Method and apparatus for sample analysis
First Claim
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1. A system for concentrating and analyzing a gaseous sample, the system comprising:
- a separatory column;
a pressurizer for compressing a gaseous sample from a first volume to a second volume, the second volume being smaller than the first volume, the pressurizer being fluidly connected to and upstream of the separatory column;
a first sample passageway fluidly connected to and downstream of the separatory column;
a second sample passageway fluidly connected to and downstream of the separatory column and fluidly connected to the first sample passageway, the second sample passageway including a flow restrictor that inhibits gas from flowing through the second sample passageway;
a pressure-increasing valve arrangement fluidly connected to and downstream of the separatory column, which valve arrangement automatically(a) blocks flow through the first sample passageway and forces flow through the second sample passageway while the apparatus operates to compress the sample, thereby reducing the flow rate through the system and increasing system pressure to pneumatically focus the gaseous sample, and(b) permits flow through the first sample passageway once the sample has been compressed to the second volume and a portion of the sample has flowed through the flow restrictor, thereby allowing flow to resume through the first sample passageway and separation of analytes previously adsorbed at the head of the separatory column; and
one or more detectors located to receive analytes from at least the first sample passageway and to detect analytes delivered to the detector from the first sample passageway.
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Abstract
Methods and systems for analyzing samples, such as gas samples, are described. One method comprises providing a gas sample, increasing pressure applied to the gas sample to compress the sample to a smaller volume and provide a pneumatically focused gas sample, and analyzing the pneumatically focused gas sample using any of a variety of analytical techniques. Also disclosed are systems for gas analysis, including systems for analysis of pneumatically focused, and thereby concentrated, gas samples and for analysis of particulate matter in gas samples. Analytical systems constructed within personal computer cases also are disclosed.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A system for concentrating and analyzing a gaseous sample, the system comprising:
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a separatory column; a pressurizer for compressing a gaseous sample from a first volume to a second volume, the second volume being smaller than the first volume, the pressurizer being fluidly connected to and upstream of the separatory column; a first sample passageway fluidly connected to and downstream of the separatory column; a second sample passageway fluidly connected to and downstream of the separatory column and fluidly connected to the first sample passageway, the second sample passageway including a flow restrictor that inhibits gas from flowing through the second sample passageway; a pressure-increasing valve arrangement fluidly connected to and downstream of the separatory column, which valve arrangement automatically (a) blocks flow through the first sample passageway and forces flow through the second sample passageway while the apparatus operates to compress the sample, thereby reducing the flow rate through the system and increasing system pressure to pneumatically focus the gaseous sample, and (b) permits flow through the first sample passageway once the sample has been compressed to the second volume and a portion of the sample has flowed through the flow restrictor, thereby allowing flow to resume through the first sample passageway and separation of analytes previously adsorbed at the head of the separatory column; and one or more detectors located to receive analytes from at least the first sample passageway and to detect analytes delivered to the detector from the first sample passageway. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification