BS EN 12916:2024
Petroleum products — Determination of aromatic hydrocarbon types in middle distillates — High performance liquid chromatography method with refractive index detection

Standard No.: BS EN 12916:2024
Release Date: 2024
Published By: British Standards Institution (BSI) GB / BSI
Latest: BS EN 12916:2024

Introduction

Analysis of the core content of the standard

BS EN 12916:2024 specifies the test method for determining the type of aromatics in middle distillate oil using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) combined with a refractive index detector. The main technical innovations include:

Key parameters	Process A (conventional diesel)	Process B (paraffin-based diesel)
Scope of application	Diesel containing FAME≤30% V/V and 150-400℃ distillate	Paraffin-based diesel containing FAME≤7% V/V
Sample pretreatment	Heptane dilution (0.9-1.1g/10ml)	Direct injection (no dilution)
Detection limit	MAH 6-30%, DAH 1-10%, T+AH 0-2%	Total aromatics 0.2-2.0%

Method principle and technical evolution

Based on the selective retention characteristics of polar chromatographic columns for aromatics:

Non-aromatic hydrocarbons elute first (shortest retention time)
Monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (MAH): benzene series, tetralin, etc.
Bicyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (DAH): naphthalene, biphenyl, etc.
Tricyclic + Aromatic Hydrocarbons (T+AH): phenanthrene, pyrene, etc.

Main revisions to the 2024 edition: Newly added Tricyclic + Aromatic Hydrocarbons determination guidelines (Appendix C) and special storage requirements for paraffin-based diesel (Clause 7.2).

Key operating requirements

Instrument configuration example

Chromatographic column: Amino bonded silica column (150-300mm×4-5mm)
Mobile phase: Heptane (HPLC grade, degassed)
Flow rate: 0.8-1.2ml/min
Detector temperature: consistent with column oven (20-40℃±1℃)

Calibration materials

Aromatic hydrocarbon type	Representative material	Purity requirement
MAH	1,2-Dimethylbenzene	≥98%
DAH	Naphthalene, dibenzothiophene	≥95%
T+AH	Phenanthrene, chrysene	≥95%

Implementation recommendations

Key points for quality control

The system should be verified with reference materials (RM) before daily analysis
For paraffin-based diesel, it is recommended to use the exponential skim integration method to handle overlapping peaks (Appendix B)
When the T+AH content is <0.1%, it is recommended to use a UV detector to assist in qualitative analysis

Safety warning

Aromatic compounds are volatile and flammable. Operations should be carried out in a fume hood with fire prevention measures. It is recommended that the air in the sample storage container be replaced with nitrogen (Clause 7.2).

BS EN 12916:2024 Referenced Document

EN 14214 Liquid petroleum products - Fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) for use in diesel engines and heating applications - Requirements and test methods
EN ISO 1042 Laboratory Glassware - One-Mark Volumetric Flasks
EN ISO 3170 Hydrocarbon Liquids - Manual Sampling (ISO 3170:2025)*， 2025-06-25 Update
EN ISO 3171 Petroleum liquids - Automatic pipeline sampling (ISO 3171:1988)

BS EN 12916:2024 history

2024 BS EN 12916:2024 Petroleum products — Determination of aromatic hydrocarbon types in middle distillates — High performance liquid chromatography method with refractive index detection
2022 BS EN 12916:2019+A1:2022 Petroleum products — Determination of aromatic hydrocarbon types in middle distillates — High performance liquid chromatography method with refractive index detection
2019 BS EN 12916:2019 Petroleum products. Determination of aromatic hydrocarbon types in middle distillates. High performance liquid chromatography method with refractive index detection
2016 BS EN 12916:2016 Petroleum products. Determination of aromatic hydrocarbon types in middle distillates. High performance liquid chromatography method with refractive index detection
2006 BS EN 12916:2006 Petroleum products - Determination of aromatic hydrocarbon types in middle distillates - High performance liquid chromatography method with refractive index detection
2000 BS EN 12916:2000 Methods of test for petroleum and its products. Petroleum products. Determination of aromatic hydrocarbon in middle distillates. High performance liquid chromatography method with refractive index detection

$Petroleum products — Determination of aromatic hydrocarbon types in middle distillates — High performance liquid chromatography method with refractive index detection$

Standard and Specification

BS EN 12916:2024Petroleum products — Determination of aromatic hydrocarbon types in middle distillates — High performance liquid chromatography method with refractive index detection