CP-TCEP for Alcohols in Gasoline

CP-TCEP Column

Application-Specific GC Columns

Agilent CP-TCEP GC columns are specifically engineered for the determination of alcohols and other oxygenated compounds in gasoline matrices. Featuring a highly selective trifluoroethylpropionate (TCEP) stationary phase, these columns deliver the polarity and targeted interactions necessary for reliable separation of methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, tertiary butanol, and additional fuel oxygenates commonly present in reformulated gasolines and blended fuel compositions.

CP-TCEP columns provide excellent resolution of alcohols from hydrocarbons, enabling accurate and interference-free quantitation even in complex petroleum matrices. Their enhanced selectivity and precise retention behavior support regulatory methods and industry protocols for monitoring oxygenate content, vapor pressure modifiers, and renewable fuel additives in finished gasoline products.

The bonded and crosslinked TCEP phase ensures robust thermal stability and long column lifetime, while the inherently low bleed characteristics support sensitive detection by GC and GC/MS. CP-TCEP columns are solvent rinsable, feature excellent column-to-column reproducibility, and are designed for high-use environments such as refinery QC labs, fuel certification laboratories, and regulatory compliance facilities.

Whether used for validating ethanol content in E10/E15 fuels, confirming oxygenate profiles, or characterizing trace alcohol impurities in finished gasoline, Agilent CP-TCEP GC columns deliver dependable performance, accurate quantitation, and the selectivity required for modern petrochemical fuel analysis workflows.

Key Definitions â–¸
TCEP (Trifluoroethylpropionate) Phase
A highly polar stationary phase that provides strong interactions with oxygenated compounds—including alcohols and ethers—resulting in improved resolution and accurate quantitation of fuel oxygenates in gasoline samples.
Fuel Oxygenates
Compounds such as ethanol, methanol, tertiary butanol, and MTBE that are added to gasoline to increase oxygen content, enhance combustion efficiency, and reduce emissions. CP-TCEP columns are engineered to separate these oxygenates from hydrocarbons with high specificity.
E10 / E15 Fuels
Gasoline blends that contain 10% or 15% ethanol by volume. Accurate determination of ethanol content in these fuels is essential for regulatory compliance, and CP-TCEP columns provide the selectivity needed for regulatory and QC workflows.
Solvent Rinsable Columns
Columns that can be cleaned using approved solvents to remove contamination without damaging the stationary phase. CP-TCEP’s bonded and crosslinked construction ensures stable performance during repeated rinsing cycles—important for gasoline sample matrices.
Oxygenated Compound Selectivity
The ability of a GC column to specifically retain and separate oxygen-containing molecules —such as alcohols—from hydrocarbon matrices. CP-TCEP columns are engineered with high-polarity selectivity to ensure clean, interference-free separation of alcohols in gasoline.
Frequently Asked Questions â–¸
What applications are CP-TCEP columns designed for?
CP-TCEP columns are purpose-built for the analysis of alcohols and oxygenated compounds in gasoline, including ethanol, methanol, IPA, TBA, and other fuel oxygenates. They enable precise quantitation even in complex hydrocarbon matrices.
How is CP-TCEP different from other columns used for oxygenate analysis?
CP-TCEP uses a trifluoroethylpropionate (TCEP) stationary phase that provides stronger, more selective interactions with alcohols compared to standard polar phases. This results in improved separation, reduced co-elution with hydrocarbons, and superior accuracy for alcohols in gasoline.
Are CP-TCEP columns suitable for E10, E15, and other oxygenated gasoline blends?
Yes. CP-TCEP columns are ideal for regulatory and QC testing of ethanol content in E10, E15, and related fuel blends. They provide excellent resolution between ethanol and major hydrocarbon components, enabling accurate compliance reporting.
Are CP-TCEP columns solvent rinsable?
Yes. CP-TCEP columns are bonded and crosslinked, allowing controlled solvent rinsing to remove gasoline residues and matrix contamination. This helps preserve peak shape and extend column lifetime in high-throughput labs.
What is the recommended temperature range for CP-TCEP columns?
CP-TCEP columns support the elevated temperatures required for rapid GC analysis of volatile oxygenates while maintaining low bleed and consistent retention. Exact limits depend on the specific dimensions, but the phase is designed for routine gasoline analysis conditions.
Why purchase CP-TCEP GC columns from Chrom Tech?
Chrom Tech is an authorized Agilent distributor offering expert guidance, fast shipping, and competitive pricing. Our technical team supports oxygenate-in-gasoline workflows daily and can help you select the correct column, optimize methods, and troubleshoot challenging separations for compliance and production environments.