Automated SPME of VOAs

[ableich]

Greetings,

Has anyone used the Gerstel MPS2 or CTC CombiPAL SPME interfaced to an Agilent GC/MS system to analyze Volatile Organics from Water or Soil. My exact application is to analyze BTEX, MTBE, and TBA from Ground Water and Soil Samples? I'm new at my company,(only Analytical Chemist!), I have to furnish a mobile lab, and also have to purchase a GC/MS system. I'm either going to purchase a CombiPAL or Gerstel MPS 2 system with Agilent 5973. I really don't want to use a purge and trap system (too much maint and too much bench space). Has anyone used application that I have listed above? If so, can anyone give me some pointers on optimal extraction times and GC/MS conditions.

[AICMM]

ableich,

Go straight to Supelco. They will probably talk your ear off on this application. See any post by chromatographer1 for contact information.

I would like to hear how this goes as this is an application I am very interested in for different reasons. I know a CombiPal user working with headspace (for C1,C2 hydrocarbons) but not SPME if you need more information about that send me a note.

By the way, pay a lot of attention to your heat load in the trailer!! Been there, done that.....

Good luck.

[djletin]

I do a lot of analysis using HS-SPME and Agilent GC-MS. I have both Gerstel MPS2 and LEAP Combi PAL. Though I haven't looked at the exact HCs you listed I have looked at C9-C16 alkanes, iso-lakanes and cyclics.
I typically use a 30u PDMS fiber, 30 min equilibration and 45oC temp. Detection limits ~0.1 ppb in water.