No description available.

No description available.

No / In previous reports of microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography (MEEKC), analysis times were typically in the order of 10 min as high-ionic strength buffers were used. These buffers produced high currents which limit the voltages which can be applied, therefore, analysis times could not be reduced. The primary cause of the high-ionic strength is the relatively high concentrations of surfactants required to form the microemulsion. The surfactant concentration can be lower when using an oil with a smaller surface tension. This preliminary study showed that migration times in MEEKC can be reduced to below 1 min by using a combination of an optimum microemulsion composition, high voltage, high temperature, short capillaries by injecting via the short end, or by simultaneously applying pressure and voltage. Long injection sequences and quantitation were found to be possible with minimum buffer depletion effects.

Yes / Microemulsion is a stable, isotropic clear solution consisting of oil based substance, water surfactant and cosurfactant. There are two types of microemulsion which are used as a mobile phase; water in oil (w/o) and oil in water (o/w).Microemulsion has a strong ability to solubilize both hydrophobic and hydrophilic analytes, therefore reducing the pre-treatment of the sample which is needed for the complex sample. Recent reports found that separating the analytes by using microemulsion high performance liquid chromatography can be achieved with superior speed and efficiency compared to conventional HPLC modes. In this work, Oil in water (o/w) microemulsion has been used for the determination of nifedipine in pharmaceutical preparation. The effect of each parameter on the separation process was examined. The samples were injected into C18, analytical columns maintained at 30°C with a flow rate 1 ml/min. The mobile phase was 87.1% aqueous orthophosphate buffer 15 mM (adjusted to pH 3 with orthophosphoric acid), 0.8% of octane as oil, 4.5 SDS, and 7.6% 1-butanol, all w/w. The nifedipine and internal standard peaks were detected by UV detection at λ max 237 nm The calibration curve was linear (r2=0.9995) over nifedipine concentrations ranging from 1 to 60 μg/ml (n=6). The method has good sensitivity with limit of detection (LOD) of 0.33 μg/ml and limit of quantitation (LOQ) of 1.005 μg/ ml. Also it has an excellent accuracy ranging from 99.11 to 101.64%. The intra-day and inter-day precisions (RSD %) were <0.45% and <0.9%, respectively.

New processes for the production of polymeric dispersions with high solids content and low viscosity were developed, investigated and characterized. The specifications required for the desired application of paper coating, which constitutes one of the major innovative aspects of this thesis, requires in average particle sizes smaller than 200 nm. This particle size is significantly smaller than obtained in previous work in this area. The main objective of this project was to increase the solids content of existing products from ~50 to ~60 wt% while keeping the viscosity at low levels (< 1200 mPa•s at 20 s-1). In order to produce high solids content latexes with low viscosity, bimodal particle size distributions were resorted to. To obtain highest packing fraction, the small particle size population should be about 7 times smaller than the large particles, bringing the size of the small particles to less than 30 nm. Modified (micro)emulsion processes were developed in order to produce small particle size latex with reduced surfactant concentration and increased solids content. The large particle population was developed using a semi-batch emulsion polymerization process, simulating a product that is commercially available (~52 wt% solids content and viscosity of ~500 mPa•s at 20 s-1). To increase the solids content of this product up to 60 wt%, a second population of small particles was created using two approaches. In the first approach, the small particles were generated in situ using the modified (micro)emulsion approaches developed previously. This process resulted in latexes of ~ 60% solids content and viscosities lower than 500 mPa•s at 20 s-1. In the second approach, the second population of particles was created by the addition of seeds by using small cross-linked particles as pseudo inert-fillers. This process resulted in products with ~58% solids and viscosities lower than 1400 mPa•s at 20 s-1. The slightly decreased solids content and increased viscosity relative to the previous approaches is due to the difficulty in producing cross-linked seeds with particle sizes smaller than 30 nm at an acceptable concentration, causing deviations from ideal conditions. / Thesis (Ph.D, Chemical Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2011-05-03 13:58:44.22

