Comparison of conventional gas chromatography and comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography for the detailed analysis of petrochemical samples.

Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC x GC) has been investigated for the characterization of high valuable petrochemical samples from dehydrogenation of n-paraffins, Fischer-Tropsch and oligomerization processes. GC x GC separations, performed using a dual-jets CO2 modulator, were optimized using a test mixture representative of the hydrocarbons found in petrochemicals. For complex samples, a comparison of GC x GC qualitative and quantitative results with conventional gas chromatography (1D-GC) has demonstrated an improved resolution power of major importance for the processes: the group type separation has permitted the detection of aromatic compounds in the products from dehydrogenation of n-paraffins and from oligomerization, and the separation of alcohols from other hydrocarbons in Fischer-Tropsch products.