Sample introduction system for inductively coupled plasma and other gas-phase, or particle, detectors utilizing an enclosed filter solvent removal system, and method of use

A method of providing desolvated nebulized sample particles to a sample analysis system comprising the steps of:

• a. obtaining a solvent removal system for removing solvent vapor from a mixture with desolvated nebulized sample particles prior to entering said desolvated nebulized sample particles into a sample analysis system, which sample analysis system is attached to said solvent removal system at one extent of said solvent removal system;
• said desolvated nebulized sample particles being formed by entering a sample solution to a nebulizer system and subjecting resulting nebulized sample solution droplets to a heating process in a desolvation chamber to which the solvent removal system is attached at an extent thereof removed from that at which the sample analysis system is attached;
• in which desolvation chamber are present heater means for causing the temperature therein to exceed the vaporization temperature of the solvent in said sample solution, which heater means heat solvent entered thereto above the vaporization temperature thereof during use;
• said solvent removal system being comprised of a coiled essentially tubular shaped enclosed filter encased within containment such that a mixture of desolvated nebulized sample particles and vaporized solvent can be, during use, entered to space within said essentially tubular shaped enclosed filter, from the desolvation chamber, and caused to flow therethrough and into the sample analysis system wherein analysis thereof is performed, said coiled essentially tubular shaped enclosed filter being made from a material which allows said solvent vapor to diffuse therethrough, but which retains desolvated nebulized sample particles therewithin, said containment in which said essentially tubular shaped enclosed filter is present providing means for removing said solvent vapor;
• b. entering a sample solution to said nebulizer system;
• c. causing resulting nebulized sample droplets to flow through said desolvation system to form a mixture of desolvated nebulized sample particles and vaporized solvent;
• d. causing said mixture of desolvated nebulized sample particles and vaporized solvent to flow into the space within said coiled essentially tubular shaped enclosed filter in said solvent removal system such that said solvent vapor diffuses through the essentially tubular shaped enclosed filter, while said desolvated nebulized sample particles are caused to flow within the space within said essentially tubular shaped enclosed filter and into said sample analysts system for analysis therein.

A combination desolvation chamber and solvent removal system for removing solvent vapor from a mixture with desolvated nebulized sample particles prior to entering said desolvated nebulized sample particles into a sample analysis system, which desolvation chamber is attached to said solvent removal system at one extent of said solvent removal system and which sample analysis system is attached thereto at another extent thereof;

• said desolvated nebulized sample particles being formed by entering a sample solution to a nebulizer system and subjecting resulting nebulized sample solution droplets to a heating process in said desolvation chamber;
• in which desolvation chamber are present heater means for causing the temperature therein to exceed the vaporization temperature of the solvent in said sample solution, which heater means heat solvent entered thereto above the vaporization temperature thereof during use;
• said solvent removal system being comprised of a coiled essentially tubular shaped enclosed filter encased within a containment such that a mixture of desolvated nebulized sample particles and vaporized solvent can be, during use, entered to space within said essentially tubular shaped enclosed filter, from the desolvation chamber, and caused to flow therethrough and into the sample analysis system wherein analysis thereof is performed, said coiled essentially tubular shaped enclosed filter being made from a material which allows said solvent vapor to diffuse therethrough, but which retains desolvated nebulized sample particles therewithin for transport to said sample analysis system;
• said coiled essentially tubular shaped enclosed filter being encompassed by heating elements for maintaining the temperature inside thereof above the vaporization temperature of said solvent during use, and said coiled containment in which said essentially tubular shaped enclosed filter is present providing means for removing said coiled solvent vapor.

A combination nebulizer, desolvation chamber and solvent removal system for producing nebulized sample solution droplets, desolvating them to produce desolvated nebulized sample particles and removing the resulting solvent vapor from a mixture with said desolvated nebulized sample particles prior to entering said desolvated nebulized sample particles into a sample analysis system;

• which desolvation chamber is attached to said solvent removal system at one extent of said solvent removal system and which sample analysis system is attached thereto at another extent thereof;
• said desolvated nebulized sample particles being formed by entering a sample solution to said nebulizer system and subjecting the resulting nebulized sample solution droplets to a heating process in said desolvation chamber;
• in which desolvation chamber are present heater means for causing the temperature therein to exceed the vaporization temperature of the solvent in said sample solution, which heater means heat solvent entered thereto above the vaporization temperature thereof during use;
• said solvent removal system being comprised of a coiled an essentially tubular shaped enclosed filter encased within a containment such that a mixture of desolvated nebulized sample particles and vaporized solvent can be, during use, entered to space within said coiled essentially tubular shaped enclosed filter, from the desolvation chamber, and caused to flow therethrough and into the sample analysis system wherein analysis thereof is performed, said coiled essentially tubular shaped enclosed filter being made from a material which allows said solvent vapor to diffuse therethrough, but which retains desolvated nebulized sample particles therewithin for transport to said sample analysis system;
• said coiled essentially tubular shaped enclosed filter being ecompassed by heating elements for maintaining the temperature therein above the vaporization temperature of said solvent during use, and said containment in which said coiled essentially tubular shaped enclosed filter is present providing means for removing said solvent vapor.