DVLS PIONA ANALYZER

The ASTM D8071 PIONA  Analyzer measures the bulk concentrations of hydrocarbon classes—including paraffins, isoparaffins, olefins, naphthenes, and aromatics (PIONA)—while identifying individual hydrocarbons up to C6, as well as oxygenates and BTEX compounds.

The analysis is performed in just 34 minutes using a GC equipped with a VUV detector and a single 30-meter column.

The ASTM D8071 PIONA Analyzer provides a more comprehensive and efficient solution than individual ASTM referee methods.

• • Single injection
  • No traps
  • No pre-column tuning required
  • Single 30m column
  • 34-minute total analysis time
  • No special setup requirements
  • No calibration requirements
  • Customizable individual compound speciation including BTEX aromatics
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The VUV PIONA Analyzer is ideal for analyzing finished gasoline, reformate, reformer feed, FCC, light naphtha, and heavy naphtha samples. It uses the VUV Analyze™ software to automate compositional analysis. The software determines the bulk concentrations of hydrocarbon classes—paraffins, isoparaffins, olefins, naphthenes, and aromatics (PIONA). Additionally, specific analytes, such as oxygenates or BTEX-related aromatics, can be singled out for further characterization. The VUV PIONA analyzer is fully compliant with ASTM Method D8071 for finished gasoline samples by GC-VUV.

The VUV PIONA Analyzer includes a VGA-100 GC detector, VUV Analyze™ automated compositional software tailored for PIONA analysis, and a gasoline component VUV spectral library. The VUV Analyze™ software is pre-configured with the VUV gasoline library, PIONA compound response factors, and PIONA compound retention indices. This setup enables fully automated PIONA compositional analysis, providing carbon number and mass % in less than 1 minute of post-run processing time.

The VUV PIONA solution offers a straightforward method setup with no need for pre-column tuning or valve timing adjustments. Moreover, analyses performed with VUV PIONA analyzer are faster than traditional methods using alternative technologies. VUV Analyze™ can handle co-elution among various species and hydrocarbon classes. PIONA compounds can be speciated up to C6, and compound classes are characterized for >C6.

The VUV PIONA Analyzer integrates seamlessly with VUV Analyze™ software to automate data processing for PIONA classes, carbon numbers, and individual compounds like benzene and ethanol. Results are generated within one minute of analysis completion, eliminating operator variability and enhancing throughput. The pre-configured spectral library ensures reliable data interpretation while simplifying workflows.

What Makes VUV Detection Unique?

VUV (Vacuum Ultraviolet) detectors measure absorption in the 120–240 nm range, where most compounds strongly absorb. The high-energy VUV light excites electronic transitions in chemical bonds (σ→σ* and π→π*), generating distinct absorbance spectra unique to each molecule. These spectral fingerprints allow precise differentiation of isomers and co-eluting compounds without requiring complete chromatographic separation. Specifically designed for gas chromatography and streaming gas applications, VUV detection delivers unparalleled selectivity and structural insight, enhancing both qualitative and quantitative analysis.

The Power of Gas Chromatography – Vacuum Ultraviolet Spectroscopy

• VUV shortens typical Reformulyzer runtimes by 2X
• 1 day set up vs. 1 week Reformulyzer setup
• Less downtime for system maintenance; 1 day for VUV column change vs. 21-day Reformulyzer requalification.
• One column, one method enables consistent results across refinery sites
• VUV PIONA Analyzer eliminates the error inherent to alternative detection technologies that rely on retention time position for compound/class identification.

ASTM D8071 provides equivalent PIONA compound information that would otherwise require the use of multiple ASTM methods with complex setups and instrumentation. Supports EN 18015 for European fuel standards.