Restek Solutions for the Petrochemical/Refinery Market

Significance of the Topic

The petrochemical and refinery industries rely on precise analytical methods to monitor feedstocks, optimize yields and ensure product quality. Gas chromatography-based techniques simulate distillation, quantify light gases, profile complex hydrocarbon mixtures and detect trace oxygenates or aromatics. These analyses underpin process control, regulatory compliance and economic efficiency.

Objectives and Study Overview

This document presents a comprehensive workflow of Restek’s gas chromatography solutions for key petrochemical applications. It outlines standardized ASTM/UOP methods across six focus markets: simulated distillation, refinery gas analysis, detailed hydrocarbon analysis, benzene/toluene in gasoline, oxygenates in fuels and permanent gas/impurity analysis. The aim is to demonstrate sample preparation, column selection, injection techniques and detector configurations that achieve high throughput and reliable results.

Methodology and Instrumentation

Chromatographic methods are tailored to sample type and boiling range. Standard test methods include ASTM D2887, D6352, D7169 for simulated distillation; D1946/UOP 539 for refinery gas; D6730 for detailed hydrocarbon analysis; D3606 for benzene and toluene; and D4815 for oxygenates. Key elements of the methodologies are:

• Injection Techniques: cool on-column for discrimination-free transfer; high-temperature programmable vaporizer (PTV) for flexible split ratios and large-volume injections.
• Column Chemistries: MXT-1HT SimDist columns for C5–C100 analysis; Rtx-DHA 100 m capillary columns for PONA profiling; packed or PLOT columns with alumina/molecular sieve for light gases.
• Detector Configurations: flame ionization detector (FID) for hydrocarbons; dual thermal conductivity detectors (TCD) for H2 and permanent gases; methanizer+FID for low-level CO and CO₂.
• Workflow Components: reference materials (e.g. Polywax 1000, DHA PONA standards), sampling cylinders, liners, septa, syringes and leak detectors to support method reproducibility.

Instrumentation Used

• Gas chromatograph equipped with high-temperature oven (up to 430 °C).
• MXT-1HT-SimDist column (5 m × 0.53 mm × 0.10 µm).
• Rtx-DHA capillary column (100 m × 0.25 mm × 0.50 µm).
• Packed/PLOT columns: alumina, Na₂SO₄ and molecular sieve 5Å for permanent gases.
• Injection modules: on-column injector and programmable temperature vaporizer.
• Detectors: FID, two TCDs, methanizer module with NiO catalyst.

Main Results and Discussion

Simulated distillation methods produce boiling point distributions correlated with retention times, supporting yield predictions. The MXT-1HT column delivers sharp peaks across C5–C100 with resolution R>2.2 for C50/C52. Detailed hydrocarbon analysis on Rtx-DHA column resolves 350+ components with theoretical plates exceeding ASTM targets by 10 %. Methanizer integration enables sub-ppm detection of CO and CO₂ without altered retention. Multi-valve switching and selective columns ensure quantification of H₂, CH₄, C₂–C6 hydrocarbons and permanent gases within a single run.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Process Control: real-time monitoring of feedstocks and product streams to optimize refining operations.
• Quality Assurance: compliance with ASTM/UOP standards ensures data validity for commercial transactions.
• Enhanced Sensitivity: methanizer and high-resolution columns detect trace impurities and oxygenates.
• Operational Efficiency: standardized workflows and cross-sell instrument accessories reduce downtime and maintenance.

Future Trends and Opportunities

Advancements in multidimensional GC, miniaturized detectors and automated sample handling promise higher resolution and throughput. Emerging stationary phases and faster heating rates will extend boiling range coverage. Integration with mass spectrometry and AI-driven data analysis can deliver deeper compositional insights, predictive maintenance and enhanced fuel specification modeling.

Conclusion

Restek’s targeted solutions for petrochemical and refinery analyses combine robust instrumentation, standardized methods and tailored workflows. By aligning column chemistries, injection techniques and detector configurations with ASTM/UOP standards, laboratories can achieve reliable, high-resolution data to support process optimization, regulatory compliance and product quality assurance.

References

• ASTM D2887 – Boiling Range Distribution by Gas Chromatography
• ASTM D7213 – Boiling Range Distribution from 100 °C to 615 °C
• ASTM D6352 – Boiling Range Distribution from 174 °C to 700 °C
• ASTM D7169 – Boiling Point Distribution of Samples with Residues by High-Temperature GC
• ASTM D7500 – Boiling Range Distribution from 100 °C to 735 °C
• ASTM D1946/UOP 539 – Analysis of Refiner Gas by GC
• ASTM D6730 – PONA Analysis of Spark Ignition Fuels
• ASTM D3606 – Benzene and Toluene in Gasoline
• ASTM D4815 – Oxygenates in Gasoline