Abstract
Extraction techniques for semi-volatile organic compounds in caustic and high-ionic-strength nuclear defense material production waste stored is presented. It was demonstrated that the nitrite ions in extracts caused degradation of chromatographic columns. Liquid-liquid extraction, ion-exchange and two types of solid-phase extraction (SPE) adsorbent supports were investigated in this study. The SPE media were styrene-divinylbenzene and alumina. Three classes of compounds were used: acids, base/neutral, paraffinic hydrocarbons and alkyl phosphates. SPE was able to extract semi-volatile organic compounds in simulated waste samples without significant carry-over of nitrate ion. Extraction yields ranged from 2.3 to 97.6% (12% R.S.D.). The range of yields for each chemical class was 0–4.1%, 6.4–79.9%, 14.3–68.3% and 91.1–97.6% for the acid, base/neutral, paraffinic hydrocarbons and alkyl phosphate compounds, respectively. Compounds of regulatory interest, organic semi-volatile acid and base neutral compounds were found to be unstable in the waste samples.
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