the minispec mq-one Hydrogen Analyzer
Quality Control on Fuels according to ASTM
the minispec mq-one Hydrogen Analyzer offers the unique solution for Quality Control on jet fuels and diesel. The mq-one provides a precise mesure of the hydrogen content and as such follows the offical ASTM method D 7171.
The ASTM D7171 describes the total hydrogen content determinations in hydrocarbons e.g. aviation fuel, distillates, gas oils and residua. In a nutshell, the higher the hydrogen content, the higher the fuel quality.
Control of Hydrogen Content is important
Refining includes steps like fractionation, cracking, and hydrogenation. Thus, the Percent Hydrogen content of the hydrocarbones will change during the process. A major cost issue in refining is the hydrogen consumption. Percent Hydrogen content determination is used as an important indicator of refining progress. Hydrogen content at the endpoint can also be a specification that needs to be met in particularly for jet fuel.
The minispec mq-one NMR method meets all demands of accuracy, precision, and speed. Operation of the rugged and service friendly minispec mq-one is as easy as winking.
minispec Pulsed NMR compared to CW NMR methods
Hydrogen content determination is also specified in ASTM methods D 3701-87 and D 4808-88. Since 2005 these methods have been replaced by ASTM D 7171, a simpler and more accurate pulsed NMR method.
Although the elder methods require a CW NMR method to be utilized, pulsed NMR has been shown to be superior in performance and has completly superseded CW NMR. The minispec mq-one utilized state-of-the-art pulsed NMR.
Reasons for replacing CW with the minispec mq-one:
- the mq-one provides a faster, more sensitive, more accurate analysis
- the mq-one is modern, readily available, and well-supported
- the NMR method is open for additional applications, e.g., discriminate between wax and liquid fractions
Calibration: Easy, Fast and Unique
Calibration of the minispec for percent Hydrogen is usually accomplished with reference samples. Reference samples may be either production samples with percent Hydrogen values known from a reference method (e.g. mass spectrometry) or pure hydrocarbons. If pure hydrocarbons are used, the Hydrogen content is calculated according to the molecular formula.
Creating the calibration line is simple; only a few reference samples (e.g. 3 - 7) per calibration line are required. The minispec signal is strictly linear with a higher precent hydrogen content.