The Dow Chemical Company

Curtis D Pfeffer

Hernan J Cortes

Robert M Campbell

R Paul Himes

An on-line multidimensional chromatographic system and method which couples a liquid chromatograph to a supercritical fluid chromatograph. The system includes an inlet column for depositing a fraction of interest eluting from the liquid chromatograph, an interface interposed between the inlet column and the supercritical fluid chromatograph for receiving and trapping an analyte from the deposited fraction on an impactor surface, and a valve arrangement for controlling fluid flow throughout the system. After the fraction of interest has been deposited in the inlet column, the liquid chromatograph solvent is removed from the inlet column, and then the deposited fraction is extracted from the inlet column in a supercritical fluid stream. The supercritical fluid stream is directed into the interface, where the analyte is trapped while the supercritical fluid is decompressed and vented. A subsequent supercritical fluid stream is then used to introduce the trapped analyte directly into the analytical column of the supercritical fluid chromatograph. The system and method can also be used to introduce samples contained in large volumes of solvent without the prior liquid chromatographic separation.

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Midland, MI, United States of America

Curtis D Pfeffer