Optimization of gas chromatography using short glass capillary column with mass spectrometry for identification and evaluation of commercial heavy alkylbenzene structures

摘要

Heavy alkylbenzene (HAB) is one of the byproducts when producing linear alkylbenzene (LAB). Identification of the fine structures of HAB is difficult because of its complex structure and high boiling point. The gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) technique with a short glass capillary column is the best method applicable to analysis of high-boiling and thermally labile compounds. The column efficiency is evaluated on the basis of Van Deemter curves. The experimental results show that the reduction in the optimum column efficiency for a short glass capillary column occurs along with a reduction in effective theoretical plates. A second important result is that the shift in the value of the flow velocity is related to the optimum point in height equivalent theoretical plate (HETP). The flow velocity is higher than that of conventional gas chromatography (GC). The optimized conditions were used to analyse HAB produced through the hydrogen fluoride (HF) alkylation process. The results show acceptable relative separation of a product in an extended boiling point range. The optimized conditions were also used to analyse three other special samples supplied by BASF company's AlCl_3 alkylation process and to approve the previous structures. The results also show that HAB from Iran Chemical Industries Investment Company (ICIIC) produced through LAB complex consists of an additional part and has more linearity than the other three samples of HAB obtained from BASF.