Spectro Scientific InfraCal 2 ATR-SP Oil-in-Water and TPH Analyzer

Overview

The Spectro Scientific InfraCal 2 ATR-SP is a field-deployable, fixed-filter infrared analyzer engineered for rapid, reliable quantification of hydrocarbon contamination in environmental and industrial matrices. It operates on the principle of horizontal attenuated total reflectance (HATR) infrared spectroscopy, utilizing a robust zirconium oxide (ZrO₂) crystal integrated into a stainless-steel sample interface. Unlike dispersive or scanning FTIR systems, the InfraCal 2 employs a narrow-band optical filter centered at ~2930 cm⁻¹ — the characteristic C–H stretching absorption band of aliphatic hydrocarbons — enabling selective, interference-resistant detection of total oil and grease (TOG), total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH), and fats, oils, and greases (FOG). Its design eliminates solvent evaporation steps required by gravimetric methods such as EPA 1664, allowing direct measurement of extracted analytes in non-absorbing solvents (e.g., hexane, pentane, Vertrel MCA). This not only reduces analysis time to under 15 minutes but also improves repeatability by minimizing operator-induced variability associated with solvent removal.

Key Features

• Horizontally oriented ZrO₂ HATR crystal with stainless-steel sample stage, optimized for high-sensitivity, low-drift measurements in challenging field conditions
• Integrated data logging: stores up to 1,000 test results with timestamp, operator ID, and calibration metadata
• Password-protected configuration settings to ensure method integrity and audit readiness
• Dual-range capability: measures oil-in-water from 0.3 ppm to 100,000 ppm (0.00003–10 wt%), and soil TPH from 3 ppm to 10 wt% — all using the same optical path
• Marine-certified enclosure with IP65-rated sealing and corrosion-resistant hardware, validated for uninterrupted operation in offshore platforms, drilling rigs, and coastal treatment facilities for over 10 years
• No moving parts or consumable optics; minimal maintenance beyond routine solvent flushes and crystal cleaning

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The InfraCal 2 ATR-SP supports standardized extraction protocols across diverse sample types including aqueous effluents, produced water, soil slurries, drilling muds, cuttings, and wastewater FOG streams. Extraction solvents must exhibit negligible IR absorption in the 2800–3000 cm⁻¹ region — hexane, pentane, cyclohexane, and Vertrel MCA are fully validated per EPA 1664 Annex A and ISO 9377-2 Annex B. The instrument’s performance meets or exceeds regulatory acceptance criteria defined in EPA Method 1664A (for TOG/TPH), EPA Methods 413.2 and 418.1 (oil and grease), ASTM D7066 (field-portable hydrocarbon analyzers), and ISO 9377-2 (petroleum hydrocarbons in water and soil). Its measurement traceability is maintained through NIST-traceable calibration standards and documented calibration verification procedures aligned with GLP and GMP documentation requirements.

Software & Data Management

Data export is supported via USB 2.0 interface to standard Windows-based PCs. The bundled InfraCal Data Manager software enables batch report generation compliant with 21 CFR Part 11 — including electronic signatures, audit trails for calibration changes and result modifications, and role-based access control. All stored measurements retain full contextual metadata: date/time stamp, user login, solvent lot number (if entered), calibration curve ID, and raw absorbance values. Instrument firmware supports over-the-air updates via encrypted USB key, ensuring long-term compliance with evolving regulatory reporting formats without hardware replacement.

Applications

• Real-time monitoring of produced water discharge compliance on offshore oil & gas platforms
• Rapid screening of soil remediation sites for TPH residual concentrations prior to backfilling
• On-site verification of wastewater treatment plant FOG removal efficiency
• Drilling fluid quality assurance during mud logging operations
• Regulatory enforcement testing by environmental agencies conducting unannounced field inspections
• QA/QC in laboratories performing contract environmental analysis under ISO/IEC 17025-accredited scopes

FAQ

Does the InfraCal 2 ATR-SP require daily calibration?
No. Calibration verification is recommended before each analytical session using a single-point reference standard; full multi-point calibration is typically performed weekly or after solvent system maintenance.
Can it measure emulsified oil without phase separation?
Yes — provided the emulsion is first extracted using a validated solvent-based method (e.g., EPA 1664); the ATR-SP measures only the hydrocarbon mass dissolved in the extractant, independent of original physical dispersion state.
Is method validation support available for laboratory accreditation?
Yes. Spectro Scientific provides IQ/OQ documentation packages, SOP templates, and participation in interlaboratory comparison studies aligned with ISO/IEC 17025 requirements.
What is the expected lifetime of the ZrO₂ HATR crystal?
Under normal field use with proper cleaning (using spectrophotometric-grade solvent and lint-free wipes), the crystal maintains optical performance for ≥5 years; replacement kits are field-serviceable with no alignment tools required.
How does it differ from the legacy InfraCal HATR-T2 model?
The InfraCal 2 ATR-SP adds onboard data storage, password-protected settings, dual-range measurement capability, enhanced marine-grade housing, and firmware architecture supporting future regulatory software updates — while retaining identical optical performance and method equivalence.