An ultrahigh-pressure dual on-line
solid phase extraction / capillary reverse-phase liquid
chromatography (DO-SPE / cRPLC)
system is provided. The
system comprises: a sample loading valve into which a first
solvent and a sample to be analyzed are loaded; a first column valve in flow communication with a first
solid-phase extraction column and a first reverse-phase liquid
chromatography column; a second column valve in flow communication with a second
solid-phase extraction column and a second reverse-phase liquid
chromatography column; a column-switching valve for determining whether the sample is transferred to either the first column valve or the second column valve; a
solvent selection valve in flow communication with the first and second column valves to supply the first
solvent or a mixed solvent of the first solvent and a second solvent to the first and second column valves; a second solvent loading valve, in flow communication with a solvent mixer, into which the first and second solvents are loaded; a supply pump for loading the second solvent into the second solvent loading valve; and a supply pump for loading the first solvent into the sample loading valve, the second solvent loading valve and the solvent selection valve. The
system requires minimal time (i.e.
dead time) for column equilibration between successive experiments to shorten the total time required for the experiments by a factor of about two. In addition, the system enables rapid sample injection, on-line sample desalting and sample enrichment. Furthermore, the system is highly reproducible in terms of liquid chromatography (LC)
retention time and can be operated at a pressure as high as 10,000 psi.