Gas Chromatography in the Upstream Oil and Gas Industry
Where Gas Chromatography is used:
Oil & Gas Industry:- Custody Transfer System
- Gas quality for Process Efficiency/optimization
- Laboratory for liquid hydrocarbon analysis
- Product quality specification
- Environmental Monitoring:
- GC is used to analyze air and water samples for pollutants and contaminants.
- Pharmaceuticals:
- It is employed to test drug purity and analyze formulations.
- Food and Beverage Industry:
- GC is used for quality control, flavor analysis, and determining the composition of food products.
- Forensic Science:
- GC is used to analyze substances found at crime scenes.
- Chemical Research:
- It is a valuable tool in research laboratories for studying chemical reactions and synthesizing compounds.
Reason behind Requirement
Chromatography Techniques
1. Thermal Conductivity Detection
In
gas chromatography, we have a mixed sample gas that is separated and analyzed to
determine the constituent of different gases in a mixed gas sample. This gas
chromatograph identifies what gases are present in a sample.
Thermal
Conductivity Detector detects the presence of different gases based on how well
they conduct heat. Here's a simple breakdown:
Heat
Conductivity:
Different gases conduct heat differently. Some gases are good at
conducting heat, while others are not so good.
How
TCD Works:
The TCD has a tiny wire or filament. When a mixture of gases passes
over this wire, the gases around the wire either take away or add heat. This
depends on how well each gas conducts heat.
Measuring
Changes:
The TCD measures these changes in heat conductivity. If a gas is good
at conducting heat, it takes away some heat from the wire, and the TCD detects
this change.
Output
Signal:
The TCD then produces a signal that tells us there's a particular gas
in the mixture. Different gases create different signals, helping us identify
and quantify each gas.
In
simple terms, the Thermal Conductivity Detector in gas chromatography helps us
figure out what gases are present in a sample by looking at how well they
conduct heat. It's like a heat-sensing detective for gases.
2. Flame Photometric Detection
Flame photometric detection
is a technique used in analytical chemistry to identify and measure the
concentration of certain elements in a sample. Here's a simple explanation:
How Flame Photometric
Detection Works:
Sample Introduction: A small
amount of the sample containing the elements of interest is introduced into the
flame photometer.
Atomization: The sample is
then aspirated into a flame, where it is vaporized and the elements are
converted into individual atoms.
Excitation: The atoms in the
flame are exposed to a source of intense heat, typically from a flame or a
furnace. This heat excites the electrons in the atoms to higher energy levels.
Emission of Light: As the
excited electrons return to their normal energy levels, they release energy in
the form of light. Each element emits light at characteristic wavelengths.
Detection: A detector in the
flame photometer measures the intensity of the emitted light at specific
wavelengths for the elements of interest.
Quantification: The
intensity of the emitted light is directly proportional to the concentration of
the element in the sample. By measuring the emitted light, the instrument can
determine the concentration of the elements being analyzed.
3. Flame Ionization Detection
Flame Ionization Detection
(FID) is a method used in analytical chemistry to detect and quantify the
presence of organic compounds in a sample.
How
FID works:
Sample Introduction:
A small
amount of the sample, usually a gas or vapor containing organic compounds, is
introduced into the FID instrument.
Ionization in Flame:
The
sample is mixed with a hydrogen-rich flame. In the flame, the organic molecules
are broken down into ions (charged particles) and electrons.
Ion Collection:
The ions
generated in the flame are attracted to a collector electrode by an electric
field. The electrons, being negatively charged, are also attracted to the
collector.
Current Flow: As the ions
and electrons reach the collector electrode, they create an electric current.
The strength of this current is directly proportional to the concentration of
organic compounds in the sample.
Signal Amplification:
The
electric current generated by the ions and electrons is amplified and converted
into a signal that can be measured and analyzed.
In
gas chromatography, we have a mixed sample gas that is separated and analyzed to
determine the constituent of different gases in a mixed gas sample. This gas
chromatograph identifies what gases are present in a sample.
Thermal
Conductivity Detector detects the presence of different gases based on how well
they conduct heat. Here's a simple breakdown:
Heat Conductivity:
Different gases conduct heat differently. Some gases are good at
conducting heat, while others are not so good.
How TCD Works:
The TCD has a tiny wire or filament. When a mixture of gases passes
over this wire, the gases around the wire either take away or add heat. This
depends on how well each gas conducts heat.
Measuring Changes:
The TCD measures these changes in heat conductivity. If a gas is good
at conducting heat, it takes away some heat from the wire, and the TCD detects
this change.
Output Signal:
The TCD then produces a signal that tells us there's a particular gas
in the mixture. Different gases create different signals, helping us identify
and quantify each gas.
In simple terms, the Thermal Conductivity Detector in gas chromatography helps us figure out what gases are present in a sample by looking at how well they conduct heat. It's like a heat-sensing detective for gases.
2. Flame Photometric Detection
Flame photometric detection
is a technique used in analytical chemistry to identify and measure the
concentration of certain elements in a sample. Here's a simple explanation:
How Flame Photometric Detection Works:
Sample Introduction: A small amount of the sample containing the elements of interest is introduced into the flame photometer.
Atomization: The sample is
then aspirated into a flame, where it is vaporized and the elements are
converted into individual atoms.
Excitation: The atoms in the
flame are exposed to a source of intense heat, typically from a flame or a
furnace. This heat excites the electrons in the atoms to higher energy levels.
Emission of Light: As the
excited electrons return to their normal energy levels, they release energy in
the form of light. Each element emits light at characteristic wavelengths.
Detection: A detector in the
flame photometer measures the intensity of the emitted light at specific
wavelengths for the elements of interest.
Quantification: The
intensity of the emitted light is directly proportional to the concentration of
the element in the sample. By measuring the emitted light, the instrument can
determine the concentration of the elements being analyzed.
3. Flame Ionization Detection
Flame Ionization Detection (FID) is a method used in analytical chemistry to detect and quantify the presence of organic compounds in a sample.
How FID works:
Sample Introduction:
A small amount of the sample, usually a gas or vapor containing organic compounds, is introduced into the FID instrument.
Ionization in Flame:
The sample is mixed with a hydrogen-rich flame. In the flame, the organic molecules are broken down into ions (charged particles) and electrons.
Ion Collection:
The ions generated in the flame are attracted to a collector electrode by an electric field. The electrons, being negatively charged, are also attracted to the collector.
Current Flow: As the ions and electrons reach the collector electrode, they create an electric current. The strength of this current is directly proportional to the concentration of organic compounds in the sample.
Signal Amplification:
The electric current generated by the ions and electrons is amplified and converted into a signal that can be measured and analyzed.
Renowned Manufacturers
- Daniel - Emerson Process Automation
- ABB
- Perkin Elmer
- Daniel GC570
- Daniel GC700XA
- Perkin Almer
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