Introduction

The invention consists in an apparatus which simultaneously carries out the extraction and purification for the determination of organic analytes in complex matrices. The device consists of an automated Soxhlet extractor coupled to UV-VIS radiation sourcescapable of promoting photochemical reactions in the interfering substances.

Technical features

The invention consists in an apparatus composed by an automatic  Soxhlet coupled whit a UV-Vis lamp system which simultaneously carries out the extraction and purification for the determination of organic analytes in complex matrices. In figures are reported chromatograms of sediment organic extracts (not purify and purify by using the device) containing the same concentration of PCB 28. Furthermore, the selection of the wavelengths of irradiation allows to promote one or more processes for the degradation of interfering organic substances.

Possible Applications

• The device is applicable in chemical testing laboratories allowing to reduce the overall analysis time, environmental pollution and the chemical risk in respect of operators associated with the use of stationary phases and organic solvents, currently used for the chromatographic purifications of the matrices to be analyzed.

Advantages

• The innovation at the base of the invented device consists in the concrete possibility to simultaneously perform the extraction and purification of substance(s). Photochemical reactions are conducted without the use of solid phases, adsorbents and additional organic solvents which, to date, must be used if the extract obtained is subsequently cleaned up before the analysis.