Systems, methods and devices for automated digestion of samples

An automated system for digestion of samples contained in multi-sample racks, the system comprising:

• a microwave digestion system having a heating chamber with an opening and at least one microwave generator communicatively coupled to the heating chamber for propagating therein microwaves to perform digestion of the samples;
• a first rack loader coupled to the microwave digestion system and aligned with the opening of the heating chamber, the first rack loader having first and second levels superposed inside a first frame, a first set of conveyors for displacing the multi-sample racks between the first rack loader and the heating chamber, and a first elevator displaceable between the first and second levels;
• and
• a controller coupled to the microwave device and the first rack loader and configured to manage displacement of the multi-sample racks on the first rack loader and between the first rack loader and the heating chamber, and control sample digestion through the application of microwaves by the at least one microwave device.

A rack loader for loading and unloading a plurality of multi-sample racks into and out of a microwave digestion system, the rack loader comprising:

• a frame having a front side, a rear side, and first and second lateral sides spacing apart the front and rear sides;
• first and second levels superposed inside the frame;
• a set of conveyors for displacing the multi-sample racks on the rack loader and between the rack loader and a heating chamber of the microwave digestion system;
• and
• an elevator displaceable between the first and second levels.