Events Calendar

The Gulf Coast Conference is a non-profit organization for the advancement of knowledge in Chemical Analysis Technology associated with Petrochemical, Refining, and Environmental fields.  Visit VUV Analytics at booth #521.

Oral Presentations:

Quantification of the Composition of Liquid Hydrocarbon Streams: Comparing the GC-VUV to Established Methods by Bill Winniford, Dow Inc.

October 15th 9:30am – 10:00am in Exhibit Hall A4

Commercialization of GC-VUV instrumentation has afforded a new technique for the quantification of the hydrocarbon composition of samples.  The gas-phase absorbance of hydrocarbons from 125 – 240 nm is sensitive to differences in compound classes as well as the small differences in positional isomers.  This allows for the identification and quantification in a PIONA-like fashion based on the UV spectra when the VUV PIONA+ software is utilized.  In Dow, the hydrocarbon composition of liquid hydrocarbon streams between C5 to C15 are typically evaluated using a detailed hydrocarbon analysis (DHA) or a GCxGC-FID analysis.  The DHA analysis relies on a 1D GC-FID method, and while the FID is a universal detector, it is unable to provide identifications without appropriate analytical standards.  Therefore, if peaks are closely eluting, or even co-eluting in the DHA method, identification, and thus, accurate quantitation can suffer.  GCxGC coupled to FID detection can provide additional separation, which can reduce or eliminate the co-elutions observed by DHA; however, as with the DHA, identifications are not possible without appropriate analytical standards.  This presentation will focus on the comparison of liquid hydrocarbon streams analyzed using both the DHA and GCxGC-FID methods compared to GC-VUV for hydrocarbon composition, with the emphasis being placed on the VUV’s enhanced accuracy of the group identification and quantification.

Using GC-VUV to Detect Methanol, FAME (Ester) Total, and Linolenic Acid Methyl Ester in 100% Biodiesel by James A. Diekmann, VUV Analytics

October 15th 9:45am —  10:05am in Wisteria Room

The popularity and interest in biodiesel are growing significantly in many areas of the world as an alternative for automobile fuels. Biodiesel is produced through the transesterification of vegetable oils and animal fats, producing fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs), which requires a different set of standardized methods for quality control. EN-14103 and EN-14110 determine ester and methanol content using flame ionization detection. This study uses gas chromatography vacuum ultraviolet spectroscopy to identify and quantity the FAMEs and methanol content in 100% biodiesel, providing an extra degree of certainty through spectral identification, unlike conventional techniques that solely rely on retention time.

Fast Analysis of Middle Distillates using Gas Chromatography-Vacuum Ultraviolet Spectroscopy by Alex Hodgson, VUV Analytics

October 15th 2:45pm – 3:15pm in Wisteria Room

Middle distillates like jet fuel and diesel have strict requirements regarding aromatic content to reduce pollution and maximize engine life. The current referee method, ASTM D1319, is becoming unsustainable as remaining dye stocks wane. Current alternative methods include supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

Vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) spectroscopy is a relatively new GC detection methodology that can analyze jet fuel in less than 14 minutes and diesel in less than 20 minutes. Automated quantitation using time interval deconvolution (TID) can determine total mono- and di-aromatics for jet fuel and total mono-, di-, tri-, and tetra-aromatics for diesel.

Seminar: ASTM D8071 and Verified Hydrocarbon Analysis: Automating complex hydrocarbon analyses with GC-VUV by Dan Wispinski, VUV Analytics

October 16th 8:50am – 9:10am in Iris Room

Standard method ASTM D8071 provides an automated, fast, and accurate approach to complete compound class characterization of paraffins, isoparaffins, olefins, napththlenes, and aromatics (PIONA) in finished gasoline, while also providing ASTM D6708 equivalency data for ASTM D5769, ASTM D1319, ASTM D3606, and ASTM D5599. Arising from ASTM D8071 is Verified Hydrocarbon Analysis™ (VUV-VHA™) which employs both retention time and spectral information to speciate compounds commonly found in gasoline, while fully characterizing the paraffin, isoparaffin, olefin, naphthene, and aromatic (PIONA) group composition of samples in a 49-minute automated analysis.

Seminar: The Future of Fuels Analysis: Jet Fuel (ASTM D8267) and Diesel Analysis by Dan Wispinski, VUV Analytics

October 16th 9:30am – 10:00am in Iris Room

A new ASTM standard test method has been developed to provide a suitable alternative to D1319 and ASTM D1840. In the jet fuel range, mono-aromatics and diaromatics all have distinct VUV absorbance spectra which allow them to be deconvolved from one another in a complex matrix. The GC-VUV method ASTM D8267 can analyze jet fuel in a 14-minute run and a 60-second automated quantitation, reporting total aromatics, monoaromatics, and diaromatics, addressing the challenges faced with ASTM D1319 & ASTM D1840. Also capable of analyzing biodiesel and aromatic content in diesel fuels, the VUV Analyzer™ Platform is a powerful solution with the ability to run different types of fuels and different methods all without changes to hardware or set up, reducing the overall runtime, automating analysis and reducing the cost per sample.

Harmful Chemicals in Gasoline — A European Perspective by Dan Wispinski, VUV Analytics

October 16th 1:15pm – 1:40pm in Jasmine Room

In Europe, CEN/TC 19 WG21 has initiated a new work item for a technical report and possible revision to EN228 addressing “harmful chemicals” in petrol.  The chemical compounds addressed by CEN specifically are sec- butyl acetate, aniline and its derivatives such N-Methylaniline, N-Ethylaniline and di-Methylaniline.  This paper will describe the European initiative and implications for other jurisdictions.  A simple modification of the VUV Analyzer platform using ASTM D8071 is presented allowing a fast, automated screening of these harmful chemicals.

Hydrogen and Nitrogen as Carrier Gas Alternatives to Helium: Gas Chromatography-Vacuum Ultraviolet Spectroscopy of Hydrocarbon Groups and Select Compounds in Gasoline-Range Samples by Ryan Schonert, VUV Analytics

October 16th 2:45pm — 3:15pm in Jasmine Room

ASTM D3606 (benzene), ASTM D5599 (ethanol, oxygenates), and ASTM D5769 (benzene, toluene, total aromatics) gasoline tests typically require three dedicated GC systems, all using helium carrier gas, which is in short supply.  ASTM D8071-17, PIONA and oxygenates analysis with gas chromatography – vacuum ultraviolet spectroscopy (GC-VUV), allows benzene, toluene, total aromatics, and ethanol, as well as other parameters, to be accomplished on one GC in less than 35 min.

Helium use can be eliminated entirely by employing alternate GC carrier gases, such as hydrogen and nitrogen.  This presentation will demonstrate how using GC-VUV for the analysis of gasoline-range samples.

Not attending GCC, but want to receive a copy of the above presentations?  Register via the form below:

VUV Analytics is the Platinum Golf Sponsor at the Gulf Coast Conference Golf Tournament.

VUV Analytics is a Gold Sponsor of the Gulf Coast Conference — Located at Booth #521

For more information about the event, please visit Gulf Coast Conference.  If you’re interested in obtaining one of the above presentations, please email info@vuvanalytics.com.

VUV Analytics will be an exhibitor at this year’s Eastern Analytical Scientist event — which is being held at a new location, the Crowne Plaza Princeton-Conference Center in Plainsboro Township, NJ.

VUV Analytics will be in Booth #WF1-2 in the Waterfront Room on the second floor.  And be sure to check out our partner Shimadzu at #WF1-7.

Learn more about the event and the full technical program here.