–C₄ hydrocarbons the stripping efficiencies exceeded 90% except for acetylene (80%), the lower limit of detection was 1 to 4.5 pmol hydrocarbon per liter of sea water and the accuracy of the method was better than 25%, depending on the individual hydrocarbons. Typical oceanic concentrations were in the 10 and 100 pmol/l range. Alkenes were generally more abundant than the corresponding alkanes and within the homologous series the concentrations decreased with increasing number of carbon atoms.     

Analysis of light hydrocarbons C1–C5 with Porous Layer Open Tubular fused silica columns of aluminum oxide. Part 1: The column

A method is described for the preparation of a Porous Layer Open Tubular (PLOT) fused silica column coated with submicron particles of aluminum oxide for the analysis of light hydrocarbons. The column is thermally stable and provides reproducible analytical data over a long period of time. The column can be operated at temperatures easily controlled by commercially available gas chromatographic apparatus. 1,3-Butadiene is retarded much more than its principal impurities: thus the polarity of aluminum oxide is extremely useful for butadiene analysis because none of the contaminants is obscured by the butadiene peak. The analysis of the 16 most common C₁–C₄ hydrocarbons is achieved within 5 min at 60°C with helium as the carrier gas. Conditioning of the carrier gas with water vapor from CuSO₄.5H₂O to decrease the activity of the aluminum oxide is described. Some applications of a 30 m × 0.32 mm aluminum oxide PLOT column are given.     

A column packing for isothermal gas chromatographic analysis of C1−C5 paraffins and monoolefins and dimethyl ether

Summary An analytical GC method was developed which uses a single packed column consisting of three packings in series prepared with the following liquid phases: dimethyl sulfolane, propylene carbonate, and silver nitrate. This system provides satisfactory resolution of mixtures of C₁–C₅ hydrocarbons and dimethyl ether obtained when converting methanol to gasoline. Due to the high capacity of the column it is possible to inject larger sample amounts permitting trace analysis.     

Enhancement of Signal-to-Noise Ratios in Capillary Gas Chromatography by Using a Longitudinally Modulated Cryogenic System

A Longitudinally Modulated Cryogenic System (LMCS) was evaluated for its use in detection enhancement in capillary gas chromatography. The mechanism for chromatographic re-elution for the LMCS is substantially different to other cryogenic devices. The cooled region of the capillary column in which chromatographic bands may be focused is heated by the surrounding oven temperature either by moving the trap along the column, or by moving the column out of the trap. By continually modulating the LMCS at the detector end of the capillary column, signal-to-noise ratios of routine chromatograms can be readily increased by a factor of ten, thus enhancing chromatographic detection. Base widths of peaks, which are often about 2–3 s or more can be easily reduced to 0.3 s when the LMCS is employed in the detection enhancement mode, thus offering a simple avenue to improved peak height sensitivity in capillary gas chromatography.     

On-line single column capillary gas chromatographic analysis of all reactants and products in the synthesis of fuel methanol from hydrogen and oxides of carbon

The main problems with complete analysis of the components of fuel methanol, or in Fischer-Tropsch studies, are the several classes of compound present in the sample (permanent gases, water, alcohols, hydrocarbons), its wide range of components, its boiling point range, and the wide range of component concentrations. A flexible on-line GC method has been developed for kinetic study of catalyzed chemical reactions of hydrogen and oxides of carbon. The single capillary column, temperature programmed method was designed for complete analysis of reactants and products (hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, water, C₁-C₁₀ hydrocarbons, and C₁-C₆ alcohols): a sample selection valve is used to switch between either the heated line used for input of the synthesis gases or the heated line used to transport reaction products from the reactor. Sample is introduced to the capillary column by means of a 10-port heated gas sampling valve with two external injection loops (0.07 and 1.95 cm³); this results in the determination of components over a wide range of concentrations in the sample (ppm to percentage levels). Helium from a pressure-controlled supply is used as carrier gas and detection of the components is performed by serial connection of thermal conductivity and flame ionization detectors. Peak identification is performed by mass spectrometry and by comparison of component retention times. The automated analytical equipment is integrated with a process control computer and delivers repeatable analytical results for the individual components (RSDs varying between 0.3 and 10% depending strongly on the concentration of the component and the accuracy of the determination of its peak area).     

Detailed hydrocarbon analysis of gasoline by GC-MS (SI-PIONA)

A gas chromatographic – mass spectrometric (GC-MS) method has been developed for detailed analysis of the hydrocarbon content of gasoline. The method is equipped with special software and includes the analysis of oxygenated compounds in a single run. The technique utilizes three basic components: the separating power of high resolution capillary gas chromatography, a mass spectrometer with a controllable ion source and ion fragmentation ratios, and unique software for data handling and preparation of reports. The C₄ to C₁₂ range of hydrocarbons in gasoline is covered by the method. A sample of unleaded gasoline from a gas station was analyzed without sample preparation. The results are discussed.     

