Inductively coupled plasma tandem mass spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS) for the analysis of fuels, biofuels and their feedstock using a high temperature total consumption sample introduction system operated under continuous sample aspiration mode

Elemental analysis of (bio)fuels and their feedstock is performed for the first time through ICP-MS/MS using a high temperature torch integrated sample introduction system (hTISIS). The system has been operated in continuous sample aspiration mode at a 30 μL min−1 liquid flow rate. An oxygen additional gas stream has been used in order to avoid soot deposit formation either in the torch or the ICP-MS/MS interface. Temperature and collision/reaction gas type and flow rate were varied in order to obtain the highest signal to background ratio. Compared with a conventional sample introduction system, the hTISIS operated at 300 °C yielded lower limits of detection. This parameter was included within the 0.005 (60Ni) to 6 μg kg−1 (28Si and 66Zn) range. An in-house method validation and uncertainty estimation were performed and it was verified that 80–90% of the uncertainty corresponded to the trueness assessment (i.e., bias, sample preparation and multielemental stock solution uncertainty). For most of the elements, the expanded uncertainty took values in between 7 and 24%. The hTISIS accounted for non-spectroscopic interferences, whereas ICP-MS/MS mitigated spectroscopic ones. This allowed the implementation of an accurate quantification method based on external calibration from a set of xylene-based standards. Thus, working with the hTISIS at 300 °C it was possible to perform the analysis of 36 samples including light petroleum cuts, diesel oil, kerosene, pyrolysis oils, vegetal oils and grease.The authors wish to thank to Total Raffinage Chimie, S. A., Gonfreville, France for financial support of the present study and for providing the samples analyzed