Climate change is one of the biggest global threats of the 21st century. Fossil fuels constitute by far the most important energy source for transportation and the different governments are starting to take action to promote the use of cleaner fuels. Biomass-derived fuels are a promising alternative for diversifying fuel sources, reducing fossil fuel dependency and abating greenhouse gas emissions. The research interest has quickly shifted from first-generation biofuels, obtained from food commodities, to second-generation biofuels, produced from non-food resources. The subject of this PhD thesis is the production of second-generation biofuels via thermochemical conversion: biomass is first gasified to synthesis gas, a mixture of mainly H2 and CO; synthesis gas can then be catalytically converted to different fuels. This work summarizes six publications, which are focused on the synthesis gas conversion step. Two processes are principally examined in this summary. The first part of the PhD thesis is devoted to the synthesis of ethanol and higher alcohols, which can be used as fuel or fuel additives. The microemulsion technique is applied in the synthesis of molybdenum-based catalysts, achieving a yield enhancement. Methanol cofeeding is also studied as a way of boosting the production of longer alcohols, but a negative effect is obtained: the main outcome of methanol addition is an increase in methane production. The second part of the PhD thesis addresses wax hydroconversion, an essential upgrading step in the production of middle-distillate fuels via Fischer-Tropsch. Bifunctional catalysts consisting of noble metals supported on silica-alumina are considered. The deactivation of a platinum-based catalyst is investigated, sintering and coking being the main causes of decay. A comparison of platinum and palladium as catalyst metal function is also carried out, obtaining a fairly different catalytic performance of the materials in terms of conversion and selectivity, very likely due to dissimilar hydrogenation power of the metals. Finally, a kinetic model based on the Langmuir-Hinshelwood-Hougen-Watson formalism is proposed to describe the hydroconversion reactions, attaining a good fitting of the experimental data. / Klimatförändringarna är ett av de största globala hoten under det tjugoförsta århundradet. Fossila bränslen utgör den helt dominerande energikällan för transporter och många länder börjar stödja användning av renare bränslen. Bränslen baserade på biomassa är ett lovande alternativ för att diversifiera råvarorna, reducera beroendet av fossila råvaror och undvika växthusgaser. Forskningsintresset har snabbt skiftat från första generationens biobränslen som erhölls från mat-råvaror till andra generationens biobränslen producerade från icke ätbara-råvaror. Ämnet för denna doktorsavhandling är produktion av andra generationens biobränslen via termokemisk omvandling. Biomassa förgasas först till syntesgas, en blandning av i huvudsak vätgas och kolmoxid; syntesgasen kan sedan katalytiskt omvandlas till olika bränslen. Detta arbete sammanfattar sex publikationer som fokuserar på steget för syntesgasomvandling. Två processer är i huvudsak undersökta i denna sammanfattning. Den första delen av doktorsavhandlingen ägnas åt syntes av etanol och högre alkoholer som kan användas som bränsle eller bränsletillsatser. Mikroemulsionstekniken har använts vid framställningen av molybden-baserade katalysatorer, vilket gav en höjning av utbytet. Tillsatsen av metanol har också studerats som ett sätt att försöka få en högre koncentration av högre alkoholer, men en negativ effekt erhölls: huvudeffekten av metanoltillsatsen är en ökad metanproduktion. Den andra delen av doktorsavhandlingen handlar om vätebehandling av vaxer som ett viktigt upparbetningssteg vid framställning av mellandestillat från Fischer-Tropsch processen. Bifunktionella katalysatorer som består av ädelmetaller deponerade på silica-alumina valdes. Deaktiveringen av en platinabaserad katalysator undersöktes. Sintring och koksning var huvudorsakerna till deaktiveringen. En jämförelse mellan platina och palladium som funktionella metaller genomfördes också med resultatet att det var en ganska stor skillnad mellan materialens katalytiska egenskaper vilket gav olika omsättning och selektivitet, mycket sannolikt beroende på olika reaktionsmönster hos metallerna vid vätebehandling. Slutligen föreslås en kinetisk modell baserad på en Langmuir-Hinshelwood-Hougen-Watson modell för att beskriva reaktionerna vid vätebehandling. Denna modell ger en god anpassning till experimentella data. / El cambio climático es una de las mayores amenazas del siglo XXI. Los combustibles fósiles constituyen actualmente la fuente de energía más importante para el transporte, por lo que los diferentes gobiernos están empezando a tomar medidas para promover el uso de combustibles más limpios. Los combustibles derivados de biomasa son una alternativa prometedora para diversificar las fuentes de energía, reducir la dependencia de los combustibles fósiles y disminuir las emisiones de efecto invernadero. Los esfuerzos de los investigadores se han dirigido en los últimos años a los biocombustibles de segunda generación, producidos a partir de recursos no alimenticios. El tema de esta tesis de doctorado es la producción de biocombustibles de segunda generación mediante conversión termoquímica: en primer lugar, la biomasa se gasifica y convierte en gas de síntesis, una mezcla formada mayoritariamente por hidrógeno y monóxido de carbono; a continuación, el gas de síntesis puede transformarse en diversos biocombustibles. Este trabajo resume seis publicaciones, centradas en la etapa de conversión del gas de síntesis. Dos procesos se estudian con mayor detalle. En la primera parte de la tesis se investiga la producción de etanol y alcoholes largos, que pueden ser usados como combustible o como aditivos para combustible. La técnica de microemulsión se aplica en la síntesis de catalizadores basados en molibdeno, consiguiendo