Abstract:
A sampling module of a fluid processing apparatus includes at least one multi-configuration device connected to a filtration module. The invention relates to an area of non-disruptive sampling from any flow stream including the ones containing solids. The fluid processing apparatus remains in fluid communication with a sample processing module in all configurations of the sampling module and the parameters deemed critical for a chemical process remain unaffected during the sampling event. The entire event is controlled from a computer and the results are collected to make decisions on analytical and process controls.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of 35 USC 119 based on the priority of co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/389,480 filed on Feb. 29, 2016, this application being incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The disclosure relates to a non-disruptive sampler for a fluid processing apparatus. The fluid processing apparatus comprises a lumen, which is populated with one or more reagents. A chemical or physical transformation may take place inside the lumen when appropriate measures are taken. More specifically, the disclosure relates to the inline sampling that can be applied for monitoring the state of matter inside the lumen (the reactor state), to methods and devices for extracting at least a portion of the reactor output and analyzing, and for recording the state of reactor output to implement automations for the intelligent control of the processes. The disclosure is especially useful for applications in which the impact of the sampling event on the reactor state is intended to be minimal and the conservation of process parameters is critical. The disclosure is also applicable when the reactor output that is not necessarily homogeneous in nature, meaning that it is capable of handling homogeneous solutions and those containing solids. The said sampler is designed to handle heterogeneous reactor outputs without any interruption of the fluid processing apparatus or the sampler itself. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,602,348 (Takakarhu and Nyfors) purports to disclose a method and an equipment for taking a sample from a slurry. The slurry flow was set at a sufficiently high rate in order to avoid immobilization of particulates on the filter face. A pressure gradient was used to extract the sample from the slurry. Regeneration of the filter membrane to its original state was not addressed. 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,501,161 (Endo et al.) purports to disclose an autosampler for sampling from a suspension. According to their claim, two filtering tubes, which are connected to a sampling cell, are immersed in a test solution during sampling. A circulatory pump is used to circulate fluid through the filter membranes and a portion of the test solution enters into the filtering tubes. The filtered solution is sampled from the sampling cell and the residual test solution is returned to the suspension. The residual test solution cannot be analysed. The filtering tubes are immersed in a fluid container and are not suitable for sampling from a flow operation. The sampling mechanism leads to a build-up of residue in the slurried suspension overtime and is not suited for continuous operation. 
         [0005]    US Pat. Appl. US 2010/0224012 A1 (Modic et al.) purports to disclose a fluid sample delivery system for filtering solid particles from a liquid sample. The filter membrane comprises three layers of membrane of varying porosity. A displacement plunger with a needle is used to draw samples from a vial or a set of vials on a carousel. A controller, which is capable of monitoring the needle drive slippage, is programmed to detect obstruction and adjust filtering speed to minimize obstructions in the filter membrane. The disclosure does not have a mechanism to restore the filter membrane in its original state for sustainable continuous operation. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,389,244 (Cranston) purports to disclose an enclosed filtration device for hazardous sampling. A circulatory pump was used to receive heterogeneous fluid onto a filter membrane and a set of valves was used to open and close the filtrate line in order to complete the filtration process. The unit required the replacement or the cleaning of the filter membrane between runs. The bottom dish, which traps solids, has to be removed after each filtration. The operation of the device is not suitable for sampling from a continuous stream. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    The following summary is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of the applicant&#39;s teaching, but not to define any invention. 
         [0008]    The term ‘non-disruptive’ used in this summary is intended to define an event of isolating at least a portion of a process fluid without significantly altering any of the process parameters that are deemed critical for the conservation of a process state. The term ‘process state’ is defined as any quantifiable outcome of a process (e.g., output yield or output purity). The term ‘significantly’ used in this summary is intended to define a limit of tolerance in the values of the process parameters within which the process state is not impacted. 
         [0009]    According to one aspect, a non-disruptive sampling module of a fluid processing apparatus comprises device(s) (e.g. valves, chips, switches) capable of receiving at least one fluid stream from a reactor module of the fluid processing apparatus and diverting at least a portion of the fluid into a fluid holding device (e.g., loops, chips, pipes) mounted on a fluid diverting device. The sampling module maintains fluid communication with a sample processing module of the fluid processing apparatus in all configurations of the fluid diverting device and does not experience significant alteration of any of its process parameters. 
         [0010]    In some embodiments, the sampling module is connected to a flow reactor. A flow reactor is a part of the reactor module and is equipped with a mechanism to transport at least one stream of fluid into the flow reactor and dispense at least one stream of treated material to the sample processing module. The sampling module maintains fluid communication with the sample processing module in all configurations and does not require the flow inside the flow reactor to be interrupted during sampling. 
         [0011]    In alternate embodiments, the sampling module is connected to a reactor that is not equipped with a mechanism to transport fluid to the sampling module. In those embodiments, additional mechanisms are used to transport the fluid from the reactor module to the sampling module. In alternate embodiments, process pressure is harnessed to move fluid into the sampling module from the reactor module. In another alternate embodiment, negative pressure downstream of the sampling module is used to draw fluid from the reactor module to the sampling module. 
         [0012]    In some embodiments, the sampling module is equipped with a filtration module mounted on the fluid diverting device. The filtration module is situated upstream of the fluid holding device and downstream of the reactor module. The filtration module includes an inline filter. 
         [0013]    In some embodiments, the inline filter includes a barrier (e.g., a filter membrane) capable trapping solids from the fluid stream based on the porosity of the membrane. The term barrier′ is used in this summary to encompass flowpaths that trap solids and allow only fluids to permeate through. 
         [0014]    In some examples, the barrier allows fluid to move in the forward or the reverse direction based on the pressure gradient across the barrier. 
         [0015]    In some embodiments, the fluid diverting device is a multi-port valve. 
         [0016]    In alternate embodiments, the filtration module is in fluid communication with a fluid moving device, which is capable of moving a second stream of fluid through the barrier. Also in this configuration, the fluid holding device is in fluid communication with a second fluid moving device, which is capable of transporting the fluid isolated in the fluid holding device to the sample delivery module. 
         [0017]    In some embodiments, the sampling module of the fluid processing apparatus is equipped with a second fluid diverting device capable of introducing fluidic additive(s). The device is referred to as the standardization device in this summary for referencing purposes. The device is responsible for delivering any fluidic additives. In these embodiments, the second fluid moving device, which is responsible for moving fluid from the fluid holding device of the sampling valve to the sample delivery module is located upstream of the standardization device. 
         [0018]    In some embodiments, the standardization device is a multi-port valve. The valve is equipped with two additional fluid holding devices (a second and a third) and two additional fluid moving devices (a third and a fourth). 
         [0019]    In some embodiments, the sampling module of the fluid processing apparatus is located upstream of a sample delivery module. 
         [0020]    In some embodiments, the sample delivery module is capable of establishing a fluid communication with a sample analysis module. 
         [0021]    In some embodiments, the sampling device is in fluid communication with an additional fluid diverting device (the third) located between the first fluid moving device and the sampling device. The third fluid diverting device is capable of altering the direction of flow of fluid through the filtration module. 
         [0022]    In some embodiments, the first fluid diverting device is a multi-port, multi-position valve. 
         [0023]    In some embodiments, the multi-port, multi-position valve comprises two separate parts. The part of the valve, which connects peripheral modules and devices (e.g., the reactor module, the sample processing module, sample delivery module, the fluid moving devices, the fluid holding devices, and the filtration module) to the valve is stationary and referred to as the ‘stator’. The connection points where the flowpaths from the peripheral modules meet the valve stator are termed as ‘ports’ in this summary. On the other hand, the part that hosts configurable flowpaths (e.g., channels) to establish fluid communications between any two ports is configurable and referred to as the ‘rotor’. 
         [0024]    In some embodiments, the rotor is moved so the valve can adopt a configuration. 
         [0025]    In some embodiments, the movement of the configurable part of the valve is termed rotation. 
         [0026]    In some embodiments, the rotor of the valve is appropriately configured to divert the fluid from the reactor module to the filtration module. The filtered fluid then flows into the fluid holding device. This configuration is defined as a ‘load’ configuration. In a load configuration, the reactor module is in fluid communication with the sample processing module via the filtration module and the fluid holding device. 
         [0027]    In alternate embodiments, the rotor of the valve is appropriately configured to establish fluid communication between the reactor module and the sample processing module bypassing the filtration module. In this configuration, the filtration module is in fluid communication with the first fluid moving device, which is capable of moving a second stream of fluid through the filtration module. Also in this configuration, the fluid holding device is in fluid communication with the second fluid moving device, which is capable of transporting the fluid isolated in the fluid holding device to the sample delivery module. This configuration is termed as an ‘inject’ configuration. 
         [0028]    In some examples, the load and the inject configurations are asynchronus. The term ‘asynchronus’ implies that the valve can not adopt both configurations at the same time. 
         [0029]    In some embodiments, all modules and devices of the fluid processing apparatus are actuated from a controller. 
         [0030]    In some embodiments, the controller is a part of a computer. 
         [0031]    In some embodiments, the first fluid diverting device is a ‘sampling valve’ and the second fluid diverting device is a ‘standardization valve’. 
         [0032]    According to another aspect, a method for sampling fluids comprises a) preparing the sampling module to receive at least one fluid stream from the reactor module; b) configuring the sampling valve to move to a load configuration; c) flowing the fluid stream from the reactor module into the filtration module; d) allowing the filtered fluid to flow into the fluid holding device of the sampling valve for a period of time; e) configuring the sampling valve to move to an inject configuration; f) configuring the first fluid moving device, which is in fluid communication with the filtration module, to move fluid through the filtration module; and g) configuring the second fluid moving device, which is in fluid communication with the fluid holding device and the sample delivery module, to move fluid in the fluid holding device to the sample delivery module. 
