Special analytical column having in series two separate absorption sections charged with beads of porous polymer and a sample of gas detects traces of hydrocarbons. New method requires only 15 minutes for execution

Fickey, E. W.

Mullins, H. E.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

December 1969
	 Brief 69-10716 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
NASA Tech Briefs are issued to summarize specific innovations derived from the U.S. space program, 
to encourage their commercial application. Copies are available to the public at 15 cents each 
from the Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical Information, Springfield, Virginia 22151., 
Chromatographic Detection and Analysis

of Traces of Hydrocarbons
1 
Dual-
Hydrogen-
I 
Flame 
Flow- 
Control	 Sample	
Ionization	 I 
Needle	 Valve.	
Detector 
Valve	 1 Om3	
I	
I 
Loops 
Gas Sample 
	
I	
I 
I Analytical	 I 
Flow Meter
	
	
Column	 I 
Sample Vent
Reference 
lun_ -	 I 
- 
Gas Chromatograph 
He
Carrier 
Figure 1. Schematic of the Apparatus 
The problem: 
To develop a faster method for detecting and 
analyzing ethane, ethylene, acetylene, propane, and 
higher hydrocarbons in high-purity oxygen and air. 
The old method of detection required concentration 
of the hydrocarbons before analysis, a 3-liter sample 
of gas, and more than 50 minutes for execution. 
The solution: 
A new technique uses a special analytical column 
having in series two separate absorption sections
charged with beads of porous polymer, and a 10-cm3 
sample of gas (Fgure 1); the operation takes only 15 
minutes. 
How it's done: 
Each of the analytical and reference columns is a 
4-foot stainless-steel tube, 0.25 inch in diameter, 
packed with 3 g of one type of activated beads plus 
4 g of another type; both materials are 100/200-mesh 
absorbent beads of porous polymer. This series appli-
cation of these materials enables a column to separate 
(continued overleaf) 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National	 Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States	 information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States	 will be free from privately owned rights.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19690000629 2020-03-16T18:31:44+00:00Z
C21­14
- 0.97 ppm 
_-C2H6- 0.97 ppm 
C21­12- 0.96 ppm 
CHR - .0.97 ppm 
Column Temp.- 50 0C Isothermal 
Sample Size - 10 cc. 
_Chart Speed - 0.2 in. /min. 
Attenuation - X16 
I	 I	 I	 I	 I
2H6 
2H4 
Figure 2. Elution Recording 
specific hydrocarbons from oxygen or air. Use of 
these columns in conjunction with a gas chromato-
graph equipped with a dual hydrogen flame ioniza-
tion detector makes possible direct analysis of oxygen 
or air containing specific hydrocarbons in the range 
of 20 parts per billion. 
With the sample cylinder connected to the sample 
line of the instrument, 'the sample loop of the gas-
sampling valve is purged through a flowmeter. The 
needle valve is closed, and the gas-sampling valve is 
quickly rotated for injection of a 10-cm 3
 sample into 
the carrier-gas stream. 
The elution of contaminants is then observed in the 
following order: ethylene, ethane, acetylene, propane, 
higher hydrocarbons (Figure 2). The degree of con-
tamination, in parts per million, is the product of the 
factor, peak height, and attenuation. The factor is 
parts per million in the standard gas, divided by the 
product of peak height and attenuation.
The new technique may interest chemists; it is 
applicable in process control, production of high-
purity gases, and investigation of air-pollution. 
Note: 
No additional documentation is available. Specific 
questions, however, may be directed to: 
Technology Utilization Officer 
Kennedy Space Center 
Kennedy Space Center, Florida 32899 
Reference: B69-10716 
Patent status: 
No patent action is contemplated by NASA. 
Source: E. W. Fickey and H. E. Mullins of 
The Bendix Corporation 
under contract to 
Kennedy Space Center 
(KSC- 10388)
E 
Brief 69-10716
	 Category 02


Chromatographic detection and analysis of traces of hydrocarbons

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