Abstract: The operating level of the liquid in a cyclone contactor is maintained without the need for an external sensor and a control valve. A pressure balancing connection communicates the contactor with a chamber from which the liquid for the contactor is supplied. The liquid level is maintained by equalizing the pressure at (or slightly below) the instability point of the contactor and the pressure head in the liquid supply chamber.

Abstract: Dissolved components of a liquid sample are recovered for analysis by delivering the sample to a concentrator comprising a cylindrical receptacle into which an uncontaminated gas, such as air, is introduced in a direction tangentially of the cylindrical wall. The gas is under sufficient pressure to effect swirling of the gas and liquid sample and atomization of the sample to rapidly evaporate the same and cause a residue containing the dissolved components to be deposited on the interior surface of the wall. A reconstituting solvent is then admitted to the receptacle to dissolve the residue and provide a reconstituted, concentrated sample for analysis. If desired, the sample may be concentrated to a given volume rather than to complete dryness. In nonlaboratory applications, a dilute liquid substance may be processed by rapid evaporation to provide a final product of desired concentration.