Gas Chromatography: Troubleshooting in the Oil & Gas Industry

Introduction:

Since the 1970s, Gas Chromatography (GC) has become essential across all sectors of the petroleum industry, from crude oil exploration and refining to the development of new petrochemicals. As the most widely used analytical method in chemistry, gas chromatography excels in resolving compound mixtures based on differences in physical properties such as boiling point and polarity.

The Gas Chromatography Troubleshooting in the Oil and Gas Industry course is designed to equip participants with the skills to analyze gas VOCs and complex liquid organic samples, such as crude oil and its products. GC enables precise identification and quantification of molecular species in these samples.

This course provides a comprehensive overview of gas chromatography principles, covering operation, performance, and troubleshooting, from sample introduction to data analysis. It includes an in-depth examination of GC instrument components, theoretical principles, method optimization, and troubleshooting strategies.

Specially tailored for practical gas chromatographic analysis of diverse and complex petroleum samples, the course covers various GC methods and focuses on system configuration and method conditions.

Objectives:

By the end of this course, participants will:

• Understand the fundamental theoretical aspects of gas chromatography.
• Convey practical information about the capabilities and limitations of gas chromatography.
• Gain confidence in:
  • Using GC analysis techniques.
  • Troubleshooting GC issues.
  • Evaluating analytical results.

Training Methodology:

• Lectures with audience participation
• Worked examples
• Expanded discussions
• Real-time troubleshooting
• Workshops on data collection and analysis

Course Outline:

Unit 1: Introduction to Chromatography

• Introduction to gas chromatography
• Gas chromatography theory
• Column building stages
• Retention factors
• Molecular interactions and chromatographic selectivity
• Concentration of stationary phase and GC efficiency
• Chromatography terminology

Unit 2: Injection Ports

• Gas supply and handling
• Variations in GC inlet selection
• Capillary vs. packed columns
• Direct capillary injections
• Split/splitless injections
• Programmed Temperature Vaporizer (PTV) inlets
• Cool on-column injections
• Sample introduction and injection ports
• Anatomy of autosamplers

Unit 3: Gas Chromatography (GC) Columns

• Column selection
• Packed columns vs. capillary columns
• Impact of columns on GC efficiency
• Peak dispersion in chromatographic columns
• Column maintenance and troubleshooting
• GC oven operations
• Isothermal vs. temperature programming

Unit 4: GC Detectors

• Selection of GC detectors
• Detector functions in GC
• Influence of detectors on GC
• Detector maintenance and problem-solving
• Chromatographic applications
• Method development
• Instrument preparation and operation

Unit 5: GC Data Acquisition and Processing

• Types of sampling
• Data acquisition and processing systems
• Validation and handling of data
• Troubleshooting gas chromatography
• Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS)
• Basics of ISO 17025 accreditation
• Laboratory management and troubleshooting