JP2001330596A - Assembly for detaching sampling tube, adapter and sampling tube clearly intended for assembly and component kit for forming assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable to detach a sample tube used in gas chromatograph. SOLUTION: This assembly for detaching a sampling tube 20 has a known gas chromatograph in itself equipped with a syringe. The sampling tube has an inflow port and an outflow port. The assembly is equipped with an adapter installed in the syringe and equipped with a chamber defined by a heat- conductive housing 29. The adapter is formed so that the sampling tube is installed in the chamber. In the state where the sampling tube is installed in the adapter, the inflow port is fluid-communicated with a first carrier gas supply conduit, and simultaneously the outflow port of the sampling tube is fluid- communicated through the syringe with a gas chromatography column arranged in the gas chromatograph.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an assembly for attaching and detaching a sampling tube, an adapter and sampling tube explicitly intended for said assembly, and a kit of parts for forming said assembly.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is well known to store samples of gases, liquids, or similar fluids in so-called sampling tubes. Thus, for example, reference is made to the disclosure EP-A-0 816 823 published for consideration herein. Solid substances in the form of granules and the like are also stored in the sampling tube. Such sampling tubes are often, but not always, filled with a gas or liquid, ie, an adsorbent that adsorbs at least the material present therein. Such sampling tubes are used, for example, in environments where there is a risk of contaminating the atmosphere, such as in laboratories, chemical plants, and submarines. Thus, some sampling tubes actively exhaust the air to be measured from the sampling tube, and thus have an inlet and an outlet. When a sample of the gas to be sampled is taken,
The gas is sucked into the inflow port and leaves the sampling tube through the outflow port while leaving the substance contained in the gas in the adsorbent. This sampling process is called active sampling. So-called passive sampling is also known from practice. In that case, the sampling tube has only one inlet during sampling. The air or gas to be sampled diffuses into the adsorbent via its opening, leaving the substances contained in the gas on the adsorbent.

[0003] After a certain time has elapsed after the sampling, the sampling tube is detached. For this reason, a conventionally expensive special device has been used. The desorption of the sampling tube is performed by heating the sampling tube. As a result, the substance present in the adsorbent or the solid substance contained in the sampling tube is vaporized and released. By blowing carrier gas from the sampling tube during heating, the free matter is entrained with the carrier gas, for example, temporarily collected in a cold trap, and then sent from the cold trap to a gas chromatograph where the released gas is released. Can be analyzed. Therefore, the known desorption device includes a carrier gas supply unit, a heating unit, a cold trap, a control unit for controlling the heating unit, and the like. As a result, known desorption devices can be quite expensive, on the order of tens of thousands of guilders.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention contemplates a considerably lower cost and completely new type of assembly, while making the sampling tube removable. The present invention is based essentially on the insight that a gas chromatograph is needed anyway, but that the gas chromatograph has essentially all the means used in known desorption devices. With this assembly, these means already present in the gas chromatograph are made available for attaching and detaching the sampling tube.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an assembly for attaching and detaching a sampling tube.
The assembly has a gas chromatograph known per se with an injector, the sampling tube has an inlet and an outlet, the assembly is located in the injector and is defined by a heat conducting housing. An adapter having a chamber, wherein the adapter is configured to install one sampling tube in the chamber, and the inlet of the sampling tube is connected to the first carrier gas supply when one sampling tube is installed in the adapter. An outlet of the sampling tube provides an assembly in fluid communication with the line via a syringe with a gas chromatography column located in the gas chromatograph.

[0006] Due to the heat transfer housing of the adapter which defines the chamber in which the sampling tube can be placed, the sampling tube located in said chamber is heated by heating means located in a known injector of a known gas chromatograph. be able to. Furthermore, the inlet of the sampling tube is in fluid communication with the first carrier gas supply line, and the outlet of the sampling tube is in fluid communication with the gas chromatography column included in the gas chromatograph via the injector, The substances in the sampling tube, which are released under the influence of tube heating, flow out together with the carrier gas and can be analyzed in a gas chromatography column. Known gas chromatographs have an indicative control that can accurately set the heating means of the injector, so that the temperature of the sampling tube installed in the chamber of the adapter can be precisely controlled, and consequently any special temperature of the sampling tube. The course can also be realized very accurately. Thus, for example, a light fraction contained in the sampling tube can be released, for example, by first heating the sampling tube to, for example, 50 ° C. for a period of time, after which the sampling tube is cooled, for example, to
Heavier fractions can be released by heating to 50 ° C.