un incremento del rendimiento. Además, se introduce metanol en el sistema de reacción para intentar aumentar la producción de alcoholes más largos, pero los efectos obtenidos son negativos: la principal consecuencia es el incremento de la producción de metano. La segunda parte de la tesis estudia la hidroconversión de cera, una etapa esencial en la producción de destilados medios mediante Fischer-Tropsch. Los catalizadores estudiados son bifuncionales y consisten en metales nobles soportados en sílice-alúmina. La desactivación de un catalizador de platino se investiga, siendo la sinterización y la coquización las principales causas del problema. El uso de platino y paladio como componente metálico se compara, obteniendo resultados catalíticos bastante diferentes, tanto en conversión como en selectividad, probablemente debido a su diferente capacidad de hidrogenación. Finalmente, se propone un modelo cinético, basado en el formalismo de Langmuir-Hinshelwood-Hougen-Watson, que consigue un ajuste satisfactorio de los datos experimentales. / <p>QC 20160308</p>

[pt] Neste trabalho foi desenvolvida uma metodologia analítica visando determinar chumbo em querosene e em óleo lubrificante. A voltametria de redissolução anódica com o eletrodo de filme de bismuto (BiFE) foi empregada com a medição do analito nas amostras realizada em meio microemulsionado. O modo de varredura utilizado foi o de onda quadrada (SWV) sendo o desempenho do BiFE comparado com o desempenho observado com o uso do eletrodo de gota pendente de mercúrio (HMDE), este tradicionalmente utilizado nas análises voltamétricas de metais. Na otimização da composição da microemulsão (ME) para o querosene obtevese melhor resultado, em termos de estabilidade e resposta analítica, com 77% de 1-propanol, 13% de fase aquosa (5% ácido nítrico concentrado e 8% água) e 10% de amostra v/v (valores percentuais em volume). No caso da ME para óleo lubrificante a composição otimizada foi 80% de butanol, 10% de fase aquosa (sendo 5% de ácido nítrico concentrado e 5% de água) e 10% amostra dissolvida em xileno. Em ambos os casos, o ácido nítrico serviu como fonte de eletrólitos e para a conversão de espécies químicas metaloorgânicas de chumbo para a forma inorgânica. Após a otimização dos parâmetros instrumentais, os limites de detecção (3sb/a) foram estimados na ordem de nmol L-1 independentemente do eletrodo empregado. Testes de recuperação em material de referência certificado (NIST 1085a) e em amostras fortificadas com Pb (tanto na forma inorgânica quanto na metaloorgânica) indicaram valores recuperados entre 98 e 100%. Os resultados foram confirmados por análises das mesmas amostras por espectrometria de absorção atômica com atomização eletrotérmica. Foi realizado um estudo para avaliar a magnitude das fontes de incerteza de medição voltamétrica de chumbo e o impacto de cada uma das fontes na incerteza combinada. Verificou-se que a contribuição relacionada com a preparação das soluções (padrões e amostras) foi a mais relevante, indicando a necessidade de se traçar novas estratégias de preparação de soluções e de amostragem para a minimização da incerteza combinada. A partir desse estudo, mostrou-se a viabilidade do uso de meio microemulsionado na determinação eletroanalítica de metais em frações de petróleo mais pesadas. / [en] In the presente work, was developed an analytical method aiming the determination of lead in kerosen and in lubricating oil. Anodic redissolution voltammetry with a bismuth-film electrode was employed by measuring the analyte in the sample microemulsions. Square-wave scanning mode (SWV) was employed and the BiFE performance was compared to the one achieved using the static drop mercury electrode (HDME), the later a more traditional electrode for voltammetric analysis for metals. The optimization of the composition of kerosene microemulsion (ME) indicated best results, in terms of stability and analytical response, with 77% of 1-propanol , 13% of aqueous phase (5% concentrated nitric acid and 8% water) and 10% of sample (percent values in volume). For the lubricating oil, the ME composition was 80% of buthanol , 10% of aqueous phase (5% concentrated nitric acid and 5% water) and 10% of sample previously dissolved in xylene. In both cases, the nitric acid played a role as a source of electrolytes and in converting lead metallo-organic species in the inorganic form. After the optimization of experimental parameters, limits of detection were in the nmol L-1 range no matter the type of electrode employed. Recovery tests in certified reference materials (NIST 1085a) and in lead-fortified samples (either with inorganic and metallo-organic form) indicated recovered values between 98 and 100%. These results were confirmed by analyzing the same samples by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. A study was also made to evaluate the measurement uncertainty sources and magnitudes of the voltammetric determination of lead and the impact of each of the sources in the combined uncertainty. As a result, the contribution of the preparation of solutions (samples and standards) was found to be the most relevant source of uncertainty, indicating the need for establishing alternative strategies for such procedures, aiming the minimization of the combined uncertainty. This work has demonstrated the viability of using microemulsions for eletroanalytical determination of metals in petroleum fractions.

