Interface for separating an analyte of interest from a liquid solvent
AssigneeTrustees of Tufts College
InventorsRobbat, Jr. Albert, Nicholas P. Corso
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An interface generally useful for liquid chromotography systems and methods is provided for the separation of an analyte of interest from a liquid solvent. The interface provides for separation and collection of solvent and the analyte of interest in a gaseous molecular state. In this manner, the ability to detect, identify, and quantify the analyte of interest using a variety of specific and non-specific detectors is made possible.
Claims16
An interface useful for separating an analyte of interest from an admixture with a liquid solvent, said interface comprising:
- conduit means for conveying a liquid admixture comprising an analyte of interest and a liquid solvent;
- heating means for vaporizing a liquid admixture comprising an analyte of interest and a liquid solvent into a dry gaseous mixture comprising gaseous molecules of solvent and gaseous molecules of the analyte of interest;
- an adiabatic expansion chamber without internal mechanical means for moving a liquid admixture, said adiabatic expansion chamber being adjacent to and in communication with said heating means and being under reduced pressure for adiabatic expansion and separation of a dry gaseous mixture whereby gaseous molecules of solvent of the gaseous mixture migrate substantially toward the internal periphery of said adiabatic expansion chamber and gaseous molecules of the analyte of interest of the gaseous mixture migrate substantially toward the internal center of said adiabatic expansion chamber;
- solvent gas collection means at the internal periphery of said adiabatic expansion chamber for collection of separated gaseous molecules of solvent;
- and
- analyte gas collection means at about the internal center of said adiabatic expansion chamber for collection of separated gaseous molecules of the analyte of interest.
An interface useful for separating an analyte of interest from an admixture with a liquid solvent, said interface comprising:
- conduit means for conveying a liquid admixture comprising an analyte of interest and a liquid solvent;
- means for vaporizing a liquid admixture comprising an analyte of interest and a liquid solvent into a wet aerosol;
- heating means for converting a wet aerosol comprising an analyte of interest and a solvent into a dry gaseous mixture comprising gaseous molecules of solvent and gaseous molecules of the analyte of interest;
- an adiabatic expansion chamber without internal mechanical means for moving a liquid admixture, said adiabatic expansion chamber being adjacent to and in communication with said means for vaporizing and said heating means and being under reduced pressure for adiabatic expansion and separation of a dry gaseous mixture whereby gaseous molecules of solvent of the gaseous mixture migrate substantially toward the internal periphery of said adiabatic expansion chamber and gaseous molecules of the analyte of interest of the gaseous mixture migrate substantially toward the internal center of said adiabatic expansion chamber;
- solvent gas collection means at the intenal periphery of said adiabatic expansion chamber for collection of separated gaseous molecules of solvent;
- and
- analyte gas collection means at about the internal center of said adiabatic expansion chamber for collection of separated gaseous molecules of the analyte of interest.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.