Quantifying Hydrocarbons in Petroleum

A proposed ASTM International standard will be used to help determine the effects of petroleum processes in the production of finished fuels. ASTM’s petroleum products, liquid fuels, and lubricants committee (D02) is developing the proposed standard.  

“The proposed standard gives accurate quantitative information on hydrocarbon types, such as n-paraffins, i-paraffins, naphthenes, and aromatics in middle distillates, such as jet and diesel fuels,” says ASTM International member Leonarda Kouwenhoven, standardization manager of PAC Analytical Controls. “This information is helpful in determining the effects of petroleum processes in the production of various finished fuels and quality control. The test method results can also be useful for indicating the quality of fuels and for assessing the relative combustion properties of finished fuels.”

According to Kouwenhoven, the proposed test method is the first proposed ASTM D02 standard based on comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GCxGC), a powerful separation technique that is suitable for the analysis of complex mixtures.

Interested parties are invited to join in the development of the proposed standard (WK71675). The committee is looking for laboratories interested in helping to determine a precision statement for the standard by analyzing a variety of samples. Additionally, labs and experts are encouraged to help develop new applications based on the technology covered by the proposed standard. Interested participants may contact Frank DiStanzo, chair of the gas chromatography methods subcommittee (D02.04.0L).