Facilitating Introduction of GCxGC-FID for Routine Petrochemical Analysis by UOP 990-11

While the benefits of GCxGC-FID analysis for petroleum samples using liquid-nitrogen-assisted thermal modulation have been acknowledged for decades because of enhanced analyte sensitivity and improved peak capacity, the structured nature of comprehensive two-dimensional chromatograms remains unparalleled in their ability to delineate elution bands of structurally similar compounds. The method UOP 990-11 was published to leverage these advantages in 2011 and establish a routine means of analyzing middle distillates (nC5-nC28). This remains a widely sought analysis for not only traditional but emerging fuel sources, providing quantitative detailed hydrocarbon analysis. However, due to the detailed nature of the data processing required to generate UOP 990-11 reports, adoption of the method in laboratories without extensive GCxGC experience has been difficult. This poster illustrates the development of a new workflow that combines the unique abilities of LECO’s ChromaTOF software to store method parameters within data files and to stretch group-type classification templates based on user-selected anchor points. Applying these new data handling approaches will ease start-up difficulties for new users to assist with the adoption of GCxGC-FID for routine analysis of petrochemical samples.