Fuel Detection Through Opaque Containers with Agilent Resolve – a Handheld SORS System

Importance of the Topic

The ability to identify petrochemical products through opaque barriers is critical for customs, security, and environmental enforcement. Illicit fuel trafficking and blending undermine tax revenues, compromise fuel quality, and pose public safety risks. A rapid, non-invasive method for authenticating fuel compositions without opening containers can enhance detection of illegal imports, adulteration, and leaks along transportation pipelines.

Objectives and Study Overview

This application note evaluates the Agilent Resolve handheld Raman analyzer equipped with Spatially Offset Raman Spectroscopy (SORS) for through-barrier fuel detection. The study aimed to differentiate four commercial fuel types—diesel and three gasoline grades (87, 89, 92 octane)—inside colored, opaque plastic containers. Key goals included assessing analysis speed, match accuracy against a custom spectral library, and operator safety features.

Methodology and Instrumentation

Measurements were carried out using the Agilent Resolve handheld Raman analyzer in SORS through-barrier mode. Default acquisition settings and full laser power were employed. Four fuel samples were decanted into standard red plastic jerrycans. Each container was scanned in under two minutes. Spectral data were exported via USB, then uploaded into the Agilent Command Fleet Management Software to build a custom “Fuels” library. The workflow comprised data collection, exporting spectra, library creation (averaging, baseline correction, metadata tagging), and reloading the library onto one or multiple Resolve units.

Instrumentation Used

• Agilent Resolve handheld Raman analyzer with SORS through-barrier capability
• Agilent Command Fleet Management Software for spectral library creation and deployment

Results and Discussion

All four fuels produced distinct Raman signatures despite barrier interference. Diesel spectra differed markedly from gasoline, while the three octane grades showed subtle variations in key Raman peaks. Upon reanalysis, the Resolve achieved 100% match scores for each container measurement when compared to the custom library. The handheld display provided immediate identification and confidence values, with options to view spectral overlays and metadata.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Non-invasive fuel authentication without container opening
• Rapid analysis (<2 minutes per sample) improves field throughput
• High match accuracy supports enforcement against smuggling and adulteration
• Adjustable laser power and remote operation enhance operator safety
• Custom library creation enables adaptation to new fuel blends

Future Trends and Potential Applications

Advances in handheld SORS technology may expand detection to multi-component blends, biofuels, and emerging petroleum derivatives. Integration with cloud-based spectral databases and AI-driven pattern recognition could further streamline remote monitoring. Broader adoption across border checkpoints, environmental spill response, and industrial leak detection is anticipated.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that Agilent Resolve with SORS through-barrier capability delivers fast, accurate identification of fuels inside opaque containers. The system’s ease of use, safety features, and customizable library workflow make it a valuable tool for law enforcement, regulatory agencies, and industrial operators seeking non-destructive analysis of petrochemical products.

Reference

• Oil Price Information Service (OPIS), Mexico 101: Illegal Fuel Imports and Blends, April 2023.