Installation and process for automatic preparation of samples

1. Installation for the automatic preparation of specimens, particularly of concentrates of organic compounds dissolved in a liquid phase, for line analysis in a suitable measuring system such as a UV spectrometer, an infrared device, a fluorimeter, a mass spectrometer or the like, this installation comprising

a) a device for receiving a liquid specimen,

b) a distribution device comprising a valve ( 1 ) capable of selecting either the specimen, or one of the different solvents or reagents needed for a liquid/solid extraction process,

c) a low pressure pump ( 2 ) receiving the output of the distribution device and permitting supplying at the selected flow rate a liquid/solid extraction device,

d) a liquid/solid extraction device comprising several columns ( 3 ) each comprising at least one adsorbent phase,

the extraction device comprising, on opposite sides of the columns ( 3 ), a valve ( 4 ) controllable to switch one column ( 3 ) to another to place in action a column ( 3 ) adapted to ensure the extraction operation when another column ( 3 ) is in a non-working condition, each switching valve ( 4 ) being connected to a common direction reversing valve ( 5 ) interposed between the pump ( 2 ) and the switching valves ( 4 ), this controllable direction reversing valve ( 5 ) being disposed downstream of said pump ( 2 ) and upstream of both of said switching valves ( 4 ) being arranged to impose as a function of the position of the controllable direction reversing valve ( 5 ) a direction of circulation of fluid that has not passed through any of said columns ( 3 ), in a first circulation direction within any one of the columns ( 3 ) of the extraction device or of fluid that has not passed through any of said columns ( 3 ), in a second countercurrent direction within any one of the columns ( 3 ) of the extraction device and to ensure its return to said valve ( 5 ) to distribute the treated fluid toward a selective circuit either for discard, or for analysis.

2. Installation according to claim 1 , characterized in that the switching of each switching valve ( 4 ) permitting the operation of a column ( 3 ) adapted to ensure the extraction operation when another column is in a non-working condition, is controlled at least by means of a device for detecting plugging of the columns ( 3 ) so as to ensure automated operation of the extraction device.

3. Installation according to claim 2 , characterized in that the device for detecting the condition of plugging of the columns is a pressure measuring device ( 6 ) preferably a flush membrane pressure detector.

4. Installation according to claim 3 , characterized in that the pressure measuring device ( 6 ) is disposed between the low pressure pump ( 2 ) for supplying the extraction device and the direction reversing valve ( 5 ).

5. Installation according to claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises, downstream of the direction reversing valve ( 5 ) and connected to this latter, a so-called controllable selection valve ( 7 ) to deliver the treated fluid either toward an analysis device ( 8 ) or toward a rejection installation ( 9 ).

6. Installation according to claim 5 , characterized in that the control means of the direction reversing valve ( 5 ) are subject in operation to a cycle of operations preprogrammed as a function of the preparation of the specimen to be carried out.

7. Installation according to claim 1 , characterized in that the switching valve ( 4 ) is a multi-path slide valve.

8. Installation for the automatic preparation of specimens, particularly of concentrates of organic compounds dissolved in a liquid phase, for line analysis in a suitable measuring system such as a UV spectrometer, an infrared device, a fluorimeter, a mass spectrometer or the like, this installation comprising

a) a device for receiving a liquid specimen,

b) a distribution device comprising a valve ( 1 ) capable of selecting either the specimen, or one of the different solvents or reagents needed for a liquid/solid extraction process,

c) a low pressure pump ( 2 ) receiving the output of the distribution device and permitting supplying at the selected flow rate a liquid/solid extraction device,

d) a liquid/solid extraction device comprising several columns ( 3 ) each comprising at least one adsorbent phase,

the extraction device comprising, on opposite sides of the columns ( 3 ), a valve ( 4 ) controllable to switch one column ( 3 ) to another to place in action a column ( 3 ) adapted to ensure the extraction operation when another column ( 3 ) is in a non-working condition, each switching valve ( 4 ) being connected to a common direction reversing valve ( 5 ) interposed between the pump ( 2 ) and the switching valves ( 4 ), this controllable direction reversing valve ( 5 ) being disposed downstream of said pump ( 2 ) and upstream of both of said switching valves ( 4 ) having at least two positions, one position in which the controllable direction reversing valve ( 5 ) is arranged to impose a direction of circulation of the fluid that has not passed through any of said columns ( 3 ), via one of the switching valves ( 4 ) said first switching valve in a first circulation direction within any one of the columns ( 3 ) of the extraction device and to ensure its return via the other of the switching means ( 4 ) said second switching valve to said controllable direction reversing valve ( 5 ) to distribute the treated fluid toward a selective circuit either for discard, or for analysis and another position in which the controllable direction reversing valve ( 5 ) is arranged to impose a direction of circulation of fluid that has not passed through any of said columns ( 3 ), via the other of the switching means ( 4 ) said second switching means, in a second countercurrent direction within any one of the columns ( 3 ) of the extraction device and to ensure the return of the fluid via the other of the switching means ( 4 ) said first switching means to said valve ( 5 ) to distribute the treated fluid toward a selective circuit either for discard, or for analysis.

9. Installation according to claim 8 , characterized in that the switching of each switching valve ( 4 ) permitting the operation of a column ( 3 ) adapted to ensure the extraction operation when another column is in a non-working condition, is controlled at least by means of a device for detecting plugging of the columns ( 3 ) so as to ensure automated operation of the extraction device.

10. Installation according to claim 9 , characterized in that the device for detecting the condition of plugging of the columns is a pressure measuring device ( 6 ) preferably a flush membrane pressure detector.

11. Installation according to claim 10 , characterized in that the pressure measuring device ( 6 ) is disposed between the low pressure pump ( 2 ) for supplying the extraction device and the direction reversing valve ( 5 ).

12. Installation according to claim 8 , characterized in that it comprises, downstream of the direction reversing valve ( 5 ) and connected to this latter, a so-called controllable selection valve ( 7 ) to deliver the treated fluid either toward an analysis device ( 8 ) or toward a rejection installation ( 9 ).

13. Installation according to claim 12 , characterized in that the control means of the direction reversing valve ( 5 ) are subject in operation to a cycle of operations preprogrammed as a function of the preparation of the specimen to be carried out.

14. Installation according to claim 8 , characterized in that the switching valve ( 4 ) is a multi-path slide valve.