GAS XLNC™ Software - Designed to Simplify and Standardize Gas Analysis

Significance of the Topic

In industries such as oil refining, petrochemical processing and natural gas production, precise and reproducible gas composition analysis is essential for safety, regulatory compliance and operational efficiency. Standardized analytical workflows reduce variability between laboratories, support quality assurance programs and facilitate adherence to international test methods.

Objectives and Study Overview

This summary focuses on GAS XLNC™, a software platform developed by AC Analytical Controls® (PAC, LP) to streamline gas chromatographic workflows. The main goals are to evaluate how the software automates calibration management, analysis, reporting and data traceability while conforming to global standard methods (ISO, EN, ASTM, GPA).

Methodology and Instrumentation

GAS XLNC integrates with gas chromatography systems to provide step-by-step control and data processing. Key functional modules include:

• Instrument Status and Control – automated sequence creation, runtime estimation and template-driven sample handling linked to LIMS identifiers.
• Calibration Management – support for single-point, multilevel and bracketing calibrations; uncertainty inputs; expiration date tracking; visual browser for approval or removal of calibration data.
• Component Flexibility – customizable physical property libraries for user-defined analyte lists.
• Advanced Options – oxygen correction (ISO 6974-3), system-wide bridge calculations, peak identification algorithms, unknown peak handling, uncertainty propagation per ISO 6974-2.
• Analysis and Reporting – interactive chromatogram viewer with zoom and mode selection; traceable report generation configurable by method or user specifications; exportable outputs for LIMS.
• Data Management – comprehensive archiving of calibration and sample data; trend analysis for performance monitoring and QC compliance.

Main Results and Discussion

GAS XLNC delivers a high degree of automation that reduces manual intervention and potential for human error. The calibration browser and trend analysis tools enhance data integrity and facilitate retrospective recalculation of results with updated calibration sets. Support for multiple standard methods (ISO 6974, ISO 6976, EN 15984, ASTM D3588, GPA 2172 and others) ensures broad applicability across natural gas and refinery gas analyses. Flexible report generation and LIMS connectivity streamline laboratory workflows and reporting consistency.

Benefits and Practical Applications

The software’s modular design allows laboratories to:

• Standardize procedures across shifts and sites with consistent templates.
• Implement robust quality control through automated uncertainty and error propagation calculations.
• Maintain full traceability of calibration and sample results, meeting audit requirements.
• Customize calculations and reports to align with corporate or client-specific needs.

Future Trends and Potential Applications

Advancements in cloud-based data sharing, machine learning for predictive maintenance and real-time process monitoring will drive further automation in gas analysis. Integration of GAS XLNC with IoT-enabled detectors and AI-driven analytics could enhance anomaly detection, reduce downtime and optimize chromatographic conditions dynamically.

Conclusion

GAS XLNC™ software provides a comprehensive solution for standardized, high-precision gas chromatography workflows. Its emphasis on automation, traceability and compliance with international methods addresses key challenges in modern analytical laboratories, improving reliability and throughput.