CPC G01N 30/6095 (2013.01) [G01N 30/08 (2013.01); G01N 30/461 (2013.01); G01N 2030/025 (2013.01); G01N 2030/085 (2013.01)] | 19 Claims |
1. A gas chromatography architecture, comprising:
two or more preconcentrators coupled together in series, the two or more preconcentrators having an inlet configured without a valve therein to receive an analyte and an outlet, each preconcentrator comprising a chamber through which the analyte passes and sorbent material within the chamber, wherein surface area of sorbent material residing in a given preconcentrator increases from the inlet to the outlet across the two or more preconcentrators;
a sampling pump fluidly coupled to the outlet of the two or more preconcentrators;
a sampling valve interposed between the outlet of the two or more preconcentrators and the sampling pump;
a first separation pump;
for each preconcentrator of the two or more preconcentrators, a separation path fluidly coupled between an inlet of the given preconcentrator and the first separation pump;
a separation column in each separation path;
a second separation pump fluidly coupled to the outlet of the two or more preconcentrators and operates to push gas through the two or more preconcentrators towards the inlet of the two or more preconcentrators;
a separation valve disposed in each of the separation paths between the corresponding preconcentrator and the first separation pump; and
a controller operably coupled to the sampling valve and each of the separation valves.
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