Differential thermal analysis, thermal gravimetric analysis, and solid phase micro-extraction gas chromatography analysis of water and fuel absorption in diesel soot

An experimental investigation was conducted to analyze the absorption characteristics of deposited diesel soot by differential thermal analysis, thermal gravimetric analysis, and solid phase micro-extraction gas chromatography analysis. The results showed that dry diesel soot contained 2–3%w (percent by weight) of water and a maximum of 5%w hydrocarbons. Water wetted soot contained up to 40%w water, while diesel wetted soot contained up to 60%w hydrocarbons. The hydrocarbons extracted from the soot were primarily hydrocarbons higher than C12H26 with little evidence of lighter hydrocarbons.