Chemical processing system, instrument and sample cartridge

A sample cartridge for a chemical processing instrument, the sample cartridge comprising:

• a primary reaction vessel configured to accommodate a fluid sample for processing and configured to receive a lid for closing an open top of the primary reaction vessel;
• a reagent vessel configured to receive one or more fluid reagents via an open top of the reagent vessel, the reagent vessel being connected to the primary reaction vessel via a primary reagent channel with a primary reagent valve disposed in the primary reagent channel to control fluid flow through the primary reagent channel;
• and
• a primary pneumatic port in fluid communication with the primary reaction vessel and configured to be connected to a pneumatic module to selectively adjust a pressure within the primary reaction vessel when the lid is closed to draw the fluid contents of the reagent vessel into the primary reaction vessel.

A sample cartridge for use with a fluid analysis instrument, the cartridge comprising:

• a sample vessel configured to accommodate a fluid sample for analysis;
• a buffer solution vessel configured to accommodate a buffer solution;
• an analysis vessel configured to accommodate a mixed fluid comprising an aliquot of the fluid sample mixed with at least some of the buffer solution for analysis;
• a sample channel extending between the sample vessel and a first junction;
• a sample channel valve disposed in the sample channel to control flow of the sample through the sample channel;
• a buffer channel extending between the buffer solution vessel and the first junction;
• a buffer channel valve disposed in the buffer channel to control flow of the buffer solution through the buffer channel;
• a metering channel in fluid communication with the buffer channel and sample channel, the metering channel extending between the first junction and a second junction;
• an analysis vessel channel in fluid communication with the metering channel and extending between the second junction and the analysis vessel;
• and
• an analysis vessel pneumatic port in communication with the analysis vessel and configured to be connected to a pneumatic module to selectively adjust a pressure in the analysis vessel to draw fluid into the analysis vessel via the analysis vessel channel.