Speciation of nitrogen‐containing compounds in diesel fuel by comprehensive two‐dimensional gas chromatography

Abstract

Nitrogen‐containing compounds in diesel fuel have been speciated by comprehensive two‐dimensional gas chromatography with nitrogen chemiluminescence detector (GC×GC‐NCD). The speciation of nitrogen‐containing compounds in diesel is difficult because of low concentration and complexity. The advantages of GC×GC are improved resolution and enhanced sensitivity. GC×GC‐NCD can achieve the type and class separation of nitrogen‐containing compounds with an appropriate separation column combination. Diesel contains both neutral (indoles and carbazoles) and basic (pyridines and quinolines) nitrogen‐containing compounds. Relative concentrations of each class as well as each carbon number family can be quantified by integrating their peak volumes. This study demonstrates the capability of GC×GC‐NCD for speciation of nitrogen‐containing compound classes.