Exploration of High-Temperature Petroleum Analysis Using Comprehensive GCxGC-TOFMS

The shift toward increasing use of heavy crude oils in the petroleum industry makes it necessary for the capabilities of instrumental analysis to follow suit. Determination of the range of hydrocarbons that can be examined is crucial for advanced techniques like two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GCxGC-TOFMS). The ability of the thermal modulator to provide crucial focusing and reinjection on to the second dimension of separation, which significantly increases the chromatographic space and peak capacity of the system, is evaluated using n-alkane and Polywax standards to test the upper limits of high-temperature analysis.