         [0033]    In some examples, the method further comprises step g1) configuring the standardization valve to move to the load configuration to introduce additional fluidic additive(s) in the fluid holding devices of the standardization valve; step g2) configuring a fluid moving device to flow the fluidic additives into the fluid holding devices of the standardization valve; step g3) configurating the standardization valve to move back to the inject configuration after a period of time. 
         [0034]    In some embodiments, the stator of the sampling valve hosts ports which are distributed in one or more concentric rings (circles or channels). 
         [0035]    In some embodiments, the sampling valve is a multi-port and multi-ring valve. The configurable portion of the device is capable of setting the device in a ‘load’ or ‘inject’ configuration based on the electronic signals received from the controller. 
         [0036]    In some embodiments, the standardization valve is an integral part of the stator of the sampling valve and the functions of the standardization valve are executed from the actuation of the sampling valve itself. 
         [0037]    According to another aspect, the method for sampling fluids using the multi-port, multi-ring valve comprises a) preparing the sampling module to receive at least one fluid stream from the reactor module; b) configuring the sampling valve to move to a load configuration; c) flowing the fluid stream from the reactor module into the filtration module; d) allowing the filtered fluid to flow into the fluid holding device of the sampling valve for a period of time; e) flowing the fluidic additive streams to the fluid holding devices; f) configuring the sampling valve to move to an inject configuration; g) configuring the first fluid moving device, which is in fluid communication with the filtration module, to move fluid through the filtration module; and h) configuring the second fluid moving device, which is in fluid communication with all fluid holding devices and the sample delivery module, to move fluid in the fluid holding devices to the sample delivery module. 
         [0038]    In some embodiments, the sampling valve is a two-configuration (two-position) valve. 
         [0039]    In alternate embodiments, the sampling valve is a multi-configuration (multi-position) valve. In those examples, configuring a valve means rotating the multi-configuration valve to more than two positions asynchronously. 
         [0040]    In some positions, the valve establishes a fluid communication between the reactor module and the sample processing module via the filtration module and the fluid holding device. These positions are examples of ‘load’ positions. 
         [0041]    In alternate positions, the valve establishes a fluid communication between the reactor module and the sample processing module bypassing the filtration module and the fluid holding device. In any of these alternate positions, the second fluid moving device, which is in fluid communication with the fluid holding device, moves fluid from the fluid holding device to the sample delivery module. These positions are examples of ‘inject’ positions. 
         [0042]    In some embodiments, the sampling valve is a ten-port, ten-position, two-ring valve. In these embodiments, there are five configurable flowpaths on the rotor of the sampling valve. There are five asynchronus ‘load’ and five asynchronus ‘inject’ positions. Two consecutive ‘load’ positions are 72° apart. Two consecutive ‘inject’ positions are 72° apart. A ‘load’ position and a consecutive ‘inject’ position are 36° apart. 
         [0043]    According to another aspect, a method for sampling fluids using the multi-position valve comprises a) preparing the sampling module to receive at least one fluid stream from the reactor module; b) configuring the sampling valve to move to one of the available load configurations; c) flowing the fluid stream from the reactor module into the filtration module; d) allowing the filtered fluid to flow into the fluid holding device of the sampling valve for a period of time; e) configuring the sampling valve to move to one of the available inject configurations; f) configuring the first fluid moving device, which is in fluid communication with the filtration module, to move fluid through the filtration module; and g) configuring the second fluid moving device, which is in fluid communication with the fluid holding device and the sample delivery module, to move fluid in the fluid holding device to the sample delivery module. 
         [0044]    In some methods, steps b), c), d) and f) are repeated using available ‘load’ positions of the sampling valve. 
         [0045]    In some methods, the ‘load’ positions are chosen in such a way so that the configurable flowpath, which was receiving fluid from the reactor module in one ‘load’ position, is placed in a new ‘load’ position so the first fluid moving device can move a secondary fluid stream through the configurable flowpath in the new ‘load’ position. 
         [0046]    In some examples, the secondary fluid stream is used for cleaning purposes. 
         [0047]    In some methods, the method further comprises step h) configuring the sampling valve to rotate to new ‘inject’ position. The steps of moving the valve to different ‘inject’ positions continues until a signal is sent from the controller to move the valve to one of the five ‘load’ positions. 
         [0048]    In some methods, the ‘inject’ positions are chosen in such a way so that the configurable flowpath, which was receiving fluid from the reactor module in one ‘inject’ position, is placed at a new ‘inject’ position so the first fluid moving device can move a secondary fluid stream through the configurable flowpath in the new ‘inject’ position. 
         [0049]    In some examples, the secondary fluid stream is used for cleaning purposes. 
         [0050]    In some methods, the selection of an ‘inject’ position after a ‘load’ position is done in such a way so the configurable flowpath, which was receiving fluid from the reactor module in the last ‘load’ position, is placed in an ‘inject’ position in which the first fluid moving device can move a secondary fluid stream through the configurable flowpath. 
         [0051]    In some examples, the secondary fluid stream is used for cleaning purposes. 
         [0052]    In some methods, the selection of a ‘load’ position after an ‘inject’ position is done in such a way so the configurable flowpath, which was receiving fluid from the reactor module in the last ‘inject’ position, is placed in a ‘load’ position in which the first fluid moving device can move a secondary fluid stream through the configurable flowpath. 
         [0053]    In some examples, the secondary fluid stream is used for cleaning purposes. 
         [0054]    In some examples, the selection of positions (load or inject) is done in such a way so the direction of flow through the configurable flowpaths is altered. 
         [0055]    In some methods, any of the method steps are concurrent. 
         [0056]    According to another aspect, a method comprises altering flow parameters (e.g., flow-rate, pressure, pulse-rate) of the fluid moving devices based on the results obtained from the sample analysis module. 
         [0057]    In some examples, the method comprises altering flow parameters of all modules of the fluid processing apparatus based on the results contained from the sample analysis module. 
         [0058]    In some examples, the method for sampling fluids includes analyzing results obtained from the sample analysis module of the fluid processing apparatus and configuring any device of any module based on reported value(s). 
         [0059]    According to another aspect, in some embodiments, the filtration module is a configurable device equipped with a set of inline filters; the filtration module is in fluid communication to a reactor module; the reactor module is in fluid communication with a sample processing module via at least one of the multiple inline filters. 
         [0060]    In some embodiments, the filtration module adopts at least two configurations; in the first configuration, fluid from the reactor module moves through one of the multiple inline filters and the filtered fluid moves toward the sample processing module; in the second configuration, fluid from the reactor module moves through the second inline filter and the filtered fluid moves toward the sample processing module. 
         [0061]    In some embodiments, during the first configuration, a fluid moving device moves a secondary fluid stream through the second inline filter; in the second configuration, the fluid moving device moves the secondary fluid stream through the first inline filter. 
         [0062]    In some embodiments, the filtration module is in a fluid communication with the sample processing module via a fluid diverting device, which is located downstream of the filtration module. In these embodiments, the reactor module is always in fluid communication with the sample processing module, but via the filtration module and the fluid diverting device. The fluid diverting device is configurable and is a part of the sampling module. 
         [0063]    In some embodiments, the fluid diverting device adopts at least two asynchronus configurations; in the first configuration, the reactor module establishes a fluid communication with the sample processing module via a fluid holding device mounted on the fluid diverting device. This configuration is referred to as a ‘load’ configuration; in the second configuration, the reactor module establishes a fluid communication with the sample processing module bypassing the fluid holding device of the fluid diverting device. This configuration is referred to as an ‘inject’ configuration; In the inject configuration, a second fluid moving device establishes a fluid communication with the fluid holding device and a sample delivery module and moves the fluid in the fluid holding device to the sample delivery module. 
         [0064]    In some examples, the sample delivery module moves fluid to a sample analysis module. 
         [0065]    According to another aspect, a method for using the filtration module equipped with the set of inline filters comprises a) moving fluid from the reactor module through the first inline filter of the filtration module; b) configuring the first fluid moving device to move a secondary fluid stream through the second inline filter of the filtration module; c) allowing the filtration module to remain in this configuration for a period of time; d) configuring the filtration module to move to the second configuration so fluid from the reactor module moves through the second inline filter of the filtration module and the secondary fluid stream from the fluid moving device moves through the first inline filter. 
         [0066]    In some examples, the method further comprises e) configuring the sampling valve to move to the ‘load’ configuration; f) configuring the sampling valve to move back to the ‘inject’ configuration after a period of time; g) configuring the second fluid moving device to move fluid in the fluid holding device of the sampling valve to the sample delivery module. 
         [0067]    In some examples, the method further comprises h) configuring the sample delivery module to move at least a portion of the fluid to the sample analysis module. 
         [0068]    In some embodiments, the configurable device of the filtration module is a multi-port, multi-configuration (multi-position) filtration valve. 
         [0069]    In some embodiments, the filtration valve is a ten-port, ten-position filtration valve. 
         [0070]    In some embodiments, the ten-port, ten-position filtration valve is capable of rotating by 36° at a time to adopt ten asynchronus positions (from the first to the tenth); the reactor module is in fluid communication with one of the inline filters in any of the five odd-numbered positions; the reactor module is in fluid communication with the second inline filter in any of the five even-numbered positions. 
