Comprehensive and Flexible Configuration for Refinery Gas Analysis

APPLICATION NOTE AN156

Authors: Key Words: Three channels turn-key analyzer

Andrea Bonsanto Fast, reliable and precise Refinery Gas Analysis
Matteo De Amicis

DANI Instruments SpA

viale Brianza, 87
Cologno Monzese
Milano
Italy

Introduction

Refinery Gas is a mixture of gases generated during analysis at very low ppm levels of permanent gases
refinery processes. It can be used as a final product, and hydrocarbons from H2 up to C9, benzene and
as a fuel or as a feedstock for other processes in toluene in 12 minutes only. Through this system
the refinery. The gas composition can vary greatly, configuration, it is possible to satisfy all the standard
depending on the composition of the raw material RGA analysis needs and beyond.
from which it is generated and the process to
which it is subjected. Common components are
hydrocarbons, sulfur compounds, and permanent
gases.
To determine the exact composition of refinery gas,
it is subjcted to gas chromatography but, given the
complexity of the mixture, a single channel system
may not be sufficient.
In the present work the refinery gas analysis is
performed by means of a DANI Refinery Gas
Analyzer. The hardware is based on the flexible
Master GC Fast Gas Chromatograph equipped with
two TCDs and one FID channels. It performs the

Petro Chemical
Fig. 1 : Schematic of Master RGA

Method

Master GC Fast Gas Chromatograph is

configured as follows:
3 injectors: 1 SL/IN and 2 PK;
3 detectors: 1 FID and 2 TCDs;
micropacked and capillary columns;
sampling and switching valves;
solenoid valves.
Master GC is equipped with Master Aux Oven
with two areas, a heated one and a cold one.
Into the heated zone are installed:
5 valves and needle valves;
in the cold area are installed:
solenoid valves and servo air regulator and
aux gas regulators
Specific petrochemical applications require some
components to be analyzed at isothermal temperature. In
these cases a side-mounted oven is necessary to house all
valves and pneumatics for both liquid and gas sampling.
GC column oven, on the other hand, performs temperature
program analysis.
Master GC can be equipped with an auxiliary oven for
isothermal temperature.
Two models of ovens are available with different capacities
to house valves and columns for dedicated analysis.
Valve 1 is a 10-port valve used for gas sampling
and back flushing heavier components; normally
components heavier than ethylene are back flushed
to vent when H2S is not required to be analyzed.
Valve 2 and 3 are used to store and then release
lighter gas up to CO2, permanent gases are
separated into molecular sieve 5A column and CO2
into HayeSep Q.
When the CO2 has been eluted, solenoid valve 1 is
switch on to back flushing all other hydrocarbons.
Two six-port isolation valves (valve 2-3) with
adjustable restrictors are used to switch the
HayeSep Q and molecular sieve 5A column in and
out of the carrier stream.
The second TCD channel is for the analysis of H2
and He. Sample from the 6-port valve (valve 4) is
injected into a pre-column, HayeSep Q, then H2
with its co-eluted compounds O2, N2, and CO pass
onto the molecular sieve 5A column.
Solenoid valve 2 is switched on so that CO2 and
other compounds will be back flushed from T
union’s split, while H2 and He are separated on the
molecular sieve 5A.
In the third channel (FID) with capillary alumina
column are detected all hydrocarbons from C1 up
to C9 with benzene and toluene.
DANI Master RGA Analyzer +
Clarity Chromatography Station
the winning combination to achieve the best possibile
results with simplicity.
The three channel RGA system meets the
specifications of the ASTM, ISO and UOP
regulations.
Moreover, gas properties calculations are
automatically performed according the
selected norm by the extension of the Clarity
Software.
You no longer need an external tool for gas
properties calculations since the Clarity
Software Extension contains the complete
workflow of data acquisition, peak calibration,
gas properties calculations based on the
norms.

DANI Master Turn-Key Analyzers

Superior Petrochemical Solutions

Master GC Turn-Key Analyzers are pre-configured, fully integrated, tested and guaranteed solutions able
to meet today’s analytical laboratories needs, and latest standars specifications, be they simple or highly
complex. Master GC Turn-Key Analyzers features:

- Robust and reliable systems

- Breakthrough analytical capabilities
- High quality
- Reduced analysis time
- High return of investment
- Rapid installation and ease of use
Fig. 2 : First Channel TCD

Fig. 3 : Second Channel TCD

Fig. 4 : Third Channel FID

Standard Deviation CHN 1 Standard Deviation CHN 2 Standard Deviation CHN 3

Compound Retention Time Areas Relative Compound Retention Time Areas Relative Compound Retention Time Areas Relative
Standard Dev. S t a n d a r d Standard Dev. S t a n d a r d Standard Dev. S t a n d a r d
Deviation % Deviation % Deviation %
C6+ 0.002 0.602 Helium 0.003 5.239 Ethane 0.001 1.37
Oxygen 0.001 1.638 Hydrogen 0.003 1.271 Propane 0.004 1.263
Nitrogen 0.002 0.643 Iso-Butane 0.003 1.503
Carbon Dioxide 0.002 0.873 n-Butane 0.003 1.119
Ethane 0.000 0.515 Neo-Pentane 0.004 1.255
Propane 0.002 0.422 Iso-Pentane 0.004 1.888
Iso-Butane 0.002 0.422 n-Pentane 0.005 0.907
n-Butane 0.002 2.579 Exhane 0.005 1.904
Neo-Pentane 0.007 5.394 Eptane 0.008 1.149
Iso-Pentane 0.003 1.691 Benzene 0.007 1.082
n-Pentane 0.004 3.055 Octane 0.005 1.121
Toluene 0.006 1.567
Nonane 0.004 1.714

Table 1: repeatability results with 50 ppm sample

Conclusions
The obtained results demonstrate that the Master
RGA Turn-Key Analyzer is the perfect tool for refinery
gas analysis. It guarantees high performances in
terms of sensitivity and repeatability in a short
amount of time.
The system is fully automated in all the operation
steps: sampling and switching valves, backflush,
data acquisition and processing.
The configuration is very flexible and can be
adapted to particular analytical needs.

www.danispa.it

The contents of this publication are for reference and illustrative purposes
only. Information, descriptions and specification are subjected to change
without notice. DANI Instruments assumes no responsability and will not
be liable for any errors or omissions contained herein or for incidental,
consequential damages or losses in connection with the furnishing,
performance, or use of this material.

AN_156