Evaluation of H.E.L.P. Mate 2000 for the Identification and Quantification of Petroleum Hydrocarbon Products

摘要

The H.E.L.P. Mate 2000 (HM 2000) is a spectrophotometric instrument developed for use with the Hanby Test Kits to rapidly assess of total petroleum hydrocarbon contamination (TPH) in environmental matrices on site. This spectrophotometer is designed to remove the subjectivity associated with the present visual method of analysis, and to eliminate the requirement for prior knowledge of the type of petroleum hydrocarbon contamination present at a given site. Both the HM 2000 and the current visual method of analysis measure the color that is produced by the Friedel-Crafts reaction with the aromatic hydrocarbons present in petroleum-based fuels, oils, and solvents. Laboratory and field studies were used to evaluate the HM 2000. Different results were obtained, depending on the type of sample matrix. In general, the HM 2000 was more accurate and precise for soil samples than for water samples. However, in comparison to the visual method, the HM 2000 was neither as accurate nor did it offer any qualitative advantages.