Abstract
Two- and three-level factorial designs have been used to optimize the supercritical fluid extraction of underivatized phenol and cresols ( o-, m- and p-cresol) in soil samples with a high content of carbon. An overall eight variables [carbon dioxide flow-rate, fluid density, extraction cell temperature, static extraction time, nozzle and trap temperatures, amount of methanol (as modifier) and the time of contact between the added modifier and sample prior to extraction] were considered. The results suggest that thimble temperature and fluid density are statistically significant factors to the overall extraction yield of the four analytes considered. Also, the static extraction time appears to be significant in the cases of m- and o-cresol. Special attention was paid to developing suitable test materials for this type of optimization process. Moreover, validation of the extraction process was carried out by processing a certified reference material.
Published Version
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