The combustion properties and resulting emissions of modern diesel fuels are heavily dictated by their aromatic and polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) content. With the increasing integration of up to 20% biodiesel (B20) into commercial fuel supplies, the ability to accurately quantify Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAMEs) alongside aromatics has become essential for ensuring fuel quality and strict adherence to environmental regulations. Historically, refining facilities had to rely on labor-intensive, error-prone methodologies like Fluorescence Indicator Adsorption (FIA) or complex HPLC setups that demanded extensive sample preparation, calibration standards, and the use of hazardous solvents.
The GAS Diesel Fuel Analyser revolutionizes this testing landscape by offering a highly accurate, single-instrument solution based on advanced Vacuum Ultraviolet (GC-VUV) spectroscopy. Built upon the robust Thermo Trace GC 1600 platform, this system entirely eliminates the need for prior sample preparation—allowing for the direct injection of diesel samples onto a straightforward, single capillary column.
Once the sample elutes to the VUV-VGA detector, the integrated VUV Analyze™ software takes over, intelligently dividing the 25-minute chromatogram into 2400 equally spaced time intervals. Utilizing a proprietary Time Interval Deconvolution™ approach, the software independently analyzes overlapping spectral data to perfectly identify and quantify compound classes based on their unique chemical structures. This innovative methodology renders complex calibrations and time-consuming manual data reviews completely obsolete, delivering comprehensive results in under half an hour.
Benefits
Single Method, Single Instrument: Consolidate laboratory operations by replacing multiple conventional diesel testing procedures (such as FIA, SFC, HPLC, and FTIR) with one unified GC-VUV solution compliant with ASTM D8368.
Spectral Deconvolution for High Accuracy: Utilize distinct VUV absorbance spectra to reliably identify and quantify overlapping chemical compounds based purely on their intrinsic molecular structures.
No Sample Preparation Required: Drastically simplify daily workflows and increase overall laboratory throughput by enabling the direct injection of undiluted diesel samples.
Fast and Automated Analysis: Complete highly detailed fuel analyses in approximately 25 minutes, complemented by a fully automated post-processing and reporting cycle that takes just 60 seconds.
Simplified and Robust Instrumentation: Enjoy high robustness and significantly lower operating costs thanks to a straightforward setup featuring a single capillary column with no complex traps or tuning routines required.
| Category | Specification |
|---|---|
| Analyser Platform | Thermo Trace GC1600 |
| Detector Type | VUV VGA-100 Detector (Vacuum Ultraviolet) |
| Injection System | iConnect SSL (Split-splitless injector) for direct injection |
| Column Setup | Single capillary column (no traps or pre-columns required) |
| Target Components | Mono-, di-, tri+, total aromatics, total PAHs, saturates, and FAME (B1-B20) |
| Software System | VUV Analyze™ software utilizing Time Interval Deconvolution™ |
| Analysis Runtime | 25 minutes (plus approx. 60 seconds for automated post-processing) |
| Replaced Methods | FIA (D1319), SFC (D5186), HPLC (D6591), and FTIR-ATR-PLS (D7321) |
Diesel Fuel Quality Control: Accurately determine the total aromatic, polyaromatic, and saturate content to stringently verify combustion performance and overall diesel fuel quality.
Biodiesel Blend Verification (B1–B20): Confidently quantify FAME (Fatty Acid Methyl Ester) concentrations within both standard diesel and biodiesel blends to guarantee strict compliance with modern fuel specifications.
Regulatory and Specification Testing: Execute standardized diesel fuel evaluations completely in accordance with ASTM D8368 guidelines, utilizing a single, highly efficient analytical technique.
Refinery and Fuel Blending Operations: Gain profound compositional insights to continuously support blending optimization strategies and drive innovative product development.
Laboratory Automation and Reporting: Facilitate fully automated data processing, compound classification, and comprehensive reporting seamlessly via the advanced VUV Analyze™ software.
The analyser is fully designed to comply with the following major industry standard:
ASTM D8368
