Quality assurance of petrol by high-performance size-exclusion chromatography
Abstract
A simple and rapid size-exclusion chromatographic method for the determination of either kerosine or diesel adulteration of petrol has been developed, based on the differences found in the average relative molecular masses of hydrocarbons present in petrol, kerosine and diesel. It is effective for detecting either kerosine or diesel adulteration of petrol down to a level of 1%. The method is ideal for serving as an ‘in-field method’ of analysis for monitoring the quality of petrol by using a portable gel-permeation chromatograph at delivery stations.