Gas Chromatography for Petrochemical Applications

Gas chromatography is a well-established analytical technique that allows the quali-quantitative analysis of gas or gasifiable mixtures, with high accuracy and precision for trace components. In petrochemical application, the gas chromatography finds its main use in controlling the production of saturated hydrocarbons, olefins and light diolefins.

Pollution (Italy) offers a complete system for analysis with micro-gas chromatographs: POLLUTION "GCX" for continuous online analysis and multipoints sampling.

The GCX is able to perform a complete analysis of permanent gases (H2, O2, N2, CO and CO2), saturated hydrocarbons and olefins (C1-C5 and C6+) in less than 160 seconds.

It is possible to integrate up to four independent analytical modules into each instrument. Each module incorporates a micro-injector, a capillary column and a thermal conductivity detector (TCD).

GCX system configuration for the analysis of complex matrix (C1 - C6 + and permanent gases).

The GCX used for this application involves the use of two carrier gases (helium and argon) and four analytical modules.

The module equipped with a Molsieve column separates and analyses the permanent gases (H2, O2, N2, and CH4) with the exception of CO2.

In the second module (PoraPlot-U) CO2 and light hydrocarbons (C3 and C4) are analysed. Finally, in the third and fourth module equipped respectively with an Alumina column (Al2O3/KCL) and dimethylpolysiloxane (OV-1) is possible to separate heavier saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons up to C6+.

At the end of the analytical run, the embedded software (Pollution MC2) simultaneously shows the chromatograms and automatically generates a report with concentration and calorific value (BTU) according to ISO 6976.