Apparatus for automatic chemical analysis

Chemical apparatus and process disinfecting – deodorizing – preser – Analyzer – structured indicator – or manipulative laboratory... – Means for analyzing liquid or solid sample

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Details

422 82, 436 52, 436 53, 7386371, G01N 3508

Patent

active

048658111

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to apparatus for automatic chemical analysis, and more particularly apparatus for and a method of flow injection analysis.


BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Flow injection analysis (FIA) is employed in wet chemistry for the analysis of chemical samples. A defined volume of the sample is conveyed by a liquid carrier stream to a flow-through detector in which the sample is analysed. Provision is made for the addition of a reagent to the sample being conveyed, whereafter the conveyed sample and reagent pass through a reaction tube before entry into the detector.


PRIOR ART

Apparatus for fluid injection analysis is known from UK patent specification No. 2104657, wherein a relatively complex valve is provided which in a first position acts to divert the flow of carrier fluid through the valve independently of the sample duct, thereby to enable the sample duct to be loaded, and in a second position passes the carrier flow through the sample duct, the valve acting while passing between the first and second positions to cut off the flows of carrier, sample and reagent. In this known analysis system, the carrier liquid is conveyed by positive pressure displacement instead of by the use of a peristaltic pump, as is the conventional practice.


OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide improved apparatus for and an improved method of flow injection analysis which are flexible in operation and offer high versatility in usage.


THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus for flow injection analysis, in which a sample to be analysed is loaded into a sample duct of predetermined volume from which it is conveyed by pressurised carrier fluid with an added reagent to a reaction tube, wherein the sample duct is positioned in a carrier line between isolating valves operable to stop the flow of carrier fluid and to isolate the sample duct from the carrier line in order to provide a connection to a sample loading means.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of flow injection analysis wherein a sample to be analysed and contained in a sample duct is conveyed to a reaction tube by pressurised carrier fluid, with a pressurised reagent being added upstream or downstream of the sample, and wherein the sample duct is located in a carrier line between a pair of isolating valves, the method including the steps of operating a valve on one side of the sample duct to connect a sample inlet to the sample duct and isolate the sample duct from the carrier line, operating the other valve to connect the sample duct to a suction inlet and isolate the sample duct from the carrier line, loading the sample into the sample duct, and operating the two valves to connect the sample duct in to the carrier line.
In a preferred arrangement, two three-way isolating valves are provided, one on the upstream and one on the downstream side of the sample duct.
Between the isolating valves and between the sample duct and the valve providing for connection to the suction inlet, an additional three-way valve is preferably provided, enabling sample surplus to the said predetermined volume to be passed to waste.
On the upstream side of the upstream isolating valve, one or more further three-way valves may provide for the carrier line to be connected to any one of a plurality of carrier and/or flushing liquids.
On the downstream side of the downstream isolating valve, but upstream of the reagent manifold, a still further three-way valve may provide for priming, allowing for intake of a small amount of sample and its ejection to waste before loading the sample duct with the predetermined volume to be analysed.
The sample loading means may conveniently comprise a solenoid operable syringe which acts via the upstream isolating valve to suck the sample into the sample duct via the downstream isolating valve.
The reagent manifold may comprise a series of three-way valves, each providing for connection with an ind

REFERENCES:
patent: 4177677 (1979-12-01), Ruzicka et al.
patent: 4207074 (1980-06-01), Suzuki
patent: 4224033 (1980-09-01), Hansen et al.
patent: 4272483 (1981-06-01), Schick
patent: 4283262 (1981-08-01), Cormier et al.
patent: 4362699 (1982-12-01), Verlander et al.
patent: 4411157 (1983-10-01), Babin et al.
patent: 4713974 (1987-12-01), Stone

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