Fuel analysis by filter furnace electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

The determination of Mn, Fe, Co, and Zn was performed in gasoline, jet and diesel fuel samples by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry using the Transverse Heated Filter Atomizer (THFA). Thermal conditions were experimentally defined for the investigated elements. The elements were analyzed without the addition of chemical modifiers, using organometallic standards for the calibration. Gasoline samples were analyzed directly, while jet and diesel fuel samples were diluted 1+3 with n-heptane. The following LODs were obtained using 40 mu l, injections: 0.08 mu g/L Mn, 0.35 mu g/L Fe, 0.54 mu g/L Co, and 0.06 mu g/L Zn. The limits of determination, calculated for diesel and jet fuel samples, were 1.2 mu g/kg Mn, 4.9 mu g/kg Fe, 7.6 mu g/kg Co, and 0.8 mu g/kg Zn. The corresponding limits of quantitation for gasoline samples were about four times higher.