Analysis of volatile aromatic compounds in heavy fuel oils using purge andtrap extraction and a gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric technique

The volatile fraction of heavy fuel oils used in thermal power plants is ch aracterized by the presence of trace amounts of potentially carcinogenic co mpounds, i.e. benzene and toluene. ethylbenzene and the xylenes (BTEX). In this paper, an original methodology for the determination of these compound s in such a complex matrix is presented. It consists of a capillary gas chr omatographic-quadrupole mass spectrometric method preceded by the extractio n and enrichment of the substituted benzenes by using a "purge and trap" te chnique. Results obtained analyzing heavy fuel oil actual samples are repor ted as well.