03-04-2012

Intertek expands fuel quality testing with 2-dimensional gas chromatography

Intertek, a leading provider of quality and safety solutions serving a wide range of industries around the world, is expanding its fuel testing expertise with innovative 2-Dimensional gas chromatography (2D-GC, GCXGC), for analyzing petroleum refined middle distillates and biofuels in Europe and globally.

With detailed 2D-GC analysis of middle distillates, refineries can better control reactions during the refining process. The data also provides important insights for blend optimization. The fuel test data allows engine and turbine developers to better understand fuel properties and their effects in engine development and optimization.

The Intertek Burghausen, Germany laboratory precisely measures the hydrocarbon composition of middle distillates with GCXGC, including diesel fuels, medium gas oils, heavy gas oils,  diesel fatty-acid-methyl-ester (FAME) blends, kerosene, and synthetic diesel fuels for clients in Europe and globally. Additionally, paraffins, naphthenes, aromatics, low-boiling impurities, and oxygenates can be better quantified.

The Intertek laboratory provides prompt testing and reporting times. Intertek customers in Central Europe receive prompt analytical test reports for the middle distillate samples submitted, helping them with quality control and research & development.

In conventional gas chromatography, chemical component separation is performed with one column. In 2D-GC, a second column is added, giving a more precise separation of polar components (cyclical hydrocarbons, aromatics, FAME) from the non-polar paraffins. To compare results from 2D-GC gas chromatography, standardized methods such as DIN EN 12916 (aromatic distribution in diesel fuels), ASTM D 2887 (simulated distillation), DIN EN 14078 (FAME-content) as well as DIN EN 14331 (methyl ester distribution in FAME-blends) can be consulted.