Gas Chromatographic Determination of C1, to C12 Hydrocarbons in Automotive Exhaust

Abstract

A gas chromatographic method is presented for the determination of C₁ to C₁₂ hydrocarbons in automotive exhaust. The minimum detectable concentration of each hydrocarbon is one part per billion (v/v). The method has detected about 200 individual peaks in chromatograms of automotive exhaust which represent well over 200 paraffinic, olefinic, and aromatic hydrocarbons. The total analysis time is 25 to 30 minutes. Because of its high sensitivity and excellent resolution, the method should have a wide range of application for automotive exhaust including exhaust from vehicles equipped with emission control devices and in air pollution work; e.g., fuel analysis, atmospheric analysis, and smog chamber reaction studies.