Analysis of Middle Distillate Fuels by Field Ionization Mass Spectrometry.
Abstract
This interim technical report describes work completed during the first twelve months of a research program to develop field ionization mass spectrometry for quantitative analyses of middle distillate fuels. The relative field ionization sensitivities were measured for 90 compounds from petroleum, shale, or coal. The FIMS sensitivities for naphthalenes are from 2 to 3 times greater than for saturates, an advantage for detecting these minor components. Sensitivity was also high for nitrogen and sulfur containing compounds which will increase the level at which these materials may be detected in fuels. Distillation of the fuel sample from a solids probe into the FIMS source was found to not provide sufficient separation of compounds such as naphthalenes and saturates. These compounds will be separated using high resolution FIMS. The precision of the proposed analysis method was evaluated with an authentic jet fuel sample, and it was found that the coefficient of variation of minor components averaged 6 percent while that of larger components was 2 or 3 percent. The use of high resolution FIMS together with a batch inlet system and computerized data collection and analysis system appears to be a highly promising technique for providing detailed quantitative data on the chemical composition of middle distillate fuels. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1980
- Accession Number
- ADA099407
Entities
People
- S. E. Buttrill Jr.
Organizations
- SRI International