RDT&E DILUTE FACILITY

Argonne National Laboratory

The Center for Environmental Restoration Systems (CERS) at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) has established a U.S. Army approved research and development, testing, and evaluation (RDT&E) laboratory for dilute chemical agents. The facility is designed and certified to accept and handle dilute concentrations of chemical agents including acetyl cholinesterase inhibitors, such as Sarin (GB), Soman (GD), and VX, and vesicants, such as Mustard (H and HD) and Lewisite (L).

The research goals of the Facility are:

to develop and validate improved analytical techniques in environmental matrices.
to develop and evaluate detection and sensing technologies for surfaces and environmental matrices
to develop and evaluate neutralization, decontamination, and remediation technologies, and
to investigate environmental date and transport and model validation.

The Facility is composed of two laboratories which meet all of the safety and security requirements of Army Regulation 50-6

The ANL RDT&E Analytical Chemistry Laboratory is equipped with fume hoods and the following analytical instrumentation: The ANL RDT&E Research and Development Laboratory has three fume hoods and one large vacuum-frame hood for bench-scale operations. The laboratory features:

Hewlett-Packard Model 5890 gas chromatographs (GCs) mass spectrometer (MS),

Sample characterization capabilities to determine sample properties,

Flame photometric detector (FPD) which is specific for sulfur and phosphorous,

A bench-scale rotary thermal desorption apparatus (1 Kg sample),

Electron capture detection (ECD),

An atmosphere controlled soil/solvent washing reactor (1 Kg sample),

Hewlett-Packard high pressure liquid chromatograph (HPLC),

A 6 foot migration column with multiple sampling ports,

Suprex supercritical fluid extractor (SFE),

Thermal desorption feasibility screening apparatus (1 to 15 gm sample),

X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (XRF) for metals determinations

A soil washing screening set-up (1 to 15 gm sample).

Facility staff are dedicated to research excellence.

The ANL RDT&E Analytical Chemistry Laboratory staff are proven experts in developing and validating analytical methods for trace levels (sub-ppb) of agents on surfaces and in environmental matrices. The staff are experienced in developing field sampling and analytical protocols including the development of portable analytical instrumentation.

The ANL RDT&E Research and Development Laboratory staff are available to design and perform technology evaluation and feasibility testing. The staff have the experience to develop physical, chemical, biological, and thermal approaches to the treatment of agent-contaminated liquids, soils, and other solid materials (e.g., equipment and construction materials). Laboratory staff develop and evaluate innovative approaches to neutralize and decontaminate agents on surfaces including those disseminated over large areas. Staff develop and validate sensors and portable detection instrumentation, and investigate environmental fate and transport of chemical contaminants.

Completed and current RDT&E activities:

Analytical methods development and validation to monitor trace levels of agents in waste (Dugway Proving Ground).
Residual chemical agents survey of the Chemical Agent Pilot Plant Complex(Aberdeen Proving Ground).
Development of sampling and analysis protocols for the Chemical Agent Pilot Plant Complex (Aberdeen Proving Ground).
Thermal desorption feasibility study for agent-contaminated soils (Rocky Mountain Arsenal).
Development of HPLC/ICP/MS method for the detection and speciation of Lewisite-related arsenical compounds in soil (Rocky Mountain Arsenal).
Development of a field-portable instrument for the determination of Lewisite at trace levels. (Defense Nuclear Agency)
Development of an electrocatalytic gas microsensor (postage stamp size) and an associated voltammetry chemical measurement technique.(U.S. Navy Warfare Center)
Development of a stand-off detection micro FTIR spectrometer. (Army Enviromnental Center)
Development of an FTIR continuous stack emissions monitor. (Army Enviromnental Center)

For more information on these projects, the Facility, or CERS, contact one of the following:

Dr. Hugh J. O'Neill
RDT&E Dilute Facility Manager
(630) 252-9873

Mr. John F. Schneider
Analytical Laboratory Coordinator
(630) 252-8923

Ms. Linda M. Pierce
R&D Laboratory Coordinator
(630) 252-3857

Mr. Patrick L. Wilkey
Director, CERS
(630) 252-6258

19Nov1997 lb&mv

The ANL RDT&E Analytical Chemistry Laboratory is equipped with fume hoods and the following analytical instrumentation:	The ANL RDT&E Research and Development Laboratory has three fume hoods and one large vacuum-frame hood for bench-scale operations. The laboratory features:
Hewlett-Packard Model 5890 gas chromatographs (GCs) mass spectrometer (MS),	Sample characterization capabilities to determine sample properties,
Flame photometric detector (FPD) which is specific for sulfur and phosphorous,	A bench-scale rotary thermal desorption apparatus (1 Kg sample),
Electron capture detection (ECD),	An atmosphere controlled soil/solvent washing reactor (1 Kg sample),
Hewlett-Packard high pressure liquid chromatograph (HPLC),	A 6 foot migration column with multiple sampling ports,
Suprex supercritical fluid extractor (SFE),	Thermal desorption feasibility screening apparatus (1 to 15 gm sample),
X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (XRF) for metals determinations	A soil washing screening set-up (1 to 15 gm sample).