         [0071]    In some examples, the method to operate on the multi-position filtration module further comprises actuating the filtration module in such a way so the configurable flowpath, which was receiving fluid from the reactor module in one configuration, moves to a new configuration where the flowpath can establish a fluid communication with the first fluid moving device; the first fluid moving device moves a secondary fluid stream through the configurable flowpath in the new configuration. 
         [0072]    In some examples, the secondary fluid stream is for cleaning purposes. 
         [0073]    In some embodiments, a multiple number of filtration modules are in fluid communication with the reactor module. In some embodiments, the fluid communications among the multiple filtration modules are in series. In alternate embodiments, the fluid communications among the filtration modules are in parallel. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0074]    The drawings included herewith are for illustrating various examples of articles, methods, modules and devices of the present specification and are not intended to limit the scope of what is taught in any way. In certain figures where individual device configurations are deemed useful, figure labels are followed by subscripts indicating the configuration of the individual devices for clarity (e.g., the fluid communications between ports). In the drawings: 
           [0075]      FIG. 1  is a flow diagram of an example of the fluid processing apparatus; the apparatus includes a reactor module, a sampling module, a sample processing module, a sample delivery module, a sample analysis module, and a controller. 
           [0076]      FIG. 2  is a flow diagram of the sampling module of the fluid processing apparatus of  FIG. 1 . In this embodiment, the sampling module includes a fluid diverting device, which is in fluid communication with a filtration module. A second fluid diverting device, which is capable of introducing fluidic additives to the sampling module, is in fluid communication with the first fluid diverting device. The first fluid diverting device is in fluid communication with the sample processing and sample delivery modules; 
           [0077]      FIG. 3  is a flow diagram of the sampling module of the fluid processing apparatus of  FIG. 1 , showing some peripheral fluid handling devices and their connectivities. The first fluid diverting device is a sampling device and the second fluid diverting devices is a standardization device; 
           [0078]      FIG. 4   1-2/11-12  is a flow diagram of the sampling module of the fluid processing apparatus of  FIG. 1 , showing an embodiment of the individual device configurations; the sampling device is in a configuration (inject) suitable to filter the fluid from the reactor module. The filtered fluid is collected in a fluid holding device mounted on the sampling device. The standardization device is in a configuration (load) in which the fluid holding devices mounted on the standardization device can be filled with fluidic additives. The subscript on the figure label (e.g.,  1-2/11-12 ) indicates the configurations of the sampling and the standardization devices respectively. The first two digits in the subscript (in this example,  1-2 ) suggest that the sampling device is in a configuration such that the ports 1 and 2 are in fluid communication. It is imperative that when the ports 1 and 2 are in fluid communication, the port 3 and 4, 5 and 6, 7 and 8, 9 and 10 are also in fluid communications. Similarly, the last two digits in the subscript (in this example,  11-12 ) suggest that the standardization device is in a configuration such that the ports 11 and 12 are in fluid communication. It is imperative that when the ports 11 and 12 are in fluid communication, the port 13 and 14, 15 and 16, 17 and 18, 19 and 20 are also in fluid communications; 
           [0079]      FIG. 5   1-10/11-20  is a flow diagram of the sampling module of the fluid processing apparatus of  FIG. 1 , showing an embodiment of the individual device configurations; the sampling and the standardization devices are in a configuration (inject) suitable to transport fluids from all fluid holding devices to the sample delivery module. The subscript on the figure label (e.g.,  1-10/11-20 ) indicates the configuration of the sampling device and the standardization device respectively; The first two digits in the subscript (in this example,  1-10 ) suggest that the sampling device is in a configuration such that the ports 1 and 10 are in fluid communication. It is imperative that when the ports 1 and 10 are in fluid communication, the port 2 and 3, 4 and 5, 6 and 7, 8 and 9 are also in fluid communications. Similarly, the last two digits in the subscript (in this example,  11-20 ) suggest that the standardization device is in a configuration such that the ports 11 and 20 are in fluid communication. It is imperative that when the ports 11 and 20 are in fluid communication, the port 12 and 13, 14 and 15, 16 and 17, 18 and 19 are also in fluid communications; 
           [0080]      FIG. 6   1-10/11-12  is a flow diagram of the sampling module of the fluid processing apparatus of  FIG. 1 , showing an embodiment of the individual device configurations; the sampling and the standardization devices are in a configuration to transport fluid only from the fluid holding device of the sampling to the sample delivery module. In this example, fluidic additives from the standardization device are not transported to the sample delivery module. This is an example of analysis when the analysis may not require any fluidic additive from the standardization device. The subscript on the figure label (e.g.,  1-10/11-12 ) indicates the configurations of the sampling and the standardization devices respectively; 
           [0081]      FIG. 7   1-2/11-20  is a flow diagram of the sampling module of the fluid processing apparatus of  FIG. 1 , showing an example of the individual device configurations; the sampling and the standardization devices are in a configuration so that the fluid from the reactor module is filtered and collected in the fluid holding device of the sampling device; the standardization device is not in fluid communication with the fluid stream from the reactor module. In this configuration, in some examples, fluid paths of the standardization device are cleaned and the waste stream is diverted to waste via the sample delivery module. The subscript on the figure label (e.g.,  1-2/11-20 ) indicates the configurations of the sampling and the standardization devices respectively; 
           [0082]      FIG. 8   1-2/11-12  is a flow diagram of the sampling module of the fluid processing apparatus of  FIG. 1 , showing an embodiment of the sampling device equipped with an inline filter; the sampling device is in a configuration (load) suitable to filter the fluid from the reactor module and then collect the filtered fluid in the fluid holding device. The direction of flow in the inline filter is shown in the figure. The subscript on the figure label (e.g.,  1-2/11-12 ) indicates the configurations of the sampling and the standardization devices respectively; 
           [0083]      FIG. 9   1-10/11-12  is a flow diagram of the sampling module of the fluid processing apparatus of  FIG. 1 , showing an embodiment of the sampling equipped with an inline filter; the sampling device is in a configuration (inject) so the inline filter is in fluid communication with a fluid moving device and the fluid in the fluid holding device is in fluid communication with a second fluid moving device capable of transporting the fluid from the fluid holding device (the analyte) to the sample analysis module via the sample delivery module. The direction of flow in the inline filter is shown in the figure. The subscript on the figure label (e.g.,  1-10/11-12 ) indicates the configurations of the sampling and the standardization devices respectively; 
           [0084]      FIG. 10   1-10/11-12/21-22  is a flow diagram of the sampling module of the fluid processing apparatus of  FIG. 1 , showing an embodiment of the individual device configurations; the sampling device is equipped with an inline filter; the sampling device is in an inject configuration; a new fluid diverting device (the third); is located upstream of the first fluid moving device and downstream of the sampling device; the configuration of the third fluid diverting device is such that the direction of flow of fluid through the inline filter is opposite to that when the sampling device is in a ‘load’ configuration. The subscript on the figure label (e.g.,  1-10/11-12/21-22 ) indicates the configurations of the sampling valve, the standardization valve, and the third fluid diverting device respectively; 
           [0085]      FIG. 11   1-10/11-12/21-24  is a flow diagram of the sampling module of the fluid processing apparatus of  FIG. 1 , showing an embodiment of the individual device configurations; the sampling device is in an inject configuration; the configuration of the third fluid diverting device is such that the direction of flow of fluid through the inline filter is same as that when the sampling device is in a ‘load’ configuration. The subscript on the figure label (e.g.,  1-10/11-12/21-24 ) indicates the configurations of the sampling valve, the standardization valve, and the third fluid diverting device respectively; 
           [0086]      FIG. 12  is a flow diagram of the sampling module of the fluid processing apparatus of  FIG. 1 , showing all peripheral fluid handling devices and their connectivities; the sampling module includes a fluid diverting device, which is a multi-port, multi-ring valve; the multi-ring fluid diverting device is capable of functioning as the sampling device as well as the standardization device. 