According to further details, the adapter comprises a heat conducting tube connected to the heat conducting housing and exchanging heat with each other, but in the mounted state of the adapter,
It is particularly preferred that the tube of the adapter reaches the syringe chamber. As the tubes reach the injector chamber, heat transfer from the injector heating means occurs much more effectively in that the adapter tubes are directly surrounded by the injector heating means.

According to further details of the present invention, it is particularly preferred that the sampling tube has the shape of a vial known per se. According to a further detail of the invention, said assembly comprises an automatic sampler known per se, said automatic sampler comprising a set-up shelf allowing the installation of a number of vial-shaped sampling tubes, the manipulator of the automatic sampler However, it is preferable that one sampling tube be selected from the setup shelf and the sampling tube be set on the adapter.

With such a device, a large number of sampling tubes can be attached and detached without the intervention of a laboratory worker. Usually, automatic samplers known per se are used to eject the liquid specimen in a vial from the vial into the injector. The manipulator of the automatic sampler moves the vial from the setup shelf to the location actually indicated by the term turret,
An automatically operable jet therefrom draws the sample from the vial and injects the sample into the injector of the gas chromatograph. Since the sampling tubes have the same shape as vials known per se, existing automatic samplers can in most cases be used for retrofitting gas chromatographs into sampling tube desorption devices.

[0010] The invention also relates to an adapter explicitly contemplated for use in an assembly according to the invention. Furthermore, the invention also relates to a sampling tube explicitly contemplated for use in an assembly according to the invention.

The invention furthermore comprises at least one adapter according to the invention and a support for mounting a per se known autosampler on a per se known gas chromatograph, for regulating the control of the autosampler. The present invention also relates to a kit of parts, wherein the support is configured so that an automatic sampler can install a sampling tube in an adapter installed in a gas chromatograph injector without the need for. At this time, the kit includes various carrier gas lines,
Preferably, it includes at least one tee and a valve assembly.

[0012]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be further described with reference to the following drawings.

FIG. 1 is a gas chromatograph known per se from Hewlett-Packard ^R. FIG. 1 is a perspective view in which a part of the upper surface of a housing of the gas chromatograph is removed and an injector is partially shown in an exploded view. 4 shows a perspective view of a Hewlett-Packard ^R self-known automatic sampler mounted in the upper left corner of the gas chromatograph of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 shows a side elevational view of a vial known per se, FIG. Shows a perspective view of a setup shelf of an autosampler known per se with an associated manipulator, and FIG. 5 shows a cross-section of a part of the injector with the adapter installed in the injector and the sampling tube installed in the adapter. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the relevant parts of the adapter shown in FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the sampling tube shown in FIG. FIG. 8 shows in more detail how the adapter is mounted on the injector and how the inlet and outlet of the sampling tube are in fluid communication with the carrier gas supply line and the capillary, respectively. , FIG. 9 shows a schematic view of the assembly of the invention during the removal of the sampling tube, FIG. 10 shows a schematic representation similar to that shown in FIG. 9 during the analysis phase of the removed sampling tube, FIG. 1 shows an alternative design sampling tube having a carrier gas supply line contained within a swivel arm, FIG.
2 shows a drawing similar to that shown in FIG. 10, with the pivot arm in the second position.

