DESCRIPTION

A miniaturised device for the extraction with fluids at high temperatures and pressures of a variety of chemical species from semi-solid and solid matrices positioned in a closed extraction cell has been developed. The apparatus includes a small thermostatic oven in which up to three extraction cells of variable size can be simultaneously mounted, the valves allowing the assembly and communication of those cells with the fluid supplier, and a coil-based refrigeration system.

ratus allows a precise and separate control of the extraction fluid volume (0.05-30 mL.) and the pressure applied to each extraction cell, and the use of very small extraction cells, which allows proper handle of as small amounts of sample as 20-50 mg with a minimum consumption of solvents and reagents.

The fluid communication assembly of the apparatus allows the on-line coupling either among the several extraction cells, or between the apparatus and appropriate chromatographic-based systems for subsequent separation and/or clean-up of the extracts, or between the apparatus and selected detections systems. This flexibility in the configuration allows the apparatus to be considered a valuable tool particularly suitable for sample preparation in a variety of analytical field, for example the Environmental or Food contaminants detection..

INNOVATIVE ASPECTS

The instrumental configuration allows the simultaneous or sequencial extraction of up to three cells (with similar or different size) with a precise control of the extractant volume Suitable technique for small size samples or trace components from 20mg in 50 micro -litres of extractant.

Suitable technique for labile components due to a temperature control (25-200ºC) The device is equipped with a system for cooling of the sample extract, once finalised the extraction and allows its on-line coupling to different separation/purification and/or detection systems, allowing sample preparation, purification of the extracts and /or detection in an only analytical stage.

It has potential for automatization for both its version for sample preparation in closed system, or for the complete analysis cycle, once hyphenated to the chosen separation-detection system.

COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES

Miniaturization and automatization of sample treatment.

Drastic reduction of the required sample size, which in turn leads to the reduction of sorbent and solvent consumption compared to other sample treatment systems. Environmental-friendly technology for the reduction of exposure of laboratory staff to toxic residues and the quantity of waste. Simple and high reproducibility technique, and particularly adapted for monitoring studies or for high throughput analysis.

KEYWORDS

Sample preparation, pressurised liquid extraction, high speed extraction, hyphenation, miniaturisation, solid samples, trace compounds, labile compounds..

PATENT

200501320, PCT/ES2006/000311 applied for 2005-06-01

CONTACT

Estrella Maroto
email: e.maroto@orgc.csic.es
phone: +34 91 585 52 51

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