Automation of Solid Phase Extraction Following EPA Method 533

Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in the Environment (Session 4)
Oral Presentation

Prepared by I. Wan
PromoChrom Technologies Ltd, 14721 89A Ave, Surrey, British Columbia, V3R 7Z9, Canada


Contact Information: ian_wan@promochrom.com; 778-723-0421

ABSTRACT

EPA method 533 was released as a complement to EPA Method 537.1 to cover short-chain and more polar PFAS compounds. Similar to Method 537.1, the solid phase extraction procedures require meticulous handling, proper control of flow rates and many different conditioning, elution and rinsing steps. Having a fully-automated solution will greatly benefit the adoption and routine sample preparation of an otherwise labor-intensive method.

Prior to the release of method 533, PromoChrom's SPE-03 8-Channel SPE system was used for the multi-laboratory validation. Since then, we have worked with several laboratories to automate the extraction procedures using the SPE-03 instrument. This presentation deals with the automation of extraction procedures of EPA Method 533 based on the experience and data we obtained while working with some of these labs. Important considerations, challenges and approaches for achieving full automation of the extraction will be discussed.