Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons

Significance of the Topic

Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) analysis is critical for assessing soil and water contamination by crude oil, fuels and other petroleum‐derived materials. Rapid, accurate quantification across defined carbon ranges enables regulatory compliance, risk evaluation and remediation planning in environmental, industrial and quality‐control laboratories.

Objectives and Study Overview

This application evaluates an ultra‐fast gas chromatography (GC) method for TPH (C8–C44) in soil and water extracts. It compares conventional time‐intensive procedures (30+ minute runs) against a sub-4-minute protocol based on a novel resistively heated GC column module, with the goal of boosting sample throughput and reducing backlog.

Methodology

The approach employs solvent extraction techniques (Soxhlet, liquid‐liquid, continuous liquid extraction or solid‐phase microextraction) to recover hydrocarbons from environmental matrices. Extracts are introduced via split/splitless injection into a programmable temperature column module (PTCM), enabling rapid heating and cooling cycles. A temperature program ensures effective separation of hydrocarbons from C8 to C44 within minutes.

Used Instrumentation

• CALIDUS™ 101-HT UltraFast GC with integrated sample processing module (split/splitless injector and autosampler)
• Programmed Temperature Column Module (PTCM) featuring MXT-1 high-temperature resistively heated stainless steel capillary column
• Chromperfect® chromatography data system with InfoMetrix® LineUp™ on a Windows PC for automated TPH quantitation

Main Results and Discussion

The novel GC configuration achieved baseline separation of C5–C44 hydrocarbons in under 4 minutes, compared with 30+ minutes using traditional methods such as EPA 8015C or ISO 9377-2. Chromatograms of standards, blanks and gasoline overlays confirmed reproducible retention times and clean baselines. The rapid thermal cycling of the PTCM reduced analysis time by over 85%, while maintaining sensitivity and selectivity for TPH fractions.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Fastest TPH analysis in the industry, enabling high sample throughput in environmental and process monitoring labs
• Compact, lightweight and durable system suitable for on-site, at-line or mobile laboratory deployment
• Cost and time savings from reduced run times and increased instrument availability
• Compliance with multiple reference methods (EPA, ISO, EN) for regulatory reporting

Future Trends and Potential Applications

Advances in resistively heated column technology are expected to extend ultra-fast GC methods to other complex mixtures (e.g., volatile organic compounds, pesticides). Integration with automated sample preparation and real-time data analytics will further streamline environmental monitoring. Portable ultra-fast GC systems may become standard tools for in-field contamination assessment and rapid decision making.

Conclusion

The ultra-fast GC method using the CALIDUS 101-HT and PTCM with a resistively heated MXT-1 column delivers accurate TPH quantitation in under 4 minutes. This approach represents a paradigm shift in environmental hydrocarbon analysis, offering significant gains in speed, throughput and operational flexibility while maintaining compliance with established regulatory methods.

Reference

1. EPA Methods 8000B, 8015C, 3540C, 3510C, 3535
2. ISO 9377-2, ISO 16703, EN 5991/7219