PRODUCT TESTING LAB

PROJECT REPORT

DEPARTMENT OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERING

IIT(ISM) Dhanbad

SUBMITTED BY:
Shreyam Agrawal

(22JE0923)
SUMMARY :-
This Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) Analyser experiment quantifies Total
Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) in produced water samples to assess environmental
impact. Samples are collected, prepared, and subjected to solvent extraction and
chromatography. Results, reported in milligrams per liter (mg/L) or parts per million
(ppm), guide regulatory compliance and remediation. Accurate TPH measurements are
vital for monitoring oil and gas production's influence on water quality, aiding in
protecting ecosystems and human health in affected regions.

INTRODUCTION :-
Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) encompass a diverse range of compounds
derived from petroleum sources, commonly found in various environmental matrices
including soil, water, and sediment. TPH contamination in water sources, particularly in
produced water from oil and gas extraction operations, presents significant
environmental challenges due to its potential adverse effects on ecosystems and
human health. Accurate quantification of TPH levels is crucial for assessing the extent
of contamination and implementing appropriate remediation measures. This introduction
highlights the importance of understanding TPH dynamics in water samples,
emphasizing the need for reliable analytical methods to monitor and mitigate
TPH-related environmental risks.

OBJECTIVE :-
To determine the total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) present in a produced water
sample utilizing a TPH analyzer. This analysis aims to provide essential data for
assessing the environmental impact and regulatory compliance of the produced water,
contributing to effective monitoring and management practices in oil and gas operations.

METHODOLOGY :-
Apparatus Required :-
1. TPH Analyser- A TPH analyser is a device used in the petroleum industry to
measure Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) in various samples, including soil,
water, and air. These analysers employ different techniques such as
chromatography, infrared spectroscopy, or fluorescence to quantify the
concentration of hydrocarbons present in the sample.
 2. Reagent Bottle
3. Measuring Cylinder-250ml
4. Measuring Cylinder-50ml
5. Glass Syringe-5ml
6.
Procedure :-
Preparation of Sample :-
1. Fill the sampling bottle with 200 ml of aqueous sample.
2. After adding 15 ml of cyclohexane, shaking and closing the bottle
hard for a duration of one minute.
3. Using the sample syringe, distilled water was added until the solvent phase was
reached.
4. Waited until the phase separation was complete.

Measurement :-
1. Turning on TPH Analyser: The power cable was connected and the MAIN power
was switched on.
2. The “Sample ID”, “Operator name”, “Method” was specified and “Calibration” was
selected from the dropdown list.
 3. The process was started by pressing the “RUN” button.
4. 3 ml of cyclohexane was extracted with the glass syringe and was injected into
the inlet assembly. The “OK” button was clicked making sure no bubbles were
introduced.
5. 3 ml of previously prepared sample was extracted with the sample syringe and
injected into analyser and “OK” button was pressed. In the end the “Back” button
was pressed to return to the “Measure” menu for measurement of next sample.
6. Data Export:
i.Click on “Result” menu.
ii. By clicking on small “I” on the left side of each line the detailed result screen
was displayed.
iii. “Export” button was clicked to export data.

OBSERVATIONS:-
For Background Oil in Water
(using cyclohexane as reference)

<0.7 mg/l

For Sample Oil in Water

803.4mg/l

RESULTS:-
The total petroleum hydrocarbon of oil in water for cyclohexane was 0.7 mg/l and for
sample was 803.4 mg/l.

PRECAUTION:-
1. Sufficient amount of cyclohexane should be injected.
2. There should be no disintegration in power supply while taking measurements.
3. Clean the cyclohexane which is injected after the measurement.

CONCLUSION:-
This TPH analyser experiment successfully quantified Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons
(TPH) in produced water samples using solvent extraction and chromatography.
Despite challenges, the analysis provided accurate TPH measurements crucial for
environmental assessment and regulatory compliance in oil and gas production. The
study underscores the need for ongoing monitoring and mitigation to protect water
quality and ecosystems.

CHALLENGES:-
● While filling the syringe with sample or cyclohexane air was getting trapped
inside it. It was made sure that it was removed from the syringe in order to avoid
incorrect readings.

● It was observed that it was important to hold the syringe properly keeping it
neither too low nor too high in order to properly fill the liquid inside the syringe.

● It was essential that the machine was calibrated first otherwise it was observed
that incorrect readings could be shown by the device.

SIGNIFICANCE:-
1. Environmental Monitoring: Enables accurate assessment of hydrocarbon
contamination in produced water, crucial for preserving water quality and
ecosystem health.

2. Regulatory Compliance: Provides essential data for ensuring adherence to

environmental regulations and standards governing oil and gas production
activities.

3. Informed Decision-Making: Facilitates informed decision-making by

policymakers, industry stakeholders, and environmental agencies to mitigate the
adverse effects of hydrocarbon pollution.

4. Sustainable Practices: Supports the development and implementation of

sustainable practices in the oil and gas industry by identifying areas of concern
and guiding remediation efforts.

RECENT DEVELOPMENT:-
The use of advanced analytical techniques such as comprehensive two-dimensional
gas chromatography (GCxGC) and time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS) for TPH
analysis has been a significant development in recent years.These techniques provide
high-resolution separation and identification of individual hydrocarbons in complex
mixtures, enabling more detailed and accurate TPH measurements.

GCxGC is a powerful analytical technique that combines two-dimensional gas

chromatography with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS) for the analysis of
complex hydrocarbon mixtures. This technique provides high-resolution separation of
hydrocarbons based on their boiling points and polarities, enabling the identification and
quantitation of individual hydrocarbons in complex mixtures.

TOFMS is a mass spectrometry technique that provides high-speed, high-resolution

analysis of complex mixtures. TOFMS is particularly useful for the analysis of TPH in
environmental samples, as it can detect and quantitate individual hydrocarbons in
complex mixtures. TOFMS is often used in combination with GCxGC for the analysis of
TPH in environmental samples.

REFERENCES:-
1. "Analysis and Monitoring of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) in Water
Samples" by J. M. Smith, L. A. Johnson, and J. E. Jones, Journal of
Environmental Monitoring, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 20-30, 2013.
2. Trozzolo, J., Latest Developments in Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) Risk,
2023BioSymp.
3. https://www.battelle.org/docs/default-source/hidden/2023-bio-symp-presentations
/track-c/c2_1505_76_trozzolo.pptx.pdf?sfvrsn=5f7418db_3