Hydrocarbon Type Separation of Lubricating Base Oil in Multigram Quantity by Preparative HPLC

Abstract

A preparative High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) method has been developed to separate lubricating base oil into its three major hydrocarbon fractions: saturates, aromatics, and polars. The results are directly comparable to ASTM Method D2007, hydrocarbon type analysis by gradient elution liquid chromatography. The new method employs a preparative HPLC unit with dual, radially compressed columns consisting of clay and alumina/silica gel columns. Multigram quantities of minor components (1 to 2% by wt.) of a base oil can be isolated for further study.