ASTM D6886 Method revised to include revolutionary innovation for GC/FID technology

ASTM D6886, the “Standard Test Method for Determination of the Weight Percent Individual Volatile Organic Compounds in Waterborne Air-Dry Coatings by Gas Chromatography” has been revised to include the Polyarc system, from Activated Research Company, as an option. This revision simplifies the analysis workflow by eliminating the need to run standards to determine experimental RRFs. Furthermore, it increases the safety of the scientists and decreases the environmental impact of analysis by reducing chemical storage and waste. Initial ILS results for this revision showed similar repeatability and reproducibility to the original full-calibration method.

The Polyarc system is a breakthrough innovation that combines catalysis with chemical analysis to revolutionise 60-year-old GC/FID technology. The Polyarc converts all organic molecules to methane after chromatographic separation for a truly uniform FID response. Because of this conversion to methane, calibration of individual VOCs is not required; instead, single compound calibration yields highly accurate quantification of hundreds of compounds.

The Polyarc system is a useful tool for GC/FID analysis in the petroleum related sector. As a technical specialist from a testing lab in the oil and gas sector stated, ‘I’ve been working in the oil and gas field for the past 5 years and I think the Polyarc reactor will change the industry in the near future. I can see this technology improving many of the current ASTM test methods used in this field’. Tommy Saunders, Technical Contact for the method revision added, “This revision allows users to drastically streamline their analyses, and we’ve received great feedback from the users of the method about how the Polyarc will improve their lab operations. We’re very excited to be enhancing this method and to be a part of the ASTM process.”

The benefits of compound independent calibration with the Polyarc have also improved analysis workflow in a number of other industries. Overall, the Polyarc provides more accurate data by normalising the FID response while also reducing the complexity associated with calibration.