The Polyarc® System Enhances Sample Analysis and Data Quantification
BYPRODUCT QUANTIFICATIONIntroduction
Extensive analytical capabilities are essential in the fields of reaction engineering and catalysis. The process of setting up the chemical reaction alone can be challenging, and it is further complicated by the need to collect numerous samples for catalyst performance and reaction kinetics analysis. Experimental parameters such as space velocity, pressure, and temperature are altered to observe the impact on conversion and efficiency. As a result, a significant number of samples require analysis. Depending on the purity of the reactants and the complexity of the reactions, chromatograms can contain over 100 peaks.
Fortunately, there exists a powerful tool that can overcome these limitations and revolutionize the capabilities of your laboratory — the Polyarc System. In this post, we will delve into how the Polyarc System enhances your analysis of the reaction mass balance and quantification of byproducts.
Traditional Method Limitations
Before we explore the advantages of the Polyarc System, it is important to acknowledge the limitations associated with traditional approaches and methods. A flame ionization detector (FID) requires calibration for compound-specific response factors given variable ionization of different functional groups. This calibration process is time-consuming and can be susceptible to errors. Furthermore, it relies on expensive or sometimes unavailable standards, which can hinder productivity and flexibility in the laboratory. These limitations are particularly significant when working with novel reaction engineering, as intermediate reactants and byproducts may be absent from standard references. Even well-known compounds like crotonaldehyde may lack affordable pure standards due to the presence of isomers.
The Polyarc® System – How it Works
The Polyarc System elevates sample analysis to new heights by efficiently converting analytes into the equivalent moles of methane with a remarkable 99.9% efficiency. This groundbreaking methodology normalizes the response factor per carbon, streamlining the quantification process. With the Polyarc System, you gain the ability to accurately quantify each compound using a single internal or external standard. By possessing knowledge of the molecular formula for each compound, achieving precise quantitation becomes effortless. Furthermore, even in the absence of compound identification, the FID peak area directly corresponds to the carbon content of the sample allowing for complete carbon mass balance closure.
Benefits of Using the Polyarc® System in Sample Analysis
The Polyarc System revolutionizes sample analysis and data quantification processes, offering numerous benefits that significantly enhance these procedures.
First and foremost, the system enables rapid analysis, leading to accelerated test results. By eliminating the need for extensive compound-specific calibration, scientists and engineers can focus their efforts on research rather than time-consuming calibration procedures.
One of the standout advantages of the Polyarc System is its ability to overcome the challenges posed by expensive or unavailable standards. Through standardizing the response factors per carbon, the system reduces reliance on costly standards, making sample analysis more accessible and cost-effective. This empowers researchers to explore a wider range of compounds without limitations.
The system also addresses the sensitivity issues associated with oxygenates and highly functionalized hydrocarbons. By converting these compounds to methane, the Polyarc System significantly increases sensitivity. This improvement is particularly crucial when using an FID for the analysis of light oxygenated compounds, as it prevents underestimation of their concentrations. Researchers at NREL reported a remarkable improvement in mass balance closure, going from 88% to near 100% when utilizing the Polyarc System, leading to more accurate process design estimates.
Furthermore, the Polyarc System facilitates on-the-fly carbon mass balance closure, where area percentage corresponds to carbon percentage. This enables researchers to quickly determine the purity of target compounds and quantify impurity concentrations with ease. The system’s capability to determine unknown carbon concentrations and estimate mass concentrations from C:heteroatom ratios further streamlines the analysis process. This integration of features can potentially lead to the development of automated catalyst screening tools.
Implementing the Polyarc® System in Your Lab
To incorporate the Polyarc System into your laboratory, you will require a gas chromatograph (GC) equipped with a flame ionization detector (FID) and a compatible inlet option, such as split/splitless, on-column, or programmed temperature vaporizer (PTV). Proper handling of samples is crucial to prevent vapor-liquid equilibrium fractionation, making headspace sampling unsuitable in this case. Inlet discrimination from partial preferential vaporization of the sample becomes the main source of variability in the analysis. Calibrations may be required if the sample matrix is too complex to prevent inlet discrimination. Integrating the Polyarc System into your current workflow is a seamless process. The advantages it offers will profoundly enhance your lab’s efficiency and productivity.
Real-World Applications of the Polyarc® System
To illustrate the practical applications and benefits of the Polyarc System, let’s explore two notable outcomes from research papers and studies that employed this system.
In a study on glucose valorization, the utilization of the Polyarc System enabled precise measurement of carbon distribution within reaction products. This capability provided valuable insights into the hybrid mechanism involved in glucose valorization.
Another study focused on evaluating catalysts for the ketonization of volatile fatty acids derived from wet waste. The Polyarc System played a crucial role in accurately quantifying and tracking cross-ketonization yields, contributing to a comprehensive assessment of the catalysts’ performance.
Conclusion
Experience a revolutionary transformation in sample analysis and data quantification with the groundbreaking Polyarc System. This innovative tool empowers your laboratory by introducing a unique methodology that converts carbon in compounds to methane and standardizes response factors per carbon, unlocking a multitude of benefits.
With the Polyarc System, you can expect accelerated analysis, saving valuable time and resources previously spent on extensive calibration procedures. The system’s ability to enhance sensitivity opens new avenues for detecting and quantifying compounds, overcoming the limitations posed by expensive or unavailable standards.
By incorporating the Polyarc System into your lab’s workflow, you gain the ability to achieve carbon mass balance closure on-the-fly, leading to a comprehensive understanding of reaction byproducts. Rapid determination of compound purity and impurity concentrations enables informed decision-making in your processes.
Real-world applications and testimonials from satisfied users underscore the profound impact the Polyarc System can have on your research. Join the ranks of those who have experienced the transformative capabilities of the Polyarc System and elevate your laboratory’s potential to new heights.
To discuss the Polyarc System and learn how it can help generate the results you are after – schedule a call with Connor Beach, Technical Sales Engineer. He can provide additional information, answer your questions, and guide you in integrating the Polyarc System into your lab:
