Determinations Paraffins, Iso-Paraffins, Napthalenes and Aromatics (PINA) Content in Hydrocarbons

Topics Covered

Introduction
Instrumentation
Results and Discussion
Conclusion
About Bruker - Chemical and Applied Markets

Introduction

In this application note the Bruker PIONA+ Analyzer will be used to quantitatively determine the paraffin, iso-paraffin, naphthalenes and aromatic (PINA) in spark ignition fuels. The Bruker PIONA+ Analyzer is a comprehensive gas chromatography system designed to characterize and quantify the components in spark ignition fuels using industry standards method protocols.

Instrumentation

The Bruker PIONA+ Analyzer is a versatile instruments that was configured to measure the PINA content of spark ignition fuels using Bruker’s compassCDS Chromatography software and the PIONA+ plug-in software.

Table 1 summarizes the conditions for the columns and traps that were used to produce the results in figure 1.

Table 1. Elution scheme for PINA.

From
To (min.)
Components
Column route
0
30.0
C1 to C12 N + P
1st OV-275 fraction 13x
30.0
35.0
C6 to C8 A and pN
2nd OV-275 fraction via arom/eth to non-polar column
35.0
40.0
>200°C fraction
Back flush non-polar column of 2nd OV-275 fraction
50.0
80.0
C3 to C12 nP
5A in flow to 13x
80.0
86.5
C8 to C10 A
3rd backflush OV-275 fraction via armon/eth to non-polar column
86.5
95.0
>200°C fraction
Back flush non-polar column of 3rd OV-275 fraction

Results and Discussion

Test sample 1 was used to calibrate the Bruker PIONA+ Analyzer. It’s resultant chromatogram is shown in figure 1.

Figure 1. Chromatogram for test sample 1 (N=napthalenes (cyclic paraffins), iP=iso paraffins, nP=normal paraffins, A=aromatics).

This chromatogram shows clear groupings and the data is summarized in tables 2 and 3, with paraffins, iso-paraffins, napthalenes and aromatics grouped and reported by carbon number as totals, with totals per carbon number also reported.

Table 2. Weight % analysis for test sample 1.

Normalized Weight Percent Profile
Carbon
Napthalenes
Iso-Paraffins
n-Paraffins
Aromatics
Total
2
3
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
4
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
5
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
6
2.39
1.73
1.28
2.85
8.26
7
5.66
2.55
2.59
2.90
13.70
8
5.69
4.61
3.92
10.46
24.68
9
4.57
0.69
3.00
6.76
15.01
10
2.40
0.50
5.10
5.19
13.20
11
0.00
0.01
4.24
0.00
4.25
Total
20.71
10.10
20.24
28.17
79.22

Fraction >200°C
14.31
Polynapthalenes
6.65

Table 3. Volume % analysis for test sample 1.

Normalized Volume Percent Profile
Carbon
Napthalenes
Iso-Paraffins
n-Paraffins
Aromatics
Total
2
3
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
4
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
5
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
6
2.45
2.03
1.51
2.51
8.49
7
5.80
2.88
2.92
2.58
14.15
8
5.77
5.05
4.30
9.32
24.33
9
4.55
0.73
3.20
5.98
14.39
10
2.25
0.53
5.40
4.52
12.74
11
0.00
0.02
3.92
0.00
3.93
Total
20.82
11.24
21.40
24.91
78.19

Fraction >200°C
14.83
Polynapthalenes
6.98

Figure 2 is a chromatogram showing the PINA analysis of a reformer feed that consists of hydrocarbons from C6 to C11. The software then generated the analyses in tables 4 and 5 for weight per cent and volume per cent respectively in a single report.

Figure 2. Chromatogram of the reformer feed sample.

Table 4. Weight % analysis for the reformer feed sample.

Normalized Weight Percent Profile
Carbon
Napthalenes
Iso-Paraffins
n-Paraffins
Aromatics
Total
3
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
4
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
5
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
6
0.28
0.00
0.02
0.02
0.32
7
8.33
2.30
4.57
1.71
16.90
8
19.51
12.32
11.62
5.88
49.32
9
12.29
11.50
5.70
1.32
30.80
10
0.83
0.92
0.13
0.05
1.93
11
0.00
0.09
0.09
0.00
0.19
Total
41.23
27.13
22.12
8.97
99.45

Fraction >200°C
0.5
Polynapthalenes
0.05

Table 5. Volume % analysis for the reformer feed sample.

Normalized Volume Percent Profile
Carbon
Napthalenes
Iso-Paraffins
n-Paraffins
Aromatics
Total
2
         
3
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
4
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
5
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
6
2.44
2.03
1.51
2.51
8.49
7
5.77
2.88
2.92
2.58
14.15
8
5.66
5.05
4.30
9.32
24.33
9
4.48
0.73
3.20
5.98
14.39
10
2.30
0.53
5.40
4.52
12.74
11
0.00
0.02
3.92
0.00
3.93
Total
20.64
11.24
21.40
24.91
78.19

Fraction >200°C
14.83
Polynapthalenes
6.98

Conclusion

This application note shows how the Bruker PIONA+ Analyzer has been able to successfully analyse the paraffin, iso-paraffin, napthalenes and aromatic composition of a calibration sample and a reformer feed hydrocarbon sample. Furthermore, it demonstrated its ability to generate reports detailing mass% and volume % reports.

About Bruker - Chemical and Applied Markets

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This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by Bruker - Chemical and Applied Markets (CAM).

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Date Added: Jun 17, 2012 | Updated: Jun 18, 2012
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