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Hydrocarbon Test Kit - Oil in Water Detection Strips

BCI's Hydrocarbon Test Oil Detection Strips for oil testing and detection can quickly and accurately determine the presence of hydrocarbons in water

Indicates Presence of Oil

When the Hydrocarbon Test Oil Detection Strip is introduced into a potential hydrocarbon situation, the light blue strip will turn a darker blue if it detects the presence of oil contaminants. The color intensity and size of the darker blue areas indicate how much oil is present in the sample. If the sample doesn’t contain hydrocarbons, the strip will not moisten or change colors.

Applications

Hydrocarbon Detection Strips can be used in any situation where there is a need to detect oil contamination in water, including in elevator shafts, underground utility vaults and manholes, retention and secondary containment vessels, and out-fall on oil-water separators prior to pumping out water. Hydrocarbon Detection Strips serve as a vital component of the EVAC Filtration System, as they notify when the filter is nearing its maximum oil retention level.

Specifications

The sensitivity of the Hydrocarbon Detection Strip is dependent on the solubility of the hydrocarbons. Move the strip back and forth at the surface of the water several times to detect the following values:

Example of Hydrocarbons Lower Limit PPM of Water Clearly Detectable PPM of Water
Petroleum Ether (B.P. 40-80C) 250 PPM 400 PPM
Heating Oil 10 PPM 25 PPM
Heating Oil 5 PPM 10 PPM
Lubricating Oil 1 PPM 5 PPM

When testing volatile substances, evaluate the color reaction immediately due to rapid fading. Hydrocarbon Detection Strips measure 2.75″ x .75″ and come 100 to a container.

Hydrocarbon Test Kit with Oil Detection Strips

Hydrocarbons are compounds that are made up of hydrogen and carbon atoms. Most hydrocarbons occur naturally in substances like crude oil, petroleum, and other natural gases. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified petroleum and crude oil hydrocarbons as two classes of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are responsible for a large amount of soil and groundwater contamination in the United States.

Hydrocarbon test kits with oil detection strips from Basic Concepts can help facilities detect the presence of hydrocarbons and oil in water discharge. Hydrocarbon and oil detection strips are also incorporated into some of the filtration systems from BCI that remove contaminants—such as oil—from water drainage.

Understanding what hydrocarbons are, how they can damage the environment, and the regulations concerning hydrocarbon and oil emissions will help users find the solutions they need to meet compliance with EPA regulations concerning oil and hydrocarbons.

Are Hydrocarbons Harmful To The Environment?

The EPA uses the term "oil" to refer to a broad range of hydrocarbon-based substances. Oil can refer to substances that are typically associated with oil, such as crude oil or petroleum, but oil can refer to other substances like animal fats or vegetable oils. All these substances are classified as hydrocarbons since they are composed of organic compounds that are made up of hydrogen and carbon.

The EPA has further stated that the physical and chemical properties of an individual hydrocarbon determines the level of harm posed to the environment. Petroleum and crude oil hydrocarbons have been identified by the EPA as particularly harmful agents regarding the environment. According to the EPA, the widespread release of hydrocarbons can have a deleterious effect on the food resources, habitats, and even reproductive systems of wildlife.

Hydrocarbon And Oil Regulations

Because hydrocarbon and oil emissions have been identified as harmful to the environment, facilities must comply with EPA regulations aimed at preventing environmental contamination related to hydrocarbon and oil discharge. Section 112.8(c)(3) and 112.12(c)(3) of the code of federal regulations states that all water accumulations and evacuations must be routinely inspected for the presence of oil and hydrocarbons. To prevent the release of the substances, facilities must have countermeasures in place designed to detect the presence of contaminants and prevent them from being released.

Hydrocarbon Detection Strips

Hydrocarbon detection strips from Basic Concepts can be used to quickly and accurately detect the presence of oil or hydrocarbons in water. If users suspect the presence of hydrocarbons, hydrocarbon detection strips can be inserted into standing or running water, and If hydrocarbons are present, the light blue test strips will turn dark blue. The color intensity and size of the darker blue areas will indicate how much oil is present in the sample. If no hydrocarbons are present, the strip will remain unchanged.  

The detection of hydrocarbons depends, in part, upon the solubility of the hydrocarbons. Users should move test strips back and forth over the surface of the water and then check the strip immediately before fading occurs. Hydrocarbon detection strips are ideal for use in elevator shafts, underground utility vaults and manholes, retention and secondary containment vessels, and out-fall on oil-water separators prior to pumping out water. Hydrocarbon Detection Strips measure 2.75″ x .75″ and come 100 to a container.

Removing Hydrocarbons And Oil

If hydrocarbons or oil is detected using the detection strips, facilities will need to implement systems that can separate hydrocarbons from water evacuations. EVAC filtration systems from Basic Concepts are dewatering systems that utilize Oil Solidifying Polymers to adsorb hydrocarbons, in addition to removing large and fine sediment, and polishing the water.

Using the EVAC, EVAC Lite, or EVAC Lite Plus systems can save facilities time and money that would be used to dispose of oil-contaminated water. The EVAC systems feature a 4-layer, state-of-the-art filtration media that absorbs hydrocarbons, removes large and fine sediment, and polishes the water. The EVAC systems also incorporate hydrocarbon detection strips that will alert users when the systems have absorbed the maximum number of hydrocarbons. EVAC systems can be deployed in vaults, manholes, elevator shafts, bilges, and tanks to capture hydrocarbons before they are released into the environment.

Hydrocarbon detection strips and EVAC systems will enable facilities to comply with EPA regulations concerning hydrocarbon and oil emissions. For over 25 years, Basic Concepts has supplied industrial sites and military installations all over the world with innovative secondary containment and dewatering systems.

Request a Quote

Basic Concepts is the world leader in the portable spill containment market because we offer high quality products that have features that customers prefer year after year! Please call to discuss your secondary containment requirements with one of our experienced, on-staff technical sales representatives. We’ll gladly supply references, comparative test data, and sample spill containment materials to help you make an informed decision. Basic Concepts is part of the Justrite Safety Group.

Indicates Presence of Oil

When the Hydrocarbon Test Oil Detection Strip is introduced into a potential hydrocarbon situation, the light blue strip will turn a darker blue if it detects the presence of oil contaminants. The color intensity and size of the darker blue areas indicate how much oil is present in the sample. If the sample doesn’t contain hydrocarbons, the strip will not moisten or change colors.

Applications

Hydrocarbon Detection Strips can be used in any situation where there is a need to detect oil contamination in water, including in elevator shafts, underground utility vaults and manholes, retention and secondary containment vessels, and out-fall on oil-water separators prior to pumping out water. Hydrocarbon Detection Strips serve as a vital component of the EVAC Filtration System, as they notify when the filter is nearing its maximum oil retention level.