DEVELOPMENT OF A DERIVATIVE UV SPECTROSCOPIC METHOD FOR THE ANALYSIS OF PRINCIPAL AROMATIC COMPONENTS IN FUELS

Normal and second-derivative ultraviolet absorption spectra of several narrow cuts prepared from a kerosene feedstock boiling 135-240 degree s C were studied. The nature of the absorption profiles of normal and second-derivative spectra is explained in terms of occurrence and exis tence of principal aromatic components, namely alkylbenzenes, indans, tetralins and alkylnaphthalenes. The derivative signals were further u tilized for the quantitative estimation of these constituents. The res ults are compared with the data obtained by conventional u.v. spectros copic measurements and possible new relations in terms of second-deriv ative signal amplitudes are proposed. The role of derivative spectrosc opy in the analysis of aromatics present in straight-run kerosenes/ATF or reformed kerosenes is assessed.