Patent ID: 7964411
Filing Date: 2011-06-21
Classification: G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A chromatography system including a sample concentrator for concentrating analytes in a solvent-containing liquid sample stream, said concentrator comprising (a) a concentrator housing having a sample stream flow channel and a gas stream flow channel having an inlet and an outlet, (b) a gas source, (c) a gas stream conduit providing continuous or discontinuous fluid communication between said gas source and said gas stream flow channel inlet, (d) a heater operatively associated with said gas source, gas stream conduit or gas stream flow channel, (e) a hydrophilic membrane barrier including ion exchange sites and separating said gas stream flow channel and said sample stream flow channel, said membrane barrier preventing bulk liquid flow but permitting the flow of solvent evaporated from said liquid sample stream in said sample stream flow channel in or at the interface with said membrane, when said gas stream is at an elevated temperature, (f) a source of a regenerant liquid in fluid communication with said gas stream flow channel or said sample stream flow channel, said chromatography system further comprising a chromatographic separator having an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with said concentrator, said concentrator being downstream of said chromatographic separator outlet.