The gas chromatograph shown in FIG. 1 is marketed by Hewlett-Packard ^R and has a housing 2 with an oven chamber closed with an oven door 3. The housing 2 further has control means operable on the control panel 4. In the oven chamber, two gas chromatography columns, which in the present exemplary embodiment are generally designed as capillaries with an internal coating, can be arranged. Such a gas chromatography column 42 is provided on the inlet end side with a so-called injector 5,
On the outlet end side, it is connected to a so-called detector 6. In the exemplary embodiment shown, two detectors 6 are shown, with two openings 7 in the upper surface of the housing 2 for the injector 5. The injector 5 is provided with a heating means, usually in the form of a helical filament extending around the injector chamber into which the liquid to be analyzed is injected. The injection is often carried out by a so-called automatic sampler mounted in the upper left corner of the gas chromatograph 1. Such an automatic sampler 8 is shown in the perspective view of FIG. 2 and has in particular a set-up shelf 9 with a number of openings 10 for receiving vials 11. As an example, an exemplary embodiment of the vial 11 is shown in FIG. 3, where the specific dimensions are shown in millimeters. The automatic sampler 8 further has an arm 12 for carrying a grip 13. The grip 13 has a grip jaw 14. The gripper jaw 14 allows for vial 1 in prior art use.
1 can be picked up from the tray 9. Optionally,
At that time, the vial 11 is passed so as to pass through the reader 15.
To read the code on the vial. Manipulators 12 to 14 of an automatic sampler 8 having an arm 12, a grip 13, and a grip jaw 14.
In a known use, the vial 11 pulled out from the setup shelf 9 is set on a so-called turret. This turret 16 is located below the tower 17. Located in this tower 17 is an automatic biasing injection needle. The liquid can be sucked from the vial 11 arranged on the turret 16 by the injection needle, and can be injected into the injector 5 of the gas chromatograph 1. The turret 16 usually contains the injection needle in the vial 1
It has a reservoir of another liquid containing a cleaning liquid for cleaning the injection needle after aspirating the specimen from 1 and transporting the specimen to the injector 5. All the devices discussed so far with reference to the drawings belong to the state of the art and are marketed in particular by Hewlett-Packard ^R.

FIG. 5 shows a housing 18 of an injector known per se, which defines an injector chamber. An adapter 19 for receiving one sampling tube 20 is installed in the injector chamber. Adapter 19 is a lock nut 2
1 connects to the housing 18 of the injector chamber. Housing 18 forms part of a standard injector. It can be clearly seen that the housing 18 comprises a so-called separation channel 22 in fluid communication with the interior of the injector chamber. Furthermore, the needle 23 is clearly shown, in which a capillary channel 24 extends to the outlet 25 of the sampling tube 20.
An inlet 26 of the sampling tube 20 is in fluid communication with an injector chamber defined by the housing 18.

An adapter 19 is provided for airtight closure near the top surface of the injector chamber defined by the injector housing 18.
A sealing ring 27 is provided which is tightened between the housing 18 and the syringe chamber housing 18.

FIG. 6 shows the adapter 19 for clarity.
, The fastening nut 21 and the sealing ring 27 are shown in an exploded state. The adapter 19 of the present exemplary embodiment has a chamber K defined by a heat conducting housing 29. Further, the adapter 19 has a heat conduction tube connected to the housing 29 and exchanging heat with each other. In the exemplary embodiment, tube 30 and housing 29 are constructed as a single unitary piece. Further, in the present exemplary embodiment, a perforation in fluid communication with the separation channel 22 of the injector housing 18 with the adapter 19 attached to the injector 18, as shown in FIG. 28 are provided. As a result of the presence of the heat conducting tube 30, the chamber K
According to an alternative detail of the invention, the adapter does not have to have a heat-conducting tube reaching the syringe chamber defined by the injector housing 18, even though the heat transfer to the heat exchanger is very good. . In order to set the temperature inside the chamber K of the adapter to a desired value, it is necessary to set the heating means of the injector 5 to a higher temperature. Obviously, a design with a heat conducting tube 30 is preferred. Further, the adapter housing 29 has a collar 31 which engages the tightening nut 21 and the adapter is
Contacts the sealing ring 27 when mounted on the device.

