Patent ID: 8101419
Filing Date: 2012-01-24
Classification: G01N,Y02A,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A sample/reagent handling apparatus comprising: (a) separate sources of one or more liquids selected from: a source of an aqueous solution/suspension containing an impurity; a dilution water source; an oxidizing reagent source; and, an acid source; (b) a holding tubing having a first open end, a second open end, and an open interior region between the first and second ends that defines a holding tubing volume; (c) a sample conduit connection, having a sample fluid control valve, extending between the source of the aqueous solution/suspension and the first end of the holding tubing; (d) a dilution water conduit connection, having a three-way dilution water control valve, extending between the dilution water source and the second end of the holding tubing; (e) a calibrated syringe in fluid communication with both of the dilution water source and the second end of the holding tubing through the three-way dilution water control valve in the dilution water conduit connection, wherein the syringe has an internal syringe volume that is equal to or less than the holding tubing volume; (f) an oxidizing reagent conduit connection, having an oxidizing reagent fluid control valve, extending between the oxidizing reagent source and the first end of the holding tubing; and/or an acid conduit connection, having an acid fluid control valve, extending between the acid source and the first end of the holding tubing; and, (g) a mixing chamber conduit connection extending between the first end of the holding tubing and a mixing chamber fluid control valve; whereby the syringe, in combination with the several valves, can separately draw measured volumes of oxidizing reagent, acid and/or aqueous solution/suspension into the open interior region adjacent to the first end of the holding tubing by drawing dilution water from the open interior region adjacent to the second end of the holding tubing through the three-way dilution water control valve into the syringe, followed by discharging the dilution water contained in the syringe back through the three-way dilution water control valve into the open interior region adjacent to the second end of the holding tubing in order to transfer the liquid(s) held in the open interior region adjacent to the first end of the holding tubing through the mixing chamber conduit connection to the mixing chamber fluid control valve without any liquid other than dilution water entering the syringe.