Fundamentals and Comparisons for Organic Sample Extract Evaporation

Sample preparation is a key part of the analytical process, contributing to reproducibility and accuracy of the final results. Generally, sample preparation for organic analysis requires the analytes of interest to be first extracted from the matrix. Then cleanup of the extract may be required to remove interferences arising from the matrix. Water is removed during the drying step if it was introduced from the samples. Finally the extract is reduced in volume to accommodate the detection limits needed for the analysis and the ability of the instrument to accommodate a large-volume sample.

The evaporation/concentration step can be achieved with various technologies, including heat, vacuum, and blow-down. We will examine the parameters that go into each of these choices and describe criteria to consider in matching the sample to the technique. Further, solvent recovery has become increasingly important as the number of samples analyzed and the size of individual laboratory locations has increased. The implications for solvent recovery