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary embodiment of a sampling tube 20 that can be used in the adapter 19 shown in FIGS. In order that the sampling tube 20 can be automatically installed on the adapter 19 by the automatic sampler 8 of FIG. 2, the sampling tube 20 shown in FIG.
Has approximately the same dimensions as the vial 1 shown in FIG. As a result, the sampling tube 20 can be accommodated in the opening 10 of the set-up shelf 9 and can be effectively engaged by the grips 13 of the manipulators 12, 13, 14 of the automatic sampler 8, known per se. The sampling tube 20 shown in FIG.
0, an inlet 26 and an outlet 25 provided at the same end 20a. Sampling space B of sampling tube 20
Generally, for example, a Tenax ^{R (Akzo} trademark, polyphenylene oxide) adsorbents, such as.
However, other adsorbents can be selected. For example, carbon graphs ^TM and Kaboshibu ^TM or carbon traps
Activated carbon such as ^TM , and other powdery or granular absorbent materials such as silica gel and inactive aluminum. further,
The chamber B of the sampling tube 20 can also be filled with a granular solid substance whose measurement itself is to be performed as it is, such as pulverized plastic. Connected to the inlet 26 of the sampling tube 20 is a first end 32
The pipe 32 has a. The conduit 32 extends through the inner chamber B of the sampling tube 20 and terminates via a second end 32b adjacent the second end 20b of the sampling tube opposite the first end 20a of the sampling tube. I do. First end 20a of sampling tube 20
Comprises a first sealing ring 33 configured to form a liquid tight seal between the tapered lower surface K1 of the chamber K of the adapter 19. Further, the end 20a of the sampling tube 20
A second sealing ring 3 connected in a liquid-tight manner to a capillary 35 inserted into the outlet 25 of the sampling tube 20.
4 are provided. FIG. 8 shows the sealing rings 33 and 34.
Cooperate with the tapered lower surface K1 of the chamber K and the capillary column 35 reaching the inlet, respectively. Further, from FIG. 8, how the clamping nut 21 secures the adapter 19 to the injector housing 18 and the sealing ring 2
It is clear that 7 forms a seal. It can also be seen that there is a perforation 28 in the wall of the tube 30 of the adapter 19 and that it is set to be in fluid communication with the separation channel 22 of the injector. When the adapter 19 is mounted on the injector housing 18, the needle 36 reaches at least into the lower surface K1 of the chamber K of the adapter. This hollow needle 36 surrounds a capillary 35 that extends slightly into the chamber K of the adapter. When one sampling tube 20 is installed in the adapter 19, the capillary tube 35 is automatically pressed over the sealing ring 34, so that fluid communication occurs between the capillary tube 35 and the inner chamber B of the sampling tube. The inflow port 26 of the sampling tube 20 is in fluid communication with the interior space S of the tube 30 that is liquid-tightly closed at the lower end, through which only the needle 36 and the capillary 35 can pass. Thus, fluid communication is thus created between the inlet 26 and the separation channel 22 of the injector 5. In the present exemplary embodiment, the carrier gas supply pipe 41 that supplies the carrier gas to the internal space S of the heat conductive tube 30 is connected to the separation channel 2.
2 is connected. From this internal space S, the carrier gas flows to the inlet 26 of the sampling tube 20 and to the second end 20b of the sampling tube 20 via the conduit 32. Thus, the carrier gas must flow into the inner chamber B of the sampling tube and reach the outlet 25 through the adsorbent. Since the heating means of the injector chamber 5 is heated during that time, the heat conduction tube 30 of the adapter 19 is heated. The heat of the heat conduction tube 30 is transferred to the chamber K of the adapter 19.
To the heat conducting housing 29 which defines As a result, the temperature of the sampling tube 20 rises, so that the substance contained in the adsorbent is released by vaporization and accompanies the carrier gas. In order to prevent the adsorbent from reaching the internal space S of the capillary tube 35, the needle 36 and the heat conduction tube 30, a screen 37 is provided in the suction tube adjacent to the outlet.

The sampling tube 20 shown in FIG.
Suitable for active sampling. Therefore, the gas to be sampled is sent to the sampling tube 20 via the inlet 26, or the gas to be sampled is sent to the outlet 25.
Is connected to the first end 20 a of the sampling tube 20. On the other hand, the sampling tube 20 can be used for passive sampling. In that case, the first end 20a is closed with a cap and a screen is used instead of the closing plate 38. Via the opening 39 in the cover 40 of the sampling tube 20, the gas to be sampled can diffuse into the interior B of the sampling tube 20 by diffusion. When the sampling tube 20 is subsequently detached, the screen adjacent to the second end 20b is closed
8 and the first end 20 of the sampling tube 20
The cap closing a is removed.

