Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have earned the moniker "forever chemicals" due to their extreme persistence in the environment. Their detection is crucial for protecting public health and the environment as these synthetic compounds continue to pose significant challenges worldwide. This comprehensive exploration examines why PFAS detection matters, current detection methods, and future directions in addressing PFAS contamination.<h3>Understanding PFAS and Their Health Impacts</h3>PFAS are a class of synthetic organic compounds with diverse structures, properties, and uses. Despite their diversity, all PFAS contain perfluoroalkyl moieties that are extremely resistant to environmental and metabolic degradation [1]. This high persistence is a defining characteristic that makes PFAS management particularly challenging.<h3>Documented Health Effects</h3>Current scientific research has linked PFAS exposure to numerous adverse health outcomes:<ul><li>Reproductive effects including decreased fertility and increased high blood pressure in pregnant women [8]</li><li>Developmental effects in children such as low birth weight, accelerated puberty, and behavioral changes [8]</li><li>Reduced immune system function, including decreased vaccine response</li><li>Interference with natural hormones and endocrine disruption</li><li>Increased cholesterol levels and obesity risk</li><li>Increased risk of several cancers, including prostate, kidney, testicular, oral cavity/pharynx, brain, and endocrine cancers [3]</li></ul>A 2023 study linked PFAS-contaminated water with up to a 33% increase in cancer incidence in affected areas [3]. The study compared regions with elevated PFAS levels to cancer data from the National Cancer Institute, finding higher incidences of various cancers after controlling for factors like smoking and obesity.<h3>Environmental Persistence and Contamination</h3>The extreme persistence of PFAS represents a fundamental concern for environmental management. PFAS are considered the most environmentally persistent substances among organic chemicals [7]. This persistence means that even if all PFAS uses were immediately phased out, existing contamination would continue to affect ecosystems and water supplies for generations.A 2023 study at a military fire training site estimated that PFAS contamination will persist for centuries without remediation [7]. The research found that terminal PFAS still exceed regulatory limits by 2000-fold decades after aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) use ceased, with precursors accounting for around half of the extractable organofluorine across years.<h3>Current Detection Methods</h3><h4>EPA Standardized Methods</h4>The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed several standardized methods for PFAS detection, each with specific applications and capabilities:<h5>EPA Method 533</h5><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://blog.organomation.com/blog/epa-533-drying-down-pfas-samples-after-spe">EPA Method 533</a> focuses on "short chain" PFAS with carbon chain lengths of C4 to C12. Released in December 2019, this method complements Method 537.1 and includes several key features:<ul><li>Uses isotope dilution quantification approach with extracted internal standards, which reduces overall analytical uncertainty</li><li>Employs weak anion exchange solid phase extraction cartridges as opposed to polystyrene divinylbenzene used in 537.1</li><li>Can analyze 25 PFAS compounds, including additional short-chain PFAS that were not apart of Method 537.1</li><li>Allows for longer holding times: 28 days to extraction and 28 days to analyze (compared to 14 days to extraction in Method 537.1)</li><li>Uses ammonium acetate as a preservative (versus Trisma in Method 537.1) [1]</li></ul><h5>EPA Method 537/537.1</h5><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://blog.organomation.com/blog/sample-concentration-epa-method-537-pfas-determination">EPA Method 537 </a>was first published in 2009 for the determination of 14 PFAS in drinking water [6]. It was later updated to Method 537.1 in 2018 (with editorial updates in 2020) to expand its capabilities:<ul><li>Uses<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.organomation.com/what-is-solid-phase-extraction-spe"> solid phase extraction (SPE) </a>and<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.organomation.com/preparing-samples-for-lc-ms/ms-analysis"> liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)</a></li><li>Method 537.1 expanded detection to 18 PFAS compounds, including HFPO-DA (one component of GenX technology)</li><li>Utilizes styrene-divinylbenzene (SDVB) media for extraction</li><li>Requires samples to be extracted within 14 days and analyzed within 28 days</li><li>Methanol is used to elute the extracts. This should then be reconstituted with a 96:4 methanol:water mixture [1]</li></ul>Together, Methods 533 and 537.1 can detect a total of 29 unique PFAS compounds in drinking water and are approved for monitoring under the fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 5) and the PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation [1] [3].<h5>EPA Method 1633</h5><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://blog.organomation.com/blog/preparing-diverse-sample-matrices-for-epa-method-1633">EPA Method 1633</a>, released in 2024, represents a significant advancement in PFAS analysis:<ul><li>Developed for the analysis of 40 PFAS compounds in various matrices, including surface water, groundwater, wastewater, soil, biosolids, sediment, landfill leachate, and fish tissue</li><li>Expands beyond the drinking water focus of Methods 533 and 537.1</li><li>Provides a standardized approach that may replace modified drinking water methods (i.e., modified EPA 537) that were previously used for non-drinking water matrices [1]</li></ul><h4>Conventional Analytical Techniques</h4>The gold standard for PFAS analysis involves chromatographic techniques coupled with mass spectrometry:<ul><li>Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is the most widely used method for PFAS analysis, offering high sensitivity and specificity [1]</li><li>High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HRMS) allows for rapid detection and identification of PFAS species at very low concentrations [5]</li></ul>These techniques can detect PFAS at parts per trillion (ppt) levels, which is essential given the low concentrations at which PFAS can cause health effects [1]. However, these methods require sophisticated equipment, specialized training, and significant financial resources, making them inaccessible in many regions, particularly in developing countries.<h4>Emerging Detection Technologies</h4>Several innovative approaches are being developed to address the limitations of conventional methods:<ul><li>Electrochemical biosensors using modified electrodes have shown promise for selective PFAS detection with low detection limits [2]</li><li>Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) uses metallic nanoparticles and can be made into a portable method for on-site testing [1]</li><li>Molecular imprinted polymers (MIPs) offer thermal and physical stability, reusability, and low-cost synthesis for PFAS detection [6]</li></ul>These emerging technologies aim to provide more accessible, field-deployable, and cost-effective alternatives to traditional laboratory-based methods.<h3>Challenges in PFAS Detection</h3><h4>Analytical Challenges</h4>Detecting PFAS presents several technical challenges:<ul><li>The ubiquity of PFAS in laboratory equipment and accessories can lead to background contamination when measuring at parts-per-trillion levels [1]</li><li>Many components in liquid chromatographs, mass spectrometers, and solid-phase extraction systems contain materials that can leach PFAS compounds [9]</li><li>The vast number of PFAS (thousands of compounds) makes comprehensive detection difficult, as analytical standards are only available for a small subset [1]</li><li>Complex matrices like food and environmental samples require sophisticated sample preparation techniques</li></ul><h4>Global Disparities in Detection Capabilities</h4>Access to PFAS detection technology varies significantly worldwide:<ul><li>Many developing regions, particularly in Africa, lack adequately equipped laboratories with the necessary instrumentation to detect and measure PFAS</li><li>There is often a scarcity of qualified professionals with experience in PFAS analysis in these regions</li><li>The high cost of acquiring and maintaining sophisticated analytical instruments presents a substantial obstacle to conducting extensive PFAS investigations in resource-limited settings [1]</li><li>Competing priorities such as infectious diseases, poverty, and food security often divert attention and resources from environmental pollutants like PFAS</li></ul><h4>Regulatory Landscape and Compliance</h4>The regulatory framework for PFAS is evolving rapidly worldwide:<ul><li>The EPA finalized Section 8(a)(7) of the Toxic Substances Control Act in September 2024, requiring manufacturers and importers to report on their use of PFAS since 2011 [10]</li><li>Electronic reporting for PFAS will open on July 11, 2025, with final reporting deadlines in 2026</li><li>Companies must report detailed information including chemical identity, production volumes, industrial and consumer products, worker exposure, and disposal methods [10]</li></ul>These regulations are driving demand for more effective and accessible PFAS detection methods to ensure compliance and protect public health.<h3>Future Directions in PFAS Detection</h3><h4>Technological Advancements</h4>The future of PFAS detection lies in developing more accessible, sensitive, and comprehensive methods:<ul><li>Non-targeted screening methods that can identify unknown PFAS compounds without requiring analytical standards for each specific compound</li><li>Total fluorine analysis techniques like Adsorbable Organic Fluorine and Total Oxidizable Precursor Assay that can quantify the presence of fluorine atoms within a sample [1]</li><li>Portable sensors and field-deployable technologies that enable on-site monitoring and rapid response to contamination events</li><li>AI-driven solutions that can improve data analysis and interpretation for complex PFAS mixtures</li></ul><h4>Collaborative Approaches</h4>Addressing the global challenge of PFAS detection requires coordinated efforts:<ul><li>International partnerships between researchers in developed and developing regions to enhance expertise and capacity building</li><li>Standardization of analytical methods to ensure consistency and comparability of results across different laboratories and regions</li><li>Open data sharing and collaboration across countries to leverage collective knowledge and resources</li><li>Integration of PFAS monitoring into broader environmental and public health surveillance systems</li></ul><h3>Conclusion</h3>The detection of PFAS is not merely a technical challenge but a critical public health and environmental imperative [1]. As these "forever chemicals" continue to persist in our environment, developing effective, accessible, and comprehensive detection methods becomes increasingly important. By advancing detection technologies, strengthening regulatory frameworks, and fostering global collaboration, we can better understand, monitor, and ultimately mitigate the impacts of PFAS contamination.The EPA's standardized methods (533, 537.1, and 1633) provide crucial tools for monitoring PFAS in various environmental matrices, but continued innovation is needed to address the full spectrum of PFAS compounds and to make detection more accessible globally [1] [6]. The path forward requires sustained investment in research and development, capacity building in resource-limited settings, and a commitment to environmental justice that ensures all communities have access to the tools and information needed to protect themselves from PFAS exposure. Only through such comprehensive approaches can we hope to address the complex challenges posed by these persistent pollutants.Be sure to check out our other installments of our&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://blog.organomation.com/blog/introducing-our-environmental-contaminants-series-making-sense-of-the-alphabet-soup">Environmental Contaminant Series</a>&nbsp;covering&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://blog.organomation.com/blog/the-importance-of-detecting-persistent-organic-pollutants-pops">Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)</a>,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://blog.organomation.com/blog/the-importance-of-detecting-polycyclic-aromatic-hydrocarbons-pahs">Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)</a>,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://blog.organomation.com/blog/the-importance-of-detecting-semi-volatile-organic-compounds-svocs">Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds (SVOCs)</a>, and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://blog.organomation.com/blog/the-importance-of-detecting-polychlorinated-biphenyls-pcbs">Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)</a>.

