[ch3m1call0v3]

It was a question asked to me by my boss. Is there a general method used? By the way, they plan to test TPH (Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons) using a a Gas Chromatograph. If there's only one method could you elaborate as much as possible, from sample collection, equipment necessary, extraction procedure(s), and anything else. If various, no need to explain, some links would be great. I think they're serious about doing this and I want to spearhead it. Thanks a many

[billnotgatez]

<cynic mode on>
It appears the original poster has no knowledge of chemistry and want to spearhead a project using the information we post here
They assume that managerial talent is all that is really needed
<cynic mode off>

I slap myself for cynical thoughts

[ch3m1call0v3]

Actually, I do, quite a bit. Just graduated with a BS in Biochemistry. The reason I'm asking is because this is my first job out of college and I'm kind of lost on how to proceed. So I've calibrated the GC and entered the standards for the PHs and aromatics that I'm going to be analyzing. I know I'm going to be collecting samples from water tanks and then extracting the HCs from these samples. This is where I'm lost. How would I collect samples that are representative of the system from the water tanks without contaminating them and how would I proceed with the extraction? By the way, we're testing for HCs C6-C25.

[billnotgatez]

I apologize
and slap self again
(but it is helpful we understand your background)
I think you will get a response and good luck

[ch3m1call0v3]

It's my first job out of college and I'm stuck. They want to put me in charge of water sample analysis without adequate equipment and if I don't have results by the end of this week, I'll be done. I don't know know how to proceed. I've looked all over the internet and still can't find anything. My education goes as far as a BS in Biochemistry. SO that's my question and situation. Hence, is there a general method used? By the way, they plan to test TPH (Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons) using a a Gas Chromatograph. If there's only one method could you elaborate as much as possible, from sample collection, equipment necessary, extraction procedure(s), and anything else. . Thanks a many

This is the actual situation.

[kriggy]

Why not ask someone at your school?

[ch3m1call0v3]

I work from 7am-3:30pm. By the time I get home, it's around 5:30-6pm. Most every one is at home or gone to do something and all my go to professors are done for the day. I was really hoping someone on here could help me out.

[rycar88]

Hello - I work at an environmental lab doing volatile TPH analysis (C4-C12) through the GC. The method we run off of is EPA Method 8015B: http://www.caslab.com/EPA-Methods/PDF/8015b.pdf

Here's a reference for Sample Handling/Preservation: http://www.epa.gov/osw/hazard/testmethods/sw846/pdfs/chap4.pdf (Generally water samples are stored at zero-headspace in 40 mL VOA vials preserved at pH>2 with HCl)

My setup is basically this: an autosampler, a purge & trap (P&T) concentrator and the GC itself. The P&T bubbles an inert gas (UHP He or N) through the sample (which is usually heated to around 40 C), passes through a moisture trap and then sticks onto an analytical trap. The sample is then desorbed at a high temperature and pushed into the column in a single concentrated 'injection.' The GC ramps from ~35 to 200C. General nonspecific TPH analytes are detected via FID signal. If you're doing aromatics, you will need an in-line 10 eV PID detector to isolate them.

This is only the volatile portion of the TPH - semivolatile TPH (C13-C26) require MeCl2 extraction and I think direct injection? Either way, you will need a completely separate GC and column that ramps to these higher analyte temperatures.

Good luck with the project

[curiouscat]

It's my first job out of college and I'm stuck. They want to put me in charge of water sample analysis without adequate equipment and if I don't have results by the end of this week, I'll be done. I don't know know how to proceed. I've looked all over the internet and still can't find anything. My education goes as far as a BS in Biochemistry. SO that's my question and situation. Hence, is there a general method used? By the way, they plan to test TPH (Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons) using a a Gas Chromatograph. If there's only one method could you elaborate as much as possible, from sample collection, equipment necessary, extraction procedure(s), and anything else. . Thanks a many

This is the actual situation.

And what else have you done to help yourself? Google? Library?

[curiouscat]

I work from 7am-3:30pm. By the time I get home, it's around 5:30-6pm. Most every one is at home or gone to do something and all my go to professors are done for the day. I was really hoping someone on here could help me out.

There's such a thing as an email or phone you know...

[curiouscat]

It's my first job out of college and I'm stuck. They want to put me in charge of water sample analysis without adequate equipment and if I don't have results by the end of this week, I'll be done.

What sort of equipment is inadequate? If you don't even know the protocol how can you even say it is inadequate?