Portable IR Analyzers for Highly Regulated Oil in Water Measurements


E. Norwalk, CT - The Petroleum Industry – both offshore and onshore – has regulations that limit the amount of oil in discharged water.  Fixed filter infrared (IR) analyzers have been used to test oil levels in produced water on drilling platforms for over 45 years.  On oil rigs where real estate is at a premium, infrared analyzers such as the Wilks InfraCal Analyzers are compact (typically 6 inches or 15 cm square, weighing less than 5 or 6 lbs) and rugged enough to withstand salt air and a rustic lab set up.  The operation can be done by non-technical personnel in less than 15 minutes.   Infrared methods also match well with onshore laboratory testing, making it a reliable way to keep effluent levels under the regulated amount.



Both the InfraCal Model HATR-T2 and new InfraCal 2 ATR-SP, use hexane, pentane or Vertrel MCA for the extraction process. Measurement data from either model will correlate to EPA Method 1664 as both procedures are based on evaporation techniques and measuring the residual oil and grease. They are equipped with a built-in cubic zirconia horizontal attenuated total reflection (HATR) stainless-steel sample stage on which the extract is deposited for analysis. The sample preparation takes a few simple steps and the ppm hydrocarbon result is obtained in less than 15 minutes. The InfraCal Model HATR-T2 has a minimum detectable limit of 8 ppm oil in water and the InfraCal 2 ATR-SP will measure down to 0.3 ppm.



The InfraCal Model CVH and new InfraCal 2 Model TRANS-SP are based on US EPA Methods 413.2 and 418.1 and ASTM D7066-04, which uses Freon 113, perchloroethylene, or S-316, as the extracting solvent. Since the oil concentration is measured directly in the solvent, light end volatile components are retained, making it ideal for gas condensate measurements. The sample preparation takes a few simple steps and the result is obtained in less than 10 minutes. The InfraCal Model CVH has a minimum detectable limit of 2 ppm oil in water. It was one of the instruments used to develop the ASTM D7066 oil in water method.  The InfraCal 2 TRANS-SP will measure down to 0.1 ppm.



For further information on the InfraCal TOG/TPH Analyzers for on-site measurement of oil in water, please contact:  please contact: Wilks Enterprise, Inc., 25 Van Zant Street, Ste. 8F, E. Norwalk, CT 06855 TEL: 203-855-9136; FAX: 203-838-9868; Email:  info@wilksir.com; or the information can be downloaded from the Wilks website: http://www.wilksir.com/oilgrease-analyzers; http://wilksir.com/pdf/Oil_in_Water_Petrochemical.pdf.



About Wilks Enterprise

Located in E. Norwalk, Connecticut, Wilks Enterprise is a Spectro, Inc. company specializing in easy-to-use, portable mid-infrared analyzers for specific measurement applications.  All Wilks analyzers have been specifically designed for on-site use by non-technical personnel and are used for a wide variety of applications in the biofuels, environmental, petrochemical, quality control, and manufacturing industries.  These portable analyzers enable analytical measurements to be made in the field, helping to eliminate the wait for off-site lab results.



For further press information or images, please contact Carol Tunick, VP, at 203-855-9136 or email: ctunick@WilksIR.com.

InfraCal and Wilks are trademarks of Spectro, Inc.




All Topics