Summary
A number of oxygenated compounds such as C1−C4 alcohols, methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), and tertamyl methyl ether (TAME) are increasingly being used in gasoline as octane boosters and to reduce vehicular emissions. Monitoring of individual oxygenates in gasoline is important for quality control and regulatory purpose. Although, several analytical methods based on gas chromatography have been reported, a need was still felt to develop a simple and cost effective method of analysis. In this paper, a packed column gas chromatographic method is described for the analysis of C1−C4 alcohols, MTBE and TAME over a wide concentration range (2–20% V/V) in gasoline. The method involves determination of alcohols and ethers separately on two different columns. The alcohols are determined on a 20 ft column packed with poly(ethylene glycol) 400 as a stationary phase while the ethers are analysed on a 20 ft OPN-Poracil C column. The analysis of alcohols on poly(ethylene glycol) 400 column also provides data on aromatic components of gasoline.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
References
V. K. Agarwal, Analyst113, 907 (1988).
B. Haigwood, Fuel Reformulation2 (4), 32 (1992).
R. E. Pauls, R. W. McCoy, J. Chromatogr. Sci.19, 558 (1981).
J. P. Durand, N. Petroff, Revue De L'Institut Français De Petrole37 (4), 575 (1982).
A. F. Lockwood, B. D. Caddock, Chromatographia17, 65 (1983).
ARCO Analytical Method 9157, “Oxygenated Fuels Technical Bulletin”, Atlantic Richfield Company, Harvey, IL., November 1982.
J. Sevcik, HRC & CC3, 166 (1980).
L. A. Luke, J. E. Ray, Analyst109, 989 (1984).
Z. Naizhong, L. E. Green, HRC & CC9, 400 (1986).
N. G. Johansen, HRC & CC7, 487 (1984).
S. W. S. McCreadie, D. I. K. Swan, G. M. Ogle, R. Pintus, Proc. Int. Symp. Capillary Chromatogr., Ed. P. Sandra, 1985, p. 456.
J. Winskowski, Erdöl & Kohle, Erdgas, Petrochemie41 (1), 30 (1988).
G. R. Verga, A. Sironi, W. Schneider, J. C. Frohne, HRC & CC11, 248 (1988).
F. P. DiSanzo, J. Chromatogr. Sci.28, 73 (1990).
R. A. Cochrane, D. E. Hillman, J. Chromatogr.287, 197 (1984).
J. W. Diehl, J. W. Finkbeiner, F. P. DiSanzo, Anal. Chem.64, 3202 (1992).
S. R. Goode, L. T. Christopher, J. Anal. Atom. Spectrum9, 73 (1994).
J. H. Shofstahl, J. K. Hardy, Anal. Chem.58 (12), 2413 (58) (1986).
R. Orlando, B. Munson, Anal. Chem.58, 2788 (1986).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Vatsala, S., Singh, A.P., Kalsi, W.R. et al. A simple gas chromatographic method for the analysis of oxygenates in gasoline. Chromatographia 40, 607–610 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02290276
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02290276