Methods and apparatus for degassing a liquid

[54] METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DEGASSING A LIQUID

[75] Inventors: Ronald A. Gatten, Pleasanton; Leslie A. Miller, Milpitas; Thomas J. McCall, Jr., Fremont; Vance J. Nau, Cupertino, all of Calif.

[73] Assignee: Thermo Separation Products

(California) Inc., Fremont, Calif.

[21] Appl. No.: 990,656

[22] Filed: Dec. 14,1992

Related U.S. Application Data

[63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 622,999, Dec. 4, 1990, Pat. No. 5,183,486.

[51] Int. CI.' B01D 19/00; B01D 15/08

[52] U.S. CI 95/46; 95/259;

96/6; 96/155; 210/656; 210/198.2

[58] Field of Search 55/16, 36, 55, 159,

55/189-191; 210/188, 198.2, 656

[56] References Cited

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

4,729,773 3/1988 Shirato et al 55/158

4,794,954 1/1989 Tokuda et al 138/30

4,819,478 4/1989 Melcher 210/635 X

4,917,776 4/1990 Taylor 55/159 X

4,952,126 8/1990 Hanaoka et al 210/198.2 X

4,981,597 1/1991 Allington et al 210/198.2 X

4,986,837 1/1991 Shibata 55/190

4,988,447 1/1991 Hellinger 210/659

5,053,060 10/1991 Kopf-Sill et al 55/16

5,112,492 5/1992 Ransohoff 210/188 X

5,183,486 2/1993 Gatten et al 55/158 X

FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS

0360604 3/1990 European Pat. Off. .

60-257810 12/1985 Japan .

2-122260 5/1990 Japan .

2097281 11/1982 United Kingdom .

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

Bakalzar, "The Role of Dissolved Gases in High Performance Liquid Chromatography," J. Chromatography, vol. 158, pp. 277-293 (1978). Shodex Op. Manual No. 781 for Shodex Degas-KT Series Degassing Device (undated).

Primary Examiner—Robert Spitzer

Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Killworth, Gottman, Hagan

& Schaeff

[57] ABSTRACT

A degassing system is provided and includes a module for conditioning a liquid to be analyzed. The module includes a container holding a liquid, a degassing chamber, and a holder for the liquid container mounted on top of the degassing chamber. The holder provides stability to the module and contains any liquid spills. In another embodiment, the system includes an autosampler in conjunction with a degassing unit which includes a degassing chamber, a vacuum pump, and tubing for conducting liquid through the degassing chamber, which tubing is permeable to gases in the liquid.

9 Claims, 10 Drawing Sheets