Practical method for the measurement of Alkyl mercaptans in natural gas by multi-dimensional gas chromatography, capillary flow technology, and flame ionization detection

Volatile sulfur compounds such as alkylmercaptans are undesired impurities in natural gas streams. As a result, natural gas treatment and purification services are essential in many industries that utilize natural gas either as a fuel or in a chemical process. While there are many analytical methods that can be employed for the measurement of mercaptans, a simple, practical, and easy-to-implement method is required for remote field deployment. An analytical method, based on multi-dimensional gas chromatography (MDGC), capillary flow technology and flame ionization has been successfully developed for the application described. Results based on the technique showed alkylmercaptans can be accurately measured with a minimum detection limit of 200 ppb (v/v) or better, a linear range of up to 100 ppm (v/v), and a relative standard deviation (n = 10) of 1.2% or less were obtained by manual injection with a total sample-to-sample analysis time of less than 15 min.