Page 18 - Shimadzu Journal vol.8 Issue2

Hydrocarbon Processing Industry

and end of the different fuel components that have been separated Because of its longevity and relative simplicity, the FIA method has
within the column. Quantification of components is based on the been widely used for the analysis of aromatics and olefins in fuels
distance travelled within the column and is measured by hand. A since and is stipulated several international analytical standard
5
typical analysis takes ≥60 minutes and requires manual placement methods such as ASTM D1319, ISO 3837, IP 156, and JIS K2536 .
of samples, close attention, and quick and decisive measurement of Due to the widespread adoption of the technique, the sudden lack
moving fluorescent color changes. of fluorescent indicator dye gel required for the FIA method since
2018 has had a significant impact on fuel producers, refiners, and
testing laboratories. These companies have had to adapt rapidly to
alternative methods for analysis to ensure that their fuels and prod-
ucts meet international specification and are safe for use.
In early 2018, a new formulation of the fluorescent indicator
dye gel reagent required for the FIA method produced unrelia-
ble results, increasing the demand for analytical alternatives to
the FIA method. Shimadzu offers High-Performance Liquid
Chromatograph (HPLC) and Gas Chromatograph (GC) systems
based on analytical standards that replace the FIA method. We
describe here methods for analysis of aromatics in jet and diesel
fuels based on ASTM D6379 and D6591 by HPLC, and analysis by
GC with Vacuum Ultraviolet Absorption Spectroscopy Detection
(GC-VUV) which is a novel analytical method with several ASTM
standard methods approved or in progress.

Table 1 shows alternative methods to the FIA method (ASTM
D1319) for various fuel types. Efforts are ongoing with ASTM
International committee D02 is revising these standards to add
a correlation equation between relevant standards and ASTM
6
Figure 1. Diagrammatic depiction of a FIA column before (A) and after (B) D1319 . The standard specification for jet fuel, ASTM D1655, is
separation of fuel components. Note that this depiction greatly simplifies the 4
color changes, which are more gradational within the column in practice. being revised to include alternative methods to ASTM D1319 ,
and there has been an industry-wide transition away from ASTM
D1319 to alternative methods during the past two years.

Table 1. Alternative methods to ASTM D1319 6
Target
components No. Title
Standard Test Method for Determination of Aromatic Hydrocarbon Types in Aviation Fuels and Petroleum
ASTM D6379
Distillates—High Performance Liquid Chromatography Method with Refractive Index Detection
Standard Test Method for Determination of Total Aromatic, Monoaromatic and Diaromatic Content of Aviation
Jet Fuel Aromatics ASTM D8267
Turbine Fuels Using Gas Chromatography with Vacuum Ultraviolet Absorption Spectroscopy Detection (GC-VUV)
Standard Test Method for The Determination of Total Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Total Polynuclear Aromatic
ASTM D8305
Hydrocarbons in Aviation Turbine Fuels and other Kerosene Range Fuels by Supercritical Fluid Chromatography
Standard Test Method for Determination of Aromatic Hydrocarbon Types in Middle Distillates—High Performance
ASTM D6591
Liquid Chromatography Method with Refractive Index Detection
Diesel Aromatics
Standard Test Method for Determination of the Aromatic Content and Polynuclear Aromatic Content of Diesel Fuels
ASTM D5186
and Aviation Turbine Fuels by Supercritical Fluid Chromatography
Standard Test Method for Determination of Benzene, Toluene, and Total Aromatics in Finished Gasolines by Gas
ASTM D5769
Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry
Aromatics
Standard Test Method for Determination of Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, p/m-Xylene, o-Xylene, C9 and Heavier
ASTM D5580
Aromatics, and Total Aromatics in Finished Gasoline by Gas Chromatography
Gasoline
Olefins ASTM D6550 Standard Test Method for Determination of Olefin Content of Gasolines by Supercritical-Fluid Chromatography
Standard Test Method for Determination of Hydrocarbon Group Types and Select Hydrocarbon and Oxygenate
Hydrocarbon ASTM D8071 Compounds in Automotive Spark-Ignition Engine Fuel Using Gas Chromatography with Vacuum Ultraviolet
Group Types
Absorption Spectroscopy Detection (GC-VUV)
Shimadzu Journal vol.8 Issue2 60