Sample preparation for the verification of chemical disarmament
State-of-the-art equipment and up-to-date procedures allow us to prepare different types of samples while observing the appropriate safety precautions. Smallest quantities of chemical compounds are isolated from the sample material and identified. Among the CWC-relevant compounds, the chemical warfare agents as well as their degradation products and precursors are listed. These chemicals can be present as neat substances or are contained in the smallest traces, e.g. in air samples, water and other liquids, or in solid substances such as soil, vegetation, concrete, paint, rubber, and other materials. The goal of sample preparation is to extract all CWC-relevant compounds as completely as possible from the sample matrix and to prepare it in the form of a sample solution for the Instrumental Analysis.
- For the extraction of solid samples we use an automated ASE® extraction apparatus (accelerated solvent extraction) or an ultrasonic bath.
- Liquid samples are directly analysed without any sample preparation, or are concentrated with a rotary evaporator, a vacuum centrifuge or our Zymark TurboVap® workstation. From water samples, relevant substances are extracted using SPE (solid phase extraction).
- Volatile substances from air samples can either be analysed directly or are concentrated on adsorption tubesand analysed using thermal desorption GC/MS.
The enormous number of compounds relevant to the CWC with the most diverse physico-chemical properties requires a time-consuming sequence of different sample preparation steps, with a final result geared toward producing the most appropriate sample solution for the many diverse analytical methods.
- Working in a C-protective suit in the high safety laboratory
 Sand samples (Iran 1986) |
 Mustard samples (Iraq 1988) |
 Mustard sample (Iran 1984) |
 Rotary evaporator for the concentration of solutions |
 ASE extraction apparatus for the extraction of solid samples |
 The result of sample preparation: The solution is ready for analysis! |