Hydrocarbons, C1 – C3 - Analysis of hydrocarbons C1-C3 and vinyl chloride

Importance of the Topic

Effective separation and quantification of light hydrocarbons (C1–C3) and vinyl chloride are essential in petrochemical quality control, environmental monitoring and research applications. Rapid, accurate analysis enables process optimization, regulatory compliance and ensures safety in production and distribution.

Objectives and Study Overview

This application study demonstrates a gas chromatography method that resolves six C1–C3 hydrocarbons and vinyl chloride within a 14-minute run time. The goals are to present optimized chromatographic conditions, assess resolution and evaluate method robustness for trace-level analysis at a 250 ppm concentration range.

Methodology and Instrumentation

The separation employs a capillary GC system configured as follows:

• Column: Agilent CP-Al2O3/Na2SO4 PLOT, 0.53 mm×50 m, 10 µm film thickness (Part No. CP7568)
• Temperature Program: 70 °C hold for 2 min, ramp at 10 °C/min to 200 °C
• Carrier Gas: Helium at 100 kPa (1.0 bar), linear velocity 30 cm/s
• Injector: Split mode at a 1:35 ratio, temperature 200 °C, sample volume 1 mL
• Detector: Flame ionization detector (FID) at 300 °C

Main Results and Discussion

The optimized method successfully separates methane, ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene, acetylene and vinyl chloride with baseline resolution. Total analysis time is under 15 minutes, offering sharp, symmetric peaks and consistent retention times. The column phase demonstrates high selectivity for light hydrocarbon isomers and chlorinated species, ensuring reliable quantitation.

Benefits and Practical Applications

Key advantages of the method include rapid turnaround, minimal sample preparation and robust performance. Practical use cases include:

• Quality assurance in petrochemical manufacturing
• Environmental monitoring of volatile organic compounds
• Research and development in chemical process optimization
• Leak detection and safety assessment in industrial settings

Future Trends and Opportunities

Emerging developments likely to enhance light hydrocarbon analysis include:

• Integration of mass spectrometric detectors for improved specificity
• Micro- and portable GC systems for field measurements
• Advanced stationary phases offering faster separations
• Automation and digital data analytics for real-time monitoring

Conclusion

The presented GC method provides a fast, reliable and reproducible approach for the analysis of C1–C3 hydrocarbons and vinyl chloride. Its simplicity and high resolution make it suitable for diverse industrial and environmental applications.

Used Instrumentation

• Agilent CP-Al2O3/Na2SO4 PLOT column (0.53 mm×50 m, 10 µm)
• Helium carrier gas at 100 kPa
• Split injector (1:35) at 200 °C
• FID detector at 300 °C

References

• Agilent Technologies. Application Note A00578, Hydrocarbons C1–C3 and Vinyl Chloride Analysis, 2011.