Mathematical algorithm for qualitative and semiquantitative analysis of petroleum hydrocarbons in solid wastes using on-line gas chromatography

Abstract

Non-degradated mineral-oils like gasoline, solvent naphtha, diesel fuel, fuel and lubricating oils provide a characteristic fingerprint gas chromatogram. This visual classification, e.g. in solid wastes, is complicated due to the simultaneous presence of several mineral-oils.

Therefore, a mathematical algorithm for the separation of gas chromatographic fingerprint of “single mixtures” of aliphatic hydrocarbons is developed. The technique ¶is essential for analysis of time-overlapping “single mixtures” of petroleum hydrocarbons (so-called “complex mixtures”) and it relies on the concentration-varying hydrocarbons during evaporation.

It is possible to separate the data from the gas chromatogram of a “complex mixture” of hydrocarbons into the chromatograms of the pure “single mixtures” and to give their respective concentrations. A synthetic „complex mixture” of kerosene, diesel fuel and lubricating oil is used to illustrate the method.