Abstract: The present invention pertains to an off-line collection system for use with supercritical fluid extraction. The system is comprised of apparatus for collecting analyte associated with the supercritical fluid extraction. The system is additionally comprised of an orifice for controlling flow of analyte to the collecting apparatus. The orifice converts analyte at a high pressure to a lower pressure. The orifice has a high pressure side which receives said high pressure analyte, and a lower pressure side in fluidic communication with the high pressure side which receives said high pressure analyte after it has been converted to a lower pressure. The high pressure side is capable of transporting analyte thereacross without essentially any loss thereof to the low pressure side which is in fluidic communication with the collecting apparatus. The analyte experiences essentially constant pressure as it is transported across the high pressure side.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an apparatus for gathering analyte. The apparatus comprises a pumping mechanism for pumping solvent at supercritical pressure. The apparatus also comprises an extraction mechanism which receives a first sample and at least a second sample separate and distinct from the first sample and extract analyte from them essentially simultaneously. The extraction mechanism is connected to the pump mechanism to receive solvent at supercritical pressure for extracting the analyte from the samples. The apparatus additionally comprises a collection mechanism for collecting analyte from the solvent after the analyte has been extracted from the samples. The collection mechanism receives the supercritical solvent having the analyte extracted from the samples from the extraction mechanism. The present invention pertains to a method for extracting analyte. The method comprises the steps of pumping solvent at a supercritical pressure.

Abstract: The present invention is a collection system for use with supercritical fluid extraction. The system comprises a device for collecting analyte from a fluid having the same. There is also a restrictor for controlling flow of analyte to the collecting device. The restrictor converts the fluid with analyte from a first pressure to a second pressure. The second pressure is less than the first pressure. The first pressure is a supercritical pressure. The restrictor is in fluidic communication with the collecting device. There is also a device for deabsorbing the analyte from the collecting device. The deabsorbing device is in fluidic communication with the collecting device. The collection system also includes a chromatograph for analyzing the analyte. The chromatograph is in fluidic communication with the collecting device to receive deabsorbed analyte. The chromatograph is remote from the collecting device. The chromatograph can be either a gas chromatograph or a liquid chromatograph.

Abstract: An orifice which includes a housing having a low pressure side with a first bore hole and a second bore hole. The low pressure side has a first channel and a second channel in fluidic communication with the first bore hole and the second bore hole, respectively. The housing also has a high pressure side with a third bore hole. The orifice also includes an adapter which has a tip, a fourth bore hole and a third channel in fluidic communication therewith. The third channel has a constant diameter for maintaining an essentially constant pressure thereacross when pressure is applied thereto such that fluid flowing through the third channel does not solidify. The adapter is sealingly received by the third bore hole such that the third channel and the first channel align. Additionally, the housing includes an interface plate disposed in the housing between the third channel and the first channel.

Abstract: The present invention is a collection system for use with supercritical fluid extraction. The system comprises a device for collecting analyte from a fluid having the same. There is also a restrictor for controlling flow of analyte to the collecting device. The restrictor converts the fluid with analyte from a first pressure to a second pressure. The second pressure is less than the first pressure. The first pressure is a supercritical pressure. The restrictor is in fluidic communication with the collecting device. There is also a device for deabsorbing the analyte from the collecting device. The deabsorbing device is in fluidic communication with the collecting device. The collection system also includes a chromatograph for analyzing the analyte. The chromatograph is in fluidic communication with the collecting device to receive deabsorbed analyte. The chromatograph is remote from the collecting device. The chromatograph can be either a gas chromatograph or a liquid chromatograph.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an off-line collection system for use with supercritical fluid extraction. The system is comprised of mechanism for collecting analyte associated with the supercritical fluid extraction. The system is additionally comprised of an orifice for controlling flow of analyte to the collecting mechanism. The orifice converts analyte at a high pressure to a lower pressure. The orifice has a high pressure side which receives said high pressure analyte, and a lower pressure side in fluidic communication with the high pressure side which receives said high pressure analyte after it has been converted to a lower pressure. The high pressure side is capable of transporting analyte thereacross without essentially any loss thereof to the low pressure side which is in fluidic communication with the collecting mechanism. The analyte experiences essentially constant pressure as it is transported across the high pressure side.