Management device for gas chromatography sample concentration
AssigneeO. I. Corporation
InventorsKenneth K. Jiang, Bernie B. Bernard
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A water management system removes water vapor from the analyte slug that is desorbed from the trap. The water management system includes a device having a passage through which the volatile organic chemicals and water pass, the passage being designed to remove water vapor by swirling action on the stream. The amount of water removed is more than can be accounted for by simple condensation. The invention also includes the adjustment of the temperature of the water management device during the sample concentration cycle to prevent undesired condensation prior to desorption.
Claims39
An apparatus for removal of water from a sample being purged from a sparge vessel to a trap and desorbed from the trap to an analytical instrument for testing, comprising:
- (a) a passage configured to provide a flow path for the sample between the sparge vessel, the trap and the analytical instrument;
- said passage being selectively connectable between the sparge vessel and the trap and between the trap and the analytical instrument;
- (b) heating means for heating said passage to a first temperature sufficient to vaporize water in said passage when said passage is connected between the sparge vessel and the trap;
- and
- (c) air cooling means for cooling said passage to a second temperature below said first temperature, but not below ambient, when said passage is connected between the trap and the analytical instrument.
An apparatus for removal of water from analytes being purged from a sparge vessel to a trap and desorbed from the trap to an analytical instrument, comprising:
- (a) purge means for purging the analytes from the sparge vessel and passing the purged analytes through a passage connecting the sparge vessel to the trap, the passage being at a first temperature higher than the sparge vessel;
- (b) desorbing means for desorbing the analytes from the trap and passing the desorbed analytes through the passage from the trap to the analytical instrument, while air cooling the passage to a second temperature lower than the first temperature but not lower than ambient room temperature;
- (c) heating means for heating the passage to a temperature sufficient to expel water vapor from the passage through a vent.
An apparatus for removing water vapor from an analyte slug passing between a sparge vessel, trap and analytical instrument, comprising:
- (a) first means for passing the analyte slug through a passage heated to a first temperature higher than ambient, as the analyte slug passes from the sparge vessel to the trap;
- and
- (b) second means for passing the analyte slug through the passage that is air cooled to a second temperature below said first temperature but not below ambient, as the analyte slug passes from the trap to the analytical instrument.
An apparatus for removal of excess water from analytes being purged from a sparge vessel onto a trap and desorbed from the trap to an analytical instrument, comprising:
- (a) purging means for purging wherein the analytes flow from the sparge vessel through an L-shaped passage to the trap, the passage being heated to a first temperature higher than ambient room temperature;
- (b) desorbing means for desorbing wherein the L-shaped passage is cooled to a second temperature below the first temperature, and the analytes flow from the trap through the passage to the analytical instrument;
- and
- (c) heating means for heating the L-shaped passage to a third temperature at least as high as the first temperature.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.