           [0087]      FIG. 13   1-2/(11-12)  is a flow diagram of the sampling module of the fluid processing apparatus of  FIG. 1 , showing an embodiment of the multi-ring fluid diverting device configuration; the fluid diverting device is in a configuration (load) so the fluid from the reactor output is filtered by the filtration module and then collected in the first fluid holding device. Also in this configuration, other fluid holding devices (the second and the third) are in fluid communication with the respective fluid moving devices (the third and the fourth) and capable of receiving fluidic additives. The subscript on the figure label (e.g.,  1-2/(11-12) ) indicates the configuration of the multi-ring fluid diverting device. The secondary connectivity (shown in parentheses) is indicated for clarity. It is imperative that the connectivities indicated in parentheses are set in accordance with the primary connectivities (e.g.,  1-2 ); 
           [0088]      FIG. 14   1-10/(11-20)  is a flow diagram of the sampling module of the fluid processing apparatus of  FIG. 1 , showing an embodiment of the multi-ring fluid diverting device configuration; the fluid diverting device is in a configuration (inject) so the fluid from all fluid holding devices is in fluid communication with the sample analysis module via the sample delivery module. The subscript on the figure label (e.g.,  1-10/(11-20) ) indicates the configuration of the sampling valve. The secondary connectivity (shown in parentheses) is indicated for clarity. It is imperative that the connectivities indicated in parentheses are set in accordance with the primary connectivities (e.g.,  1-10 ); 
           [0089]      FIG. 15   21-22/33-32/41-46  is a flow diagram of the sampling module of the fluid processing apparatus of  FIG. 1 , showing an embodiment of the filtration module equipped with two inline filters; the first inline filter is used to remove solids from the fluid coming from the reactor module; the second inline filter is in fluid communication with a fluid moving device. The filtered fluid is collected in a fluid holding device mounted on a fluid diverting device. The first fluid diverting device is a sampling device. A second fluid moving device and a second fluid diverting device are located upstream of the sampling device. The second fluid diverting device is a standardization device. There is an additional fluid diverting device (the third) between the fluid moving device and the filtration module. The purpose of the third fluid diverting device is to change the direction of flow of fluid through the inline filters. The subscript on the figure label (e.g.,  21-22/33-32/41-46 ) indicates the configurations of the filtration module, the third fluid diverting device, and the sampling device respectively; 
           [0090]      FIG. 16   21-30/31-32/41-46  is a flow diagram of the sampling module of the fluid processing apparatus of  FIG. 1 , showing an embodiment of the filtration module equipped with two inline filters; the sampling device is in a ‘load’ configuration; the third fluid diverting device is in a second configuration. The subscript on the figure label (e.g.,  21-30/31-32/41-46 ) indicates the configurations of the filtration module, the third fluid diverting device, and the sampling device respectively; 
           [0091]      FIG. 17   21-30/31-32/41-42  is a flow diagram of the sampling module of the fluid processing apparatus of  FIG. 1 , showing an embodiment of the filtration module equipped with two inline filters; the sampling device is in an ‘inject’ configuration. The subscript on the figure label (e.g.,  21-30/31-32/41-42 ) indicates the configurations of the filtration module, the third fluid diverting device, and the sampling device respectively; 
           [0092]      FIG. 18   21-30/31-32/41-42/51-54  and  FIG. 19   21-30/31-32/41-42/51-52  are a flow diagrams of the sampling module of the fluid processing apparatus of  FIG. 1 , showing an embodiment of the filtration module equipped with two inline filters; In these embodiments, a fourth fluid diverting device, which is responsible for altering the direction of flow through the inline filters, is shown. The subscripts on the figure labels (e.g.,  21-30/31-32/41-42/51-54  or  21-30/31-32/41-42/51-52 ) indicate the configurations of the filtration module, the third fluid diverting device, the sampling device, and the fourth fluid diverting device respectively; 
           [0093]      FIG. 20   1-2  is a flow diagram of the sampling module of the fluid processing apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; In this embodiment, individual configurable flowpaths on the rotor portion of the sampling device are shown. This is a ten-port, ten-position device. The described configuration is a ‘load’ configuration. 
           [0094]      FIG. 21   1-10  is a flow diagram of the sampling module of the fluid processing apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; In this embodiment, configurable flowpaths on the rotor portion of the sampling device are shown; In this configuration, one configurable flowpath is filled with the fluid from the reactor module and another flowpath is emptied. The configurable flowpath that is receiving fluid from the reactor module is marked with “back-slashed” lines and the configurable flowpath that is being emptied of the fluid by the first fluid moving device is marked with “dotted” lines. The described configuration is an ‘inject’ configuration. 
           [0095]      FIG. 22   1-2 ,  23   1-10 ,  24   1-2 ,  25   1-10 ,  26   1-2 ,  27   1-10 ,  28   1-2 ,  29   1-10 ,  30   1-2 , and  31   1-10  are flow diagrams of the sampling module of the fluid processing apparatus of  FIG. 1 , showing embodiments of several ‘load’ and ‘inject’ configurations of the multi-position device; the “back-slashed” and the “dotted” lines are used to mark respective configurable flowpaths that are being filled with and emptied of the fluid from the reactor module during a particular configuration. 
           [0096]      FIG. 32   1-2/(11-12)  is a flow diagram of the sampling module of the fluid processing apparatus of  FIG. 1 , showing an embodiment of the sampling device in a ‘load’ configuration; the sampling device is a multi-port, multi-position, and multi-ring valve; configurable flowpaths connecting ports from 1 to 10 are labelled as  20001  to  20005 . The flowpaths connecting ports from 11 to 20 are shown, but not labelled; the configurable flowpaths connecting the ports between 11 and 20 may not come in contact with the fluid from the reactor module; the configurable flowpath that is being filled with the fluid from the reactor module is marked with “back-slashed” lines and the configurable flowpath that is being emptied of the fluid by the fluid moving device is marked with “dotted” lines. In this figure, flowpath  20005  is being filled with the fluid from the reactor module and flowpath  20001  is being emptied. The sampling device is in a ‘load’ configuration. 
           [0097]      FIG. 33   1-10/(11-20)  is a flow diagram of the sampling module of the fluid processing apparatus of  FIG. 1 , showing an embodiment of the sampling device in an ‘inject’ configuration. In this figure, flowpath  20004  is being filled with the fluid from the reactor module and flowpath  20005  is being emptied. 
           [0098]      FIGS. 34   1-2/(11-12) , and  35   1-10/(11-20)  are flow diagrams of the sampling module of the fluid processing apparatus of  FIG. 1 , showing embodiments of the fluid diverting device in several ‘inject’ and ‘load’ configurations; In  FIG. 34   1-21(11-12) , flowpath  20003  is being filled with the fluid from the reactor module and flowpath  20004  is being emptied. This is a ‘load’ configuration. In  FIG. 35   1-10/(11-20) , flowpath  20002  is being filled with the fluid from the reactor module and flowpath  20003  is being emptied. This is an ‘inject’ configuration. 
           [0099]      FIGS. 36   21-30/31-32 ,  37   21-22/31-34 ,  38   21-30/31-32 , and  39   21-22/31-34  are flow diagrams of the sampling module of the fluid processing apparatus of  FIG. 1 , showing several embodiments of the filtration module in two degenerate configurations; configurable flowpaths connecting ports from 21 to 30 of the filtration module are labelled as  30001  to  30005  in each diagram; the configurable flowpath that is being filled with the fluid from the reactor module is marked with “back-slashed” lines and the configurable flowwpath that is being emptied of the fluid by the fluid moving device is marked with “dotted” lines in each diagram. 
       
    
    
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0100]    The sampling module of a fluid processing apparatus according to the subject of invention includes a design and a method to filter fluid in a filtration module and isolate at least a portion of the filtered fluid from the main stream of the fluid processing apparatus in a fluid holding device. At least a portion of the isolated fluid is transported from the fluid holding device to a sample analysis module via a sample delivery module. The entire setup and the method are capable of functioning without any interruption during the operation of the fluid processing apparatus. The filtration module is capable of flushing the barrier in the forward or the reverse direction. The filtration is either done using a single inline filter (one sampling at a time) or from a device equipped with alternating multiple inline filters (continuous sampling). The filtered fluid is transported to the sample analysis module for analysis or to waste. The module is also equipped with a standardization device capable of introducing fluidic additive(s). The sampling and standardization operations are either done from a single device (better synchronicity) or from multiple devices (diverse functionality). The sampling method uses multiple configurations of the fluid diverting devices so the flowpaths responsible for receiving fluid (specifically, the configurable flowpaths on the rotor portion of the fluid diverting device) are cleaned in between their uses. The multi-configuration method (as opposed to the two-configuration (load and inject) method) broadens the scope of sampling to fluids of greater heterogeneity. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0101]    Various devices or processes will be described below to provide an example of an embodiment of the invention. No embodiment described below limits any claimed invention and any claimed invention may cover methods or devices that differ from those described below. The claimed invention is not limited to devices or methods having all of the features of any one device or method described below or to features common to multiple or all of the devices described below. It is possible that a device or method described below is not an embodiment of any exclusive right granted by issuance of this patent application. Any invention disclosed in a device or method described below and for which an exclusive right is not granted by issuance of this patent application may be the subject matter of another protective instrument, for example, a continuing patent application, and the applicants, inventors or owners do not intend to abandon, disclaim or dedicate to the public any such invention by its disclosure in this document. 
         [0102]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of the fluid processing apparatus is shown. The fluid processing apparatus generally includes a reactor module  100 , a sampling module  200 , a sample processing module  300 , a sample delivery module  400 , a sample analysis module  500 , and a controller  1 . 
         [0103]    Referring still to  FIG. 1 , the controller  1  is connected to the reactor module  100 , the sampling module  200 , the sample processing module  300 , the sample delivery module  400 , and the sample analysis module  500  via communication pathways  4001 ,  4002 ,  4003 ,  4004 , and  4005  respectively. The communication pathways are used to send signals to the individual modules from the controller  1 . 
         [0104]    Referring still to  FIG. 1 , the reactor module  100  is connected to the sampling module  200  via a fluid path  1001 . The sampling module  200  is connected to the sample processing module  300  via a fluid path  1002 . The sample module  200  is also connected to the sample delivery module  400  via a fluid path  1003 . The sample delivery module  400  is connected to the sample analysis module  500  via a fluid path  1004 . The sample delivery module  400  is programmable and is capable of diverting fluid to waste or to the sample analysis module  500 . 
         [0105]    Referring still to  FIG. 1 , the reactor module  100  is capable of receiving at least one fluid stream and dispensing at least a portion of the fluid stream to the sample processing module  300  via the sampling module  200 . The sampling module  200  is capable of diverting at least a portion of the fluid stream to the sample delivery module  400 . 
         [0106]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the sampling module  200  includes a set of multi-port fluid diverting devices (e.g., valves, chips, switches) capable of isolating at least a portion of the fluid from the reactor module  100 . In the embodiment shown, a multi-port valve  201  is in fluid communication with the reactor module  100  via the fluid path  1001  (specifically, via port 1) and with the sample processing module  300  via the fluid path  1002  (specifically, via port 10). 
         [0107]    Referring still to  FIG. 2 , the valve  201  is in fluid communication with a second multi-port valve  202  via a fluid path  2001  between port 7 of the valve  201  and port 16 of the valve  202 . 
