Analysis of Fischer-Tropsch by-product waters by gas chromatography

This paper describes a quantitative technique for the determination of organic constituents in Fischer-Tropsch by-product waters. Temperature-programmed gas chromatography on derivatized bonded polar capillary columns provides the required separation that permits reliable quantitation of individual compounds. A preliminary combined gas chromatographic–mass spectrometric survey to identify the components present in Fischer-Tropsch by-product waters is presented. The elution order of 58 identified components is tabulated. Components identified in a typical Fischer-Tropsch by-product water include C₁–C₉ linear and branched alcohols, C₃C₈ ketones, C₂C₆ carboxylic acids, and C₂C₄ linear aldehydes.