Orientador: Maria Virgínia Costa Scarpa / Banca: Maria Valéria Robles Velasco / Banca: Marcos Antônio Corrêa / Resumo: A mistura de óleo, água e tensoativo é capaz de formar estruturas e sistemas variados, dependendo das características e da proporção dos componentes utilizados. Sistemas microestruturados, como cristais líquidos e microemulsões, são utilizados para encapsular fármacos e substâncias ativas em produtos farmacêuticos e cosméticos. O objetivo desse trabalho foi desenvolver sistemas microestruturados para a incorporação da cafeína com finalidade de uso tópico para otimizar o tratamento da hidrolipodistrofia ginóide. A mistura direta de PPG-5-Ceteth-20 (tensoativo), adipato de dibutila (fase oleosa) e água em diferentes proporções possibilitou a obtenção de formulações com formas de estruturação variadas, como microemulsão, emulsão e mesofases líquido-cristalinas. As formulações obtidas foram caracterizadas por meio de microscopia de luz polarizada, determinação de índice de refração, densidade relativa e condutividade e comportamento reológico. Estudos de solubilidade mostraram que os sistemas foram capazes de solubilizar cerca de 1,5% de cafeína. Estudos de liberação in vitro, que utilizaram modelo de célula de difusão em sistema estático do tipo Franz adaptada ao equipamento de dissolução indicaram que as formulações apresentaram características de sistemas reservatórios de liberação prolongada. Para o estudo de permeação in vivo foram utilizados suínos machos, Landrace x Large White, submetidos ao tratamento com formulação acrescida ou não de cafeína. Fragmentos de pele e hipoderme foram retirados para a análise histológica. A formulação com características de cristal líquido de fase hexagonal foi eficaz em aumentar a permeação cutânea à cafeína, facilitando assim sua ação. A cafeína aplicada desta forma fez com que houvesse uma redução significativa da espessura da hipoderme. O sistema atua como promotor de permeação e garante a eficácia da cafeína no tratamento da celulite. / Abstract: Oil, water and surfactant mixture may form a variety of structures and phases accordingly to the characteristics and the ratio of the used components. Microcompartmented systems as liquid crystals and microemulsions are used to encapsulated drugs and active substances in pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. The objective of this research was the development of microcompartmented systems for incorporation of caffeine with the purpose of topical use on treatment of the gynoid lipodystrophy. The direct mixture of PPG-5-Ceteth-20 (surfactant), dybutyl adipate (oil phase) and water in differents proportions made possible to obtain formulations with different structuring forms as microemulsions, emulsions and liquid crystalline mesophases. The formulations were characterized through the polarization light microscopy, refractive index, relative density, conductivity and behavior rheological. Solubility studies were accomplished showed that the systems were capable to solubilize about 1,5% of caffeine. In vitro release studies using the cell of diffusion model in static system of Franz's type adapted to the dissolution equipment indicated formulations with characteristics of reservoirs systems. The permeability study in vivo used male pig (Landrace x Large White) and they were submitted to the treatment. Formulations with or without caffeine were applied. Skin's fragments and hypoderm of them were removed for histology analysis after the treatment. The formulation with liquid crystal of hexagonal phase characteristics was efficient in increasing skin permeability to the caffeine, thus facilitating its drug action. The application of caffeine this way led to a significant reduction of the hypoderms thickness. The developed system is adjusted for topical use, is skin penetration enhancers and it guarantees the effectiveness of the caffeine in the treatment of the cellulite. / Mestre

