Used oils can no longer fulfill their original function because of contamination or aging. They include engine oils, hydraulic oils, and industrial lubricants, and their elemental content can help determine whether the oil is recycled or disposed of. ICP-OES provides a proven approach for this elemental analysis, with waste oil analysis commonly performed according to ASTM D5185.
The application report explains sample preparation, calibration, detection limits, and accuracy for waste oil analysis by ICP-OES. Samples are typically diluted 1:10 by weight using an appropriate solvent, while variations in viscosity can be compensated for with blank oil and/or an internal standard. The method covers elements including aluminum, calcium, chromium, copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, lead, sulfur, vanadium, and zinc. Recovery measurements on a spiked waste oil sample produced values ranging from 94% to 105% for the reported elements.
Key benefits covered in the application report
- A practical ICP-OES method for multielement waste oil analysis
- Overview of calibration ranges, wavelengths, and achieved detection limits
- Demonstration of accuracy data based on spike recovery measurements
The SPECTRO GENESIS ICP-OES with Dual Side-On plasma observation was used for the presented measurements. The DSOI plasma observation provides an average factor of 2 higher sensitivity compared with single-radial plasma observation while eliminating typical axial-view interferences. The report demonstrates that the system provides a simple, fast, accurate, precise, and cost-efficient method for used oil analysis, with an analysis including three replicates and preflushing completed in less than three minutes.
Download the application report to explore the complete ICP-OES method, analytical conditions, detection limits, and recovery results for waste oil analysis.