The sampling tube 20 is preferably
For example, glass, metal, ceramics, Teflon ^R (P
TFE), to note that is fabricated from an inert material such as Vespel ^{R (both} DuPont trademark). To manufacture the sampling tube 20 in an economically advantageous manner, it can be manufactured by injection molding of Teflon. Optionally, the sampling tube may include a transponder in which an identification code and / or data relating to sampling is stored. Since the transponder can be read instantaneously by the reader 15 (see FIG. 2) when the sampling tube is installed from the set-up shelf 9 to the adapter 19, the gas chromatograph 1 provides an accurate program for attaching and detaching the tube 20. I can do it.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show schematic views of the assembly. FIG. 9 shows the desorption stage, and FIG. 10 shows the analysis stage. FIG.
And 10 schematically illustrate a gas chromatograph 1 with an injector 5 on the left and a detector 6 on the right. The injector 5 and the detector 6 are in fluid communication with each other, in particular via a gas chromatography column 42. In the injector 5, the adapter 19 as described above is installed. In the chamber K of the adapter 19, a sampling tube 20 is installed. The inlet 26 of the sampling tube 20 is connected to the separation channel 2 of the injector 5.
2 is in fluid communication with a first carrier gas line 41 connected to the second carrier gas line. The separation channel 22 is also clearly shown in FIG. 5 and forms part of the injector housing 18. The other end of the first carrier gas supply line 41 is connected to a first outlet 43b of a valve assembly 43, shown as a three-way valve in the exemplary embodiment. The inlet 43 a of the three-way valve 43 is connected to the carrier gas main supply line 45. The second outlet 43c of the three-way valve 43 is connected to the second carrier gas supply pipe 44. The three-way valve 43 is connected to the main carrier gas supply line 45.
In fluid communication with either the first carrier gas supply pipe 41 or the second carrier gas supply pipe 44. Obviously, the valve assembly 43 can be designed as two single valves. The assembly further includes a gas chromatograph 1
Also has a cold trap 46 arranged in the oven chamber O of the first embodiment.
Such cold traps 46 are formed, for example, by capillaries surrounded by a jacket cooled by liquid nitrogen. Due to the very low temperature that prevails in the cold trap 46, all material desorbed from the sampling tube 20 is condensed and retained there. As soon as the cooling of the cold trap 46 is turned off and the capillary is heated by the oven of the gas chromatograph 1, the substances condensed in the cold trap 46 will be vaporized and released again for analysis. The assembly further has a first connecting line 47 that places the capillary outlet 35 of the injector 5 in fluid communication with the inlet 46a of the cold trap 46. The second connecting line 48 is connected to the outlet 4 of the cold trap 46.
6b is connected to a gas chromatography column 42.
The outlet 35, the first connecting line 47, the cold trap 46, and the second connecting line 48 are preferably located upstream and downstream of the cold trap, respectively, in a first T-joint 49 and a second T-joint 50. Is designed as a capillary channel provided with The outlet of the second carrier gas supply line 44 is connected to the first T-joint 49, while the discharge line 51 is connected to the second T-joint 50. T-joints 49 and 50 can be designed in various ways and are known per se.

