Distillation System with Recirculating Bath

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Materials Science and Engineering Division located in Gaithersburg, MD is tasked with developing and testing polymer standard reference materials, including the solution-based analyses of polyolefins, which require hazardous, high-boiling point solvents,such as 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene (TCB) solvents such as TCB both pose a significant environmental and human health hazard, as it can affect the skin, eyes, mucous membranes, liver, kidneys, and is a possible teratogen. Furthermore, purchase of this solvent has become more challenging with supply chain delays as a result of the pandemic. Maintaining a steady inventory of high purity TCB is critical for NIST mission success with regards to testing our polyethylene standard reference materials (SRMs) and measuring dilute solution properties of well controlled polymers. Herein, NIST is looking to purchase a spinning band distillation system to purify and reuse TCB from current laboratory chromatography instrument waste, which will include polyolefins, used antioxidants, and organic solvent contaminants with high boiling points, which may be present in the solvent feedstock.