This application note describes the use of Agilent PLgel columns and gel permeation chromatography to analyze petroleum. Petroleum analysis is a major source of organic chemicals for the petrochemical industry. The method uses liquid chromatographic separation and calculates molecular weight distribution after calibration of the system with suitable polymer standards. The application note provides an example of analyzing asphalt, where three linear hydrocarbons are resolved to baseline in a reasonably short analysis time.
The document outlines how to characterize petroleum-derived chemicals using gel permeation chromatography (GPC). It highlights that a variety of Agilent PLgel GPC columns are required to optimize the analysis of diverse petroleum products.
Specific applications covered include the resolution of low molecular weight linear hydrocarbons, the separation of asphalt for road surfacing, and the analysis of high molecular weight polyolefin polymers like polyethylene and polypropylene. The text details specific column configurations, eluents, flow rates, temperatures, and detection methods used in these analyses.
The exclusion limit is 5,000 molecular weight when using polystyrene equivalents.
The temperatures used in these examples ranged between 50 and 160 °C.
The exclusion limit is 100,000,000 g/mol when using polystyrene equivalents.