Determination of Benzene and Oxygenates in Petroleum by Heart-Cutting Gas Chromatography

A rapid and simple method for the determination of benzene and oxygenates in petroleum by heart-cutting gas chromatography is reported. Experimental design was used to optimize the chromatographic resolution with a short analysis time by improving the injection volume, split ratio, oven temperature, and oven ramps, with seven Deans' switching heart-cutting applications. The analyses were performed by internal standardization and seven oxygenates and benzene were determined within 20 min. The calibration curves were linear across the tested ranges. The developed method was validated; the precision and accuracy were lower than 2.0 and 2.8%, respectively. The uncertainty was between +/- 0.012 and +/- 0.04%.