gasoline analysis

{Gasoline Analysis

By: Travis Slaysman and Drew Landerman

Urushiol extraction

Gasoline Comparison

Octane Rating

Brainstorming

Sample Acquisition

Standard Creation

Sample Dilution

Methodology

Standard Running

Sample Running

Experimentation

Spectrum Development

Peak Determination

Data

Standard Formula Boiling PointCyclohexane C6H12 80.7°CHeptane C7H16 98.4°COctane C8H18 125°CNonane C9H20 151°CDecane C10H22 174.1°CBenzene C6H6 80.1°CEthanol C2H6O 78.4°CToluene C7H8 110.6°C

Peak Comparison

Mass Spec. Utilization

Sample Spectrum Comparison

Analysis

Octane Rating is based on comparison with the burning characteristics of a mixture of n-heptane and 2,2,4-trimethylpentane (isooctane).

Gasoline that isn’t formulated properly can lead to engine knocking and increase the incidence of incomplete combustion, resulting in increased carbon monoxide production.

Octane Rating Formulation

Decane in Cyclohexane

Cyclohexane

Octane in Cyclohexane

Toluene in Cyclohexane

Retention Times

Hydrocarbon Retention Time (min)Hexane 2.561Heptane 1.916Octane 2.35Nonane 4.212Decane 5.275

Benzene 4.113Toluene 2.609

Cyclohexane 1.8291,2,4-Trimethyl benzene ~4.82

1,2,3,5-tetramethyl benzene ~5.79o-xylene & p-xylene ~5.2

Volatile organic sample evaporation

Purity of the reagents we used

Mass Spec Utilization

Sources of Error

As the octane rating went up, the alkane concentrations became smaller, as we expected.

Toluene, Benzene and related compounds became more concentrated as octane rating went up.

Cyclohexane was also increasing in concentration as the octane rating went up.

Royal Farms seemed to have cleaner chromatograms than Wawa did, this could be due to possible detergents and other additives put in the gasoline.

Conclusions