Determination of kerosene as an adulterant in diesel through chromatography and high-resolution mass spectrometry

Abstract

In India, adulteration of petroleum-based automotive fuels is a serious concern which has attracted the attention of media and regulators from time to time. Monitoring adulteration of automotive fuels is often challenging due to the similarity in the properties of adulterants with that of the fuel (gasoline or diesel). The present study investigates a typically prevalent case of Euro IV diesel fuel adulteration with low-value subsidized kerosene. Diesel samples contaminated with kerosene were analyzed for density, viscosity, atmospheric distillation, aniline point, total sulfur and cetane index to generate an initial assessment of the adulteration. In view of the inadequacy of these methods in identifying the diesel adulteration even with up to 40% kerosene, chromatographic [gas chromatography (GC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)] and high-resolution mass spectrometric (HRMS) analysis were carried out to detect the fingerprint regions in samples. Total sulphur, aniline point and atmospheric distillation (recovery at 250 °C) gives primary evidence for determining the presence of kerosene (adulterant) in diesel fuel. There was a considerable increase in the n-C 10 to n-C 12 and decrease in n-C 15 to n-C 20 hydrocarbons in the adulterated samples through GC. Similarly, the HRMS measurements showed a significant increase of alkylbenzenes concentration in the adulterated samples. A good correlation was observed between HPLC and HRMS results of saturates, mono, di, tri+-aromatics in adulterated diesel samples. The Student's t test showed an excellent correlation between the values of different hydrocarbon groups in all the samples obtained with HPLC and HRMS analysis.

Rapid and Onsite Detection of Fuel Adulteration

“…To put this into context, diesel adulteration is typically as high as 35−50% kerosene. 7,8 In a similar manner, this strategy can be extended to other liquid systems for developing inexpensive and field-deployable devices that can rapidly detect compositional changes. Furthermore, we investigated the durability (i.e., retention of slipperiness) of OTS-modified surfaces by measuring sliding angles of 20 μL of water and diesel droplets on OTS-modified glass slides after exposing the surfaces to sunlight for 1 day, to steam (at 100 °C and 1 atm) for 1 day, and sliding thousands of water and diesel droplets past the surface (see Supporting Information, Section S7).…”

“…Thus, leveraging our knowledge of diesel–kerosene blend droplet mobility on OTS-modified glass slides, we can easily detect and approximately estimate diesel adulteration even at kerosene concentrations as low as 5%. To put this into context, diesel adulteration is typically as high as 35–50% kerosene. , In a similar manner, this strategy can be extended to other liquid systems for developing inexpensive and field-deployable devices that can rapidly detect compositional changes.…”

“…Numerous developing countries in Asia (e.g., India) and Africa (e.g., Nigeria) offer subsidized liquid fuels such as kerosene to support lighting and cooking needs of the rural poor. − The low cost of kerosene compared to market-rate fuels often results in fuel adulteration, i.e., the unauthorized addition of foreign substance into fuel. For example, about 40% of the kerosene sold in India frequently gets blended with gasoline and diesel. − Such fuel adulteration can be as high as 35–50%, and it significantly alters the desired properties of the fuel and leads to substantial economic and environmental concerns. ,− Thus far, onsite (e.g., at fuel dispensing stations) detection of fuel adulteration with kerosene has been difficult to quantify because the existing technologies for detecting fuel adulteration (e.g., gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, microcontroller sensor, long period fiber grating, hydrometer, etc.) are either time consuming, expensive, not sensitive enough or require well-equipped analytical laboratories. ,− So, there is a critical need for inexpensive and easy-to-use devices for rapid and onsite detection of fuel adulteration, especially in developing economies, where fuel quality is a major concern.…”

Process for Producing High-Value Aromatics from Light Cycle Oil Using a Solvent Extraction Method

“…The hydrocarbon composition was determined using an MSI, auto-concept, magnetic-type, high-resolution mass-spectrometer-based HC22 method (details provided in ref ). The spectrometer was equipped with an all-glass heated inlet system (AGHIS) .…”

Photonic Crystal Fiber Sensors, Literature Review, Challenges, and Some Novel Trends

“…Kerosene is a difficult substance to start a fire. As a result, kerosene-mixed diesel and petrol not only impair engine performance but also cause high emissions of carbons, nitrogen monoxide, and carbon monoxide, along with other items [27][28][29].…”