         [0108]    Referring still to  FIG. 2 , in some embodiments, the valve  201  and the valve  202  are ten-port valves. 
         [0109]    Referring still to  FIG. 2 , in some embodiments, the valve  201  and the valve  202  are ten-port, two-position valves. In another embodiment, the valve  201  and the valve  202  are ten-port, multi-position valves. 
         [0110]    Referring still to  FIG. 2 , specifically, the port 8 of the valve  201  is connected to the sample delivery module  400  via the fluid path  1003 . 
         [0111]    Referring still to  FIG. 2 , the port 2 and 5 of the valve  201  are connected to a filtration module  203  via fluidic paths  2002  and  2003  respectively. 
         [0112]    Referring still to  FIG. 2 , fluid from the reactor module  100  moves through the filtration module  203  via the fluid path  2002  first and then the filtered fluid enters the fluid path  2003 , which is located downstream of the filtration module  203  and upstream of the port 5 of the valve  201 . The filtered portion of the fluid, which is held in the fluid path  2003 , is referred to as the ‘filtrate’. Similarly, the fluid which is held in the fluid path  2002  and contains matter (for example, solids) that is incapable of passing through the filtration module  203 . This filterable matter is termed the ‘residue’. 
         [0113]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a fluid moving device  251  is connected to port 15 of the valve  202  via a fluid path  2511 . 
         [0114]    Referring still to  FIG. 3 , a fluid moving device  252  is connected to port 4 of the valve  201  via a fluid path of  2521 . 
         [0115]    Referring still to  FIG. 3 , a fluid moving device  253  is connected to port 18 of the valve  202  via a fluid path  2531 . 
         [0116]    Referring still to  FIG. 3 , a fluid moving device  254  is connected to port 12 of the valve  202  via a fluid path of  2541 . 
         [0117]    Referring still to  FIG. 3 , ports 13 and 19 of the valve  202  are connected to waste  299  via fluid paths  2542  and  2532  respectively. 
         [0118]    Referring still to  FIG. 3 , port 3 of the valve  201  is in fluid communication with the sample delivery module  400  via a fluid path  2522 . 
         [0119]    Referring to  FIG. 4   1-2/11-12 , ports 17 and 20 of the valve  202  are connected via a fluid holding device (e.g., loops, chips, pipes, etc.)  225 . 
         [0120]    Referring still to  FIG. 4   1-2/11-12 , ports 11 and 14 of the valve  202  are connected via a fluid holding device (e.g., loops, chips, pipes, etc.)  226 . 
         [0121]    Referring still to  FIG. 4   1-2/11-12 , ports 6 and 9 of the valve  201  are connected via a fluid holding device (e.g., loops, chips, pipes, etc.)  227 . 
         [0122]    Referring still to  FIG. 4   1-2/11-12 , the valves  201  and  202  assume at least four discrete configurations. In some embodiments, the valve  201  assumes a configuration in which specific pairs of ports (e.g., 1 and 2, 3 and 4, 5 and 6, 7 and 8, 9 and 10) are in fluid communications. This configuration is described with a subscript to the figure (e.g.,  1-2 ) and is a ‘load’ configuration. In this Figure, the valve  201  is in a ‘load’ configuration. 
         [0123]    Referring still to  FIG. 4   1-2/11-12 , in some embodiments, the valve  202  assumes a configuration in which specific pairs of ports (e.g., 11 and 12, 13 and 14, 15 and 16, 17 and 18, 19 and 20) are in fluid communications. This configuration is described with a subscript to the figure (e.g.,  11-12 ) and is a ‘load’ configuration. 
         [0124]    Referring still to  FIG. 4   1-2/11-12 , in some embodiments, the valve  201  and  202  both independently assume ‘load’ configurations. This is generally labelled as  1-2/11-12 . 
         [0125]    Referring still to  FIG. 4   1-2/11-12 , in some embodiments, the reactor module  100  is connected to the sample processing module  300  via the filtration module  203  and the fluid holding device  227 . In this ‘load’ configuration of the valve  201 , fluid from the reactor module  100  is filtered in the filtration module  203  first before entering into the fluid holding device  227 . The direction of the fluidic motion in the filtration module  203  is from port 2 to port 5. 
         [0126]    Referring still to  FIG. 4   1-2/11-12 , in some embodiments, the fluid moving device  253  and  254  are capable of transporting fluidic additive(s) to the fluid holding devices  225  and  226  respectively. 
         [0127]    Referring still to  FIG. 4   1-2/11-12 , in some embodiments, at least a portion of the fluid holding devices ( 225 ,  226 , and  227 ) is filled with fluid; the fluid in the fluid holding device  227  is filtered. 
         [0128]    Referring to  FIG. 5   1-10/11-20 , in some embodiments, the valve  201  assumes at least one more configuration in which specific pairs of ports (e.g., 1 and 10, 2 and 3, 4 and 5, 6 and 7, 8 and 9) are in fluid communications. This configuration is described with a subscript to the figure (e.g.,  1-10 ) and is an ‘inject’ configuration. 
         [0129]    Referring still to  FIG. 5   1-10/11-20 , the valve  202  assumes at least one more configuration in which specific pairs of ports (e.g., 11 and 20, 12 and 13, 14 and 15, 16 and 17, 18 and 19) are in fluid communication. This configuration is described with a subscript to the figure (e.g.,  11-20 ) and is an ‘inject’ configuration. 
         [0130]    Referring still to  FIG. 5   1-10/11-20 , in some embodiments, the valve  201  and  202  both independently assume ‘inject’ configurations. This is generally labelled as  1-10/11-20 . 
         [0131]    Referring still to  FIG. 5   1-10/11-20 , the reactor module  100  is in fluid communication with the sample processing module  300  via ports 1 and 10. 
         [0132]    Referring still to  FIG. 5   1-10/11-20 , in some embodiments, the filtration module  203  is in fluid communication with the fluid moving device  252 , but the direction of flow in the filtration module  203  is opposite (i.e., from port 5 to port 2) to the direction of flow when the valve  201  is set in the ‘load’ configuration (i.e., from port 2 to the port 5). 
         [0133]    Referring still to  FIG. 5   1-10/11-20 , in some embodiments, the fluid moving device  251  is in fluid communication with the sample delivery module  400  via the fluid holding devices  226 ,  225 , and  227 . In this configuration, the fluid moving device  251  is capable of transporting the fluidic additive(s) from the valve  202  and the isolated filtrate from the valve  201  to the sample delivery module  400 . 
         [0134]    Referring still to  FIG. 5   1-10/11-20 , in some embodiments, the sample delivery module  400  is capable of transporting the fluidic additive(s) from the valve  202  and the isolated filtrate from the valve  201  to the sample analysis module  500 . 
         [0135]    Referring to  FIG. 6   1-10/11-12 , in some embodiments, the valve  201  is in an ‘inject’ configuration in which the ports 1 and 10 are in fluid communication and the valve  202  is in a ‘load’ configuration in which the ports 11 and 12 are in fluid communication. This configuration is generally labelled as  1-10/11-12 . 
         [0136]    Referring still to  FIG. 6   1-10/11-12 , in some embodiments, the filtration module  203  is in fluid communication with the fluid moving device  252  and the direction of flow is set to be opposite (i.e., from port 5 to port 2) to the direction of flow when the sampling valve  201  is set in a ‘load’ configuration (i.e., from port 2 to the port 5). In this configuration, the fluid moving device  252  is capable of transporting the residue from the filtration module  203  to the sample delivery module  400 . 
         [0137]    Referring still to  6   1-10/11-12 , in some embodiments, the sample delivery module  400  is capable of transporting the residue to the sample analysis module  500 . 
         [0138]    Referring still to  FIG. 6   1-10/11-12 , in some examples, the fluid moving device  251  is in fluid communication with the sample delivery module  400  via the fluid holding device  227 , but not via  225  and  226 . In this configuration, the fluid holding devices  225  and  226  are being with the fluidic additives by the fluid moving device  253  and  254 , respectively. 
         [0139]    Referring to  FIG. 7   1-2/11-20 , the valve  201  is in a ‘load’ configuration and the valve  202  is in an ‘inject’ configuration. This is generally labelled as  1-2/11-20 . 
         [0140]    Referring still to  FIG. 7   1-2/11-20 , in some embodiments, the fluid moving device  251  is in fluid communication with the sample delivery module  400  via the fluid holding devices  225  and  226 , but not via  227 . In this configuration, the fluid moving device  251  is capable of moving the fluidic additive(s) from the fluid holding devices  225  and  226  of the valve  202  toward the sample delivery module  400 . In some examples, this configuration is used for quantification of fluidic additive(s). 
         [0141]    Referring to  FIG. 8   1-2/11-12 , the valve  201  is in a ‘load’ configuration and the valve  202  is in an ‘inject’ configuration. This is generally labelled as  1-2/11-12 . 
         [0142]    Referring still to  FIG. 8   1-2/11-12 , in some embodiments, the filtration module includes an inline filter  206 . In this configuration, the reactor module  100  is connected to the sample processing module  300  via the inline filter  206  and the fluid holding device  227 ; the direction of flow in the inline filter  206  is from port 2 to port 5. 
         [0143]    Referring to  FIG. 9   1-10/11-12 , in some embodiments, the reactor module  100  is connected to the sample processing module  300  via ports 1 and 10. The inline filter  206  is in fluid communication with the fluid moving device  252  and the direction of flow in the inline filter  206  is from port 5 to port 2. 
