| Abstract Title: | Rapid Analysis of Liquefied Petroleum Gas using Micro GC Fusion |
| Abstract Type: | Poster |
| Session Choice: | Analytical Techniques: Chromatography and Separations |
| Presenter Name: | Ms Christina Heacox |
| Company/Organisation: | INFICON |
| Country: | United States |
Abstract Information :
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is used as an alternative to natural gas, gasoline, aerosol propellants, and refrigerants. LPG is a mixture of hydrocarbons, mainly comprised of propane or butane. Other hydrocarbons such as ethane, propylene, butylene, and pentane are found in LPG samples at lower quantities. During the production of LPG, fast and accurate analytical results are vital to the production stream, ensuring American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) grade specifications are met. Two main grades are sold within the United States, commercial propane and HD-5. Using the proven Microelectromechanical (MEMS) technology of micro GC, analysis time of LPG is significantly faster when compared with the ASTM D2163-07 standardized method. Temperature programming allows Micro GC Fusion to provide sharper peaks and greater separation of components within LPG samples.
Micro GC Fusion offers significant throughput gain through temperature programming, reducing run time and improving peak shape. The transportable, lightweight chassis and web-based user interface enables simplified operation for both on-site and in-lab gas analysis. Utilizing a MEMS injector, microliter portions of a sample are injected onto a column bundle. The smaller injected quantity provides greater sensitivity and peak separation on a shorter analytical column, resulting in faster chromatography. ASTM D2163-07 standardized method suggests an approximate run time between 25 and 140 minutes. Micro GC Fusion can perform a similar analysis in 3 minutes or less. Micro GC Fusion is also equipped with a FAST (Fusion Auto-Sensing Technology) TCD enabling high percentage, and low ppm in a single run through its auto-gain abilities. Depending on the application, Micro GC Fusion is coupled with a flow through vaporizer or a fixed volume vaporizer for enhanced repeatability and uniform vaporization. The modular design, coupled with temperature programming allows the new Micro GC Fusion to provide sharper peaks, faster analysis, and greater separation when analyzing LPG samples.
