Re: Trapping radioactive material from rotary-vane pump exhaust

Amos Heckendorf (nestgrp@world.std.com)
Tue, 5 Jan 1999 10:51:47 -0500

> Hi all,
>
> we are planning on analyzing samples containing trace amounts of
> tritium-labelled compounds using our LC-LCQ system. I am looking for
> advice on efficiently trapping possibly radioactive exhaust fumes
> generated when ballasting the rotary-vane pump. Any help is greatly
> appreciated.

Sibylle:

I would suggest using an activated carbon cartridge that Alltech or Supelco
might sell for GC gas purification/drying or SPE cartridges that are used
for air sampling for EPA methods. If there is radioactivity, you will have
to either trash the pump or dedicate it since the oil, the seals, the
vanes, etc. will be contaminated. If you put the trap in front of the
pump, or better, put two traps there, then if the second trap has no
measurable activity, the pump could be presumed safe for further operation.

Best regards,
Amos

Amos Heckendorf (nestgrp@world.std.com)
The Nest Group, Inc., Value Added Resellers of HPLC Columns (Vydac(tm),
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