Analysis of Artificial Fireplace Logs by High Temperature Gas Chromatography

Abstract

High temperature gas chromatography is used to analyze the wax of artificial fireplace logs (firelogs). Firelogs from several different manufacturers are studied and compared. This study shows that the wax within a single firelog is homogeneous and that the wax is also uniform throughout a multi-firelog package. Different brands are shown to have different wax compositions. Firelogs of the same brand, but purchased in different locations, also have different wax compositions. With this information it may be possible to associate an unknown firelog sample to a known sample, but a definitive statement of the origin cannot be made.

Identification and Comparison of Electrical Tapes Using Instrumental and Statistical Techniques: II. Organic Composition of the Tape Backing and Adhesive*

“…A new technique introduced for this study, high‐temperature gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (HT GC–MS), was used to profile the plasticizer content of tape samples without relying upon pyrolysis of the material. HT GC–MS has been applied to a number of samples of forensic interest, such as motor oils, waxes, and the process oil in U.S. Military Composition C‐4 (8–10).…”

Comparison of Motor Oils Using High‐Temperature Gas Chromatography‐Mass Spectrometry

“…Roehner et al (14) used HTGC to compare crude oil samples. HTGC has also been used to distinguish between commercial waxes (15), waxes in artificial fireplace logs (16), and process oils in Composition C-4 (17).…”

Fire investigation and ignitable liquid residue analysis—A review: 2001–2007

“…The analysis of the wax content of artificial fire place logs from different manufacturers by high temperature gas chromatography (HT-GC) has been reported [265]. Samples of liquid jet fuel were analyzed by GC and the results compared to the analysis of the same samples by headspace gas chromatography [266].…”