Rapid Analysis and Time Interval Deconvolution for Comprehensive Fuel Compound Group Classification and Speciation Using Gas Chromatography–Vacuum Ultraviolet Spectroscopy

A time interval deconvolution (TID) method was devised to integrate a gas chromatography–vacuum ultraviolet (GC-VUV) data set in order to provide bulk characterization and speciation of finished gasoline samples. The method was demonstrated using a commercially available standard and tested on a series of ASTM gasoline proficiency samples. Very good correlation (R2 ∼ 0.97–0.99) between GC-VUV and measurements using various ASTM methods was achieved. A key advantage of the TID method applied to GC-VUV data sets is that a large number of coelution events can be tolerated, resulting in significantly easier and faster separations, approximately 30 min in the case of gasoline. Methods for determining relative response factors, VUV reference libraries, and generalization to other types of complex samples are also discussed.