Headspace sampling device and method for sampling
AssigneeThe Unites States of America as represented by the Secretary of Commerce, The National Institute of Standards and Technology
InventorThomas J. Bruno
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Abstract
A device and method for headspace sampling is disclosed herein. The headspace sampling device comprises a sample holding device configured to be sealed in a vial. The sample holding device has a pair of electrodes gap spaced from one another and a basket extending between the electrodes configured to hold a sample. The basket is configured to heat a sample held therewith and volatize at least a portion of the sample upon an electrical current being passed through the electrodes and the basket.
Claims16
A headspace sampling device comprising:
- a vial;
- a capacitor firing circuit;
- a sample holding device comprising:
- a first electrode in electrical communication with the capacitor firing circuit;
- a second electrode in electrical communication with the capacitor firing circuit and gap spaced from the first electrode;
- and
- a basket comprising a continuous strand of wire wrapped around the first electrode and the second electrode and spanning the gap space therebetween;
- the basket being configured to hold and heat a sample therewith and volatize at least a portion of the held sample upon an electrical current being passed through the first electrode, the basket, and the second electrode;
- wherein the wire is pyrolizable upon being rapidly heated with an electrical current being passed through the first electrode, the basket, and the second electrode;
- the sample holding device being configured to seal the basket in the vial;
- and
- wherein the capacitor firing circuit has a capacity sufficient to pyrolyze the wire upon discharging an electrical current.
A headspace sampling device comprising:
- a sample basket sealed in a sample container and configured and disposed to hold a liquid, semi-solid, or solid sample;
- a pair of electrodes extending into the sealed container and each having a curved portion configured and disposed to form and hold the sample basket;
- a capacitor firing circuit in electrical communication with the pair of electrodes, the capacitor firing circuit having a capacity sufficient to pyrolyze the basket upon discharging an electrical current;
- the sample basket being pyrolyzable and configured to be rapidly heated and pyrolyzed and to heat a sample held therewith, upon an electrical current being passed through the pair of electrodes with a discharge of the capacitor firing circuit.
A method of headspace sampling comprising the steps of:
- providing a sample basket having an approximating half-circle or hook shape;
- placing a solid, semi-solid, or liquid sample on the sample basket and holding the sample therewith;
- sealing the sample basket holding the sample in a container or vial;
- electrically and rapidly heating the basket and volitizing at least a portion of the sample;
- pyrolyzing the basket upon being rapidly heated;
- and
- analyzing the volitized portion of the sample.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.