Method and apparatus for generating a vapor/gas mixture, and uses therefor

An apparatus for generating a vapor/gas mixture of predetermined composition which comprises:

• storage means for separately storing a plurality of different volatile liquid compounds, said liquid compounds to constitute the vapor of the vapor/gas mixture;
• means for providing a dilution gas;
• a mixing container;
• introduction means for automatically introducing a predetermined quantity of at least a selected one of the plurality of volatile liquids from said storage means into said container, the predetermined quantity forming a vapor within said container, said introduction means including valve means for selectively connecting the plurality of volatile liquids with said container;
• means for adding the dilution gas into said container until the gas pressure in said container reaches a first predetermined pressure, thereby generating a first vapor/gas mixture of the selected volatile liquid and the dilution gas having a selected percentage of the compound therein;
• and
• means for removing substantially all of the first vapor/gas mixture from said container, whereby said apparatus is ready for preparing a second vapor/gas mixture using a different one of the plurality of volatile liquids.

A method for generating a plurality of vapor/gas mixtures of predetermined composition which comprises:

• a. providing means for separately storing in an auto sampler a plurality of different volatile liquid compounds to constitute the vapor of the vapor/gas mixture;
• b. automatically introducing a predetermined quantity of a selected one of the plurality of volatile liquids from the storing means into a container, the predetermined quantity forming a vapor within the container;
• c. adding dilution gas into the container until the gas pressure in the container reaches a first predetermined pressure, thereby generating a first vapor/gas mixture of the selected compound and the dilution gas having a selected percentage of the compound therein;
• d. removing substantially all of the first vapor/gas mixture from the container;
• and
• e. repeating steps b. through d. using a different one of the plurality of stored volatile liquids to generate other vapor/gas mixtures with different ones of the volatile liquids.