Resumo: A zidovudina (AZT) é o fármaco antiretroviral mais utilizado no tratamento da AIDS, porém possui baixa biodisponibilidade, pois sofre intenso metabolismo hepático. Para alcançar concentrações plasmáticas efetivas são requeridas doses altas e freqüentes, as quais podem chegar a níveis tóxicos. A via nasal tem sido proposta como uma rota alternativa para administração de fármacos que sofrem metabolismo pré-sistêmico, pois favorece a absorção direta para circulação sanguínea; porém, ela possui mecanismos de depuração mucociliar, os quais podem eliminar rapidamente a formulação da cavidade nasal. Sistemas de liberação mucoadesivos podem promover o contato prolongado entre a formulação e os sítios de absorção da cavidade nasal, retardando a depuração mucociliar. Alguns sistemas estabilizados por tensoativos, capazes de formar diferentes estruturas liotrópicas líquido cristalinas, têm sido propostos para aumentar o tempo de contato de formulações com as mucosas. Estes sistemas, ao entrar em contato com os fluidos aquosos que compõem o muco, se ordenam em cristais líquidos (CLs), formando uma matriz de liberação do fármaco. O objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver sistemas capazes de formar CLs, como potenciais sistemas mucoadesivos para administração intranasal do AZT. A caracterização por microscopia de luz polarizada e SAXS mostrou que microemulsões (MEs) formadas por AC205/ácido oléico/água formam CLs com a adição tanto de água como de fluído nasal simulado (FNS). As MEs foram capazes de incorporar cerca de 50 mg.g-1 de AZT. A mucoadesão foi avaliada por ensaios de reologia oscilatória, em que a adição de fase aquosa aumentou os módulos elásticos dos sistemas, e pela medida da força para remover as formulações a partir de um disco de mucina, obtidas através de um analisador de textura. Ensaios de liberação in vitro em... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Zidovudine (AZT) is the most widely used drug in AIDS treatment; however, AZT shows low oral bioavailability, since it suffers extensive hepatic metabolism. In order to maintain therapeutic levels, large doses have to be given frequently, which may reach toxic levels. The nasal route has been exploited as an alternative route of drugs that suffer first pass metabolism, as it ensures the direct drug absorption to blood circulation; however, the nasal route has mucociliary clearance mechanisms which can quickly remove the formulation of the nasal cavity. Mucoadhesive drug delivery systems can improve residence time of formulation in the nasal cavity absorption sites, delaying mucociliary clearance. Some surfactants systems which are able to form different liotropic liquid crystalline structures have been explored as a strategy to increase formulation residence time on the mucosa. When these systems are placed in physiologic aqueous environment, they can form a drug delivery matrix. The aim of this work was to develop systems capable of forming CLs as potential intranasal AZT mucoadhesive systems. The polarized light microscopy and SAXS characterization showed that microemulsions (MEs) composed by AC205/oleic acid/water form CLs with the addition of either water or simulated nasal fluid (FNS). The MEs were able to incorporate about 50 mg.g-1 of AZT. The mucoadhesion was evaluated both by oscillatory rheology, in which aqueous phase addition increased the elastic modulus of the systems, and by measurement of the necessary force to remove the formulations from mucin disc, obtained through texture analyzer. In vitro Franz' Cell drug release assay showed, according to the Weibull model, that phase transition sustained AZT release. These results suggest that the systems in hand have great potential for nasal AZT administration. / Orientador: Maria Palmira Daflon Gremião / Coorientador: Victor Hugo Vitorino Sarmento / Banca: Maria Palmira Daflon Gremião / Banca: Marcela Longhi / Banca: Rosângela Itri / Mestre

[pt] O petróleo é uma mistura complexa de hidrocarbonetos (50 a 95 por cento) contendo traços de compostos inorgânicos (principalmente de S, N, O e metais pesados). Elementos traço são normalmente encontrados no petróleo como ocorrência natural, associados ao processo de formação. Embora presentes apenas em quantidades pequenas (níveis de microgramag−1 ou ng g−1), sua determinação é de grande importância, devido seu alto potencial de contaminação do meio ambiente e de interferência durante o processo de refino. Estes elementos podem causar corrosão nas torres de refino, envenenar catalisadores e/ou causar reações secundárias indesejáveis nas operações de refino. Além disso, os metais pesados, quando presentes nos derivados de petróleo, são relacionados ao seu mau desempenho, redução da sua estabilidade térmica por catalisar reações oxidativas e, no caso da nafta, interferência nos processos petroquímicos. Os riscos ambientais dependem da toxidade e