Time-domain NMR: A novel analytical method to quantify adulteration of ethanol fuel with methanol

Author(s)

Kock, Flavio V. C. ^{[1, 2]} ; Rocha, Tainara C. ^[3] ; Araujo, Gabriela M. ^[3] ; Simoes, Fabio R. ^[3] ; Colnago, Luiz A. ^[4] ; Barbosa, Lucio L. ^[3]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Rodovia Washington Luiz S-N, BR-13565905 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[2] Sao Carlos Inst Chem, Av Trab Sao Carlense 400, BR-13566590 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Inst Sea, Rua Dr Carvalho de Mendonca 144, BR-11070100 Santos, SP - Brazil

^[4] Embrapa Instrumentacao, Rua 15 Novembro 1452, BR-13560970 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: FUEL; v. 258, DEC 15 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

The transverse relaxation time (T-2), measured using a benchtop time-domain nuclear magnetic resonance (TD-NMR) relaxometer, was evaluated as a potential analytical method to quantify methanol as an adulterant in commercial ethanol. The T-2 measurements, using the Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill pulse sequence, can be performed in a non-destructive manner, within a few seconds and without sample preparation. The T-2 value shows a linear correlation with methanol concentration in ethanol, capable of predicting the methanol adulteration with a high determination coefficient (r(2) = 0.99). Therefore, TD-NMR can be used as simple, rapid, non-destructive and cheap analytical method to quantify the presence of methanol in ethanol fuel. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/02856-0 - Development of Methodologies for Determine Brazilian Petroleum Properties and Onset Precipitation of Asphaltenes.
• Grantee: Lúcio Leonel Barbosa
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 18/16040-5 - Biorational control of Pest-Insect
• Grantee: Flavio Vinicius Crizostomo Kock
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral