Patent ID: 6792794
Filing Date: 2004-09-21
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A concentrator for concentrating one or more constituents of a fluid, comprising:two or more interactive elements spaced along in a first channel and exposed to the fluid in the first channel, each of the interactive elements having an interactive substance that adsorbs and desorbs selected constituents of the fluid depending on the temperature of the interactive element, wherein at least two of the interactive elements include the same interactive substance; two or more interactive elements spaced along in a second channel and exposed to the fluid in the second channel, each of the interactive elements having an interactive substance that adsorbs and desorbs selected constituents of the fluid depending on the temperature of the interactive element, wherein at least two of the interactive elements include the same interactive substance; a plurality heater elements, each heater element in thermal communication with a corresponding interactive element in the first channel and a corresponding interactive element in the second channel; and controller means coupled to the two or more heater elements for allowing the two or more interactive elements in the first channel and in the second channel to become exposed to the fluid in the first and second channels before energizing the heater elements in a time phased sequence.