The Importance of Detecting Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)

Scientists at CEITEC Brno University of Technology have developed microscopic robots that could one day accelerate beer production and simplify food quality control. The magnetically controlled biobots can actively mix liquids during fermentation, speed up the process, and separate themselves from the finished product once fermentation is complete. The results of the research, carried out by Professor Martin Pumera’s team, were published in the journal ACS Nano.“When people hear the word ‘robot’ today, they often imagine an electronic device. In reality, however, a robot can be any system capable of autonomously performing a specific task,” explains Martin Pumera of CEITEC Brno University of Technology.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CEITEC_Mikroroboti_z_CEITEC_mohou_urychlit_vyrobu_piva_i_kontrolu_kvality_potravin_7d9ff82875.jpeg" alt="CEITEC BUT/Jakub Rozboud: CEITEC Microrobots Could Speed Up Beer Production and Food Quality Control: Martin Pumera in his lab at CEITEC BUT." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CEITEC_Mikroroboti_z_CEITEC_mohou_urychlit_vyrobu_piva_i_kontrolu_kvality_potravin_7d9ff82875.jpeg 235w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="1067">The research team created so-called biobots—biohybrid microrobotic capsules containing brewer’s yeast and magnetic nanoparticles. When the yeast produces carbon dioxide during fermentation, the resulting bubbles cause the biobots to move up and down through the liquid. This naturally mixes the contents of the vessel and makes fermentation more efficient. Compared with conventional static particles, the biobots can therefore accelerate chemical processes that are important in food production.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CEITEC_Mikroroboti_z_CEITEC_mohou_urychlit_vyrobu_piva_i_kontrolu_kvality_potravin_4_af5fd4611f.jpg" alt="CEITEC BUT/Martin Pumera's archive: CEITEC Microrobots Could Speed Up Beer Production and Food Quality Control: Hematite microrobot (image for illustrative purposes)." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CEITEC_Mikroroboti_z_CEITEC_mohou_urychlit_vyrobu_piva_i_kontrolu_kvality_potravin_4_af5fd4611f.jpg 209w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="1192">Another major advantage of the technology is that the biobots can be easily separated from the finished beverage. Thanks to the magnetic particles they contain, they can be controlled with a magnetic field and removed once fermentation is complete, eliminating the need for additional filtration. The researchers also demonstrated that the biobots can be reused over several production cycles.“Unlike conventional static particles, microrobots actively move throughout the entire volume of the liquid, allowing them to cover a larger area and make the whole process more efficient. At the same time, they also facilitate the automation of production,” adds Martin Pumera. The team is currently discussing potential applications of the technology with a major European brewery.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CEITEC_Mikroroboti_z_CEITEC_mohou_urychlit_vyrobu_piva_i_kontrolu_kvality_potravin_3_e8e5a3a55a.jpg" alt="CEITEC BUT/Martin Pumera's archive: CEITEC Microrobots Could Speed Up Beer Production and Food Quality Control: g-C₃N₄ microrobots (image for illustrative purposes)." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CEITEC_Mikroroboti_z_CEITEC_mohou_urychlit_vyrobu_piva_i_kontrolu_kvality_potravin_3_e8e5a3a55a.jpg 158w," sizes="100vw" width="1476" height="1460">Martin Pumera’s group has long been exploring the use of microrobots and advanced materials in the food industry. In the past, for example, the team developed a flexible sensor for smart packaging capable of detecting spoiled fish. The new biobots therefore represent another step towards more advanced methods of food quality and safety control.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CEITEC_Mikroroboti_z_CEITEC_mohou_urychlit_vyrobu_piva_i_kontrolu_kvality_potravin_2_75c7fed958.jpeg" alt="CEITEC BUT/ACS Nano: CEITEC Microrobots Could Speed Up Beer Production and Food Quality Control: ACS Nano - cover featuring article by Martin Pumera et al." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CEITEC_Mikroroboti_z_CEITEC_mohou_urychlit_vyrobu_piva_i_kontrolu_kvality_potravin_2_75c7fed958.jpeg 117w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="2128">

