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This part of ISO 6974 describes a gas chromatographic method for the quantitative determination of natural gas constituents using a two-column system. This method is applicable to determinations made in on-line processes or in the laboratory. It is applicable to the analysis of gases containing constituents within the mole fraction ranges given in Table 1. These ranges do not represent the limits of detection, but the limits within which the stated precision of the method applies. Although one or more components in a sample may not be detected present, the method can still be applicable.

This part of ISO 6974 is only applicable if used in conjunction with parts 1 and 2 of ISO 6974.

NOTE 1 Oxygen is not a normal constituent of natural gas and would not be expected to be present in gas sampled for an on-line instrument. If any oxygen is present as a result of air contamination, it will be measured with the nitrogen. The resulting (nitrogen + oxygen) value will be in error to a small extent because of the slight difference between detector responses for oxygen and nitrogen. Nonetheless, the result for the natural gas/air mixture will be reasonably accurate since neither component contributes to the calorific value.

NOTE 2 The content of helium and argon are assumed to be negligible and unvarying such that helium and argon need not be determined.