System and method for retaining, storing, and capping samples collected from a distance coincident with chemical analysis

An automated system for retaining and storing chemical samples within capped sample vessels following chemical analysis, comprising:

• an analysis system configured to receive a fluid sample and measure an amount of one or more analytes of interest in the fluid sample;
• and
• a sample retention system fluidically coupled with the analysis system via a fluid transfer line, the sample retention system including
• an uncapper configured to remove a cap from a bottle to provide an uncapped bottle and to replace the cap to the bottle to provide a capped bottle,
• a sample probe configured to dispense the fluid sample into the uncapped bottle,
• a sample loop fluidically coupled with the sample probe and the fluid transfer line and configured to hold a portion of the fluid sample, and
• a controller communicatively coupled with the analysis system, the uncapper, and the sample probe, the controller configured to
• determine whether the amount of one or more analytes of interest in the fluid sample measured by the analysis system is within a threshold amount,
• transfer the portion of fluid sample into the sample loop to provide a retained sample portion,
• instruct the uncapper to remove the cap from the bottle to provide the uncapped bottle,
• instruct the sample probe to introduce the sample probe into the uncapped bottle, and
• transfer the retained sample portion from the sample loop, through the sample probe, and into the uncapped bottle to provide a retained sample.