         [0144]    Referring to  FIG. 10   1-10/11-12/21-22 , in some embodiments, the port 4 of the valve  201  is connected to a multi-port valve  207 ; a fluid moving device  261  is in fluid communication with the port 4 of the valve  201  via ports 23 and 24 of the valve  207 . The valve  207  assumes configuration in which specific pairs of ports (21 and 22, 23 and 24) are in fluid communications. This configuration is labelled as  21-22 . 
         [0145]    Referring to  FIG. 11   1-10/11-12/21-24 , in some embodiments, the valve  207  assumes at least a second configuration in which specific pairs of ports (21 and 24, 22 and 23) are in fluid communications. In this configuration, the fluid moving device  261  is in fluid communication with the inline filter  206 , but the direction of flow is from port 2 to port 5 (i.e., in the same direction as the direction of flow when the sampling valve  201  is set in a ‘load’ configuration without the valve  207 ). 
         [0146]    Referring to  FIG. 12 , in some embodiments, the sampling module is a multi-ring valve  204 . The configurable part of the valve  204 , which is referred to as the ‘rotor’, hosts multiple arrays of configurable flowpaths (e.g., slits or channels). 
         [0147]    Referring still to  FIG. 12 , in some embodiments, the configurable flowpaths are distributed in concentric rings (circles) on the rotor of the valve  204 . 
         [0148]    Referring still to  FIG. 12 , in some embodiments, the configurable flowpaths distributed among different rings (circles) uniformly. For example, in this Figure, ten configurable flowpaths are distributed in two concentric rings (circles) with each circle comprising five slits and the angular distances between any two adjacent slits in a ring are same. 
         [0149]    Referring to still  FIG. 12 , in some embodiments, the valve  204  is a two-position valve. 
         [0150]    Referring to still  FIG. 12 , in some embodiments, the reactor module  100  is connected to port 1 via the fluid path  1001  and the sample processing module  300  is connected to port 10 via the fluid path  1002 . The sample delivery module  400  is connected to the valve  204  at port 8. The filtration module  203  is connected to the valve  204  via ports 2 and 5. 
         [0151]    Referring to  FIG. 13   1-2/(11-20) , in some embodiments, the valve  204  assumes a configuration in which specific pair of ports (1 and 2, 3 and 4, 5 and 6, 7 and 8, 9 and 10, 11 and 12, 13 and 14, 15 and 16, 17 and 18, 19 and 20) are in fluid communications. This configuration is labelled as  1-2/(11-12) . It is imperative that, in this example, when the ports 1 and 2 are in fluid communication, the ports 11 and 12 are also in fluid communication. The secondary connectivity (e.g., between ports 11 and 12) is indicated for clarity and is shown in parenthesis. This is a ‘load’ configuration of the valve  204 . 
         [0152]    Referring still to  FIG. 13   1-2/(11-12) , in some embodiments, the fluid moving devices  251 ,  252 ,  253 , and  254  are connected at ports 15, 4, 18, and 12, respectively. 
         [0153]    Referring still to  FIG. 13   1-2/(11-12) , in some embodiments, ports 17 and 20 are connected by the fluid holding device  225 . 
         [0154]    Referring still to  FIG. 13   1-2/(11-12) , in some embodiments, ports 11 and 14 are connected by the fluid holding device  226 . 
         [0155]    Referring still to  FIG. 13   1-2/(11-12) , in some embodiments, ports 6 and 9 are connected by the fluid holding device  227 . 
         [0156]    Referring still to  FIG. 13   1-2/(11-12) , in some embodiments, the filtration module  203  is connected to the valve  204  between ports 2 and 5. 
         [0157]    Referring still to  FIG. 13   1-2/(11-12) , port 7 and 16 are connected by a fluid path  167 . 
         [0158]    Referring still to  FIG. 13   1-2/(11-12) , in some embodiments, the reactor module  100  is in fluid communication with the sample processing module  300  via the filtration module  203  and the fluid holding device  227 . In this configuration (load), fluid from the reactor module  100  is filtered in the filtration module  203  first and then the filtrate is moved toward the fluid holding device  227 . 
         [0159]    Referring still to  FIG. 13   1-2/(11-12) , in some embodiments, the fluid moving devices  253  and  254  are in fluid communications with the fluid holding devices  225  and  226  respectively. In this configuration, in some examples, the fluid moving devices  253  and  254  are capable of introducing the fluidic additives. 
         [0160]    Referring still to  FIG. 13   1-2/(11-12) , in some embodiments, the fluid moving device  252  moves fluid toward the sample delivery module  400 . 
         [0161]    Referring still to  FIG. 13   1-2/(11-12) , in some embodiments, the sample delivery module  400  moves the fluid from the fluid moving device  252  to the sample processing module  500 . In alternate examples, the sample delivery module  400  moves the fluid from the fluid moving device  252  to waste. 
         [0162]    Referring still to  FIG. 13   1-2/(11-12) , in some embodiments, the sample delivery module  400  is equipped with movable parts and is capable of receiving fluids from the fluid moving devices  251  and  252  in sequence and delivering the fluids to sample analysis module  500  in sequence. 
         [0163]    Referring to  FIG. 14   1-10/(11-20) , the valve  204  assumes at least one more configuration in which specific pairs of ports (1 and 10, 2 and 3, 4 and 5, 6 and 7, 8 and 9, 11 and 20, 12 and 13, 14 and 15, 16 and 17, 18 and 19) are in fluid communications. This configuration is labelled as  1-10/(11-20) . It is imperative that, in this example, when the ports 1 and 10 are in fluid communication, the ports 11 and 20 are also in fluid communication. The secondary connectivity (e.g., between ports 11 and 20) is indicated for clarity and is shown in parenthesis. This is an ‘inject’ configuration. 
         [0164]    Referring still to  FIG. 14   1-10/(11-20) , the fluid moving device  251  is in fluid communication with the sample delivery module  400  via the fluid holding devices  225 ,  226 , and  227 . In this configuration (inject), the fluid moving device  251  is capable of moving the fluidic additives (from  225  and  226 ) and the filtrate (from  227 ) toward the sample delivery module  400 . 
         [0165]    Referring still to  FIG. 14   1-10/(11-20) , in some embodiments, the sample delivery module  400  is capable diverting the fluidic additives (from  225  and  226 ) and the filtrate (from  227 ) to the sample analysis module  500 . 
         [0166]    Referring still to  FIG. 14   1-10/(11-20) , in some embodiments, the reactor module  100  is in fluid communication with the sample processing module  300  via the ports 1 and 10. 
         [0167]    Referring still to  FIG. 14   1-10/(11-20) , in some embodiments, the filtration module  203  is in fluid communication with the fluid moving device  252  and the direction of fluid motion in the filtration module  203  is opposite (i.e., from port 5 to port 2) to the one when the valve  204  is in the ‘load’ configuration. 
         [0168]    Referring to  FIG. 15   21-22/33-32/41-46 , in some embodiments, the filtration module is equipped with a set of multi-port valves  205  and  207 . 
         [0169]    Referring still to  FIG. 15   21-22/33-32/41-46 , in some embodiments, the valve  205  is a ten-port, two-position valve. 
         [0170]    Referring still to  FIG. 15   21-22/33-32/41-46 , in some embodiments, the valve  207  is a four-port, two-position valve. 
         [0171]    Referring still to  FIG. 15   21-22/33-32/41-46 , in some embodiments, the valve  205  is in fluid communication with a multi-port valve  210  via port 26. 
         [0172]    Referring still to  FIG. 15   21-22/33-32/41-46 , in some embodiments, the valve  210  is a six-port, two-position valve. 
         [0173]    Referring still to  FIG. 15   21-22/33-32/41-46 , in some embodiments, the valve  210  is in fluid communication with the valve  202  (specifically, via port 41 of the valve  210 ) and the sample processing module  300  (specifically, via port 43 of the valve  210 ). 
         [0174]    Referring still to  FIG. 15   21-22/33-32/41-46 , in some embodiments, ports 42 and 45 of the valve  210  are connected by a fluid holding device  228 . 
         [0175]    Referring still to  FIG. 15   21-22/33-32/41-46 , in some embodiments, the valve  210  is connected to the sample delivery module  400  via port 46. 
         [0176]    Referring still to  FIG. 15   21-22/33-32/41-46 , in some embodiments, valve  207  is connected via port 33 to fluid moving device  262  via port 33 of the valve  207 . Port 34 of the valve  207  and port 24 of the valve  205  are connected by a fluid path  2004 . Similarly, port 32 of the valve  207  and port 28 of the valve  205  are connected by a fluid path  2005 . 
         [0177]    Referring still to  FIG. 15   21-22/33-32/41-46 , in some embodiments, an inline filter  208  is connected between ports 22 and 25 of the valve  205 . A second inline filter  209  is connected between ports 27 and 30 of the valve  205 . 
         [0178]    Referring still to  FIG. 15   21-22/33-32/41-46 , in some embodiments, the valve  205  is connected to the reactor module  100  via port 21. 
         [0179]    Referring still to  FIG. 15   21-22/33-32/41-46 , in some embodiments, the valve  205  assumes a configuration in which specific pairs of ports (21 and 22, 23 and 24, 25 and 26, 27 and 28, 29 and 30) are in fluid communications. This configuration is referenced as  21-22 . 
         [0180]    Referring still to  FIG. 15   21-22/33-32/41-46 , the valve  207  assumes a configuration in which specific pairs of ports (31 and 34, 32 and 33) are in fluid communications. This configuration is referenced as  33-32 . 
         [0181]    Referring still to  FIG. 15   21-22/33-32/41-46 , the valve  210  assumes a configuration in which specific pairs of ports (41 and 46, 42 and 43, 44 and 45) are in fluid communications. This configuration is referenced as  41-46 . This is a ‘load’ configuration of the valve  210 . 
