On-line single column capillary gas chromatographic analysis of all reactants and products in the synthesis of fuel methanol from hydrogen and oxides of carbon

The main problems with complete analysis of the components of fuel methanol, or in Fischer-Tropsch studies, are the several classes of compound present in the sample (permanent gases, water, alcohols, hydrocarbons), its wide range of components, its boiling point range, and the wide range of component concentrations. A flexible on-line GC method has been developed for kinetic study of catalyzed chemical reactions of hydrogen and oxides of carbon. The single capillary column, temperature programmed method was designed for complete analysis of reactants and products (hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, water, C1-C10 hydrocarbons, and C1-C6 alcohols): a sample selection valve is used to switch between either the heated line used for input of the synthesis gases or the heated line used to transport reaction products from the reactor. Sample is introduced to the capillary column by means of a 10-port heated gas sampling valve with two external injection loops (0.07 and 1.95 cm3); this results in the determination of components over a wide range of concentrations in the sample (ppm to percentage levels). Helium from a pressure-controlled supply is used as carrier gas and detection of the components is performed by serial connection of thermal conductivity and flame ionization detectors. Peak identification is performed by mass spectrometry and by comparison of component retention times. The automated analytical equipment is integrated with a process control computer and delivers repeatable analytical results for the individual components (RSDs varying between 0.3 and 10% depending strongly on the concentration of the component and the accuracy of the determination of its peak area).