Methanol and Ethanol Analysis

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Methanol and Ethanol Analysis/
The Ultimate Gourmet Martini

• J. Picker

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Objective

• Analyze methanol and ethanol at 100-1000 ug/L or
  lower
• Use standard or modified EPA Methods
• Provide adequate Turnaround and pricing to meet
  client needs
• Make a profit

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Warning

• Methanol is wood alcohol
• minimum lethal dose 1g/kg but toxic effects as
  low as 10g.
• toxicity is due to metabolic production of
  formic acid
• Ethanol is less toxic

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Problems

• Very Poor purging efficiency (i.e., NO 5030/5035)
  
• Allowed Prep. Techniques
• 5031 Azeotropic distillation
• 5032 Vacuum distillation
• 5021 Equilibrium Headspace nd
• 5041 VOST train nd
• Direct Inject

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Problems II

• Low sensitivity on FID and MS
• Interferences by HCs and other compounds on FID

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HP Labs Solution

• Direct Aqueous injection/EPA Method 8260B
• GC Column and conditions to separate MeOH, EtOH
  from water
• Stable Labeled isotope internal standards
  (CD3OH,CD3CH2OH)
• Modified with Selected Ion Monitoring Mass
  Spectrometry (SIM)

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Sample Preparation water

• Sample Size 1 mL
• Add Labeled IS Solution
• Inject

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Sample Preparation Soil

• Ultrasonic extraction (EPA 3550)
• 10 g/10 mL
• Remove 1mL
• Add IS
• Inject

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Detection Limits Water
and Soil

• MDLs lt 100 ug/L (ug/kg)
• EQLs 250 ug/L (ug/kg)

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What This Means

• Methanol and Ethanol on site or off site
• Rapid turnaround
• All levels of QC
• Price as low as fixed base