C1 to C10 Hydrocarbons

Importance of the Topic

Gas chromatography employing capillary columns is essential for separating and quantifying light hydrocarbons in petrochemical applications. Precise analysis of C1–C10 components underpins quality control, process optimization, and regulatory compliance in refining and chemical production.

Objectives and Study Overview

This application note outlines a robust GC method to resolve 29 hydrocarbon species from methane through decane. The goal is to demonstrate efficient separation, high resolution of structural isomers, and reproducible retention under optimized parameters.

Methodology and Instrumental Setup

• Column: 007-1 PHAT Phase™ 20M dimethylpolysiloxane, 0.18 mm I.D., 6.0 µm film thickness
• Temperature Program: 35 °C (3 min hold), ramp 2 °C/min to 48 °C, then 6 °C/min to 210 °C with final hold
• Injector Temperature: 200 °C
• Detector: Flame ionization detector at 280 °C
• Carrier Gas: Helium at 19.0 cm/s linear velocity

Main Results and Discussion

The method achieved baseline separation of all target hydrocarbons:

• Clear resolution from C1 (methane) to C10 (decane)
• Distinct separation of cis/trans butenes, methylpentane isomers, and branched alkanes
• Consistent retention time reproducibility across runs

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Accurate quantification of light hydrocarbon fractions for refinery product evaluation
• Enhanced QA/QC workflow in petrochemical processing
• Potential use in leak detection and environmental monitoring

Future Trends and Potential Applications

Emerging stationary phase chemistries and advanced detectors (e.g., mass spectrometry) promise greater sensitivity and selectivity. Integration with automated sampling systems can facilitate real-time process control and complex mixture analysis.

Conclusion

The PHAT Phase™ 20M capillary column method provides reliable, high-resolution separation of C1–C10 hydrocarbons, offering significant advantages for petrochemical quality control and process optimization.

References

No formal references provided in the source document.