 CEITEC Microrobots Could Speed Up Beer Production and Food Quality Control 

In this episode of ‪ChromatographyTalk‬, ‪Organomation‬ General Manager David Oliva sits down with Michelle Taylor, Editor-in-Chief of LabCompare, to go behind the scenes of their groundbreaking two-part documentary series on PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances).The conversation kicks off with a startling revelation: many of the world’s leading PFAS experts have completely stopped eating seafood due to high contamination levels discovered during testing. From there, we dive deep into the technical and regulatory challenges facing today's analytical laboratories.<h4>In this episode, we discuss:</h4><ul><li>The Laboratory Throughput Crisis: Why labs are currently "overwhelmed with samples" and how tiered testing—using single quad instruments for screening before moving to triple quads—is helping to manage capacity without sacrificing sensitivity.</li><li>The Battle Against Background Contamination: Why PTFE-free (PFAS-free) laboratory equipment is no longer optional when trying to detect "forever chemicals" at the parts-per-trillion and parts-per-quadrillion levels.</li><li>Complex Matrices (Seafood &amp; Packaging): The technical hurdles of analyzing high-lipid samples like fish and the rising demand for migration testing as states like Rhode Island begin to phase out PFAS in food packaging.</li><li>Global Regulatory Shifts: A look at the "dual compliance model" required for labs supporting international exporters, especially with the European Union’s stricter enforcement compared to the U.S. monitoring approach.</li><li>The "Grand Challenge" of Unknowns: How EPA Method 1621 (Total Organic Fluorine) is helping labs close the mass balance gap and why the next generation of bench chemists must embrace *AI and data science* to manage the massive datasets generated by high-resolution mass spectrometry.</li><li>PFAS Destruction vs. Remediation: &nbsp;The promising (and problematic) methods for breaking the carbon-fluorine bond, and why incineration may inadvertently be spreading shorter-chain PFAS into the air.</li></ul>Whether you are a lab manager looking to future-proof your workflow or a chemist navigating the ever-evolving landscape of EPA Method 1633, this episode provides essential insights into the most pressing environmental crisis of our time.<h3>Video Transcription</h3><h4>Michelle Taylor: PFAS Testing Is Becoming a Much Bigger Analytical Challenge</h4>PFAS analysis has rapidly evolved from a specialized environmental testing problem into a much broader challenge involving drinking water, food, packaging, laboratory contamination, international regulation, data analysis, and even destruction technologies. In an interview with Michelle Taylor, Editor-in-Chief of Labcompare, the discussion explored what laboratories are learning from the latest PFAS research—and why the analytical demands are likely to continue growing.Taylor leads editorial content for Labcompare, an online resource covering analytical laboratory instrumentation, products, and scientific developments. Among the projects she considers particularly important are two long-form documentaries produced by Labcompare examining per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), first through drinking water and subsequently through food.The documentaries brought together subject-matter experts working across PFAS analysis and exposed some of the practical realities laboratories now face: rapidly changing regulations, extremely low detection limits, complex matrices, contamination risks, and sample volumes that can overwhelm laboratory capacity.<h4>From drinking water to seafood</h4>One of the most memorable findings for Taylor came during production of the second documentary, which focused on PFAS in food.Several experts interviewed for the project told her they had stopped eating seafood, in some cases many years earlier, because of concerns surrounding contamination. For Taylor, the consistency and immediacy of those responses illustrated how closely analytical research can intersect with everyday decisions.Seafood also demonstrates why PFAS testing can become analytically difficult.Fish and other high-lipid samples require effective extraction to release the analytes, followed by rigorous cleanup to remove fats. According to the experts Taylor interviewed, the cleanup step is particularly critical because residual lipids can damage LC columns and create severe matrix interferences.Laboratories are therefore using approaches such as enhanced matrix removal and carbon- or silica-based sorbents to reduce the lipid content of extracts before instrumental analysis. The goal is not simply obtaining sufficient recovery, but producing an extract clean enough to maintain analytical performance and laboratory throughput.<h4>How laboratories are handling the PFAS sample burden</h4>The analytical sensitivity now required for PFAS testing presents another challenge: laboratories may need to measure compounds at parts-per-trillion levels while processing growing numbers of samples.Automation has therefore become increasingly important, particularly during sample preparation, where repetitive manual procedures can otherwise create a major bottleneck.Taylor also described a tiered analytical strategy being used by some laboratories. A less demanding measurement can first be used for screening, while samples generating a positive result are subsequently transferred to a more sensitive platform, such as triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry, for confirmation and quantitation.This type of workflow can help laboratories concentrate their highest-performance instrumentation on the samples that actually require it rather than applying the most intensive analysis to every incoming sample.The broader principle is likely to become increasingly important as PFAS testing expands: laboratories must find ways to increase throughput without sacrificing the sensitivity demanded by regulatory methods.<h4>When the laboratory itself becomes a source of PFAS</h4>At trace concentrations, contamination introduced during sample preparation or measurement can become comparable to the concentration being determined.This makes the materials used throughout the analytical workflow particularly important.Taylor emphasized that PFAS laboratories must maintain continuous awareness of potential contamination from solvents, water, tubing, containers, and other laboratory components. Equipment containing fluoropolymers such as PTFE may be problematic in certain PFAS workflows because background contamination can contribute to false positives or elevated blanks.As detection limits move lower, dedicated PFAS-compatible or fluoropolymer-free laboratory equipment becomes increasingly valuable.Taylor described manufacturers offering clearly identified PFAS-free configurations as an important response to this problem. Rather than forcing laboratories to investigate the material composition of each component individually, dedicated configurations can simplify method implementation and reduce uncertainty about potential background sources.For laboratories already dealing with demanding workflows and large sample loads, eliminating potential contamination before it occurs can save considerable troubleshooting time.<h4>Food packaging could drive the next major wave of testing</h4>PFAS concerns are not limited to the food itself.The interview also examined food-contact materials, including takeout containers and other packaging from which PFAS may migrate into food. State-level restrictions in the United States are already beginning to affect the materials manufacturers can use.For contract laboratories, this creates the possibility of another significant increase in demand for compliance and migration testing.Taylor’s recommendation is straightforward: laboratories should follow proposed regulations before they become final.Waiting until a new requirement takes effect can leave a laboratory simultaneously trying to acquire instrumentation, establish methods, train staff, and respond to customer demand. Monitoring regulatory agencies, scientific meetings, and industry discussions earlier gives laboratories time to prepare analytical capabilities before the testing requirement becomes urgent.She expects PFAS restrictions in food packaging to continue developing first through a patchwork of individual state regulations. Once a sufficient number of states adopt restrictions, however, the economics may increasingly encourage suppliers to move toward PFAS-free materials regardless of whether every jurisdiction requires them.A national standard could eventually follow that transition.