US 5,601,707 A · Apparatus and method for supercritical fluid extraction or supercritical fluid chromatography

Abstract

An apparatus for supercritical fluid extraction incorporates a removable extraction cartridge which in operation has insignificant pressure difference between its inside and outside walls. Because of the low pressure difference, the extraction cartridge need not have the strength to withstand significant pressure and can be made out of molded plastic for disposable use as well as stainless steel and/or machined plastic for reusability. The extraction cartridge can be removed and opened for sample access without the use of tools. The outside of the cartridge can be purged after it is installed in a heated high pressure vessel to remove contamination from its exterior. In one embodiment, the extractor includes a fraction collector for extractants, an automatic sample changer and an automatic cartridge transfer mechanism which provide completely automated extractions.

Claims31

Dependent claims

Apparatus comprising:

a plurality of sample containers;
at least some of said plurality of sample containers being adapted to hold a different one of a corresponding plurality of samples;
a first transport means;
said first transport means being adapted to carry said plurality of sample containers;
a second transport means;
programming means for causing said first transport means to move a selected sample container and sample to the location of said second transport means;
a supercritical extractor;
said programming means including means for causing said second transport means to move said selected container and sample from the said first transport means to a supercritical extraction means;
means for sealing the selected container at the place of extraction to resist the said extraction pressure;
means for heating sample container at the place of extraction;
and
means for passing fluid at said supercritical condition through the said selected sample container and sample, thereby extracting an analyte from the sample.

9 more elements

Apparatus for automatic high-temperature high-pressure extraction processing of a sample with an extraction fluid comprising:

more than two samples each in individual sealable sample containers located in a first transport means;
said sample containers insertable and removable from the said first transport means;
said sample containers having a first flow port and a second flow port, and the said sample disposed between the said flow ports;
programming means for causing first transport means to move a selected one of the said more than two sample containers with its contained sample to a location corresponding to a place of extraction;
means for heating the said selected sample container and extraction fluid to a set temperature;
means for pressurizing said process of extraction within a pressure vessel means;
said selected sample container at the said place of extraction being sealed to the pressure of said pressurizing;
extraction fluid flow means producing an extraction fluid flow;
a first connecting means disposed to conduct fluid from the said extraction fluid flow means to the first flow port of the selected sample container;
said extraction fluid flow means forcing extraction fluid through said first fluid flow connecting means and through the first flow port of said selected sample container containing said sample wherein said extraction fluid contacting said sample at said heated and pressurized conditions produce an extract from the sample;
a plurality of collection containers located in a second transport means;
said programming means causing the selection of a collection container in the said second transport means in correspondence with the said selection of a sample container in the said first transport means;
said second fluid flow connecting means being disposed to conduct said extract from the said second flow port of the said selected sample container containing sample to the said selected collection container to receive said extract, wherein means are provided for forcing flow of extraction fluid with extract from the said selected sample container to the said selected collection container;
said selected collection container receiving extract from only one selected sample container;
and
said second transport means moving the said selected sample container after the said container has received extract.

13 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus and method for supercritical fluid extraction or supercritical fluid chromatography

Life of this patent

Apparatus and method for supercritical fluid extraction or supercritical fluid chromatography

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims31