Hydrocarbon Processing Industry Gas Chromatographs

Importance of the Topic

Gas chromatography (GC) remains a cornerstone analytical technique in hydrocarbon processing, enabling accurate characterization of complex mixtures across refineries, petrochemical plants, and natural gas facilities. Reliable GC systems support process optimization, quality control, regulatory compliance, and safety by delivering detailed compositional data for hydrocarbons, permanent gases, trace impurities, and oxygenates.

Objectives and Overview

This article reviews Scion Instruments’ pre‐configured GC analyzer solutions tailored for hydrocarbon processing. It presents standardized chromatography methods, performance specifications, and modular system designs covering simulated distillation, detailed hydrocarbon analysis, refinery gas, natural gas, oxygenates, and trace impurity detection. The aim is to illustrate how integrated hardware, software, and application support meet industry standard test methods and operational demands.

Methodology and Instrumentation

Scion’s approach combines robust GC hardware with CompassCDS chromatography software and method‐specific plug‐ins. Key methodologies include:

• Simulated Distillation (ASTM D86, D1160) for boiling point distribution.
• Detailed Hydrocarbon Analysis (DHA) via high‐resolution separations (ASTM D6729, D6730, IP 344).
• Refinery Gas Analysis (RGA) using multi‐channel packed and capillary columns for permanent gases, light hydrocarbons, and hydrogen.
• Natural Gas Analysis (NGA) Type A, B, C configurations addressing varying matrices from bulk gas to NGL streams (GPA/ISO/ASTM methods).
• Low‐Level Oxygenate Determination (D7423, D4815) for ethers and alcohols in gasoline.
• Trace Sulfur and Permanent Gas Impurities in LPG with PFPD, PDHID detectors and micro‐gasifiers.

Used Instrumentation

• Scion GC Series with various oven configurations.
• Detectors: Flame Ionization (FID), Thermal Conductivity (TCD), Pulsed Flame Photometric (PFPD), Methanizer/FID for CO/CO₂.
• Valve and sampling modules: multi‐port Liquid Sampling Valve (LSV), micro‐gasifier, fluidic switches.
• Columns: capillary WCOT, porous polymer PLOT, micro‐packed and packed columns, nonpolar and Molsieve phases.
• Software: CompassCDS with application‐specific plug‐ins and reporting tools.

Main Results and Discussion

Pre‐configured Scion analyzers deliver rapid, reproducible separations with full compliance to major standard methods. Simulated distillation systems achieve accurate boiling point profiles to 750 °C, correlating with ASTM D86/D1160. DHA analyzers offer flexible method generation and high resolution for hydrocarbons. Rapid RGA reduces analysis time from 25 to under 5 minutes while maintaining separation integrity. NGA configurations ensure precise energy content determination, accommodating LPG and NGL streams. Oxygenate analyzers quantify ethers and alcohols at sub‐ppm levels. Trace impurity systems resolve H₂S, COS, mercaptans, and permanent gases with ppm detection limits.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Turnkey operation: pre‐installed methods and test chromatograms minimize startup time.
• Modular flexibility: systems adapt to evolving analytical demands and regulatory changes.
• Improved throughput: multi‐channel designs and rapid analysis cycles boost laboratory productivity.
• Enhanced data confidence: factory certification and method validation ensure consistent results.
• Comprehensive support: tailored user guides, troubleshooting resources, and consumable certification.

Future Trends and Potential Applications

As digitalization expands, real‐time process monitoring and remote diagnostics will integrate with GC analyzers. Advances in micro‐fabrication may drive compact, field‐deployable systems for on‐line analysis. Enhanced chemometric models and AI‐driven method optimization will further reduce analysis time and improve predictive maintenance. Emerging fuel types and bio‐derived streams will require customized columns and detection schemes for novel compounds.

Conclusion

Scion Instruments’ standard GC analyzer solutions offer robust, scalable, and compliant platforms for diverse hydrocarbon processing applications. By combining versatile hardware, advanced software, and method‐specific expertise, these systems streamline analytical workflows, support critical decision‐making, and adapt to future industry requirements.