Analysis of Volatile and Semivolatile VOC’s in Waste Oils

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Methodology:	Gas Chromatography
Application:	Environmental
Primary Focus:	Methodology
Title:	Analysis of Volatile and Semivolatile VOC’s in Waste Oils
Keywords:	Detector Environmental Analysis Gas Chromatography Headspace

Assignment Status:	Assigned CO-669	Session Title:	New Developments in Analytical Instrumentation and Software
Session Date	03/11/2012	Starting Time:	( Slot # 16 )

PID Analyzers, LLC Model 322

 Author: Jack Driscoll, PID Analyzers, LLC

EPA Method 8021B  describes methods for analysis of volatile aromatics in solid wastes by gas chromatography (GC) with a photoionization detector (PID). This method is  designed for analysis of solid wastes and will have to be modified for waste oil analysis. EPA describes   headspace, purge and trap, direct injection and vacuum distillation methods. The latter three methods are more suited to solids than oils. In addition, the purge and trap method requires a considerable amount of equipment. Our application is for a small number of daily samples. The headspace method is ideal for oils but will require some modifications for oils.

EPA Method 8082A for the analysis of polychlorinated bi phenyls (PCB’s) involves solvent extraction  of solid, tissue or aqueous samples and detection by GC with an electron capture  detector or electrolytic conductivity detector. We will modify this method by using a PID for detecting the PCB’s and selecting an extraction  solvent that will not be miscible with the oil.  For each of the methods, we will determine the precision, accuracy and recovery efficiency from a variety of oils.

Two methods were developed using the same column but with different techniques. 

The volatiles required 15 minutes of heating in a VOC vial before analysis. The analysis time was 3 minutes. The precision was +/- 5%.

The SVOC sample was diluted 1:1 with hexane and injected. We could recognize the difference between various PCB's using the PID. The precision of the method was +/- 11% 25 ppm.

Determination of Volatiles and PCB's in Transformer Oil Final (1)