Analysis of catalytic oxidation product mixture using gas chromatography method and controlled evaporation mixer

The goal of this master's thesis was to develop a method for gas chromatography using the Controlled Evaporation Mixer (CEM) for gas mixture sampling. Gas mixture contained chemical substances formed during manufacturing of acrylic acid by two-step oxidation of propylene. The analyzed mixture composed of permanent gases, light hydrocarbons and compounds containing oxygen. During the method development several capillary columns with polar and nonpolar stationary phase were used. After selection of the most suitable column (SPB-1 Sulfur, Supelco, USA) the method was further optimized for the maximal possible separation efficiency. However, it was impossible to separate propane and propene on SPB-1 Sulfur column. These gases were possible to determine on TCD detector and separate on respective columns prior to the detector. For that purpose, the optimization of multiple-port valves switching inside the gas chromatograph was performed. The next step was calibration of gas chromatograph for a purpose of quantitative analysis of selected substances. The calibration solution containing solvent and an analyte was evaporated and diluted with nitrogen by CEM to obtain desired analyte concentration. Formaldehyde and propane had a very low response on detectors, acetaldehyde was undetectable in desired..