Use of a recently developed thermal modulator within the context of comprehensive two‐dimensional gas chromatography combined with time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry: Gas flow optimization aspects

The present research is based on the use of a recently developed comprehensive two‐dimensional gas chromatography thermal modulator, which is defined as solid‐state modulator. The transfer device was installed on top of a single gas chromatography oven, while benchtop low‐resolution time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry was used to monitor the compounds exiting the second analytical column. The solid‐state modulator was first described by Luong et al. in 2016, and it is a moving modulator that does not require heating and cooling gases to generate comprehensive two‐dimensional gas chromatography data. The accumulation and remobilization steps occur on a trapping capillary, this being subjected to thermoelectric cooling and micathermic heating. In this study, the effects of the gas linear velocity on the modulation performance were evaluated by using two different uncoated trapping capillaries, viz., 0.8 m × 0.25 mm id and 0.8 m × 0.20 mm id. Solid‐state modulator applications were carried out on a standard solution containing n‐alkanes (C_9, C_10, C₁₂), and on a sample of diesel fuel. The results indicated that the type of trapping capillary and gas velocity have a profound effect on modulation efficiency.     

Cryofocusing in the combination of gas chromatography with equilibrium headspace sampling

Summary When headspace gas chromatography utilizing capillary columns is used for trace analysis, sample enrichment is often needed. This involves splitless sample injection of fairly large gas volumes and relatively long sampling times. As a result of this, the band of the sample vapor may be too large causing peak distortion and poor resolution. This problem can be easily overcome by the use of cryogenic trapping. While this can be accomplished by cooling the whole column to subambient temperature during sample introduction, a more convenient way is to utilize part of the first coil of the capillary column as a cryogenic trap.The paper discusses the theoretical background and instrumentation of cryogenic trapping and demonstrates the possibilities through a number of examples.Enlarged text of a paper presented at the 37th Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy, Atlantic City, NJ, March 10–14, 1986.     

Noncryogenic FSOT column separation of sulfur-containing gases

Fused silica open tubular (FSOT) capillary column GC separations of low molecular weight, reactive sulfur-containing gases (S-gases) are significant improvements over packed column separations in terms of resolution, detection limits, and conditioning effects. Nevertheless, some of the problems with current FSOT capillary systems include matrix Injection incompatibilities; detector dead volumes; the necessity for cryogenic initial oven temperatures to separate CO₂, H₂S, COS, and SO₂; and relatively long analysis times to separate later, closely eluting compounds. A noncryogenic FSOT GC-FPD system that either reduces or eliminates these problems is reported. Baseline separation of seven common S-gases (H₂S-DMDS) is achieved in less than 5 min with ambient initial oven temperatures via this system, which is a combination of (1) a cryogenic sample concentration/injection design that is flow compatible with a wide-bore FSOT column; (2) a combined DB-1/DB-WAX thick phase, wide-bore FSOT column for greater capacity, retention, and tuned selectivity; and (3) a reduced dead volume FPD to minimize peak width and tailing.     

Capillary gas chromatographic separation of C10–C12 secondary phenylalkanes on modified cyclodextrin stationary phases

The separation of isomers and enantiomers of branched C₁₀-C₁₂ phenylalkanes by gas chromatography on fused silica capillary columns coated with some modified β- and γ-cyclodextrins was studied. It was shown that the separation of positional isomers of C₁₀-C₁₂ phynylalkanes on modified cyclodextrin capillary columns is not better than that on a column coated with modified polyethylene glycol. Differences were found in the enantioselectivity of modified β- and γ-cyclodextrins for the separation of C₁₀-C₁₂ secondary phenylalkane enantiomers. While alkylderivatives of β-CDs resolve enantiomers of 3-phenylalkanes, alkyl derivatives of γ-CD resolve enantiomers of 2-phenylalkanes. Since shape selectivity factors of modified cyclodextrins have indicated no inclusion of the considered solutes in cyclodextrin cavities, enantioselective interactions most probably occur on the outer sphere of cyclodextrins.     

Influence of the carrier gas on retention factors of gaseous hydrocarbons on polytrimethylsilylpropyne using capillary gas chromatography

The retention factor and height equivalent of a theoretical plate for gaseous hydrocarbons C₁—C₄ were studied on capillary columns with the layer of the new polymeric adsorbent polytrimethylsilylpropyne (PTMSP) as functions of the nature and pressure of the carrier gas. The retention factor k increases in the series helium < nitrogen < carbon dioxide. The k values depend linearly on the average pressure of the carrier gas in a capillary column with the adsorption PTMSP layer.     

Automated trace analysis of airborne C1- and C2-halocarbons

Summary Representative concentrations of volatile halocarbons in ambient air are determined by automated, repetitive sampling with sorbent-packed traps, followed by on-line thermodesorption, stationary-phase focussing, capillary gas chromatography, and electron-capture detection. Cryogenic enrichment and the associated problem of water-collection are avoided by ambient trapping using micro-traps packed with organic polymer- and carbon molecular-sieve sorbents. Under optimization of flow conditions and by use of thick-film capillaries, components with boiling points even below ambient temperature can be analyzed on-line by capillary gas chromatography, without the need for cryogenic peak focussing during injection. Data storage, quantification, statistical evaluation, and graphics generation are performed with commercial software programs. The instrumentation can be adapted for monitoring chemically stable volatile trace components with low and medium polarity. The results obtained with the instrumentation show that atmospheric levels of the major C₁/C₂-halocarbons may fluctuate over short time intervals; therefore, several hundred values must be accumulated for comparison of air pollutant burdens at different locations.Dedicated to J. F. K. Huber on the occasion of his 65th birthday