Intertek has expanded its fuel testing expertise with 2-Dimensional gas chromatography (2D-GC, GCXGC), for analysing petroleum refined middle distillates.
With detailed 2D-GC analysis of middle distillates, the fuel test data allows engine and turbine developers to better understand fuel properties and their effects in engine development and optimisation.
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.
The Intertek Burghausen, Germany laboratory 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.
To compare results from 2D-GC gas chromatography, standardised 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) are offered by the company.
