A new application note from Bruker describes the quantitative determination of paraffins, naphthenes and aromatics (PNA) in spark-ignition fuels using the multi-dimensional gas chromatography (GC) separation approach utilized in the Bruker PIONA+™ Analyser.
Since PNA group analysis was first described back in the 1980s, the multi-dimensional GC based technique has undergone continuous improvement and optimization. The method is widely used by refinery laboratories worldwide, and the Bruker PIONA+ Analyzer is a comprehensive system that characterizes and quantifies the components in a variety of spark-ignition fuels according to an array of industry standard method protocols. PIONA+ is flexible, and can be operated in multiple method “modes” depending on the analysis requirement of a given stream type. For this particular application, the system was set-up to characterize the PNA content of spark-ignition fuel.
The test data presented includes two samples analyzed in the PNA mode; a representative chromatogram is examined for both, with a very clear group separation making identification and quantification straightforward for the operator. Weight% and volume% results by carbon number and total reports are full in accordance with DIN, ASTM, UOP and IP official standards.
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