         [0182]    Referring still to  FIG. 15   21-22/33-32/41-46 , in some embodiments, the valve  205 ,  207 , and  210  independently assume a combined configuration in which the valve  205  is in  21-22  configuration, the valve  207  is in  33-32  configuration and the valve  210  is in  4146  configuration. The combined configuration is labelled as  21-22/33-32/41-46  configuration. This is a ‘load’ configuration for the entire valve combination ( 205 ,  207 , and  210 ). 
         [0183]    Referring still to  FIG. 15   21-22/33-32/41-46 , in this configuration, the reactor module  100  is in fluid communication with the sample processing module  300  via the inline filter  208  of the valve  205  and the fluid holding device  228  of the valve  210 . In this configuration, fluid from the reactor module  100  is filtered in the inline filter  208  and the filtrate is moved into the fluid holding device  228 . During this time, the fluid moving device  262  moves the residue through the inline filter  209  to the sample delivery module  400 . The direction of flow in the inline filter  209  is opposite to the direction of flow in the inline filter  208 . 
         [0184]    Referring still to  FIG. 15   21-22/33-32/41-46 , in some embodiments, the sample delivery module  400  is capable of diverting the residue to the sample analysis module  500 . In alternate examples, the sample delivery module  400  is capable of diverting the residue to waste. 
         [0185]    Referring still to  FIG. 15   21-22/33-32/41-46 , in some embodiments, the port 31 of the valve  207  is not connected to any fluid path and closed. 
         [0186]    Referring still to  FIG. 15   21-22/33-32/41-46 , in some embodiments, the sample delivery module  400  is equipped with movable parts and is capable of receiving fluids from the fluid moving devices  251  and  262  in sequence and delivering the fluids to the sample analysis module  500  in sequence. 
         [0187]    Referring to  FIG. 16   21-30/31-32/41-46 , in some embodiments, the valves  205  and  207  independently assume at least a second configuration in which specific pair of ports (21 and 30, 22 and 23, 24 and 25, 26 and 27, 28 and 29, 31 and 32, 33 and 34) are connected. In this configuration, the reactor output from the reactor module  100  is first filtered through the inline filter  209  and then the filtrate is moved to the fluid holding device  228  of the valve  210 . Also, in this configuration, the inline filter  208  is in fluid communication with the fluid moving device  262  and the direction of flow in the inline filter  208  is opposite to the direction of flow in the inline filter  209 . This is also a ‘load’ configuration for the entire valve combination ( 205 ,  207 , and  210 ). 
         [0188]    Referring to  FIG. 17   21-30/31-32/41-42 , in some embodiments, the valve  210  assumes at least a second configuration in which a specific pair of ports (41 and 42, 43 and 44, 45 and 46) are connected. In this configuration (inject), the fluid moving device  251  is in fluid communication with the sample delivery module  400  via the fluid holding device  228 . Also, in this configuration, the filtered fluid from the valve  205 , which was isolated in the fluid holding device  228 , is transported to the sample analysis module  500  by the fluid moving device  251 . 
         [0189]    Referring still to  FIG. 17   21-30/31-32/41-42 , in some embodiments, the fluid moving device  251  is in fluid communication with the fluid holding device  228  via the valve  202 . In this configuration (inject), the fluid moving device  251  transports the filtered fluid in the fluid holding device  228  along with the fluidic additives from the valve  202 . This is an ‘inject’ configuration for the entire valve combination ( 205 ,  207 , and  210 ). 
         [0190]    Referring to  FIG. 18   21-30/31-32/41-42/51-54 , in some embodiments, the filtration module includes an additional multi-port valve  211 . 
         [0191]    Referring still to  FIG. 18   21-30/31-32/41-42/51-54 , in some embodiments, the valve  211  is a four-port, two-position valve. 
         [0192]    Referring still to  FIG. 18   21-30/31-32/41-42/51-54 , in some embodiments, the valve  211  is in a configuration so the specific pairs of ports (51 and 54, 52 and 53) are in fluid communication. Port 23 and 24 of the valve  205  are connected to port 51 and 53 of the valve  211 , respectively. The valve  207  is connected to the valve  211  via ports 34 and 52. Similarly, the sample delivery module  400  is connected to the valve  211  via port 54. 
         [0193]    Referring still to  FIG. 18   21-30/31-32/41-42/51-54 , in some embodiments, the fluid moving device  262  moves fluid through the inline filter  208  and the direction of flow is from port 25 to port 22. 
         [0194]    Referring to  FIG. 19   21-30/31-32/41-42/51-52 , in some embodiments, the valve  211  assumes at least a second configuration so the specific pairs of ports (51 and 52, 53 and 54) are in fluid communication. 
         [0195]    Referring still to  FIG. 19   21-30/31-32/41-42/51-52 , in some embodiments, the fluid moving device  262  moves fluid through the inline filter  208  and the direction of flow is from port 22 to port 25. In some embodiments, an additional multi-port, multi-position device is used to control the direction of flow through inline filter  209  in a similar manner. 
         [0196]    Referring to  FIG. 20   1-2 , when the valve  201  is a multi-position valve, the rotor of the valve  201  is moved to more than two positions. 
         [0197]    Referring still to  FIG. 20   1-2 , in some embodiments, the valve  201  is a ten-position valve. 
         [0198]    Referring still to  FIG. 20   1-2 , in some embodiments, the rotor of the valve comprises five configurable flowpaths (slits or channels), which are numbered from  10001  to  10005 . 
         [0199]    Referring still to  FIG. 20   1-2 , in some embodiments, the configurable flowpaths are rotated so the respective flowpaths situate themselves between specific pairs of ports. For example, the configurable flowpath  10001  in the shown configuration establishes a fluid communication between the port 1 and 2. Similarly, the configurable flowpaths  10002 ,  10003 ,  10004 , and  10005  establish fluid communications between the ports 3 and 4, 5 and 6, 7 and 8, 9 and 10 respectively. 
         [0200]    Referring still to  FIG. 20   1-2 , the reactor module  100  is in fluid communication with the sample processing module  300  via the filtration module  203  and the fluid holding device  227 . This is an example of a ‘load’ configuration for the valve  201 . 
         [0201]    Referring still to  FIG. 20   1-2 , in some embodiments, the sample delivery module  400  is equipped with movable parts. The sample delivery module  400  is capable of receiving fluids from the fluid moving devices  251  and  252  in sequence and delivering the fluids to the sample analysis module  500  in sequence. 
         [0202]    Referring to  FIGS. 21 to 31 , in some embodiments, the valve  201  is a multi-port, multi-position valve. In these figures, the valve  201  is a ten-port and ten-position valve. 
         [0203]    Referring to  FIG. 21   1-10 , in some embodiments, the rotor of the valve  201  is rotated so the ports 1 and 10, 2 and 3, 4 and 5, 6 and 7, 8 and 9 are in fluid communications using the configurable flowpaths  10001 ,  10002 ,  10003 ,  10004 , and  10005  respectively. This is an example of an ‘inject’ configuration. 
         [0204]    Referring still to  FIG. 21   1-10 , in some embodiments, the reactor module  100  is in fluid communication with the sample processing module  300  bypassing the filtration module  203  and the fluid holding device  227 . In this configuration (inject), the configurable flowpath  10001  receives fluid from the reactor module  100 ; the configurable flowpath  10002  is in fluid communication with the fluid moving device  252  and allows fluid to move from the fluid moving device  252  to sample delivery module  400  via the filtration module  203 . 
         [0205]    Referring still to  FIG. 21   1-10 , in some embodiments, the fluid holding device  227 , which contains the filtered fluid from the reactor module  100 , is in fluid communication with the fluid moving device  251  (optionally via  202 ) and sample delivery module  400 . In this configuration the fluid moving device  251  is capable of moving the fluid from the fluid holding device  227  toward the sample delivery module  400 . 
         [0206]    Referring still to  FIG. 21   1-10 , in some embodiments, the configurable flowpath  10002  establishes a fluid communication between the filtration module  203  and the sample delivery module  400 . The fluid from the fluid moving device  252  moves through the filtration module and reaches the sample delivery module  400  in this configuration; the sample delivery module  400  moves the fluid toward the sample analysis module  500 . 
         [0207]    Referring still to  FIG. 21   1-10 , in this configuration, the fluid moving device  252  moves fluid through the filtration module  203  and delivers the fluid to the sample delivery module  400 ; the sample delivery module  400  moves the fluid toward waste. 
         [0208]    Referring still to  FIG. 21   1-10 , in some embodiments, the sample delivery module  400  is equipped with movable parts. The delivery module  400  is capable of receiving fluids from the fluid moving devices  251  and  252  in sequence and delivering the fluids to the sample analysis module  500  in sequence. 
         [0209]    Referring to  FIG. 22   1-2 , in some examples, the rotor of the valve  201  is rotated to a ‘load’ position. In this configuration, the configurable flowpath  10001 , which was previously receiving fluid from the reactor module  100 , establishes a fluid communication between ports 3 and 4 (i.e., a 108° rotation counter-clockwise or 252° rotation clockwise) and the configurable flowpath  10005  receives fluid from the reactor module  100 . 
         [0210]    Referring still to  FIG. 22   1-2 , in some embodiments, the fluid moving device  252  moves fluid toward the sample delivery module  400  via the configurable flowpath  10001 . In some examples, the sample delivery module  400  moves the fluid from the fluid moving device  252  to the sample processing module  500 . In alternate examples, the sample delivery module  400  moves the fluid from the fluid moving device  252  to waste. 
