TPH in Soil Field Test Kit

Detection of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) in soil can indicate contamination from leaking underground storage tanks (USTs), petroleum refineries, or other fuel sources.

The Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon Test is a rapid, simple field test for measuring aromatic petroleum hydrocarbon contamination in soil. The patented test is based upon the Friedel-Crafts Reaction with one fundamental difference—the intermediate that is formed in the solvent is the colored species that is measured.

The Test determines TPH across a wide range of soil types and petroleum products.

It allows the user to analyze for specific fractions, including: BTEX, PAH, diesel fuel, leaded and unleaded gasoline, weathered gasoline, brent crude, and lubricating oil.

In the test method, a pre-measured sample of soil is added to a reaction tube that contains anhydrous sodium sulfate, a drying agent. A pre-measured volume of dichloromethane is then added to the reaction tube.

This organic solvent extracts the petroleum hydrocarbons from the soil sample. In order to remove polar hydrocarbons and color interferences, the soil extract is treated with Florisil. Finally, a vacuum-sealed ampoule, containing aluminum chloride, draws in a predetermined volume of the hydrocarbon-containing solvent. The hydrocarbons in the solvent react with the aluminum chloride to produce a soluble colored product directly proportional to the petroleum hydrocarbon concentration in the sample. The absorbance of the sample is measured in a portable, battery-powered, LED-based colorimeter and converted to mg/kg hydrocarbon in the soil by use of a formula.

The system enables the user to run 10 tests concurrently, providing the potential to run 25 tests in one hour. The system provides a quicker alternative to the standard laboratory method-which is both costly and labor intensive, because only the contaminated samples need to be sent to the laboratory for confirmatory testing. Faster decisions can be made during site investigations and site remediation, because the field test eliminates delays between sampling and sample analysis. The simplicity and convenience of the system enables a more comprehensive survey of the site to be conducted because of the speed in which samples can be analyzed and processed.

• Safe
  The design of the system ensures that operator contact with reagents is kept to an absolute minimum.
   
• Easy To Use
  The absence of pipetting skills or measuring flasks is not a problem because RemediAid™ comes complete with specially designed ampoules and pre-measured reagents.

Ranges*

Unleaded Gasoline: 40-330 mg/kg

Weathered Gasoline: 40-320 mg/kg

Diesel: 60-750 mg/kg

Brent Crude: 60-680 mg/kg

Lube Oil: 160-1730 mg/kg

BTEX: 20-120 mg/kg

Leaded Gasoline: 40-400 mg/kg

PAH (18 component mixture): 8-70 mg/kg

*Expected dynamic range of the test in soil sample matrix.

(The instructions include dilution procedures, if an extended range is required)

TPH Starter Kit (No Consumables) I-9312

TPH Starter Kit comes in a plastic case and contains:

• TPH Photometer,
• pocket scale,
• 3-channel timer,
• TPH reaction tube plug/snapper,
• tip-breaking tool,
• 2 AA batteries, and
• instruction booklet.

TPH Refill (for use with I-9312) R-9310

Refill comes in a cardboard box and contains:

• 16 tests,
• 80 g bottle of sodium sulfate,
• reagent blank ampoule, and
• MSDS.

NOTE: R-9310 TPH Refill must be purchased separately from I-9312.

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