Patent ID: 8434349
Filing Date: 2013-05-07
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A method of analysing the hydrocarbon compounds in a bituminous material by means of comprehensive multi-dimensional gas chromatography, wherein the method comprises the steps of; a) deasphalting a sample of the bituminous material, thereby providing a deasphalted sample; b) adding a solvent to the deasphalted sample, thereby providing a dissolved sample; c) using a programmed temperature vaporiser to inject the dissolved sample into a first capillary column, wherein the first capillary column comprises a non-polar stationary phase, thereby providing a first separated stream that emerges from the first capillary column; d) subjecting the first separated stream to a thermal modulation, thereby providing a thermally modulated stream; e) supplying the thermally modulated stream to a second column comprising a polar stationary phase, thereby providing a second separated stream that emerges from the second capillary column; and f) analysing the components in the second separated stream.