Abstract:
The invention describes the process by which a standard mixture of organic compounds are spiked and retained onto a composite sorbent matrix for the controlled generation of a standard in fluid above the spiked matrix either in gas (headspace) or aqueous phase which is contained in portable vials. The novelty of the aforementioned composite matrix stems from the combination of an immobilizing liquid phase such as silicone oil or a polyacrylonitrile solution, and solid, porous particles such as polystyrene-co-divinylbenzene (PS-DVB) or Hydrophilic/Lipophilic Balance (HLB) particles to strongly retain the spiked standards facilitating high capacity which translates into prolonged use as a source of calibrant. These novel composite mixtures exhibit sorptive capabilities greater than the sum of their individual components producing a standard analyte generator far superior to those described in the prior art. In addition swelling of the particles with the liquid phase facilitates immobilization of the composite sorbent matrix in the vial. Immobilization of said particles has also been achieved by cross-linking of a liquid polymeric solution such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), allowing the composite sorbent matrix to be uniformly distributed on the vessel wall. With thermodynamic equilibrium strongly favoring the sorbent phase for a wide range of chemical compounds, this invention allows for the reproducible generation of an ultra-low concentration standard analyte mixture in fluid. If the fluid is gaseous, extractions from this headspace can be performed via solid phase microextraction (SPME), needle trap devices (NTD), or direct headspace extraction for injection onto various hyphenated gas chromatography (GC) systems. If the fluid is aqueous, extractions may be performed directly from the standard water for injection onto hyphenated GC or liquid chromatography (LC) systems. The invention can be used for a variety of applications ranging from integrated GC-MS or LC-MS tuning, automated instrument quality control (QC), preparation of reusable external calibration mixtures and, addition of internal standards wherein the method provides long-term stability, inter-batch reproducibility, repeatable analyte loading of the fluid, and quantifiable low concentrations at given temperatures.
Abstract:
Chromatographic processes are provided which utilize fiber conduit contactors to effect separation of chemical substances from a mixture. In particular, processes are provided which constrain a substance on the fibers and move a mixture of chemical substances and another fluid through the coated fibers to effect separation of a substance from the mixture. In addition, fiber conduit contactors configured to affect such processes are disclosed. Some apparatuses include a sample injection mechanism for selectively inserting an analytical or preparative chromatography mixture into a fluid being supplied to the conduit. Additional or alternative apparatuses include fibers positioned longitudinally within a conduit with their opposing ends respectively bundled into a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet at opposing ends of the conduit. The portions of the fibers between the bundled ends are sufficiently slack such that larger spaces exist between individual fibers along the slack portions than at the bundled ends.
Abstract:
The invention describes the process by which a standard mixture of organic compounds are spiked and retained onto a composite sorbent matrix for the controlled generation of a standard in fluid above the spiked matrix either in a gaseous or aqueous phase. The novelty of the aforementioned composite matrix stems from the combination of an immobilizing liquid phase such as silicone oil or a polyacrylonitrile solution, and solid, porous particles such as polystyrene-co-divinylbenzene (PS-DVB) or hydrophilic/Lipophilic Balance (HLB) particles to strongly retain the spiked standards. These novel composite mixtures exhibit sorptive capabilities greater than the sum of their individual components. In addition swelling of the particles with the liquid phase facilitates immobilization of the composite sorbent matrix in the vial. With thermodynamic equilibrium strongly favoring the sorbent phase for a wide range of chemical compounds, this invention allows for the reproducible generation of an ultra-low concentration standard analyte mixture in fluid.
Abstract:
An apparatus for treating an aqueous sample stream includes analyte ions. The apparatus comprises an ion exchange barrier; a sample stream flow channel; an ion receiving stream flow channel adjacent to the sample stream flow channel and separated therefrom by said first ion exchange bather. Stationary flow-through ion exchange packing is disposed in the sample flow channel of the same charge as the ion exchange bather. The ion exchange packing comprises a mixture of a first ion exchange portion with strong ionizable groups and a second ion exchange portion with weak ionizable groups of the same charge. First and second electrodes are in electrical communication with the sample stream flow channel and ion receiving flow channel.