Solvent extraction using environmentally-friendly siloxane solvents

摘要

Solvent extraction to quantify contamination of a sample by a hydrocarbon contaminant is performed by providing a defined quantity of the sample, providing a defined quantity of a siloxane solvent, mixing the defined quantity of the siloxane solvent and the defined quantity of the sample to extract the hydrocarbon contaminant from the sample to form a contaminant solution with the siloxane solvent, and separating the contaminant solution from the sample. A concentration of the hydrocarbon contaminant in the contaminant solution can be measured by vibrational spectroscopy. Siloxane solvents are CFC free, VOC exempt, odorless, colorless, low to moderately flammable, non-toxic, and safe for incidental skin contact. Some are even used in cosmetic products.

主权项

1. A method for performing solvent extraction to quantify contamination of a sample by a hydrocarbon contaminant, the method comprising:
providing a defined quantity of the sample; providing a defined quantity of a siloxane solvent; mixing the defined quantity of the sample and the defined quantity of the siloxane solvent to extract the hydrocarbon contaminant from the sample to form a contaminant solution with the siloxane solvent; separating the contaminant solution from the sample; and subjecting at least a portion of the separated contaminant solution to one of: molecular spectroscopic analysis; or gravimetric analysis; or nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic analysis.