Automated systems and methods for detection of chemical compounds

An automated system for processing a liquid test sample, comprising:

• (a) a gas and liquid separator configured for removing at least one volatile component from the test sample;
• (b) at least two trapping vessels in fluid communication with the gas and liquid separator, wherein the at least two trapping vessels contain a trapping material capable of adsorbing at least one of the at least one volatile component to provide at least one adsorbed component;
• and
• (c) a heat source configured to heat the trapping material to a temperature sufficient to release at least one of the at least one adsorbed component from the trapping material to provide at least one released component.

An automated system for processing a liquid test sample, comprising:

• (a) a first conduit for providing a flow of gas to a test sample container;
• (b) a gas and liquid separator in fluid communication with the first conduit, the gas and liquid separator configured for removing at least one volatile component from the test sample;
• (c) a trapping vessel in fluid communication with the gas and liquid separator, wherein the first trapping vessel contains a trapping material capable of adsorbing at least one of the at least one volatile component to provide at least one adsorbed component;
• and
• (d) a heat source configured to heat the trapping material to a temperature sufficient to release at least one of the at least one adsorbed component from the trapping material to provide at least one released component.

An automated system for processing a liquid test sample, comprising:

• (a) a gas and liquid separator;
• (b) an attachment for a first gas source that provides a flow of gas for transferring a test sample to the gas and liquid separator and for removing at least one volatile component from the test sample in the gas and liquid separator, wherein an organomercury compound present in the test sample is converted to at least one ethylated or propylated mercury species prior to transfer of the test sample into the gas and liquid separator;
• (c) a trapping vessel in fluid communication with the gas and liquid separator, wherein the trapping vessel contains at least one material capable of adsorbing the at least one ethylated or propylated mercury species of the organomercury compound;
• and
• (d) a heat source for heating the at least one material in the trapping vessel to a temperature sufficient to release the at least one ethylated or propylated mercury species from the at least one material.

A method for processing a liquid test sample, comprising:

• (a) placing a liquid test sample in a sealable container;
• (b) transferring the sample from the container to a gas and liquid separator using a first flow of gas;
• (c) separating at least one volatile component from the sample in the gas and liquid separator;
• (d) adsorbing at least one of the at least one volatile component onto a trapping material to provide at least one adsorbed component;
• and
• (e) releasing at least one of the at least one adsorbed component from the trapping material to provide at least one released component.

A method for processing a liquid test sample, comprising:

• (a) placing a liquid test sample in a sealable container;
• (b) transferring the sample from the container to a gas and liquid separator;
• (c) separating at least one volatile component from the sample in the gas and liquid separator;
• (d) adsorbing at least one of the at least one volative component onto a trapping material to provide at least one adsorbed component;
• and
• (e) heating the trapping material using infrared heat to a temperature sufficient to release at least one of the at least one adsorbed component from the trapping material to provide at least one released component.

A method for processing a liquid test sample, comprising:

• (a) placing a liquid test sample in a sealable container;
• (b) transferring the sample from the container to a gas and liquid separator;
• (c) separating at least one volatile component from the sample in the gas and liquid separator;
• (d) adsorbing at least one of the at least one volative component onto a trapping material in one of at least two trapping vessels in fluid communication with the gas and liquid separator to provide at least one adsorbed component;
• and
• (e) releasing at least one of the at least one adsorbed component from the trapping material to provide at least one released component.