THE SymLine速 SYSTEM Storage of Hazardous Substances in the Laboratory The collection of solvent wastes in a laboratory depends on the disposal concept in the building. For example, solvent disposal by means of an ITC (intermediate bulk container) enables contamination-free transfer by means of a pump-out vehicle and collection in stationary tanks. The solvent collection at the chromatograph outlet should take place in safety cabinets with extraction so that this source of emissions is also eliminated. The waste from several HPLC units can thereby be brought together and collected in a single base unit cabinet. Safety in analytical laboratories that use the HPLC method is significantly improved by the measures described. For a small number of workstations with large quantities of solvent, this is a very complex and expensive procedure. Where disposal for the building is only with canisters, this method with a pump-out vehicle cannot be used.
Funnel in the fume cupboard.
Another possibility for collecting solvent wastes is their disposal in canisters in a safety cabinet mounted in the base units with continuous extraction. Ideally, the disposal in laboratories with very high turnovers of chemicals takes place directly in the fume cupboard by means of a funnel. For this purpose, a collection system with level indication and acoustic level warning is required for the safety cabinet in the base unit, enabling toxic solvents to be handled only in the fume cupboard rather than by pouring them directly into the canister.
Schematic diagram of a funnel with a discharge pipe and level monitoring for installation in a fume cupboard. With a comprehensive approach at the planning stage, the proper handling of hazardous substances, as well as their storage and disposal, will be made easier for the later users of the laboratory.
Dr. Christoph Heinekamp dr. heinekamp Labor- und Institutsplanung 47