Traps for use with chromatography systems

Abstract

Certain configurations are provided herein of a trap that can be used with chromatography systems. In certain instances, the trap may be designed to remove substantially all oil in a sample comprising the oil and an analyte of interest. Methods using the gravity trap are also described.

1 - 40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 . A trap configured to remove oil in a fluid sample to be analyzed using a gas chromatography system, the trap comprising:
 a coupler configured to fluidically couple to a fluid line fluidically coupled to an injector;   a split fluid path fluidically coupled to the coupler, the split fluid path comprising an inlet, a first outlet and a second outlet, the split fluid path configured to receive sample provided to the coupler through the inlet of the split fluid path and to split the received sample into a first flow provided to the first outlet and to a second flow provided to the second outlet; and   a trap fluid line fluidically coupled to the first outlet of the split fluid flow path and configured to condense oil in the fluid sample received through the first outlet and configured to permit continued flow of vaporized analyte of interest in the fluid sample to waste.   
     
     
         42 . The trap of  claim 41 , in which the coupler is configured to permit penetration of the fluid line into the coupler. 
     
     
         43 . The trap of  claim 42 , in which the penetrated fluid line terminates within the first outlet. 
     
     
         44 . The trap of  claim 41 , in which the fluid line is fluidically coupled to a drain valve. 
     
     
         45 . The trap of  claim 41 , in which the trap is effective to remove substantially all oil in the fluid sample without the use of any material effective to absorb the oil. 
     
     
         46 . The trap of  claim 45 , in which the trap is effective to remove substantially all oil in the fluid sample without the use of any charcoal in the trap. 
     
     
         47 . The trap of  claim 41 , in which the split fluid flow path comprises glass tubing. 
     
     
         48 . The trap of  claim 41 , in which the split fluid flow path comprises an optically transparent window to permit visualization of oil in the split fluid flow path. 
     
     
         49 . The trap of  claim 41 , in which the fluid reservoir comprises an optically transparent window to permit visualization of oil in the split fluid flow path. 
     
     
         50 . The trap of  claim 41 , in which the split fluid flow path is integral to the coupler. 
     
     
         51 . A gas chromatography system configured to receive a fluid sample comprising an oil and an analyte of interest through an injector and provide at least a portion of the fluid sample to a chromatography column fluidically coupled to the injector, the gas chromatography system comprising:
 a housing configured to receive the chromatography column and sized and arranged to position the chromatography column within the housing; and   a trap positioned at least partially external to the housing and configured to fluidically couple to the injector through a first fluid line, the trap configured to receive and condense the oil in the fluid sample.   
     
     
         52 . The gas chromatography system of  claim 51 , in which the fluid line penetrates into the trap so the oil received by the trap drips into a trap fluid line. 
     
     
         53 . The gas chromatography system of  claim 52 , in which the trap fluid line is fluidically coupled to a drain valve. 
     
     
         54 . The gas chromatography system of  claim 52 , in which a height of the trap fluid line is lower than a height of the injector. 
     
     
         55 . The gas chromatography system of  claim 52 , in which the trap fluid line comprises at least one material effective to absorb the oil. 
     
     
         56 . The gas chromatography system of  claim 51 , in which the system comprises a split flow injector in the housing, in which one outlet of the split flow injector is fluidically coupled to the first fluid line. 
     
     
         57 . The gas chromatography system of  claim 51 , further comprising a detector positioned within the housing. 
     
     
         58 . The gas chromatography system of  claim 51 , further comprising an oven within the housing, the oven configured to receive the chromatography column. 
     
     
         59 . The gas chromatography system of  claim 51 , further comprising a backflush device fluidically coupled to the chromatography column. 
     
     
         60 . The gas chromatography system of  claim 51 , in which the trap is configured to receive and retain the oil without the use of any charcoal. 
     
     
         61 - 70 . (canceled)