New, Highly-Characterized Reference Standards: Reformate, Heavy Naphtha, Pyrolysis Gasoline

Significance of the Topic

Reliable analysis of petroleum process streams is critical for refinery efficiency, product quality control and contamination tracking. Reference standards that closely mimic real-world compositions are essential for accurate GC-FID and GC-MS evaluations.

Study Objectives and Overview

The objective of this study was to introduce authentic, highly characterized reference materials for reformate, heavy straight run naphtha and pyrolysis gasoline. These standards aim to improve both qualitative and quantitative analyses compared to conventional synthetic mixes.

Methodology and Instrumentation

Bulk process stream samples were stabilized, packaged under nitrogen and tested for homogeneity. Comprehensive hydrocarbon analyses were performed using a 100-meter Petrocol DH fused-silica capillary column with flame ionization detection and an open-split GC-MS interface. A saturate and aromatic class separation via silica gel column chromatography was applied for naphtha and pyrolysis gasoline samples. Standardized injector and pressure programming conditions ensured reproducible volatilization and separation.

Main Results and Discussion

The reformate standard exhibited dehydrogenated naphthenes with corresponding aromatics quantified as area percent. Heavy naphtha samples were characterized by separate saturate and aromatic fraction analyses with mathematical recombination to correct for losses. Pyrolysis gasoline contained high benzene levels and minor diolefin and cycloolefin components. Component identification included retention times, molecular weights and mass spectral fragmentation patterns, with coelution estimation errors below 10% for key classes.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Evaluation of refinery process performance and octane improvement
• Method development and validation for GC-FID and GC-MS analyses
• Contamination source identification and quality assurance
• PIANO analyses and analyst training

Future Trends and Opportunities

Advances may include expanded libraries of authentic process standards covering wider boiling ranges, integration with high-resolution mass spectrometry and infrared detection, and digital reference databases optimized for AI-driven data interpretation.

Conclusion

The new petroleum reference standards provide realistic, fully characterized materials that enhance analytical accuracy and reproducibility in complex hydrocarbon studies.

References

• Supelco Reporter Vol 13 No 4 1994
• HP US Patent 4 293 415