Ultraviolet spectroscopy for the analysis of oil-in-water effluent using isopropanol as co-solvent

Direct analysis of oily water effluents was investigated as a method for the determination of petroleum hydrocarbons in the discharge from primary oil production facilities. A co-solvent, isopropanol (2-propanol), was chosen that produced a clear, homogeneous solution when added to oil-in-water effluent. The clear solution was then analyzed directly for aromatic hydrocarbon content by using ultraviolet spectroscopy. The concentration of oil in the sample was calculated from a Lambert-Beer plot at 226 nm. The standard used was a sample of oil that best represented the oil that had contacted the water, i.e., current production crude oil.