In-depth multi-component analysis of bio-aviation fuel derived from waste cooking oil using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography mass spectrometry

Abstract

The characterization of bio-aviation fuel composition is paramount for assessing biomass conversion processes and its suitability to meet international standards. Compared with one-dimensional gas chromatography mass spectrometry (1DGC-MS), comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC × GC-MS) emerges as a promising analytical approach for bio-aviation fuel, offering enhanced separation, resolution, selectivity, and sensitivity. This study addresses the qualitative and quantitative analysis methods for both bulk components and trace fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) in bio-aviation fuel obtained by hydrogenation at 400 °C with Ni-Mo/γ-Al₂O₃&Meso-SAPO-11 as catalyst using GC × GC-MS. In bulk composition analysis, C₁₂ concentration was highest at 25.597%. Based on GC × GC-MS analysis platform, the quality control method of FAME in bio-aviation fuel was established. At the split ratio of 10:1, limits of detections of six FAMEs were 0.011–0.027 mg·kg^–1, and limits of quantifications were 0.036–0.090 mg·kg^–1, and the GC × GC-MS research platform had the ability to detect FAME from 2 to 5 mg·kg^–1. The results showed that this bio-aviation fuel did not contain FAME.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

bio-aviation fuel / fatty acid methyl ester / GC × GC-MS / quantity

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Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Key R&D Program of China (Grant No. 2021YFC2103705).

Electronic Supplementary Material

Supplementary material is available in the online version of this article at https://doi.org/10.1007/s11705-024-2494-1 and is accessible for authorized users.

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