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Breakfast & Learn Workshop Series - 2026 Gulf Coast Conference

Abstract # 290

Advances in ICP-OES & ICP-MS: Revolutionizing Oil Analysis and Redefining Reliability with Next-Generation Nebulization

Breakfast will be served for registered attendees.

October 13, 2026 9:00 AM - 10:45 AM

Presented in the Floral Hall A1, Moody Gardens Hotel

Advances in ICP-OES & ICP-MS: Revolutionizing Oil Analysis and Redefining Reliability with Next-Generation Nebulization
The workshop will highlight practical advances in ICP-OES and ICP-MS that simplify challenging analyses and enable confident results with less instrument intervention and lower operating costs. Presentations will cover an innovative aqueous calibration approach for oil analysis, next-generation nebulization for demanding matrices, and practical strategies for extending ICP-MS cone life. Real-world laboratory experiences and an open Q&A will provide attendees with practical solutions they can apply in their own labs.
	Session 1: Reliable Trace Metals Analysis of Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) by ICP-OES Andrew Gunderson, Chemical Laboratory Shift Supervisor at Dakota Gasification Company Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) presents challenges for trace metals analysis by ICP-OES, including frequent nebulizer plugging from urea buildup, calibration and reproducibility issues, and achieving required detection limits, particularly for phosphorus. Replacing the GemCone nebulizer with an OptiMist® EXTREME nebulizer and Argon Humidifier, along with method and calibration changes, enhanced analytical performance and reliability. Better calibration quality and peak shape, along with increased signal intensity, allowed lower detection limits to be achieved in this challenging matrix. The nebulizer now rarely plugs, requires only weekly cleaning, with routine maintenance taking approximately 10 minutes. Together, these improvements have made routine ppb-level metals analysis of DEF more reliable and efficient while reducing consumable costs, maintenance, and technician time.
	Andrew Gunderson is a Chem Lab Shift Supervisor at Dakota Gasification Company (DGC), located near Beulah, North Dakota. He has been with DGC for 17 years, spending his first 13 years as a laboratory technician before moving into a supervisory role four years ago. During his career, Andrew has gained extensive hands-on experience in laboratory operations and analytical testing. In his current role, he enjoys training employees, sharing the knowledge and experience he has gained over the years, and helping others strengthen their technical skills and understanding.
	Session 2: Cone Care Decoded: A Manufacturer's Guide to Maintaining, Refurbishing, and Replacing ICP-MS Interface Cones Genette Alcaraz, CEO, and Liz Ranalli, Director of Sales & Marketing, SPECTRON LLC Interface cones are one of the most misunderstood parts of an ICP-MS system, and a consumable often retired too soon. Drawing on inspection data from a facility that manufactures tens of thousands of cones a year, this talk offers a guide to telling normal wear from real damage, and damage from mishandling. Plus, a look at a new cone cleaning system designed to protect cone geometry and prevent handling damage during routine care. We'll guide you through the decision-making process to determine what cones need cleaning, refurbishing, or deciding if they are truly end-of-life. Attendees will leave with a practical checklist for extending cone life and cutting replacement costs. Genette Alcaraz is the CEO of Spectron LLC, a precision technical manufacturing company specializing in scientific consumables for ICPMS as well as aerospace, and defense products. With over 20 years of experience in scientific manufacturing, she has worked both with and for large OEMs and is known for her results driven leadership and commitment to continuous improvement. Genette fosters extremely successful business partnerships and builds customer relationships that are tailored to meet the changing needs of Spectron’s customers, products and marketplace while maintaining high integrity and best-in-class quality. Liz Ranalli is the Sales Director at Spectron LLC, where she has spent the past eight years supporting customers with ICP-MS cone solutions and technical sales. She previously spent a decade at Oxford Instruments in their atomic force spectroscopy division, managing consumable product lines and service operations. With nearly two decades of experience in scientific instrumentation and consumables, Liz values building strong partnerships and supporting the scientific community she serves.
	Session 3: An Inside Look at a Profitable Metals Laboratory Don Johnson, Technical Director, SVL Analytical Environmental and geological laboratories require ICP-OES systems that can seamlessly handle matrices ranging from trace-level (ppb) environmental samples to high-concentration geological digests. The combination of the TSP OptiMist® VORTEX nebulizer and Mini Argon Humidifier enables a single sample introduction system to accommodate this wide range of applications with minimal method changeover. In most cases, switching between methods requires only a brief rinse with a more concentrated solution before recalibration. The need to shut down the instrument to install a separate sample introduction system is practically a thing of the past. This reduces downtime while improving laboratory efficiency, productivity, and profitability. In my experience, for the analyses we perform at SVL Analytical, these sample introduction components—especially the nebulizer—have exceeded the performance and flexibility of every other system I have used throughout my career, without sacrificing sensitivity or detection limits. These additions to our Agilent 5800 AVS systems continue to save time and effort during our daily analytical workflow, further enhancing laboratory productivity and profitability.
	Don Johnson is an Analytical Chemist with over 35 years of experience in inorganic instrumental chemistry techniques, including ICP-OES, ICP-MS, GFAA, and FLAA. He is also well-versed in multiple forms of sample preparation, including hot plate, hot block, microwave, and others. Additionally, for 18 of those years, Don worked as a Field Service Engineer for two of the largest instrument manufacturers and trained in the installation, repair, and application of ICP-OES, ICP-MS, and AA instrumentation (and others) across many industrial applications, including environmental, pharmaceutical, semiconductor, manufacturing, and mining. As the Technical Director at SVL Analytical, Don participates in the purchase, implementation, and continuing operation of analytical instrumentation while striving to maximize efficiency and reduce costs associated with analyses in a production laboratory.
	Session 4: Modernizing Oil Analysis with Specially Formulated Aqueous Calibration Standards Michael Booth, Innovation & Applications Development Manager, Inorganic Ventures Oil analysis by ICP-OES and ICP-MS traditionally relies on organometallic standards for calibration. A new hybrid aqueous/organic solvent, ASOSolv™, enables the use of widely available aqueous CRMs, traceable through NIST SRMs, while maintaining compatibility with traditional organometallic standards. This innovative approach provides greater flexibility for calibration of wear metals, additives, and contaminants in lubricating oils. Extended stability at working concentrations allows calibration standards to be prepared further in advance and used longer, simplifying standard sourcing and preparation while extending usable standard life. Mike Booth is a chemist with expertise in quality control and instrumentation. His experience covers areas including ICP-OES, ICP-MS, Ion Chromatography and various titration techniques. Today Mr. Booth is the Innovation & Applications Development Manager at Inorganic Ventures. He received a B.S. in Chemistry from West Virginia University Institute of Technology.

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