Organic analysis of the headspace of hanford waste tank 241-C-103

Organic species from the headspace of one Hanford radioactive waste tank are described. Samples were collected either using a sorbent trap or a SUMMA^TM canister and were analyzed by gas chromatograph and mass spectrometry. The headspace contained several organic components, including alkanes, alkenes, ketones, aldehydes, organic nitriles, and chlorinated hydrocarbons. Sorbent trap samples were designed to collect only normal paraffin hydrocarbons (NPHs). A comparison of NPH data from sorbent traps and SUMMA^TM cans revealed results of 693 and 1320 mg/m³, NPH respectively. Significant differences were observed in NPH values when samples were collected at different times, or at different locations in the tank. These data suggest either the time of collection, or the position of the sampling device are important variables in the analysis of organic species from Hanford tanks.