<h4>One sample, two regulatory environments</h4>International food exporters face another complication: PFAS requirements are not necessarily the same between the United States and European Union.Taylor noted that laboratories serving both markets may effectively need to operate under a dual-compliance model.In the interview, she highlighted EU requirements targeting specific PFAS—including PFOS, PFOA, PFNA, and PFHxS—at very low concentrations in certain foods, while the U.S. approach has historically involved a different combination of monitoring programs, evolving compound lists, and import-related requirements.For laboratories supporting international customers, this means more than simply selecting a different reporting limit.Different markets may require different target lists, methods, documentation, auditing, and compliance procedures. Laboratories therefore need analytical platforms capable of ultratrace measurements while also maintaining the operational flexibility to support multiple regulatory frameworks.That additional complexity also carries a practical cost: performing different protocols for different jurisdictions means more staff time, additional workflow management, and potentially greater instrument demand.<h4>Total fluorine screening can help laboratories decide what to analyze next</h4>Targeted LC-MS/MS methods are highly sensitive, but they only measure compounds included in the analytical panel.This creates an important question: what about fluorinated substances that are present but are not included in the targeted method?The interview discussed EPA Method 1621, which uses a broader fluorine-based screening approach. Taylor described this type of measurement as useful for helping laboratories assess the gap between compounds captured by targeted LC-MS/MS methods and the broader amount of organofluorine present in a sample.Such screening can also become part of a tiered workflow.For applications such as food packaging, laboratories could initially use a broader fluorine measurement to determine whether a sample warrants further investigation. Positive or suspicious samples could then move to more selective and sensitive targeted analysis for identification and quantitation.Non-targeted high-resolution mass spectrometry can add another layer by revealing compounds outside conventional target lists.Together, these approaches create a funnel from broad screening toward increasingly detailed characterization rather than attempting the most comprehensive analysis on every sample from the outset.<h4>PFAS analysis is becoming a data problem too</h4>High-resolution mass spectrometry can generate enormous datasets containing signals from large numbers of known and unknown compounds.As a result, Taylor believes the role of the analytical chemist is changing.Strong laboratory skills remain essential, but scientists increasingly need data literacy as well. Understanding complex datasets, working with advanced software, and interacting effectively with artificial intelligence and machine-learning tools are becoming important parts of modern analytical work.Taylor does not see this change primarily as replacing scientific expertise.Instead, she compares it with earlier laboratory automation: repetitive or technically demanding tasks can increasingly be handled by software, allowing scientists to spend more time interpreting results and making decisions.AI may also make sophisticated analytical information more accessible. A less experienced mass spectrometry user could potentially receive explanations of complex data through software capable of presenting results in natural language, reducing dependence on a single specialist being immediately available.There is another potential advantage beyond speed.Machine-learning systems can recognize patterns across large datasets that may be difficult or impossible for an individual scientist to detect manually. As analytical datasets become larger and multidimensional, that pattern-recognition capability could become increasingly valuable.<h4>Finding PFAS is only the first half of the problem</h4>For years, much of the PFAS discussion has focused on answering two questions:<ul><li>Are PFAS present, and how much is there?</li></ul>The next challenge is considerably harder: how do we actually remove or destroy them?Taylor described this as an expanding research field that will increasingly involve analytical laboratories.The strength of the carbon-fluorine bond makes PFAS destruction difficult. Some treatment approaches seek to break this bond and achieve complete defluorination, but incomplete destruction can create another analytical problem.For example, thermal treatment may transform longer-chain PFAS into shorter-chain fluorinated compounds rather than eliminating them completely. Those products may then enter another environmental compartment, including atmospheric emissions.Consequently, laboratories studying PFAS destruction must do more than measure disappearance of the original compound. They also need to determine whether fluorinated transformation products or other byproducts remain.Analytical chemistry therefore has two roles: monitoring PFAS contamination and demonstrating whether remediation technologies truly destroy the substances they are intended to remove.<h4>The PFAS problem is expanding beyond water and food</h4>The first two Labcompare documentaries focused primarily on water and food, two matrices already receiving substantial regulatory and public attention.But Taylor does not expect the story to end there.If Labcompare produces another PFAS documentary, she sees PFAS in air as a likely subject. Discussions with experts during earlier filming repeatedly raised atmospheric contamination, including both direct environmental occurrence and emissions potentially associated with treatment or destruction processes.The progression illustrates how quickly the PFAS field is expanding.Drinking water regulation accelerated analytical development. Food testing introduced more difficult matrices and new exposure pathways. Packaging is creating another compliance challenge. Environmental remediation raises questions about destruction products. Atmospheric monitoring could become another significant frontier.For laboratories already working with chromatography and mass spectrometry, Taylor’s message is essentially to be prepared—even organizations that do not currently consider themselves “PFAS laboratories” may eventually become involved.<h4>An analytical field that is still changing rapidly</h4>Perhaps the strongest theme running through the interview is that PFAS analysis has no fixed endpoint yet.Methods continue to evolve. Regulations change. Target compound lists expand. Instrument sensitivity improves. Laboratories discover new sources of background contamination, while researchers identify additional exposure pathways and investigate new destruction technologies.Taylor compares the situation to earlier periods of rapid analytical development, such as the evolution of forensic DNA analysis: each technological advance reveals more information, which in turn creates new questions and new analytical requirements.That makes preparation particularly important.Laboratories cannot predict every future regulation, but they can follow proposed requirements, develop flexible workflows, invest in contamination control and data capabilities, and understand how their existing chromatography and mass spectrometry expertise could be applied to emerging PFAS challenges.The analytical problem is no longer simply detecting a group of “forever chemicals.”It is becoming a much larger question of how we identify them, quantify them, prevent contamination during analysis, understand their movement through food and the environment, comply with evolving regulations, and ultimately prove that they have actually been destroyed.<blockquote>This text has been automatically transcribed from a video presentation using AI technology. It may contain inaccuracies and is not guaranteed to be 100% correct.</blockquote><blockquote><h4>Concentrating on Chromatography Podcast</h4>Dive into the frontiers of chromatography, mass spectrometry, and sample preparation with host David Oliva. Each episode features candid conversations with leading researchers, industry innovators, and passionate scientists who are shaping the future of analytical chemistry. From decoding PFAS detection challenges to exploring the latest in AI-assisted liquid chromatography, this show uncovers practical workflows, sustainability breakthroughs, and the real-world impact of separation science. Whether you’re a chromatographer, lab professional, or researcher you'll discover inspiring content!You can find Concentrating on Chromatography Podcast in podcast apps:<ul><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1wZg67rCjoGju4yhqxI3tL">Spotify</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/tz/podcast/concentrating-on-chromatography/id1788429185">Apple podcast</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://podscan.fm/podcasts/concentrating-on-chromatography">podscan</a></li></ul>and on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/@ChromatographyTalk/videos">YouTube channel</a></blockquote>

