Rapid energized dispersive solid phase extraction (SPE) for analytical analysis

A dispersive extraction based sample preparation method comprising:

• placing a liquid extraction solvent, sorbent particles, and a liquid sample matrix that contains an analyte into a sample cup surrounded by a pressure-resistant reaction chamber with the heat conductive sample cup having one opened filtered end;
• adding liquid extraction solvent to both the inside of the sample cup and to the reaction chamber outside of the sample cup;
• heating the liquid extraction solvent in the reaction chamber outside of the sample cup to in turn heat the sample cup, the sample matrix, the sorbent particles and the liquid extraction solvent until the temperature generates an above-atmospheric pressure that together with the increased temperature drives the analyte substantially from the sample matrix into the extraction solvent in the sorbent particles;
• thereafter draining the pressurized heated liquid matrix at atmospheric pressure from the sample cup and the reaction chamber;
• thereafter adding a liquid release solvent to both the inside of the sample cup and to the reaction chamber outside of the sample cup, and to the plurality of sorbent particles carrying the liquid extraction solvent and the analyte in the sample cup;
• thereafter, heating, and pressurizing the liquid release solvent and the sorbent particles to release the analyte into the liquid release solvent;
• and
• thereafter draining the pressurized heated liquid release solvent at atmospheric pressure.