da concentração de cada elemento, bem como a interferência no refino depende do metal e de sua concentração. Assim, foram estudados procedimentos rápidos, simples, exatos e precisos para a determinação de elementos traço em petróleo e alguns derivados pela espectrometria de absorção atômica com forno de grafite. Para amostras de diesel, gasolina e nafta, são propostos procedimentos para a determinação de As e Mn em nível de ng mL−1. A estabilização das amostras foi necessária e obtida pela formação de sistemas de três componentes, preparadas pela mistura de volumes adequados da amostra, do propan-1-ol e da solução aquosa de HNO3, resultando em um meio unifásico, indefinidamente estável. A utilização de modificação de matriz foi investigada. A otimização multivariada definiu a composição ótima da microemulsão, bem como o programa de temperatura. Os limites de detecção nas amostras originais para As foram 1,8, 1,2 e 1,5 ng mL−1 e para Mn foram 0,6, 0,5 e 0,3 ng mL−1 para diesel, gasolina e nafta, respectivamente. A exatidão dos métodos foi confirmada por testes de recuperação e por análise de um conjunto de amostras comerciais por procedimentos comparativos independentes. Para amostras de petróleo, são propostos procedimentos para a determinação direta de Ni, Cu, Fe e V, usando um acessório de amostragem de sólidos, sem qualquer prétratamento da amostra. Uma solução de Pd + Triton X-100 foi utilizada como modificador químico. As temperaturas de pirólise e atomização, bem como a massa do Pd foram definidas por otimização multivariada. Os limites de detecção nas condições otimizadas foram 230, 10, 200 e 800 pg de Ni, Cu, Fe e V, respectivamente. A exatidão dos métodos foi confirmada pela análise de materiais de referência certificados de petróleo, bem como por comparação com métodos independentes. Para todos os procedimentos propostos, a calibração com solução analítica aquosa foi possível. / [en] Petroleum is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons (50 to 95 percent) and nonhydrocarbons (mainly S, N, O and heavy metal compounds). Metallic traces are normally found in petroleum as naturally occurring elements associated to the formation process. Although present only in small amounts (Microgram −1 or ng g−1 levels), their determination is of great interest because of their high potential of environmental contamination and interference in the refining process. They may corrode refinery equipment, poison and foul catalysts and/or cause undesirable side reactions in refinery operations. Moreover, heavy metals present in petroleum derivates such as diesel, gasoline and naphtha are related to poor performance and reduction of their thermal stability. Thus, fast, simple and reliable procedures for the determination of trace metals in petroleum and its derivates by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry were studied. For diesel, gasoline and naphtha samples, procedures for the determination of As and Mn (ng mL−1 levels) are proposed. Sample stabilization was necessary and achieved by the formation of three component system prepared by mixing appropriate volumes of the samples, propan-1-ol and nitric acid aqueous solution, resulting in a one-phase medium indefinitely stable (microemulsion). The use of matrix modification was also investigated. Multivariate optimization defined the optimum microemulsion composition as well as the temperature program. The limits of detection in the original samples for As were 1.8, 1.2 and 1.5 ng ml−1 while for Mn they were 0.6, 0.5 and 0.3 ng mL-1 for diesel, gasoline and naphtha, respectively. Methods accuracies were confirmed by recoveries tests and the analysis of a set of commercial samples by the proposed and independent comparative procedures. For petroleum samples, procedures for the direct determination of Ni, Cu, Fe and V using a solid sampling accessory, without any sample pre- treatment, are proposed. A Pd+Triton X-100 solution was used as chemical modifier. The pyrolysis and atomization temperatures, as well as the Pd mass were defined by multivariate optimization. The limits of detection at the optimized conditions were 230, 10, 200 and 800 pg for Ni, Cu, Fe and V, respectively. Methods` accuracies were confirmed by the analysis of oil certified reference materials as well as by comparison with independent methods. For all proposed procedures, calibration using aqueous analytical solutions was possible.