Abstract:
The invention relates to a pumping system (12) for supercritical extraction comprising: inlet means adapted to be connected to a source of supercritical fluid; outlet means adapted to provide the pumped fluid to a pressure vessel (18 and 24A); and pumphead means (300) having a pumping chamber (336) communicating with said inlet means and with said outlet means; a piston (304); an inlet valve means controlling the flow of fluid into said pumping chamber (336) means through said inlet means; an outlet valve means controlling the flow of fluid from said pumping chamber means (336) through said outlet means; an inlet conduit means defining a flow path between said inlet valve and said pump chamber (336); and an outlet conduit means defining a flow path between said pump chamber (336) and said outlet valve means; characterized by an air-cooled thermoelectric-cooled heat exchanger means (386) for cooling both the inlet means and the pumphead means (300).
Abstract:
Apparatus (10) for supercritical extraction including a source (12) of fluid at a pressure greater than the critical pressure of the said fluid; a heater (22) accepting fluid at a pressure greater than its critical pressure and heating the said fluid to a temperature greater than its critical temperature so that the said fluid becomes a supercritical fluid characterized by an openable extraction cartridge (26) having a fluid inlet passage (42), space (254) for the insertion of sample (134) and a fluid outlet passage adapted to pass supercritical fluid over or through the said sample contained within it, thereby accomplishing supercritical extraction of the sample said heating means including a recess (24) in which the cartridge (26) is placed during the said extraction, with the cartridge (26) being substantially enclosed as a result of its said placement in the recess.
Abstract:
To control a solvent composition in a supercritical fluid system, a first pump pumps a first solvent through a first conduit into a mixer and a second pump pumps a second solvent through a second conduit into the mixer. First and second transducers measure the pressure in the first and second conduits and generate first and second signals proportional to the pressures. Each pressure signal is multiplied by a corresponding programmed concentration signal and compared to the programmed pressure in a feedback system to generate an error signal. The error signal is multiplied by concentration signals from a programmer to control the pumping rate of each pump. The pumps pressurize each fluid one at a time at the start of a run. The pressurization process is also used for producing disturbance-free flow as delivery is changed from one pump to another during prolonged runs.
Abstract:
To supply supercritical fluid to an automatic supercritical fluid extractor and collect extract from the extractor, sample holding cartridges are lifted one by one in series by an elevator plug into a pressure chamber. An inlet at the top of the cartridge engages a pressure vessel inlet for the extractant so that extractant flows into the cartridge and into the space between the cartridge and inner walls of the pressure chamber. The outlets from the cartridge and pressure vessel communicate with the collector and exhaust through passageways in the plug. The plug has cleaning ports for cleaning seals and the outlet from the cartridge flows past the seals. The collector lifts vials into place and can precool the collection solvent, and later as part of the collection procedure, heat and pressurize the collector.
Abstract:
To avoid deposits on the restrictor that channels extractant into a collector (1901), a heated capillary tube (1900) pressure release restrictor has a thermally insulated outlet end in a collecting trap (1908) substantially colder than the capillary tube (1900). The restrictor is heated between the insulation (1906) and the capillary tube (1908) by Joulean heating. The solvent in the trap (1908) is at a pressure of 5 to 200 psi above atmospheric pressure. The thermal resistance of the insulation (1906) is selected to reduce the heat added to the extractant to a minimum, to keep the extractant from freezing, and to reduce partitioning of the extract and extractant. It has a thermal conductivity no greater than 60 BTU's per hour, per square foot, per inch for a one degree Fahrenheit difference.
Abstract:
To supply supercritical fluid to an automatic supercritical fluid extractor and collect extract from the extractor, sample holding cartridges (30A) are lifted one by one in series by an elevator plug into a pressure chamber (24A). An inlet at the top of the cartridge (30A) engages a pressure vessel inlet for the extractant so that extractant flows into the cartridge (30A) and into the space between the cartridge and inner walls of the pressure chamber (24A). The outlets from the cartridge (30A) and pressure vessel communicate with the collector (408) and exhaust through passageways in the plug. The plug has cleaning ports for cleaning seals and the outlet from the cartridge (30A) flows past the seals. The collector (408) lifts vials into place and can precool the collection solvent, and later as part of the collection procedure, heat and pressurize the collector (408).
Abstract:
A variable-orifice fluid restrictor (11) for use with a supercritical extractor or chromatograph includes an inlet line for fluid at a pressure above its critical pressure, an extended tubular probe having an inner and an outer surface and a proximal and a distal end. The proximal end of the probe is disposed toward the inlet line. The distal end of the probe includes an adjustable orifice means (1240) adapted for metering the fluid and having first and second orifice members and an adjusting stem having first and second ends. The adjustable orifice means (1240) is adjacent to the outer surface of the probe and the orifice means (1240) is adjustable with the adjusting stem. The end of the stem is located at the distal end of the probe and is adapted for moving the first orifice member with respect to the second orifice member to control the adjustable orifice (1240) for varying the restriction of the fluid passing through the adjustable orifice (1240).
Abstract:
To collect analyte in a supercritical fluid extraction process, the extractant flows to a collection container (130) under pressure. In one embodiment, the collection container (130) contains collection solvent (144) through which the extractant flows to partition analyte. The extractant adds to the liquid and when the collection solvent-extractant mixture rises to a heating zone, the extractant vaporizes selectively since its vapor pressure is higher than the vapor pressure of the collection solvent (144). When its pressure exceeds a preset valve (148) pressure it is vented so that extractant continually leaves the collection container (130). After the extraction is complete, the analyte is concentrated in the collection solvent (144). In another embodiment, the collection vessel includes a solid material on which the analyte collects. It is removed under pressure by a solvent that is concentrated under pressure.