During the desorption phase shown in FIG.
Is positioned such that the main carrier gas supply line 45 is in fluid communication with the first carrier gas supply line 41. The carrier gas flows through the separation channel 22 of the injector 5 into the tube 30 of the adapter, from which the inlet 26 of the sampling tube 20 and the sampling tube 2
The fluid flows into the inside B of the sampling tube via the pipe 32 inside 0. Carrier gas is sampling tube 2
Through the adsorbent in 0, it begins to flow to the outlet 25 connected to the capillary 35 forming the outlet or outlet of the injector.
The capillary 35 is connected to a first T-joint 49 and is in fluid communication with a first connection pipe 47 connected to a cold trap 46. Since the adapter 19 is heated by the heating means of the injector 7, the substance contained in the adsorbent is released and accompanies the carrier gas passing through the sampling tube 20.
This carrier gas flows to a cold trap 46 where the material is condensed from the carrier gas. When the control of the gas chromatograph is determined so that the sampling tube 20 is attached and detached sufficiently long, the three-way valve 3 can be set to the second position shown in FIG. In this second position, the main carrier gas supply line 45 is in fluid communication with the second carrier gas supply line 44. The heating means of the injector 5 can be turned off since the desorption step has been completed, and the analysis step can now be performed. The cooling of the cold trap 46 can be turned off, and in this case, the temperature in the cold trap 46 depends on the gas chromatograph 1.
Rapidly rises to the temperature occurring in the oven chamber O. Preferably, the heat capacity of the cold trap is, for example,
It is kept low by designing it as a capillary surrounded by a needle through which liquid nitrogen can pass. As soon as the temperature of the cold trap 46 rises, the substance condensed there evaporates and enters the cold trap 46 via the second carrier gas supply line 44 and the first via the first connection line 47.
It accompanies the carrier gas supplied to the T joint 49. From the cold trap 46, the carrier gas flows through the second connection pipe 48 to the second T joint 50 connected to the inlet of the gas chromatography column 42. Therefore, at least a portion of the carrier gas flows through the gas chromatography column 42, where separation of the material occurs. As a result, the material reaches the detector 6 continuously, on the basis of which it can be determined what material was present in the adsorbent of the sampling tube 20. By gradually increasing the temperature of the oven chamber O, a lighter fraction can first be released from the cold trap 46 and then a heavier fraction can be released.

In the above description, the sampling tube 20 in which the inlet 26 and the outlet 25 are located at the first end 20a of the sampling tube 20 has been discussed. This means that when the sampling tube 20 is installed, both the inlet 26 and the outlet 25 can be in fluid communication with the carrier gas supply line 41 and the gas chromatography column 42 respectively in a very simple manner. There are advantages. However, according to further alternative details of the invention, the sampling tube 120 is
0 at the second end 120b and the first end 1 at the first end 120b.
It is also possible to provide an outlet 125 at 20a. However, in this case, the assembly is
It is necessary to provide a first movable carrier gas supply pipe 141 having an outflow port 141a configured to be connectable to the inflow port 126. On the wall of the housing 29 of the chamber K of the adapter 19, an outlet 35 is provided to be connected to the outlet 125 of the sampling tube 120 with the sampling tube 20 installed in the chamber K. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the movable carrier gas supply line 141 is
It is included in the turning arm 53. The swivel arm 53 is provided with a transport cam 154 that engages the lower edge of the cover 140 of the sampling tube 120 when the sampling tube 120 is mounted. By this engagement, the swing arm 53 gradually swings in accordance with the movement of the sampling tube 120, and at the same time, the outlet 141a of the first carrier gas supply pipe 141
0 into the inlet 126.

FIG. 11 shows the positions of the sampling tube 20 and the swivel arm 53 at the beginning of the engagement. FIG. 12 shows the swivel arm 53 and the sampling arm 120 in a state where the sampling tube 120 is arranged in the chamber K of the adapter 19. Is shown. It can be clearly seen that the outlet 141a of the first carrier gas supply line 141 is set to connect to the inlet 126 of the sampling tube 120. Further, the outlet 35 is connected to the sampling tube 12.
It can also be clearly seen that it is set to be in fluid communication with the outlet 125 of the zero.

The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described, but it will be clear that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention. What is essential is that the presence of an adapter mounted on the injector makes it possible to use a gas chromatograph known per se as a desorption device for the sampling tube.

Since all the first connecting pipes 47 from the outlet 25 of the desorption tube to the capillary 35 and the cold trap 46 are disposed in the oven chamber O of the gas chromatograph 1, the first connection pipe 47 is heated and the desorption substance is cooled. Before reaching 46, these pipe sections are prevented from condensing. This has the advantage that the material present in the sampling tube is not lost during the desorption process. The accuracy of the measurements performed on the gas chromatograph is thereby clearly influenced. This danger is clearly present in known desorption devices which are constructed separately from the gas chromatograph. Not only are the known desorption devices much more expensive than the proposal according to the invention, but also the accuracy of the known device is lower than that of the proposal according to the invention.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1 is a perspective view of a gas chromatograph known per se from Hewlett-Packard ^R , with a part of the top surface of the housing of the gas chromatograph removed and an injector partially shown in exploded view.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a Hewlett-Packard ^R company-known automatic sampler mounted on the upper left corner of the gas chromatograph of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of a vial known per se.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a setup shelf of a known automatic sampler with an associated manipulator.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the injector with the adapter installed on the injector and the sampling tube installed on the adapter.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of relevant parts of the adapter shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the sampling tube shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 illustrates in more detail how the adapter is mounted on the injector and how the inlet and outlet of the sampling tube are in fluid communication with the carrier gas supply conduit and the capillary, respectively.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the assembly of the present invention during the removal of the sampling tube.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram similar to that shown in FIG. 9 during the analysis stage of a detached sampling tube.

