Chromatograph system and method

Claim 2

IN COMBINATION, A GAS CHROMATOGRAPHIC SYSTEM HAVING A PER-COLUMN WITH A FLOW REGULATED CARRIER GAS SUPPLY AND INJECTION MEANS THROUGH WHICH A SAMPLE SOLUTION IS INJECTED FOR SEPARATION INTO SOLVENT AND SAMPLE COMPOUNDS AND MOVEMENT THEREOF THROUGH SAID PRE-COLUMN, AND AN ANALYTICAL COLUMN ADAPTED TO RECEIVE SAMPLE COMPOUNDS FROM SAID PRE-COLUMN FOR ANALYSIS IN A DETECTION UNIT; A CHROMATOGRAPH ACCESSORY DEVICE COMPRISING SOLVENT VENTING MEANS CONNECTED INTERMEDIATE OF THE PRE-COLUMN AND ANALYTICAL COLUMN, SAID SOLVENT VENTING MEANS BEING ADAPTED TO VENT FROM THE PRE-COLUMN A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF THE CARRIER GAS AND THE SOLVENT FROM SAID SAMPLE SOLUTION DURING CONVERSION OF THE SAMPLE COMPOUNDS INTO A DETECTABLE FORM IN THE PRECOLUMN, SAID SOLVENT VENTING MEANS INCLUDING MEANS FOR CONTROLLING SAID VENTING OPERATION PRIOR TO MOVEMENT OF THE SAMPLE COMPOUNDS FROM THE PRECOLUMN AND PAST SAID ACCESSORY DEVICE TO THE ANALYTICAL COLUMN.

Claim 3

The chromatographic system according to claim 1 in which said solvent venting means comprises a conduit and valve means for selectively closing said conduit and opening it to atmosphere.

Claim 4

The chromatographic system according to claim 2 in which said last-mentioned means comprises timer means for controlling the valve means for opening and closing of said conduit.

Claim 5

The chromatographic system according to claim 1 in which said pre-column and analytical column are packed with granular chromatographic column material, and means for separating the packing material in the respective columns.

Claim 6

The chromatographic system according to claim 1 including other means for by-passing a portion of the carrier gas from said carrier gas supply past said pre-column to a point downstream of said solvent venting means.

Claim 7

The chromatographic system according to claim 5 in which said solvent venting means and said other by-pass means are connected between said pre-column and analytical column in closely adjacent relationship.

Claim 8

The chromatographic system according to claim 5 including adjustable valve means in said by-pass means for regulating the amount of by-pass carrier gas.

Claim 11

In combination, a chromatographic system comprising first column means having an inlet, a flow regulated carry gas supply for introducing a major portion of carrier gas into the inlet of said first column means, said first column means also having an injection port adapted to receive a sample solution, means in said first column means for separating said sample solution into its volatile solvent and component fractions during movement of said carrier gas and sample solution through said first column means, and second column means sequentially arranged with said first column means and being adapted to receive the component fractions of said sample solution from said first column means, and detection means for sensing and analyzing said component fractions of said sample solution moving through said second column means; a chromatograph accessory device comprising solvent venting means including an outlet conduit connected intermediate of said first and second column means and adapted to vent from said first column means a substantial amount of said volatile solvent and carrier gas during separation and movement of said component fractions of said sample through said first column means, timer operated valve means in said outlet conduit for controlling the venting operation therethrough, by-pass conduit means connected intermediate of said first and second column means downstream of said outlet conduit means and upstream of said second column means for by-passing a minor portion of carrier gas past said first column means and outlet conduit means, and adjustable valve means in said by-pass conduit means for regulating the amount of by-pass carrier gas therethrough.

Claim 12

In combination, a chromatographic system comprising first column means having an inlet, a flow regulated carry gas supply for introducing a major portion of carrier gas into the inlet of said first column means, said first column means also having an injection port adapted to receive a sample solution, means in said first column means for separating said sample solution into its volatile solvent and component fractions during movement of said carrier gas and sample solution through said first column means, and second column means sequentially arranged with said first column means and being adapted to receive the component fractions of said sample solution from said first column means, and detection means for sensing and analyzing said component fractions of said sample solution moving through said second column means; a chromatograph accessory device comprising solvent venting means including an outlet conduit connected intermediate of said first and second column means and adapted to vent from said first column means a substantial amount of said volatile solvent and carrier gas during separation and movement of said component fractions of said sample through said first column means, timer operated valve means in said outlet conduit for controlling the venting operation therethrough, by-pass conduit means connected intermediate of said first and second column means downstream of said outlet conduit means and upstream of said second column means for by-passing a minor portion of carrier gas past said first column means and outlet conduit means, and adjustable valve means in said by-pass conduit means for regulating the amount of by-pass carrier gas therethrough.