Trace perchlorates in a radiological liquid-waste treatment facility

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Analytical Chemistry
• Waste Management

Background:

• Radioactive Liquid Waste Treatment Facility (RLWTF) at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) faces challenges managing perchlorate levels in industrial and radioactive wastewater.
• Perchlorate, originating from perchloric acid used in laboratories and metal dissolution, poses environmental risks and regulatory concerns.
• Influent perchlorate concentrations at RLWTF can reach several thousands of micrograms per liter.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a reliable analytical method for quantifying perchlorate concentrations in RLWTF wastewater.
• To support environmental monitoring and inform pilot tests for perchlorate removal from RLWTF effluent.

Main Methods:

• Ion chromatography was employed as the primary analytical technique for perchlorate determination.
• A CS16/CG16 column with an EG40 eluent generator was utilized for perchlorate separation.
• An anion self-regenerating suppressor was implemented to reduce background conductivity and improve analyte detection.

Main Results:

• The developed ion chromatography method achieved a method detection limit of 1 microgram per liter for perchlorate.
• The method demonstrated successful application in routine monitoring of perchlorate levels at the RLWTF.
• Data generated by the method are crucial for evaluating the efficacy of perchlorate removal pilot tests.

Conclusions:

• Ion chromatography provides a sensitive and effective means for monitoring perchlorate in radioactive liquid waste.
• Accurate perchlorate quantification is essential for environmental protection and regulatory compliance at LANL.
• The validated method supports ongoing efforts to mitigate perchlorate contamination in wastewater effluent.