Pressurized-fluid extraction (PFE) of chlorinated paraffins from the biodegradable fraction of source-separated household waste

A method is presented in which pressurized-fluid extraction (PFE) is used f or the extraction of chlorinated paraffins (CP) from the biodegradable frac tion of source-separated household waste. The conditions that were optimize d for high recovery in the extraction procedure were extraction time, tempe rature, and the use of different solvents and different sample particle siz es. Recoveries of CP from fortified household waste material were over 90%, with only few interferences when cyclohexane was used as solvent. Extracti on yields from contaminated samples containing CP were further compared wit h recoveries obtained by use of Soxtec extraction. The results showed that PFE is a rapid, low-solvent-consuming technique, giving high yields.