ASTM UOP 539 : 2012

Describes the composition of refinery gas samples or expanded liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) samples obtained from refining processes or natural sources.

This method is for determining the composition of refinery gas streams or vaporized liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) using a preconfigured, commercially available gas chromatograph. At a minimum, the following components are reported: non-condensable gases, individual C₁ through C₄ hydrocarbons and C₅ paraffins. C₅ olefins and C₆₊ hydrocarbons are reported as a composite. Some configurations of the analyzer will separate the C₅ olefins and certain C₆₊ hydrocarbons. Oxygen is not separated from argon. Results for hydrogen sulfide, if present, may not be quantitative on some analyzers. The lower limit of quantitation for each component or composite is 0.05 mol-%. If the measurement of lower concentrations of hydrocarbons are needed, use UOP Method 899, “Trace Hydrocarbons in Hydrogen, Hydrocarbon Gases, or LPG by GC.” LPG samples may be analyzed by UOP Method 373, “Composition of C₂ through C₅ Hydrocarbon Mixtures by GC,” or UOP Method 980, “C₅ and Lower Boiling Dienes, Olefins, and Paraffins in Naphthas by GC.” Alternatively, LPG samples may be expanded to the gas phase and run by this method.