This application note describes a method for two-channel simulated distillation by gas chromatography (GC) for both hydrocarbons and sulfur. The method utilizes a 7890A GC configured with a high-temperature programmable temperature vaporizer (HT-PTV) inlet and a sulfur chemiluminescent detector (SCD) mounted in series with a flame ionization detector (FID) by use of a special mounting adapter. A simulated distillation (SimDis) software program provides an easy-to-use solution for sulfur and hydrocarbon simulated distillation. The data show that observed boiling point (BP) values agree with the ASTM D2887 consensus BP values within the allowable differences. The system also demonstrates very good repeatability for both hydrocarbon and sulfur SimDis. An example of a light cycle oil (LCO) analyzed according to D2887 is also included.
The document details a dual-channel simulated distillation (SimDis) system utilizing the Agilent 7890A Gas Chromatograph. The setup configures a high-temperature programmable temperature vaporizer (HT-PTV) inlet with a flame ionization detector (FID) and a sulfur chemiluminescence detector (SCD) mounted in series via a special adapter.
The note provides specific experimental conditions, including oven programs, column specifications, and gas flows for analyzing both hydrocarbons (ASTM D2887) and sulfur (ASTM D7213). It also explains the use of SimDis software modules for calibration, validation, and sample analysis, along with a macro script required to correctly label dual-channel data files.
The macro renames the dual channel AIB2B.ch file to SCD1.ch so that the SimDis software does not switch the FID and SCD channels during analysis.
The solution must be heated manually to approximately 80 °C to dissolve the Polywax 500.
The diesel sample used as a QC reference has a sulfur concentration of 100 yg/g.