PFAS in Water, Food & Packaging: Michelle Taylor on the "Forever Chemicals" Documentary Series

Article

Scientists

Environment

Food

Water

Interview

Science and research

Video

Since its establishment in 2011, CEITEC has quickly developed into a cutting-edge infrastructure for research which performs highly alongside the best institutes in Europe. Among the main priorities of CEITEC are the promotion of a motivating and dynamic international scientific environment, the provision of state-of-the-art research infrastructure, and the policy of open communication and equal opportunities.

CEITEC

Organomation, founded in 1959, designs and manufactures high-quality nitrogen evaporators and extraction systems. Known for innovation and durability, their lab instruments are used globally for efficient sample preparation with strong customer support.

Organomation

Wasson GC O-FID Oxygenated Components in Gasoline Analyzer

Using an Agilent Technologies 8890 with custom Wasson-ECE hardware, this instrument rapidly determines oxygenate components in motor fuels.

Approved for determining oxygenates in gasoline and other motor fuels by ASTM D5599 and EN 1601
The determination of oxygenates in motor fuels is an important mandate of the reformulated fuels program. To meet this goal, the United States Environmental Protection Agency approved the use of Oxygenate Flame Ionization Detector (O-FID) analysis in preference to other analyses currently used by the fuels industry.
<h5>Oxygen Selectivity</h5>
Using an Agilent Technologies 8890 GC with custom Wasson-ECE hardware, this instrument rapidly determines oxygenate components in motor fuels. A single injection is introduced onto a capillary column which separates oxygenate components in boiling point order. A cracking reactor converts hydrocarbons into elemental carbon, and oxygenated compounds into carbon monoxide. A methanizer then further converts the carbon monoxide into methane before eluting to the FID detector.
Because hydrocarbons never make it to the detector, this method completely eliminates problems with hydrocarbon interferences.
<h5>Single GC 8890 Instrument Configurations:</h5>
<ul>
<li>ASTM D5599 or EN1601 - Oxygenates in gasoline and other motor fuels by O-FID.
</li>
<li>O-FID with D3606 - Oxygenates by O-FID per ASTM D5599 and benzene and toluene in motor fuels by FID per ASTM D3606
</li>
<li>O-FID with D4815 - Oxygenates by O-FID per ASTM D5599 and oxygenates by FID per ASTM D4815
</li>
<li>O-FID with D4815 and D3606 - Oxygenates by O-FID per ASTM D5599, oxygenates by FID per D4815, and benzene and toluene by FID per ASTM D3606
</li>
</ul>
<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Altium_International_Wasson_O_FID_GC_analyzator_kyslikatych_latek_Ukazkovy_chromatogram_z_O_FI_Du_32e439263e.jpg" alt="Wasson: Example chromatogram from O-FID GC system"/>
<h5>Simple to Use and Operate</h5>
The Wasson-ECE O-FID has been engineered to provide long life and require infrequent service. When replacement of the cracking reactor or methanizer is necessary, the task can be accomplished in under one hour, including instrument equilibration time.
<h5>Precise Analyses</h5>
Repeatibility tests yield relative standard deviations (RSD) of approximately 1% by weight over a series of 10 runs for all major oxygenated components. The O-FID response is linear over four orders of magnitude. An automated injection device is recommended to provide the most reliable means of repeatable injection.
<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Altium_International_Wasson_O_FID_GC_analyzator_kyslikatych_latek_Opakovatelnost_mereni_51c93d3988.jpg" alt="Wasson: GC O-FID Oxygenated Components in Gasoline Analyzer - Repeatibility tests"/>

Wasson-ECE GC RGA Refinery Gas Analyzers

Wasson-ECE Refinery Gas Analyzers (RGA) are an integral part of any HPI lab. 

