The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 10, 1992
Filed:
May. 18, 1990
Lenore R Frank, Landenberg, PA (US);
Christoper M Wurm, Landenberg, PA (US);
Paul C Dryden, West Chester, PA (US);
Steven J Engel, Kennett Square, PA (US);
Mark A Nickerson, Landenburg, PA (US);
Ernest Zerenner, Wilmington, DE (US);
Hewlett-Packard Company, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for extracting sample components from complex matrices using supercritical fluid as the principal extracting solvent are disclosed. The invention takes advantage of the fact that the solvent power of a supercritical fluid is stepwise settable by the parameters of density, modifier concentration, and temperature. Accordingly, methods and apparatus for extracting a component from a sample using fluid flow system having a variable and controllable flow restriction are disclosed. The methods of the present invention comprise the steps of inserting the sample into the sample container section, inputting temperature, pressure, flow rate and extraction time set points. Flow rate is controlled and system pressure regulated by the variable flow restriction. The invention contemplates opening and closing an orifice in order to control the variable flow restriction, or closing the orifice until set point pressure is achieved and controlling the restriction of the orifice to maintain the set point pressure. The present invention also discloses apparatus for the extraction of components from a sample which include means for regulating the pressure and flow rate of a supercritical extraction solvent.