Chromatography Forum

Hello All,

I am having an issue keeping my diluent (used for headspace analysis of solvents) from getting contaminated with solvent fumes from our production lab. We recently ordered a new bottle and opened and aliquoted it under inert conditions. I opened one of the aliquotes in the lab to prepare my standards and samples and it was enough time to absorb/adsorb solvent fumes.
The levels are low, however, i would like my blank to look to like a blank.

Does anyone else have this problem or perhaps any good suggestions?

I am using N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP).

Thanks.

A purge box is one solution.

Preparing the standards outside of your lab is another solution.

I had methanol and acetonitrile and aromatics atmospheric contamination in my urban, downtown lab next to an LC lab.

Tolerate the contamination or get away from it. A purge box was an easy and doable solution.

Rod

Some of the contaminants might be stuck on the glassware, rather than getting into the solvent direct from the atmosphere. Try baking off the glassware at 200 C or above for a few hours and using it immediately it has cooled to room temp.

Peter

Agree with Peter.

Also, some labs has specail preparation rooms that sheilded physically/ventilation wise from the rest of the lab to minimize contamination.

Depening on how big the problem is and what finances you have, you can pick different solutions.

A closed off area would be nice, but not do-able in our current available space. Other labs in our facility would be worse.

The contaminants probably are sticking to the glassware; I will try baking & see if we have a glove bag for my prep.

I appreciate yall’s suggestions.

Thanks!

A useable purge box at Walmart may cost you $8-$12. A few feet of tygon tubing, a few dollars.

Do whatever your imagination leads you.

best wishes,

Rod