Methods and apparatus for forming an integral high pressure seal using mechanical acutation

A method of extracting compounds from a solid matrix using a pressurized fluid comprising:

• (a) providing a sample vessel having two ends comprising means formed thereon to receive a seal;
• (b) forming a nominal seal between said sample vessel and a first cap applied to a first end of the sample vessel;
• (c) loading a solid sample into said sample vessel;
• (d) forming a nominal seal between said sample vessel and a second cap applied to a second end of the sample vessel;
• (e) applying a compressive force to said first and second caps to create a high pressure seal by urging a force-applying member against at least one of the first and second caps and providing resistance in a direction opposite the compressive force;
• and
• (f) pumping solvent through said vessel to perform the extraction of compounds from said solid matrix.

A method of extracting components from a liquid matrix comprising:

• (a) providing a sample vessel having two ends comprising means formed thereon to receive a seal and containing a granular packing material;
• (b) forming a nominal seal between said sample vessel and a cap applied to a first end of the sample vessel;
• (c) applying a compressive force to said cap to create a high pressure seal by urging a force-applying member against the cap and providing resistance in a direction opposite the compressive force;
• (d) flowing a liquid sample through said sample vessel, whereby one or more components are retained by the granular packing material within the sample vessel;
• and
• (e) pumping extraction fluid through said vessel to perform the extraction of components from said granular packing material, whereby said components are dissolved from said packing material and collected in concentrated form.

A method of filtering particulate from a fluid stream comprising:

• (a) providing a sample vessel comprising means for engaging a seal and to be transferred to an extraction instrument;
• (b) forming a nominal seal between said sample vessel and a cap applied to a first end of the sample vessel;
• (c) applying a compressive force to said nominal seal by urging a force-applying member against the vessel wherein the vessel resists the force-applying member;
• (d) directing said fluid stream into said sample vessel;
• and
• (e) forming a nominal seal at another end of said vessel using a cap comprising a filter element.