Supercritical Fluid Chromatography: Theoretical considerations

In petrochemical analysis it is often not necessary to identify every compound in a sample. The boiling point distribution and group composition, e.g. aliphatic and aromatic groups or straight chain versus branched alkanes determine, to a large extent, the physical characteristics of fuels. The oxygenated group content of a fuel is another important parameter. It is believed that high oxygen content enhances fuel combustion and reduces harmful emissions, but oxygenates also end up as pollutants in water supplies. More effective ways of oxygenate analysis are required, both for fuel characterization and environmental monitoring.