Automated Standard and Sample Preparation Using the Agilent 7696A WorkBench for GC/MS Analysis of FAME Contamination in Jet Fuel

Importance of the topic

Automated sample preparation reduces analysts’ workload and improves reproducibility when measuring low-level FAME contamination in jet fuel by GC/MS according to the Energy Institute IP585 method.

Objectives and Study Overview

This study evaluated the Agilent 7696A WorkBench for automated preparation of calibration standards and jet fuel samples and compared performance with manual pipetting workflows. Key aims included reagent reduction, time savings, and meeting or exceeding method performance criteria.

Methodology and Instrumentation

• Automated WorkBench setup: Agilent 7696A Sample Prep with 7693A injection towers, dual syringes (250 µL and 25 µL).
• GC/MS: Agilent 7890A GC, 5975C MSD with HP-INNOWAX column, SIM/SCAN acquisition following IP585.
• WorkBench methods: “IP585_Low.M” and “IP585_High.M” for 100 µL calibration standards; batch mode for 10× sample preparation.
• Manual prep: 1 mL standard volumes, 10 µL internal standard, vortex mixing.

Key Results and Discussion

• Calibration linearity: Automated standards produced R² > 0.999 at low levels (2–10 mg/kg) and R² > 0.999 at high levels (20–100 mg/kg); manual prep failed C18:2 and C18:3 linearity (R² < 0.985).
• Precision: Automated prep repeatability met IP585 r-specifications across 1, 5, and 40 mg/kg spikes; manual prep exceeded tolerances at 5 mg/kg.
• Resource savings: Automated prep used tenfold less solvent and standards; eliminated rework and reduced hands-on time.

Benefits and Practical Applications

Automated WorkBench preparation delivers:

• Enhanced data quality by minimizing pipetting errors.
• Robust compliance with IP585 performance criteria.
• Laboratory efficiency gains through reagent economy and reduced operator intervention.

Future Trends and Potential Uses

• Extension to other fuel analyses and trace contaminant assays.
• Integration with laboratory information management systems for end-to-end automation.
• Miniaturization strategies for further reagent reduction and high-throughput screening.
• Adoption of advanced robotics for multi-dimensional sample workflows.

Conclusion

The Agilent 7696A WorkBench automated sample preparation outperforms manual techniques in accuracy, precision, and resource utilization for FAME analysis in jet fuel, providing a robust, efficient solution aligned with IP585 requirements.

References

• Energy Institute IP585/10, Determination of FAME in jet fuel by GC-MS, The Energy Institute, 2010.
• McCurry JD, GC/MS Analysis of Trace FAME in Jet Fuel Using IP585, Agilent 5990-6974EN, 2011.
• Veeneman R, Snyder D, Improved Data Quality Through Automated Sample Preparation, Agilent 5990-6874EN, 2010.