FIG. 11 illustrates an alternative design sampling tube having a carrier gas supply line contained within a pivot arm.

FIG. 12 is a view similar to that shown in FIG. 10 with the pivot arm in a second position.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Gas chromatograph 5 Injector 8 Automatic sampler 10 Setup shelf 12, 13, 14 Manipulator 19 Adapter 20, 120 Sampling tube 22 Separation channel 25, 125 Outlet 26, 126 Inlet 29 Heat conduction housing 30 Heat conduction tube 32 Pipe line 35 outlet 36 first outlet 41, 141 first carrier gas supply line 43 valve assembly 44 second carrier gas supply line 45 carrier gas main supply line 46 cold trap 47 first connection line 48 second connection line Road 49 First T connection 50 Second T connection 51 Discharge line 52 Feeder 53 Swivel arm 54 Support

Claims (24)

[Claims] 1. An assembly for attaching and detaching a sampling tube (20), said assembly comprising a gas chromatograph (1) known per se with an injector (5), said sampling tube (20). Is the inlet (2
6) and an outlet (25), said adapter being located in said injector (5) and having a chamber (K) defined by a heat conducting housing (29). 19), wherein the adapter (19) is configured to install one sampling tube (20) in the chamber (K), and one sampling tube (20) is installed in the adapter (19). In this state, the inlet (26) is in fluid communication with the first carrier gas supply line (41), and the outlet (25) of the sampling tube (20) is arranged in the gas chromatograph (1). An assembly for detaching a sampling tube in fluid communication with a gas chromatography column (42) via said injector (5). 2. The heat transfer tube (30) connected to the heat transfer housing (29).
So that the tube (30) and the housing (29) are in heat exchange with each other and the adapter (19)
An assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the tube (30) reaches the injector chamber with the adapter (19) mounted. 3. The injector (5) has a separation channel (22), and the first carrier gas supply pipe (41) is connected to the separation channel (22). 3. An assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2. 4. A valve assembly (43), a second carrier gas supply line (44), and a carrier gas main supply line (4).
5) and at least one of the valve assemblies.
Two inlets (43a) are connected to the carrier gas main supply line (4
5), a first outlet (36) of the valve assembly (43) is connected to the first carrier gas supply line (41), and a second outlet (43) of the valve assembly (43).
c) is connected to the second carrier gas supply line (44) and the valve assembly (43) connects the carrier gas main supply line (45) to the first carrier gas supply line (4).
1) and one of said second carrier gas supply lines (44) in fluid communication, said assembly comprising a cold trap (46) disposed in an oven chamber (O) of said gas chromatograph (1). And a first for bringing the outlet of the injector (7) into fluid communication with the outlet (46a) of the cold trap (46).
And a second connecting pipe (4).
8) fluidly communicates the outlet (46b) of the cold trap (46) with the gas chromatography column (42); the downstream end of the gas chromatography column (42) communicates with the detector (6); Upstream of the cold trap (46) and downstream of the injector outlet, a first T connection (49) is provided in the first connection line (47) and the second carrier gas supply line (44). ) Is connected to the first T connection (49), a second connection (50) is provided in the second connection line (48), and a discharge line (51) is connected to the second connection line (48).
Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is connected to a T-connection (50). 5. The sampling tube (20) used herein has an inlet (26) and an outlet (2) located at the same end (20a) of the sampling tube (20).
5), and the sampling tube (2) is provided on the wall of the housing (29) of the chamber (K) of the adapter (19).
0) is installed in the chamber (K), and the feeder (52) and the outlet (35) are connected to the inlet (26) and the outlet (25) of the sampling tube (20), respectively. ) Is provided.
An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 6. The sampling tube (120) used herein is a second end (1) of the sampling tube.
20b) with an inlet (126) and a first end (120).
a) having an outlet (125), said assembly comprising a displaceable first carrier gas supply line (141) having an outlet (141a) adapted to be connectable to the inlet of said sampling tube (120). 141) and the adapter (1)
