Multi-dimensional gas chromatographic separation of C7 hydrocarbons

Interest in the origins and utilization of the C7 hydrocarbons (Mango, 1987; ten Haven, 1996) has led us to develop a multi-dimensional gas chromatographic method. The procedure offers baseline resolution of all petroleum C7 hydrocarbon isomers with no co-elution from potentially interfering C6 or C8 hydrocarbons. Sample preparation is minimal, commercial capillary columns are used, and the analysis is easily automated and robust. The method provides fast, reliable, and highly accurate quantitative results that are applicable to many geochemical problems in petroleum exploration and production. Optimized conditions and means of data processing for the separation of the C7 hydrocarbons on a single column gas chromatographic system is presented as a compromise where a multi-dimensional system is unavailable. Application of the C7 data to the investigation of the 2,4-DMP/2,3-DMP maturity parameter is presented.