Presentation Profile
A Robust Column Set For The Analysis of Benzene and Toluene in Motor and Aviation Spark Ignition Fuel Containing Ethanol and/or Butanol Blended Fuels following ASTM D3606-20 Procedure B
Currently Scheduled: 10/12/2021 - 2:20 PM - 2:40 PM
Room: Poster Parkway
Main Author
Barry Burger - Restek Corp
Abstract:
Laboratories facing the challenge of quantifying both benzene and toluene in finished motor and aviation fuel containing ethanol must use the modified ASTM D3606-20 method mandated by the US EPA. This column set prevents the interference of benzene with ethanol thus assuring accurate quantification of benzene. Toluene quantitation is straight forward in that there are no co-elution issues. The scope of the method for quantifying benzene is 0.1% to 5% by volume and the toluene range is 2% to 20% by volume. With the addition of butanol blended fuel slowly entering the market, this same packed column set with a slight modification of the GC oven parameters and using methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) as the internal standard can be used for the analysis of butanol blended fuel. There are no concerns of inconsistent retention times due to multiple flow changes as in procedure A. All critical components and impurities are resolved. The column set operates in the constant flow mode of 25 mls/minute of helium. This packed column set will satisfy both part A and Part B in ASTM D 3606-20 method.
