Rapid sample preparation for analytical analysis using dispersive energized extraction

An extraction based sample preparation method comprising:

• placing an extraction solvent, and a sample matrix that contains an analyte into a heat conductive sample cup surrounded by a pressure-resistant reaction chamber with the heat conductive sample cup having one opened filtered end and a mouth opposite from its open filtered end;
• adding liquid extraction solvent to both the inside of the sample cup and to the reaction chamber outside of the sample cup;
• sealing the sample cup between a sealing cover at the cup mouth and an outlet valve at the opposite opened filtered end of the reaction chamber so that a heating step increases the vapor pressure of the liquid extraction solvent above the solvent's vapor pressure at ambient temperature and pressure;
• and
• heating the liquid extraction solvent in the reaction chamber outside of the sample cup to in turn heat the sample cup, the sample matrix 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 liquid extraction solvent;
• releasing the liquid solvent extract from the sample cup into a cooling tube at atmospheric pressure in which the cooling tube has a length sufficient to substantially cool the solvent extract to ambient or near-ambient temperature as the liquid solvent extract travels from the sample cup through the cooling tube and into a collection vessel.