Ethylene Carbonate Split Injection for Accurate GC Purity Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gas chromatography methods for analyzing high-purity ethylene carbonate suffer from the formation of impurities like ethylene oxide, ethylene glycol, and diethylene glycol due to thermal decomposition and hydrolysis, leading to inaccurate purity measurements.

Innovation Solution

The method involves injecting molten ethylene carbonate into a gas chromatography analyzer using a single taper liner not packed with wool, vaporizing it, and introducing it into a capillary column with an inert gas flow for detection, employing a split injection technique to prevent thermal decomposition and enhance accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a conventional gas chromatography system is used to analyze volatile organic compounds, then the analysis can be performed, but the system requires large sample amounts and has long analysis times

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesample amountVSAvoidanalysis time
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the analysis into two sequential stages: first performing comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (comprehensive 2D-GC) to separate and identify individual components, then using ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) to rapidly detect and quantify the compounds. This segmentation allows optimal use of each technique's strengths while minimizing their individual weaknesses, achieving both reduced sample requirements and fast analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The comprehensive 2D-GC system performs preliminary separation and identification of volatile organic compounds before the main detection phase. By pre-separating the complex mixture into individual components with known retention times and mass spectra, the system prepares the sample in advance for rapid IMS detection, eliminating the need for time-consuming analysis of each compound individually.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography is used for detailed separation, then component resolution is improved, but analysis time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent resolutionVSAvoidanalysis time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the analytical process into two distinct phases: the comprehensive 2D-GC phase performs detailed separation to achieve high component resolution, while the subsequent IMS phase performs rapid detection. This segmentation allows the system to obtain both high-resolution separation data and fast quantitative results without requiring the 2D-GC system to run extended analysis times.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The comprehensive 2D-GC system acts as an intermediary that preprocesses the complex volatile organic compound mixture by separating components based on their chromatographic properties. This intermediary step creates a simplified, pre-separated sample that can then be rapidly analyzed by the IMS detector, achieving both high resolution and fast analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If traditional detection methods are used, then equipment complexity is low, but detection sensitivity and speed are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection sensitivityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges two advanced detection technologies - comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography and ion mobility spectrometry - into a unified analytical system. This combination integrates the high separation power of 2D-GC with the rapid detection capabilities of IMS, achieving superior detection sensitivity and speed while managing system complexity through coordinated operation of the two subsystems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The comprehensive 2D-GC/IMS system provides multiple functions in a single platform: it can perform detailed component separation, identify unknown compounds through mass spectral analysis, and rapidly quantify volatile organic compounds. This multi-functionality achieves high detection sensitivity across different analytical needs while consolidating what would otherwise require multiple separate instruments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach allows for highly accurate analysis of high-purity ethylene carbonate purity by preventing thermal decomposition and hydrolysis, ensuring precise determination of impurity concentrations.

Implementation Method 1

Gas chromatography analysis method for analyzing volatile organic compounds in air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPartitioning: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

ion mobility spectrometry detector

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIon mobility: Electrophoresis

Data Source

PatentEP4353714B1Gas chromatography analysis methods based on ethylene carbonate split injection
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 ASAHI KASEI KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
  • EP4353714B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

It is an object of the present invention to provide a gas chromatography analytical method in which a purity of high-purity ethylene carbonate can be accurately analyzed by gas chromatography analysis, and the object can be achieved by a gas chromatography analytical method based on an ethylene carbonate split injection technique, comprising injecting ethylene carbonate to be analyzed into a gas chromatography analyzer; vaporizing the injected ethylene carbonate in a single taper liner not packed with wool; introducing a part of the vaporized ethylene carbonate into a capillary column with an inert gas flowing and allowing the ethylene carbonate to pass through the capillary column; and detecting the ethylene carbonate having passed through the capillary column with a detector.