9) On the wall of the housing (29) of the chamber (K), with one sampling tube (120) installed in the room, the outlet (1) of the sampling tube (120) is set.
An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an outlet (35) is provided which connects to (25). 7. The assembly according to claim 6, wherein the first displaceable carrier gas supply line (141) extends in a swivel arm (53). 8. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the or each sampling tube has a vial shape known per se. 9. The assembly further comprises an automatic sampler (8) known per se, said automatic sampler (8).
Has a set-up shelf (10) that allows a large number of sampling tubes (20, 120) to be installed, and the manipulators (12, 13, 1, 1) of the automatic sampler (8).
4) selecting one sampling tube (20, 120) from the setup shelf (10) and connecting the sampling tube (20, 120) to the adapter (19);
9. The assembly according to claim 8, wherein the assembly is configured to be installed on a vehicle. 10. The assembly according to claim 9, wherein the automatic sampler (8) is mounted on a base (54) connected to a housing of the gas chromatograph (1). 11. The chromatograph (1) has two injectors (7), an adapter (19) is provided for each injector (5), and the automatic sampler (8) has one injector.
Assembly according to one of the claims 9 or 10, characterized in that one sampling tube (20, 120) is arranged to be installed on both one and the other adapter (19). 12. An adapter explicitly contemplated for use in an assembly according to any one of the preceding claims. 13. The adapter (1) has a heat conducting housing (29) defining a chamber (K), wherein the adapter (1)
9) said housing (29) to exchange heat with each other;
13. The adapter according to claim 12, further comprising a heat conducting tube (30) connected to the adapter. 14. The adapter according to claim 13, wherein said housing (29) and said tube (30) are constructed as a single piece. 15. The adapter (1) is connected to the injector (5).
9) With the mounting of 9), the wall of the tube (30) is provided with a perforation (28) in fluid communication with the separation channel (22) of the injector (5). 15. The adapter according to 13 or 14. 16. Sampling tube explicitly contemplated for use in the assembly of any one of the preceding claims. 17. The sampling tube (20, 1
The sampling tube according to claim 16, wherein (20) is filled with an adsorbent. 18. The sampling tube (20, 1
The sampling tube according to claim 16 or 17, wherein 20) has a shape of a vial known per se. 19. The sampling tube (20, 1
The sampling tube according to any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein a transponder is provided in (20). 20. An inlet (26) and an outlet (25) located at a first end (20a) of the sampling tube (20), and a tube is provided inside (B) of the sampling tube (20). The channel (32) is extended, and the channel (3) is extended.
2) is connected to the inlet (26) at the first end (32a) side, and the sampling end located at the second end (32b) side opposite to the first end (20a) of the sampling tube (20). 20. The sampling tube (20) according to any one of claims 16 to 19, characterized in that it terminates in the interior (B) of the sampling tube (20) adjacent to the second end (20b) of the tube (20). Sampling tube. 21. The sampling tube (20).
Is, for example, glass, metal, ceramics, Teflon ^R
21. A method as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 20, characterized in that it is made from an inert material such as (PTFE), Vespel ^R or the like.
The sampling tube described in one of the above. 22. The sampling tube according to claim 21, manufactured from Teflon ^R by injection molding. 23. At least one adapter (19) according to any one of claims 12 to 15 and a gas chromatograph (1) known per se for mounting an automatic sampler (8) known per se. And the injector (5) of the gas chromatograph (1) without having to adjust the control of the automatic sampler (8).
A kit of parts constituting the support (54) such that the automatic sampler (8) can install the sampling tubes (20, 120) on the adapter (19) installed in the apparatus. 24. Various carrier gas lines (41, 4).
4, 45), at least one T-joint (49, 50) forming a T-connection as claimed in claim 3, and a valve assembly (43).
The kit according to 1.