GC Analysis of Water in Gasoline (Spiked) on Watercol™ 1910
Materials
Analytical column
CONDITIONS
column
Watercol 1910, 30 m x 0.25 mm I.D., 0.20 μm (29711-U)
oven
45 °C (4 min), 5 °C/min to 75 °C, 10 °C/min to 190 °C (29711-U)
inj. temp.
250 °C
detector
FID, 250 °C; TCD, 200 °C
carrier gas
helium, 20 cm/sec (measured in each column at an oven temperature of 135 °C)
injection
1 μL, 50:1 split
liner
4 mm I.D., split/splitless type, wool packed single taper FocusLiner™ design
sample
unleaded gasoline, spiked with water at 0.25% (v/v)
Description
Analysis Note
Residual moisture in fuel is very undesirable. This is because it reduces the heat of combustion which increases engine stress, corrodes fuel system components, allows gelling of fuel in cold temperatures through ice crystal formation and nucleation, and accelerates the growth of microbial colonies which can clog fuel systems. The "Watercol" series of ionic liquid capillary GC columns are characterized by their ability to produce a sharp peak shape for water, sharp enough so that water can be integrated and quantified.
This application shows the suitability of Watercol 1910 for the analysis of water in gasoline. In addition to identification of water, the column′s selectivity allowed for the identification of the BTEX analytes. The water and ethanol peaks were confirmed by injecting a series of standards (water in ethanol). The BTEX peaks were confirmed by analysis of neat materials. The unique combination of stationary phase:analyte interactions also allowed the elution of the heavy components (e.g. methylnaphthalenes) in a reasonable time (<19 minutes).
Other Notes
Two identical columns were installed in separate inlets, each going to a separate detector.
Legal Information
FocusLiner is a trademark of SGE Analytical Science Pty Ltd.
Watercol is a trademark of Sigma-Aldrich Co. LLC