Purifying an element from a sample matrix for isotopic analysis

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11215538-B1
Application number	US-201816021897-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Jun 28, 2018
Priority date	Jun 5, 2013
Publication date	Jan 4, 2022
Grant date	Jan 4, 2022

Abstract

A method includes supplying a reagent to a column, where the column is configured to purify an element from a sample matrix for isotopic analysis. The method also includes loading the column with the sample matrix, and supplying a second reagent to collect the element retained by the column. The method further includes loading the column with a second sample mixture, and collecting an element from the second sample mixture retained by the column. A column configured to separate an element from a sample matrix for isotopic analysis includes a resin configured to retain the element. The column also includes a first frit disposed of a first end of the column and a second frit disposed of a second end of the column. The column is configured to receive a first reagent in a first flow direction and a second reagent in a second flow direction different from the first flow direction.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method for separating a first portion of a sample mixture from a second portion of the sample mixture, the method comprising:
supplying a first reagent to a column, the column configured to purify at least a first element from a first sample matrix for isotopic analysis;
subsequent to supplying the first reagent to the column, loading the column with the first sample matrix;
supplying a second reagent to the column to collect the first element retained by the column;
introducing a gas to the column to flush at least a portion of the column;
loading the column with a second sample mixture, the column having substantially no carryover of the first element prior to loading the column with the second sample mixture; and
collecting a second element from the second sample mixture retained by the column, the second element being a different periodic element than the first element, wherein the first element and the second element have differing chemical isotopes.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein introducing a gas to the column to flush at least a portion of the column includes introducing the gas to the column subsequent to supplying the second reagent to the column.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the gas includes air.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the column comprises a frit on an entry portion of the column.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein a first direction of flow for one of the first sample matrix, the first reagent, or the second reagent into the column is different from a second direction of flow for another one of the first sample matrix, the first reagent, or the second reagent into the column.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
prior to loading the column with a second sample mixture, collecting an initial fraction from the column; and
determining a carryover amount of the first element.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein supplying the first reagent to the column comprises washing the column.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein supplying the first reagent to the column comprises conditioning the column.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first element includes boron, lead, or uranium, and wherein the second element includes a different one of boron, lead, or uranium.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the column is formed of a fluoropolymer.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein supplying a second reagent to the column to collect the first element retained by the column includes supplying the second reagent to the column via a fluoropolymer flow path.

Assignees

• Elemental Scientific Inc

Inventors

• Wiederin Daniel R
• Field Michael Paul

Classifications

• B01D15/08 Primary

  Selective adsorption, e.g. chromatography · CPC title

• Y10T436/255

  including use of a solid sorbent, semipermeable membrane, or liquid extraction · CPC title

• G01N30/08

  using an enricher · CPC title

• G01N35/1097

  characterised by the valves (valves in general F16K) · CPC title

• G01N30/02

  Column chromatography · CPC title