Wasson-ECE Refinery Gas Analyzers (RGA) are an integral part of any HPI lab. These instruments often carry the heaviest sample loads because of the critical information they provide. RGAs provide valuable information regarding plant operation, unit optimization, and quality control. Our RGA systems are designed for flexibility while maintaining the accurate and repeatable results our clients have come to expect.
As a premier channel partner of Agilent Technologies, Wasson-ECE extends the capabilities of the 8890 Gas Chromatograph to meet key requirements of refinery gas analysis. The Wasson-ECE RGA incorporates our specially designed auxiliary oven, which holds up to five additional rotary valves and six columns, extending the analysis capabilities far beyond traditional methods.
At Wasson-ECE we strive to produce a product that is innovative and state-of-the-art to help our customers overcome their analytical challenges. The flexibility of our RGA systems can ease bench space issues by combining analyses into a single instrument while maintaining an easy to service system with minimal downtime.
<h3>RGA Features</h3>
<ul>
<li>Complete range of analyzers for refinery and other petroleum gases and liquids
</li>
<li>vIncludes method development, selection of valves, and columns** in all configurations
</li>
<li>Dual TCDs and a single FID for the simultaneous analysis of fixed gases and hydrocarbons
</li>
<li>Wasson-ECE Auxiliary Oven which provides a second thermal zone
</li>
<li>Customized reports including calculations for mole %, weight %, or volume %, and calorific value available
</li>
<li>Optional liquid sampling valves or On-board Vaporizer expands the analytical capabilities to liquefied gases
</li>
<li>Optional fourth detector available on all Super RGA configurations
</li>
</ul>
<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Altium_International_Wasson_RGA_GC_analyzator_rafinerskych_plynu_Wasson_ECE_Moznosti_konfigurace_RGA_17545e3d4c.jpg" alt="Wasson: Wasson-ECE RGA Configuration Options"/>
<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Altium_International_Wasson_RGA_GC_analyzator_rafinerskych_plynu_Ukazkovy_chromatogram_standardni_RGA_1b72a88528.jpg" alt="Wasson: 383-Standard Refinery Gas Analysis"/>
<h3>Wasson-ECE Super RGA</h3>
Wasson-ECE has the unique ability to add a fourth detector to the GC, building our Super RGA series of analyzers. The additional detector expands the analytical capabilities of the standard RGA to accommodate applications such as sulfurs, oxygenates, heavy hydrocarbons, and trace CO/CO₂. This increased flexibility in configurations can reduce the number of GC’s used in a lab, saving clients valuable bench space and time.
<h5>Performance Guarantee</h5>
From hardware to analysis we stand behind our quoted application. Prior to shipping the instrument, chromatograms are submitted for customer approval. Performance is guaranteed to the clients actual sample, not just a generic standard. Any problems with the application during the first year are covered under warranty for an unparalleled performance guarantee.
<h3>The Wasson-ECE Turn-key Process</h3>
<h5>Sales</h5>
<ul>
<li>Application designed to customer&#39;s requirements</li>
</ul>
<h5>Factory Application</h5>
<ul>
<li>Method development and application setup</li>
<li>Customer samples are run to verify performance</li>
<li>Chromatograms are sent for client approval</li>
<li>Factory acceptance training if desired</li>
</ul>
<h5>Installation</h5>
<ul>
<li>Experienced Wasson Field Service Technician</li>
<li>Analysis of client’s real world samples</li>
<li>Calibration and familiarization</li>
</ul>
<h5>Customer Satisfaction</h5>
<ul>
<li>Follow up after installation</li>
<li>Knowledgeable and responsive service team</li>
<li>Optional preventative maintenance visits or service contracts</li>
</ul>
<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Altium_International_Wasson_RGA_GC_analyzator_rafinerskych_plynu_Ukazkove_chromatogramy_Super_RGA_c62a4d715e.jpg" alt="Wasson: Example chromatograms (Super RGA)"/>

Wasson GC DHA Hydrocarbon Expert software

DHA analysis easy and simple. Efficient analysis is now even more efficient. Hydrocarbon Expert software.

Wasson-ECE Dragon DHA is a fast, easy to use application for the detailed hydrocarbon analysis of petroleum products by high efficiency gas chromatography. Dragon DHA uses a convenient, graphical interface to provide a one-screen display for visually observing the chromatogram and manipulating the data calculations in order to obtain the optimum results for analysis and data presentation.
<h3>Dragon DHA Includes:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Quick database creation.
</li>
<li>Fast peak identification and results processing.
</li>
<li>“Unknown” tab lists unidentified peaks in order of concentration.
</li>
<li>“Unknown indexer” takes the user directly to the unknown peak for identification.
</li>
<li>Unique dashboard feature continuously presents the user with all calculated results and instantly recalculates when changes are made.
</li>
<li>Hydrocarbon group-type filtering.
</li>
<li>Full preview and printing of reports.
</li>
<li>Results are bound with chromatographic data for instant retrieval and archiving. 
</li>
<li>Original files and data are never affected (CFR Part 11/ISO 17025).
</li>
<li>Result files are saved as netCDF (.AIA) format files and can be accessed by any third-party application that supports reading .AIA file format.
</li>
<li>Result files work as fully functional reference databases.
</li>
<li>Full reports are stored with results for easy retrieval without reprocessing.
</li>
</ul>
<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Altium_International_Wasson_Obrazek_1_Diagram_casti_DHA_chromatogramu_s_identifikovanymi_a_neidentifikovanymi_piky_b50386d9b9.jpg" alt="Wasson: Diagram of the part of the DHA chromatogram with identified and unidentified peaks. Hydrocarbon Expert greatly simplifies the identification of components by comparing the measured chromatogram with a reference."/>
<h3>Wasson-ECE Dragon DHA Software</h3>
Wasson-ECE Instrumentation Dragon DHA software uses integrated chromatographic data from commercial GC data systems, i.e. ChromPerfect, EZ Chrome, ChemStation. In fact, any GC data system capable of AIA (ANDI) file output is compatible with Dragon DHA.
<h3>Chemical and Physical Property Calculations</h3>
<ul>
<li>Vapor pressure</li>
<li>Oxygenate content</li>
<li>Relative density</li>
<li>Average molecular weight</li>
<li>Calculated research octane number</li>
<li>% carbon, % hydrogen</li>
<li>Calculated bromine number</li>
<li>Mass% and vol% multi-substituted ring aromatics</li>
<li>Total boiling point distribution</li>
<li>Wt%, vol%, mole% of group types by carbon number</li>
<li>Wt%, vol%, mole% of individual components</li>
</ul>
<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Altium_International_Wasson_Obrazek_5_V_software_lze_porovnavat_neomezeny_pocet_signalu_a_reportu_Srovnani_lze_provest_na_jakekoli_urovni_od_shrnuti_dle_skupin_po_vlastni_vypocty_9c06f36d16.jpg" alt="Wasson: An unlimited number of signals and reports can be compared in the software. Comparisons can be made at any level, from group summaries to custom calculations."/>

Wasson Pressurized Liquid Auto-sampler (LS100B)

Wasson-ECE Liquid Auto-Sampler (LS100B) offers laboratory automation for pressurized liquid samples such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and natural gas liquids (NGL).

