摘要 |
A chromatography column/moving belt interface for directing the output of the column to a point of use, detection and/or identification, such as a mass spectrometer is disclosed. The chromatography column/moving belt interface of this invention thus provides for substantially simultaneous analysis of materials separated in the column. The chromatography column utilizes horizontal flow through the separating medium with the output therefrom being at or near atmospheric pressure. The moving belt interface includes means for directing the output of the column onto a moving belt at variable angles, means for vaporizing output which is deposited on the belt and means for providing a vacuum lock arrangement such that the belt moves from and through a near atmospheric pressure of the column output to a near vacuum condition of the mass spectrometer. The chromatography column may be of a type which has a quickly disposable or replaceable receptacle for the separating medium, such as a thin film member or wafer, or the medium itself or even the entire column may be constructed to be totally disposable or replaceable.
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