Pump-less Solvent Extraction Using Compressed Gas Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for extracting organic analytes from samples using organic solvents are costly and lack portability, as they require mechanical pumps and complex systems for elevated temperatures and pressures.
Innovation Solution
A solvent extraction system that utilizes a compressed gas source to supply and regulate pressure, eliminating the need for mechanical pumps and allowing for portable operation, with a simplified apparatus design that uses a gas pressure source to maintain solvent flow and control extraction conditions under elevated temperatures and pressures below supercritical conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If mechanical pumps and complex pressure systems are used for solvent extraction, then extraction efficiency and control are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the mechanical pump component from the extraction system, replacing it with a simpler pressure application mechanism. This extraction of the complex pumping system while maintaining extraction functionality directly addresses the contradiction by reducing device complexity while preserving productivity through alternative pressure application methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical pump system with a gas pressure system that uses compressed gas to drive solvent through the extraction cell. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical moving parts while maintaining the necessary pressure control and solvent flow, thereby reducing device complexity while preserving extraction efficiency
2Ease of operation
If mechanical pumps and elevated pressure systems are used, then solvent flow control is improved, but portability and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the heavy mechanical pump system from the instrument, significantly reducing the weight and improving portability. The solvent flow control function is maintained through a simpler gas pressure system that requires less mechanical infrastructure, making the instrument more portable while preserving ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a pneumatic system using compressed gas to control solvent flow and pressure, replacing the mechanical pump system. This approach reduces the weight and complexity of the instrument while maintaining effective solvent flow control through gas pressure regulation, thereby improving portability without sacrificing operational ease
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces the cost and complexity of the extraction device, enabling efficient and portable extraction of organic analytes with improved control over solvent flow and pressure, achieving high recovery rates comparable to standard systems.
Implementation Method 1
a compressed gas source to supply pressure
Implementation Method 2
the cell is also heated in the oven to increase the pressure
Implementation Method 3
the cell is also heated in the oven to increase the pressure
Implementation Method 4
a restrictor tube which generates back pressure sufficient to maintain the solvent in a liquid state
Implementation Method 5
a purge gas supplied from a gas tank flows through the cell to displace the solvent containing the extracted analytes
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Apparatus for extracting organic analytes from a sample comprising a first compressed gas source connected to valving and a sample extraction cell connected to the valving. A pressure regulator is connected to the extraction cell outlet to the pressure regulator. The pressure regulator blocks fluid flow when the pressure at the pressure regulator inlet is below a predetermined pressure and permits fluid flow when above said predetermined pressure. The apparatus is free of operative association with a mechanical pump or with a compressed gas source other than the compressed gas source. An extraction method for using the above apparatus is described.