Wasson-ECE Liquid Auto-Sampler (LS100B) offers laboratory automation for pressurized liquid samples such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and natural gas liquids (NGL).
The LS100B uses inert gases to maintain pressure so that the sample remains in the liquid state at ambient temperature as it passes to the GC for analysis.
The LS100B accommodates up to nine sample cylinders with 1/4 inch tube, VCO, or quick connect fittings. These fittings hold the sample cylinders vertically, ensuring that samples are drawn from the bottom of the cylinder.
<h4>Pressurized Liquid Auto-sampler Features</h4>
<ul>
<li>Purges automatically with carrier gas between each sample run
</li>
<li>Remote-starts the GC and the data recording software such as ChemStation™
</li>
<li>Adds a date/time stamp to all samples
</li>
<li>Holds up to nine 3.5 inch / 8.9 cm diameter sample cylinders
</li>
<li>Works with standard open or floating-piston sample cylinders
</li>
<li>Pauses automatically when it detects that the GC is not running or not ready
</li>
<li>Can interrupt the scheduled sample sequence to process a priority sample
</li>
</ul>

Wasson Dynamic Blender for GC (DB302)

The Dynamic Blender is a portable gas blending device that dilutes a sample or a certified standard with a matrix gas of choice.

Gas chromatography (GC) analyses often include trace level detection of components requiring samples or standards at low concentrations. Some analytes are expensive or difficult to purchase at low levels due to reactivity, adsorption, or high molecular weight. Analyses may also cover a wide concentration range, requiring multi-point calibration.
The Wasson-ECE Dynamic Blender (DB302) provides a simple solution to these calibration needs. The Dynamic Blender is a portable gas blending device that dilutes a sample or a certified standard with a matrix gas of choice. One certified standard with concentrations at the upper limit of the desired calibration curve can be diluted to a lower level (&gt;2 orders of magnitude lower) to create a full calibration curve.
An inert flow path and heated bridge eliminate adsorption and condensation problems when blending gas standards that include sulfur, nitrogen, and other reactive compounds.
An on-board flow controller allows the diluent gas flow to be controlled digitally and samples are fed directly to a gas chromatograph. The Dynamic Blender eliminates the need to purchase and store multiple gas cylinders and provides an easy, cost-effective solution for gas phase calibration needs.
<h4>Dynamic Blender Features</h4>
<ul>
<li>Approximately 100 pre-programmed pure diluent gases and mixtures and twenty user configurable diluent mixture slots.
</li>
<li>Maximum Diluent Pressure of 100 psi (leak tested to this pressure)
</li>
<li>Maximum Temperature of 150°C (operation verified at this temp.)
</li>
<li>Mass Flow Controller Range of 10 – 500 cc/min
</li>
<li>7 μm in-line gas filters (treated) are also provided
</li>
<li>Specially passivated tubing for trace reactive compounds (sulfurs, oxygenates, etc.)
</li>
</ul>
*This treatment is not suitable for samples with pH &gt; 8.0, so please notify your sales representative if you have high pH samples.

Wasson Variable Pressure Sampler (VPS)

The Variable Pressure Sampler (VPS) works in two ways to ensure the precision and accuracy of gas results.

The Variable Pressure Sampler (VPS) works in two ways to ensure the precision and accuracy of gas results. The first method is pressure correction, used to create uniform pressure among all injected samples and the calibration blend. The second method is multi-point calibration, which can deliver a calibration blend to the GC at various pressures.
The VPS pressure correction system performs a multi-step process that ensures samples and calibration blends are at uniform pressures when they are injected.
First, when the calibration blend is run through the GC, the VPS measures and stores the pressure of the calibration blend at the time of injection. Then, as each sample is injected at the stored pressure, the VPS adjusts the pressure of the sample to match the pressure of the calibration blend.
The inject pressure of the sample is reported to Agilent Technologies OpenLAB ChemStation software so calculations and quality control operations can be performed.
Using the VPS, calibration samples can be run at various pressures from a single standard. This decreases overall lab costs while ensuring greater accuracy in results. The multi-point calibration function allows testing for signal linearity at different pressures. With this feature, the user can easily pinpoint the range of pressures which generates the most accurate and meaningful results from the calibration standard.
<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Wassson_Variable_Pressure_Sampler_VPS_linearity_77314725d6.jpg" alt="Wassson: Variable Pressure Sampler (VPS) - linearity"/>

Wasson LPG Vaporizer (1107)

The LPG Vaporizer uses an innovative, proprietary technique to vaporize liquid samples for injection in an existing GC system.

The LPG Vaporizer uses an innovative, proprietary technique to vaporize liquid samples for injection in an existing GC system. This convenient laboratory system offers flexibility and accuracy for both gas and liquid samples.
The LPG Vaporizer is more convenient than a typical liquid sample valve with more accurate results. All liquid samples are vaporized and run at a constant pressure, eliminating sample density changes that cause errors in liquid phase samples. This ensures sharp, easy-to-read peaks for all samples.
The LPG Vaporizer is built with specially passivated parts for analyzing trace reactive analytes such as sulfurs and oxygenates.
Wasson-ECE&#39;s unique, proprietary vaporization technique produces an even and accurate gas sample. Other vaporizers use tubing with a large volume, causing samples to fractionate when vaporized. This can lead to incomplete sample analysis. The LPG Vaporizer controls the injection volume so that all elements in the liquid sample are vaporized and sent to the GC simultaneously, producing a complete and accurate analysis of the sample.
<h4>LPG Vaporizer Features</h4>
<ul>
<li>Inject liquid and gas samples with a single valve
</li>
<li>High sample throughput
</li>
<li>Purging technique reduces cross-contamination
</li>
<li>Ability to stop sample flow to the GC at any time
</li>
<li>Controlled injection volume
</li>
<li>4 ft. heated bridge from vaporizer to customer&#39;s GC sample valve to prevent sample re-condensing
</li>
</ul>

Wasson Gas Auto-sampler (AS202)

The Gas Auto-sampler (AS202) is a stand-alone device that delivers samples to the GC through a heated bridge, ensuring that samples are injected at the appropriate temperature.

