ASTM D3606-07

This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
An American National Standard
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Designation:D3606–06 Designation: D 3606 – 07
Standard Test Method for
Determination of Benzene and Toluene in Finished Motor
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and Aviation Gasoline by Gas Chromatography
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 3606; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
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e NOTE—Updated 1.4 editorially in November 2006.
1. Scope*
1.1 This test method covers the determination of benzene and toluene in finished motor and aviation gasolines by gas
chromatography.
1.2 Benzene can be determined between the levels of 0.1 and 5 volume % and toluene can be determined between the levels
of 2 and 20 volume %.
1.3 The precision for this test method was determined using conventional gasoline as well as gasolines containing oxygenates
(ethers such as methyl tert-butyl ether, ethyl tert-butyl ether and tert-amyl methyl ether).
1.4Methanol may cause interference.
1.4 Methanol may cause interference. Appendix X1 provides an option for modifying the test method for analyzing samples
containing ethanol.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
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2.1 ASTM Standards:
D 4057 Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and Petroleum Products
E 694 Specification for Laboratory Glass Volumetric Apparatus
E 969 Specification for Glass Volumetric (Transfer) Pipets
E 1044 Specification for Glass Serological Pipets (General Purpose and Kahn)
E 1293 Specification for Glass Measuring Pipets
3. Summary of Test Method
3.1 An internal standard, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), is added to the sample which is then introduced into a gas chromatograph
equipped with two columns connected in series. The sample passes first through a column packed with a nonpolar phase such as
dimethylpolysiloxane (8.1.1) which separates the components according to boiling point.After octane has eluted, the flow through
the nonpolar column is reversed, flushing out the components heavier than octane. The octane and lighter components then pass
throughacolumnpackedwithahighlypolarphasesuchas1,2,3-tris(2-cyanoethoxy)propane(8.1.2)whichseparatesthearomatic
and nonaromatic compounds. The eluted components are detected by a thermal conductivity detector. The detector response is
recorded, the peak areas are measured, and the concentration of each component is calculated with reference to the internal
standard.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 Benzene is classed as a toxic material.Aknowledge of the concentration of this compound can be an aid in evaluating the
possible health hazard to persons handling and using the gasoline. This test method is not intended to evaluate such hazards.
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This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum Products and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D02.04.0L
on Gas Chromatography Methods.
Current edition approved May 1, 2006. Published June 2006. Originally approved in 1977. Last previous edition approved in 2004 as D3606–04a.
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Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2007. Published January 2008. Originally approved in 1977. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as D 3606–06 .
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For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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D3606–07
5. Apparatus
5.1 Chromatograph—Any chromatographic instrument that has a backflush system and thermal conductivity detector, and that
can be operated at the conditions given inTable 1, can be employed.Two backflush systems are shown. Fig. 1 is a pressure system
and Fig. 2 is a switching valve system. Either one can be used.
5.2 Columns:
1
5
...