Abstract: An insulation blanket comprises (a) substantially hydrophobic insulation material; and (b) high temperature-resistant material; with the proviso that the blanket is casing-free.

Abstract: A device for holding a sample to be spectroscopically analyzed in which the sample is retained within a defined area. The device includes a receiving medium on which the sample is held. When this receiving medium is mounted in a frame (an optional feature), it extends across an aperture in the frame. In/on the receiving medium is a sample confining region that keeps any sample placed on the receiving medium from migrating outside a defined area. By keeping the sample within a defined area, quantitative measurements of the sample can be obtained.

Abstract: A method of performing a solid phase extraction on an aqueous fluid using a hydrophobic, solid-phase extraction medium (40), which method comprises:(a) placing (10) a hydrophobic, solid-phase extraction medium (40) inside of a pressurizable housing (18) having an inlet (25) and an outlet (32), the hydrophobic, solid-phase extraction medium (40) being positioned in the pressurizable housing (18) such that a liquid moving from the inlet (25) to the outlet (32) passes through the solid-phase extraction medium (40);(b) priming (12) the hydrophobic, solid-phase extraction medium (40) with a water-miscible organic liquid by passing the water-miscible organic liquid from the inlet (25) to the outlet (32) under positive pressure; and(c) passing (14) an aqueous liquid from the inlet (25) to the outlet (32) under positive pressure;wherein the water-miscible organic liquid and aqueous liquid are passed from the inlet (25) to the outlet (32) such that the solid-phase extraction medium (40) is completely and continuously