Published:Journal of Chromatographic Science,
ISSN 0021-9665Volume 37, Number
11, November 1999, pp. 448-454
Total
Petroleum Hydrocarbon Analysis by Capillary Gas Chromatography: Decreasing Analysis
Times Using Small-Diameter Columns
Cameron
George and Dean RoodThe
relationship of the injector and column and its influence on GC conditions, method
detection limits, resolution, and analysis times for total petroleum hydrocarbon
analyses are examined. Decreasing the length and diameter of the capillary column
results in a significant analysis time reduction. The resolution of closely eluting
peaks is maintained or improved with smaller columns. Even with very short analysis
times, the chromatographic profiles or patterns of different petroleum samples
are still easily distinguishable. For Megabore direct injectors, the best solvent
front shapes and widths are obtained with flash vaporization liners, allowing
the resolution of very light hydrocarbons from the solvent front. Packing the
liner with glass wool improves the peak shape of the heavier, low-volatility hydrocarbons.
The use of split injectors results in increases in method detection limits and
injector discrimination. As column diameter decreases, the use of faster ramp
rates in the temperature program is required to obtain the shortest analysis times.
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