Gasoline RFG analysis by a spectrometer

US6140647A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Marathon Ashland Petroleum LLC · US

Inventors

• William T. Welch · Ashland, US
• Roy Roger Bledsoe, Jr. · Huntington, US
• Brian K. Wilt · Findlay, US
• Michael B. Sumner · Huntington, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 19, 1997
• Grant date: Oct 31, 2000
• Expiry date: Dec 19, 2017

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N21/359
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Reformulated gasoline (RFG) testing recently required by EPA involves measuring sulfur, olefin, aromatic contents, Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP), and benzene, distillation properties, plus total air pollutants (TAPs), volatile organic carbon (VOC), and nitrogen oxides (NOx). Measuring driveability, although not required, is desirable. All of these tests can be conducted by spectrometer, preferably in the IR range, more preferably in the NIR range, and most preferably by a single instrument operating at high-correlation wavelengths. Importantly, VOC, TAP, NOx, and RVP may be correlated to IR absorbance at certain bands. Statistical methods including PLS, MLR, PCR, and neural networks can be used and derivatives of first, particularly second, or other orders can be used. Results can be displayed on a single screen.