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Method and apparatus for processing a test sample to concentrate an analyte in the sample from a solvent in the sample

Patent ·
OSTI ID:541726

A method of processing a test sample to concentrate an analyte in the sample from a solvent in the sample includes: (a) boiling the test sample containing the analyte and solvent in a boiling chamber to a temperature greater than or equal to the solvent boiling temperature and less than the analyte boiling temperature to form a rising sample vapor mixture; (b) passing the sample vapor mixture from the boiling chamber to an elongated primary separation tube, the separation tube having internal sidewalls and a longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axis being angled between vertical and horizontal and thus having an upper region and a lower region; (c) collecting the physically transported liquid analyte on the internal sidewalls of the separation tube; and (d) flowing the collected analyte along the angled internal sidewalls of the separation tube to and pass the separation tube lower region. The invention also includes passing a turbulence inducing wave through a vapor mixture to separate physically transported liquid second material from vaporized first material. Apparatus is also disclosed for effecting separations. Further disclosed is a fluidically powered liquid test sample withdrawal apparatus for withdrawing a liquid test sample from a test sample container and for cleaning the test sample container. 8 figs.

Research Organization:
EG & G Idaho Inc
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC07-76ID01570
Assignee:
Lockheed Martin Idaho Technologies Co., Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
Patent Number(s):
US 5,677,193/A/
Application Number:
PAN: 8-264,409
OSTI ID:
541726
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English