ASTM D7796-17

Standard Test Method for Analysis of Ethyl tert-Butyl Ether (ETBE) by Gas Chromatography

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The presence of impurities in ETBE product can have a deleterious effect upon the value of ETBE as a fuel additive. Oxygenate and olefin contents are of primary concern. This test method provides a knowledge of the composition of ETBE product. This is useful in the evaluation of process operations control, in the valuation of the product, and for regulatory purposes.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the purity of ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE) by gas chromatography. It also provides a procedure to measure impurities in ETBE such as C4 to C12 olefins, methyl, isopropyl and tert-butyl alcohols, methyl sec-butyl and methyl tert-amyl ethers, acetone, and methyl ethyl ketone.  
1.2 This test method is not applicable to the determination of ETBE in gasoline.  
1.3 Water cannot be determined by this test method and shall be measured by a procedure such as Test Method D6304 and the result used to normalize the chromatographic values.  
1.4 Most of the impurities in ETBE are resolved by the test method, however, some co-elution is encountered.  
1.5 This test method is inappropriate for impurities that boil at temperatures higher than 180 °C or for impurities that cause poor or no response in a flame ionization detector, such as water.  
1.6 The values stated in SI units of measurement are preferred and used throughout the standard. Alternate units, in common usage, are also provided to improve clarity and aid the user of this test method.  
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.8 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Sep-2017
• ICS: 71.080.60 - Alcohols. Ethers
• ICS: 75.160.20 - Liquid fuels
• Technical Committee: D02 - Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants
• Drafting Committee: D02.04.0L - Gas Chromatography Methods

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D7796 − 17
Standard Test Method for
Analysis of Ethyl tert-Butyl Ether (ETBE) by Gas
1
Chromatography
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7796; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* 2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the purity
ofethyl tert-butylether(ETBE)bygaschromatography.Italso D3700 Practice for Obtaining LPG Samples Using a Float-
ing Piston Cylinder
provides a procedure to measure impurities in ETBE such as
C to C olefins, methyl, isopropyl and tert-butyl alcohols, D4057 Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and
4 12
Petroleum Products
methyl sec-butyl and methyl tert-amyl ethers, acetone, and
methyl ethyl ketone. D4307 Practice for Preparation of Liquid Blends for Use as
Analytical Standards
1.2 This test method is not applicable to the determination
D4626 Practice for Calculation of Gas Chromatographic
of ETBE in gasoline.
Response Factors
1.3 Water cannot be determined by this test method and
D6304 Test Method for Determination of Water in Petro-
shall be measured by a procedure such as Test Method D6304
leum Products, Lubricating Oils, and Additives by Cou-
and the result used to normalize the chromatographic values.
lometric Karl Fischer Titration
D7618 Specification for Ethyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether (ETBE)
1.4 Most of the impurities in ETBE are resolved by the test
for Blending with Aviation Spark-Ignition Engine Fuel
method, however, some co-elution is encountered.
E355 Practice for Gas Chromatography Terms and Relation-
1.5 This test method is inappropriate for impurities that boil
ships
at temperatures higher than 180 °C or for impurities that cause
E594 Practice for Testing Flame Ionization Detectors Used
poor or no response in a flame ionization detector, such as
in Gas or Supercritical Fluid Chromatography
water.
3. Terminology
1.6 The values stated in SI units of measurement are
preferred and used throughout the standard. Alternate units, in
3.1 Definitions—This test method makes reference to many
commonusage,arealsoprovidedtoimproveclarityandaidthe
common gas chromatographic procedures, terms, and relation-
user of this test method.
ships. Detailed definitions of these can be found in Practices
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the E355 and E594.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.2.1 C to C olefins, n—common olefin impurities in
4 12
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
ETBE including unreacted feedstock and dimers or trimers of
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
feed such as trimethylpentene or pentamethylheptene.
1.8 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
4. Summary of Test Method
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
4.1 Arepresentative aliquot of the ETBE product sample is
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
introduced into a gas chromatograph equipped with a methyl
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
silicon bonded phase fused silica open tubular column. Helium
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
carrier gas transports the vaporized aliquot through the column
where the components are separated by the chromatographic
process. Components are sensed by a flame ionization detector
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on
as they elute from the column.
Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D02.04.0L on Gas Chromatography Methods.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2017. Published November 2017. Originally
2
approved in 2012. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as D7796 – 12. DOI: For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
10.1520/D7796-17. contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail].
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D7796 − 17
4.2 The detector signal is processed by an electronic data and electronics, designed for optimum response with open
acquisition system or integrating computer. Each eluting com- tubular columns, is required.
ponent is identified by comparing its retention time to those
7.2 Sample
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D7796 − 12 D7796 − 17 An American National Standard
Standard Test Method for
Analysis of Ethyl tert-Butyl Ether (ETBE) by Gas
1
Chromatography
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7796; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope Scope*
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the purity of ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE) by gas chromatography. It also
provides a procedure to measure impurities in ETBE such as C to C olefins, methyl, isopropyl and tert-butyl alcohols, methyl
4 12
sec-butyl and methyl tert-amyl ethers, acetone, and methyl ethyl ketone.
1.2 This test method is not applicable to the determination of ETBE in gasoline.
1.3 Water cannot be determined by this test method and shall be measured by a procedure such as Test Method D6304 and the
result used to normalize the chromatographic values.
1.4 Most of the impurities in ETBE are resolved by the test method, however, some co-elution is encountered.
1.5 This test method is inappropriate for impurities that boil at temperatures higher than 180 °C or for impurities that cause poor
or no response in a flame ionization detector, such as water.
1.6 The values stated in SI units of measurement are preferred and used throughout the standard. Alternate units, in common
usage, are also provided to improve clarity and aid the user of this test methods.method.
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.8 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D3700 Practice for Obtaining LPG Samples Using a Floating Piston Cylinder
D4057 Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and Petroleum Products
D4307 Practice for Preparation of Liquid Blends for Use as Analytical Standards
D4626 Practice for Calculation of Gas Chromatographic Response Factors
D6304 Test Method for Determination of Water in Petroleum Products, Lubricating Oils, and Additives by Coulometric Karl
Fischer Titration
D7618 Specification for Ethyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether (ETBE) for Blending with Aviation Spark-Ignition Engine Fuel
E355 Practice for Gas Chromatography Terms and Relationships
E594 Practice for Testing Flame Ionization Detectors Used in Gas or Supercritical Fluid Chromatography
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—This test method makes reference to many common gas chromatographic procedures, terms, and relationships.
Detailed definitions of these can be found in Practices E355 and E594.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
D02.04.0L on Gas Chromatography Methods.
Current edition approved May 15, 2012Oct. 1, 2017. Published November 2012November 2017. Originally approved in 2012. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as
D7796 – 12. DOI: 10.1520/D7796-12.10.1520/D7796-17.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail].
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D7796 − 17
3.2.1 C to C olefins, n—common olefin impurities in ETBE including unreacted feedstock and dimers or trimers of feed such
4 12
as trimethylpentene or pentamethylheptene.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 A representative aliquot of the ETBE product sample is introduced into a gas chromatograph equipped with a methyl silicon
bonded phase fused silica open tubular column. Helium carrier gas transports the vaporized aliquot through the column where the
components are separated by the
...