Quantifying FAMEs at ppm Levels in a Petroleum Diesel and Biodiesel Blend Using GCxGC

Comprehensive 2D GC, also known as GCxGC, is still an emerging technology in many industries. However, since it separates components from a single injection across 2 chromatographic planes, it offers a great deal of potential for improving the analysis of complex petroleum and petrochemical samples. In general, GCxGC can be used to analyse hydrocarbons ranging in volatility from C4 (butane) to C40 (tetracontane). This work demonstrates the potential application of GCxGC to the analysis of ppm levels of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) in petroleum diesel:biodiesel blends.