ASTM Petrochemical Method Chromatography Product Guide

Importance of the Topic

Gas chromatographic methods such as simulated distillation and detailed hydrocarbon analysis are essential for quality control and regulatory compliance in the petrochemical industry. They provide accurate boiling range distributions and precise component-level information for fuels, oils, gases and biofuels.

Objectives and Overview

This guide presents a comprehensive selection of ASTM and UOP methods alongside recommended GC columns and reference standards. It aims to streamline method development and ensure laboratories can quickly choose the optimal hardware for analyses covering simulated distillation, detailed hydrocarbon analysis, finished gasoline, biodiesel, jet fuel, natural gas, refinery gas, impurities and sulfur compounds.

Methodology and Instrumentation

• High-temperature simulated distillation (e.g., ASTM D2887, D7213, D7500) uses MXT-1HT SimDist, Rtx-2887 and Siltek-treated stainless steel columns in various lengths (5–10 m), IDs (0.53 mm) and film thicknesses (0.10–2.65 µm).
• Detailed hydrocarbon analysis (ASTM D5134, D6729–D6733) employs long capillary columns (50–100 m) such as Rtx-DHA-50 and Rtx-DHA-100 for high-resolution separation of C5–C10+ species.
• Finished gasoline and oxygenate analysis (ASTM D3606, D4815, D5580, D5501, D8071) utilize both micropacked columns with TCEP on Chromosorb PAW and specialized capillaries or column sets tailored to benzene, toluene, MTBE, ethanol and other analytes.
• Biodiesel (ASTM D6584), jet fuel (ASTM D8267), natural gas (ASTM D1945), refinery gas (ASTM D2163, UOP 539) and impurity analyses follow specific protocols combining deactivated stainless steel columns, alumina BOND phases and guard/precolumns to protect analytical columns and detectors.

Instrumentation

• Gas chromatographs equipped with flame ionization (FID), flame photometric (FPD) or vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) detectors.
• Siltek-treated stainless steel fittings and deactivated inlet liners to minimize adsorption, support temperatures up to 700 °C and extend column life.
• Column dimensions from 5 m to 100 m in length, 0.20–0.53 mm ID and 0.10–5 µm film thickness for broad boiling range coverage and high resolution.

Main Results and Discussion

Integrated column and standard solutions deliver reproducible retention times, sharp peak shapes and accurate quantitation across a wide boiling range. Consistent performance supports method compliance, reduces troubleshooting and improves throughput. The recommended combinations have been validated against ASTM reference materials and demonstrate long-term stability.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Reliable boiling range distribution of petroleum fractions and biofuels for process monitoring and product specification.
• Detailed component-level profiling of gasoline, diesel, lubricants and gases to support R&D, QA/QC and regulatory reporting.
• Streamlined method selection accelerates laboratory set-up and reduces risk of non-compliance.

Future Trends and Applications

• Adoption of GC-VUV and high-resolution mass spectrometry for enhanced speciation and unknown identification.
• Increased automation, on-column detection and data analytics for predictive maintenance and real-time process control.
• Development of novel stationary phases and micro-bore column configurations for faster separations and reduced solvent consumption.

Conclusion

This guide consolidates tested column and standard pairings for a breadth of ASTM and UOP methods, enabling laboratories to achieve consistent, high-performance petrochemical analyses. By following these recommendations, analysts can optimize method compliance, data quality and operational efficiency.