Ensuring reliable elemental analysis in petrochemical matrices with SRC technology

Elemental analysis plays a critical role across the petrochemical industry, supporting refining operations, quality control, regulatory compliance, and R&D activities. However, accurate elemental determination in petroleum-derived matrices remains challenging due to the complexity of organic samples, the presence of volatile elements, and the need to process a wide variety of materials, from crude oils and refined products to petrochemicals and petroleum cokes.

Milestone’s Single Reaction Chamber (SRC) microwave digestion technology addresses these challenges by delivering robust, efficient, and compliant sample preparation for elemental analysis .

Unlike conventional closed-vessel systems, SRC technology enables the simultaneous digestion of dissimilar petrochemical samples using different reagents within a single batch, while safely achieving the high temperatures and pressures required for complete digestion.

A recent study evaluated SRC performance through extensive recovery tests on certified reference materials, including crude oils, blank oils, green and calcined petroleum cokes, and organometallic standards. Results demonstrated high recoveries and low relative standard deviations across a wide range of elements, confirming the suitability of SRC digestion for both major and trace element determination by ICP-OES and ICP-MS. Importantly, the technology proved fully compliant with UOP Method 1005-14 for trace metals and UOP Method 1006-14 for silicon analysis.

Beyond analytical performance, SRC technology offers clear operational advantages. Rapid heating and cooling, automated pressure control, and automatic venting significantly reduce total digestion time, allowing complete workflows to be completed in less than one hour, cooling included. This efficiency supports higher laboratory throughput while minimising operator labour and enhancing safety.

Overall, SRC microwave digestion represents a reliable solution for petrochemical laboratories seeking accurate elemental analysis, regulatory compliance, and efficient handling of complex and diverse petroleum matrices in routine and advanced analytical workflows.