The Gas Auto-sampler (AS202) is a stand-alone device that delivers samples to the GC through a heated bridge, ensuring that samples are injected at the appropriate temperature. The heated pathway is purged with carrier gas between each sample injection, and a vacuum pump ensures an extremely low level of matrix cross-contamination (typically less than 50 ppm).
Samples are loaded into the AS202 oven, which can hold up to twelve 500cc sample cylinders or nine 1L cylinders. The shelves are removable and adjustable and can also be tilted to prevent injection of any residual liquids which then changes the setup to allow for a maximum of eight 500cc or six 1L cylinders.
Samples (1000 psig / 6895 kPa max) are automatically regulated during the purging sequence so the GC injects all samples and calibration blends at atmospheric pressure. The AS202 can also be configured to automate injection of samples that are already at atmospheric pressure.
The table below compares the GC analysis results for 2 mL samples of n-pentane and n-hexane at 100 psig in propane. In the first trial, the sample is sent to the GC from the AS202 at ambient temperature; in the second trial the AS202 heats the samples to 130°C before injection.
<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Wasson_Wasson_autosampler_pro_plynne_vzorky_Srovnani_vysledku_GC_analyz_f7c0ad0991.jpg" alt="Wasson: Repeatability Comparisons - Heated vs. Unheated"/>

Thermo Scientific TRACE 1310 GC Refinery Gas Analyzers

TRACE 1310 Refinery Gas Analyzers: pre-tested, ready-to-use systems for ASTM, UOP, GPA, ISO methods. Fast RGA performance, Instant Connect, and full documentation.

<div><div>Experience outstanding reliability and performance in your gas chromatography analyses with Thermo Scientific™ TRACE™ 1310 Refinery Gas. Analyzers. We offer a wide selection of configurations for ASTM D1945, ASTM D7833, UOP 539, ASTM 2163, GPA 2166/2286, and ISO 6974. Pre-configured and factory tested, all configurations of TRACE 1310 Refinery Gas Analyzers are ready to analyze your samples right out of the box.&nbsp;Experience easier maintenance and greater uptime with patented Instant Connect modularity. We offer six models to select from based upon your sample requirements and all deliver 'Fast RGA' performance. Each system includes a start-up guide with troubleshooting tips and full plumbing diagrams.</div><div><h3>✅ Ready to Install and Run Samples</h3><ul><li>Fully configured and factory tested</li><li>Designed to meet industry standard methods - ASTM UOP ISO</li><li>Method delivered with system</li><li>Commission and training on installation</li></ul><h3>🔧 Variety of configurations to meet your requirements</h3><h4>3-Three-channel configurations</h4><ul><li>Ch1: PG &amp; CO2, Ch2: C1-C8, Ch3: H2/He</li><li>Ch1: PG &amp; CO2, Ch2: C1-C5 C6+, Ch:3 H2/He</li><li>Ch1: PG &amp; CO2 H2S, Ch2: C1-C5 C6+, Ch:3 H2/He</li></ul><h4>3-Four-channel configurations for expanded capability</h4><ul><li>Ch1: PG &amp; CO2, Ch2: C1-C5 C6+, Ch3: C1-C8, Ch4: H2/He</li><li>Ch1: PG &amp; CO2, Ch2: C1-C8, Ch:3 low level CO &amp; CO2, Ch:4 H2/He</li><li>Ch1: PG &amp; CO2, Ch2: C1-C8, Ch:3 H2/He, Ch4: Sulfur speciation</li></ul><h3>🧪 Built for speed and flexibility</h3><ul><li>All systems are 'fast RGA' designs for faster sample turnaround</li><li>Two-oven design – Temperature programmable GC Oven and independent isothermal valve oven can hold up to 6 columns for optimal column management</li><li>System features Instant Connect detector modules, increasing uptime with detector exchange in minutes</li><li>Four independent detector signals for simultaneous data collection, simplified data reduction and troubleshooting</li><li>Optional third isothermal oven for molecular sieve columns</li><li>Designed for increased uptime and ease of support</li><li>Spacious independent valve oven with easy access to valves, rotors, actuators</li><li>Heated sample bulkheads ensure complete sample transfer</li><li>Optimized system footprint to reduce bench space requirement</li></ul><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/application::product.product/Thermo-TRACEtm-1310-Refinery-Gas-Analyzers-1.jpg" alt="Thermo Scientific TRACE 1310 GC Refinery Gas Analyzers" width="null" height="null"></div></div>

Thermo Scientific TRACE 1310 GC Analyzers for Oxygenates

TRACE 1310 GC analyzers for oxygenates: preconfigured, tested systems for refinery streams. Automated, Chromeleon CDS-ready, with full documentation and ASTM methods.

<div>Automatically analyze single or multiple samples using the Thermo Scientific™ TRACE™ 1310 Analyzers for Oxygenates. These automated laboratory gas chromatography systems measure and report oxygenates and octane enhancers in refinery product streams. Systems are preconfigured, method tested, and ready to analyze samples after installation.&nbsp;These systems can use the powerful <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/products/76">Thermo Scientific™ Chromeleon™ Chromatotraphy Data System (CDS)</a> to acquire and analyze chromatography data. Custom reporting allows generation of customer-specific reports. Each system is delivered with methods pre-installed and a complete documentation package that includes start-up, troubleshooting, plumbing diagram, and spare parts/consumables list.<div>We offer three systems configured for specific hydrocarbon streams and ASTM standard test methods. All systems utilize automated backflush of stripper column to prevent contamination of sensitive oxygentates column thus increasing uptime and performance.<h4>TRACE™ 1310 GC for Oxygenates by ASTM D7423</h4><ul><li>FID Channel detects and quantitates oxygenate compounds in light hydrocarbon streams C2-C5 as specified in ASTM D7423. Stripper column holds hydrocarbons up for backflush to prevent contamination of oxygenates column.</li></ul><h4>TRACE™ 1310 GC for Oxygenates by ASTM D7754</h4><ul><li>FID Channel detects and quantitates oxygenate compounds in spark ignition fuels (gasoline) as specified in the ASTM D7754. Stripper column holds hydrocarbons which are vented by a pressure point tee to prevent contamination of oxygenates column.</li></ul><h4>TRACE™ 1310 GC for Oxygenates in Gasoline by ASTM D4815</h4><ul><li>FID Channel detects and quantitates oxygenate compounds in spark ignition fuels (gasoline) as specified in the ASTM D4815. Stripper column holds hydrocarbons which are vented by a pressure point Tee to prevent contamination of oxygenates column.</li></ul><h3>Built to maximize productivity and uptime</h3><ul><li>Systems features Instant Connect detector modules increasing uptime with detector exchange in minutes</li><li>Heated sample bulkheads ensures complete sample transfer</li><li>Automated injection for liquid samples</li><li>Optimized system footprint to reduce benchspace requirement</li></ul></div></div>

Products focused on GC - page 1

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