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Chemical Analysis Automation

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AR #2376

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Tech ID: 72
Project Overview
The DOE complex has an enormous environmental cleanup problem, estimated to cost of the order of $200 billion or more before it is completed sometime in the 21st century. The Department of Defense has related problems of similar magnitude but differing contaminants. Key to managing these environmental liabilities is chemical analysis of contaminants in soils, waters and sludges, which are required in sitecharacterization, site remediation, and post cleanup monitoring. Regulations governing environmental restoration place stringent requirements on analytical methods for chemical analysis. Specified procedures, such those formalized by the Environmental Protection Agency as SW 846 methods, create an opportunity for automation of chemical analysis to

  • Improve data quality through the consistency of automated operation;
  • Speed the production of sample analysis results (turnaround) for more efficient decision-making and lower remediation costs;
  • Reduce analysis costs;
  • Improve worker safety by reducing exposure to hazardous chemicals; and
  • Reduce waste volumes by capturing and recycling solvents.

Technology Description
The purpose of DOE's CAA Project is to develop a flexible, plug-and-play approach to automating regulatory-compliant chemical analysis procedures to benefit DOE's environmental management activities. Over the past seven years, the CAA project developed most of the elements essential to such an automated analysis system. The program's initial focus was the organic constituents identified in the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and related regulations. In addition, work has begun on a CAA system for analysis of the metals designated as RCRA hazardous. Finally, DOE's large, high-level mixed waste problems represent an area that CAA can likely impact.

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