         [0211]    Referring to  FIG. 23   1-10 , in some examples, the valve  201  is in an ‘inject’ configuration. In this configuration, the configurable flowpath  10005 , which was previously receiving fluid from the reactor module  100 , moves between ports 2 and 3 (i.e., a 36° rotation counter-clockwise or 324° rotation clockwise) and the configurable flowpath  10004  receives fluid from the reactor module  100 . 
         [0212]    Referring still to  FIG. 23   1-10 , in some embodiments, the fluid moving device  252  moves fluid toward the sample delivery module  400  via the configurable flowpath  10005 . In some examples, the sample delivery module  400  moves the fluid from the fluid moving device  252  to the sample processing module  500 . In alternate examples, the sample delivery module  400  moves the fluid from the fluid moving device  252  to waste. 
         [0213]    Referring to  FIG. 24   1-2 , in some examples, the valve  201  is in a ‘load’ configuration. In this configuration, the configurable flowpath  10004 , which was previously receiving fluid from the reactor module  100 , moves between port 3 and 4 (i.e., a 108° rotation counter-clockwise or 252° rotation clockwise) and the configurable flowpath  10003  receives fluid from the reactor module  100 . 
         [0214]    Referring still to  FIG. 24   1-2 , in some embodiments, the fluid moving device  252  moves fluid toward the sample delivery module  400  via the configurable flowpath  10004 . In some examples, the sample delivery module  400  moves the fluid from the fluid moving device  252  to the sample processing module  500 . In alternate examples, the sample delivery module  400  moves the fluid from the fluid moving device  252  to waste. 
         [0215]    Referring to  FIG. 25   1-10 , in some examples, the valve  201  is in an “inject” configuration and the configurable flowpath  10003 , which was previously receiving fluid from the reactor module  100 , moves between port 2 and 3 (i.e., a 36° rotation counter-clockwise or 324° rotation clockwise) and the configurable flowpath  10002  receives fluid from the reactor module  100 . 
         [0216]    Referring still to  FIG. 25   1-10 , in some embodiments, the fluid moving device  252  moves fluid toward the sample delivery module  400  via the configurable flowpath  10003 . In some examples, the sample delivery module  400  moves the fluid from the fluid moving device  252  to the sample processing module  500 . In alternate examples, the sample delivery module  400  moves the fluid from the fluid moving device  252  to waste. 
         [0217]    Referring to  FIGS. 21 to 31 , in some embodiments, the valve  201  alternates between ‘load’ and ‘inject’ configurations until the valve  201  reaches to its initial configuration ( FIG. 31   1-10 ), which is same as the one in  FIG. 21   1-10 . 
         [0218]    Referring back to  FIGS. 21 to 31 , the direction of flow is controlled from the fluid moving device  252  so the movement of fluid in the configurable flowpaths is altered in either directions. 
         [0219]    Referring to  FIG. 32   1-2/(11-12) , in some embodiments, the valve  204  is a multi-port, multi-position, and multi-ring valve. In this figure, the valve  204  is a twenty-port, ten-position, and two-ring valve. 
         [0220]    Referring still to  FIG. 32   1-2/(11-12) , in some embodiments, the valve  204  has twenty ports distributed over two concentric rings (circles) on the stator of the valve; each circle has ten ports distributed evenly. 
         [0221]    Referring still to  FIG. 32   1-2/(11-12) , in some embodiments, the rotor of the valve comprises ten configurable flowpaths (slits or channels); five configurable flowpaths are distributed evenly on the inner ring of the rotor and five remaining configurable flowpaths are distributed evenly on the outer ring of the rotor. The configurable flowpaths on the outer circle of the rotor body are numbered from  20001  to  20005 . 
         [0222]    Referring still to  FIG. 32   1-2/(11-12) , in some embodiments, the valve  204  is in a ‘load’ configuration. In this configuration, ports 1 and 2 are in a fluid communication using a configurable flowpath  20005  and receives fluid from the reactor module  100 . The configurable flowpath  20001  between port 3 and 4 is in fluid communication with the fluid moving device  252 . 
         [0223]    Referring still to  FIG. 32   1-2/(11-12) , in some embodiments, the fluid moving device  252  moves fluid toward the sample delivery module  400  via the configurable flowpath  20001 . In some examples, the sample delivery module  400  moves the fluid from the fluid moving device  252  to the sample processing module  500 . In alternate examples, the sample delivery module  400  moves the fluid from the fluid moving device  252  to waste. 
         [0224]    Referring still to  FIG. 32   1-2/(11-12) , in some embodiments, the sample delivery module  400  is equipped with movable parts and is capable of receiving fluids from the fluid moving devices  251  and  252  in sequence and delivering the fluids to the sample analysis module  500  in sequence. 
         [0225]    Referring to  FIG. 33   1-10/(11-20) , in some examples, the valve  204  is in an ‘inject’ configuration and the configurable flowpath  20005 , which was previously receiving fluid from the reactor module  100 , moves between port 2 and 3 (i.e., a 36° rotation counter-clockwise or 324° rotation clockwise) and the configurable flowpath  20004  receives fluid from the reactor module  100 . 
         [0226]    Referring still to  FIG. 33   1-10/(11-20) , in some embodiments, the fluid moving device  252  moves fluid toward the sample delivery module  400  via the configurable flowpath  20005 . In some examples, the sample delivery module  400  moves the fluid from the fluid moving device  252  to the sample processing module  500 . In alternate examples, the sample delivery module  400  moves the fluid from the fluid moving device  252  to waste. 
         [0227]    Referring to  FIG. 34   1-2/(11-12) , in some examples, the valve  204  is in a ‘load’ configuration and the configurable flowpath  20004 , which was previously receiving fluid from the reactor module  100 , moves between port 3 and 4 (i.e., a 108° rotation counter-clockwise or 252° rotation clockwise) the configurable flowpath  20003  receives fluid from the reactor module  100 . 
         [0228]    Referring to  FIG. 35   1-10/(11-20) , in some examples, the valve  204  is in an ‘inject’ configuration and the configurable flowpath  20003 , which was previously receiving fluid from the reactor module  100 , moves between port 2 and 3 (i.e., a 36° rotation counter-clockwise or 324° rotation clockwise) and the configurable flowpath  20002  receives fluid from the reactor module  100 . The rotor of the valve  204  is rotated appropriately so the configurable flowpath, which received fluid from the reactor module  100  in the previous configuration, is in fluid communication with the fluid moving device  252  in the next configuration. 
         [0229]    Referring back to  FIGS. 32 to 35 , the rotor of the valve  205  is rotated appropriately so the configurable flowpath, which was receiving fluid from the reactor module  100  in the previous configuration, is in a fluid communication with the fluid moving device  252  in the next configuration. 
         [0230]    Referring back to  FIGS. 32 to 35 , the direction of flow is controlled from the fluid moving device  252  so that the movement of fluid in the configurable flowpath is altered in either directions. 
         [0231]    Referring to  FIG. 36   21-30/31-32 , in some embodiments, the filtration module  205  is a multi-position valve. In this figure, the filtration module  205  is a ten-position valve. 
         [0232]    Referring still to  FIG. 36   21-30/31-32 , in some embodiments, the rotor of the valve  205  comprises five configurable flowpaths (slits or channels), which are numbered from  30001  to  30005 . 
         [0233]    Referring still to  FIG. 36   21-30/31-32 , in some embodiments, the rotor of the valve  205  is rotated so the respective configurable flowpaths situate themselves between specific pairs of ports. For example, the configurable flowpath  30001  in the shown configuration establishes a fluid communication between the port 21 and 30. Similarly, the configurable flowpaths  30002 ,  30003 ,  30004 , and  30005  establish fluid communications between the ports 22 and 23, 24 and 25, 26 and 27, 28 and 29 respectively. 
         [0234]    Referring still to  FIG. 36   21-30/31-32 , in some embodiments, the configurable flowpath  30001  of the valve  205  receives fluid from the reactor module  100 . 
         [0235]    Referring still to  FIG. 36   21-30/31-32 , the fluid moving device  262  moves fluid through the configurable flowpath  30002  in this configuration. 
         [0236]    Referring to  FIG. 37   21-22/31-34 , in some embodiments, the configurable flowpath  30001 , which was previously receiving fluid from the reactor module  100 , moves between port 23 and 24 (i.e., a 108° rotation counter-clockwise or 252° rotation clockwise) and the configurable flowpath  30005  receives fluid from the reactor module  100 . 
         [0237]    Referring to  FIG. 38   21-30/31-32 , in some embodiments, the configurable flowpath  30005 , which was previously receiving fluid from the reactor module  100 , moves between port 22 and 23 (i.e., a 36° rotation counter-clockwise or 324° rotation clockwise) and the configurable flowpath  30004  receives fluid from the reactor module  100 . 
         [0238]    Referring to  FIG. 39   21-22/31-34 , in some embodiments, the configurable flowpath  30004 , which was previously receiving fluid from the reactor module  100 , moves between port 23 and 24 (i.e., a 108° rotation counter-clockwise or 252° rotation clockwise) and the configurable flowpath  30003  receives fluid from the reactor module  100 . 
         [0239]    Referring back to  FIGS. 36 to 39 , the rotor of the valve  205  is rotated appropriately so the configurable flowpath, which was receiving fluid from the reactor module  100  in the previous configuration, is in a fluid communication with the fluid moving device  262  in the next configuration. 
         [0240]    Referring back to  FIGS. 36 to 39 , the direction of flow is controlled from the fluid moving device  262  so that the movement of fluid in configurable flowpath is altered in either directions.