Apparatus for automated accelerated extraction of trace elements from biomass

Abstract

A method and apparatus automates and accelerates the extraction and analysis of trace elements from biomass. The method and apparatus are especially useful at key segregation points in the food chain where speed and accuracy is necessary to separate agricultural cereals that are elevated in beneficial trace element content which provides higher value to the producer.

1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a first vessel for containing a first chemical reaction and having a first opening for removing a first liquid sample from the first vessel, the first chemical reaction generating a gas which increases pressure within the first vessel;   a first valve for expelling the first liquid sample from the first vessel via the first opening using only the pressure in the first vessel; and   a second vessel for receiving the first liquid sample removed from the first vessel and for containing a second chemical reaction and having a second opening for removing a second liquid sample from the second vessel, the second chemical reaction generating a gas which increases pressure within the second vessel; and   a second valve for expelling the second liquid sample from the second vessel via the second opening using only the pressure in the second vessel.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a reaction vessel for containing the first chemical reaction within the first vessel.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a sensor connected to the first vessel for monitoring pressure within the first vessel.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a heat exchanger for heating the first vessel to increase a rate of the first chemical reaction within the first vessel.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a chemical analysis instrument for analyzing the second liquid sample removed from the second vessel.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the chemical analysis instrument is selected from the group consisting of atomic absorption spectrometer, atomic fluorescence spectrometer, inductively-coupled plasma emission spectrometer, inductively-coupled plasma/mass spectrometer, electrochemical analyzer and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first vessel has a top surface and a bottom surface, and wherein the first opening is proximate the bottom surface. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a pump for introducing a reagent into the second vessel.   
     
     
         9 . A system comprising:
 a first closed vessel for containing a first chemical reaction between a biomass and a first reagent, the first chemical reaction producing gas and liquid, the first closed vessel having a first opening for removing a sample of the liquid from the first closed vessel;   a first valve for transferring the sample of the liquid from the first opening using only the pressure in the first closed vessel;   a second closed vessel for receiving the sample of the liquid removed from the first closed vessel and for containing a second chemical reaction between the sample of the liquid removed from the first closed vessel and a second reagent, the second chemical reaction producing gas and liquid, the second closed vessel having a second opening for removing a sample of the liquid from the second closed vessel;   a second valve for transferring the sample of the liquid from the second opening using only the pressure in the second closed vessel; and   a tube network connecting the first opening to the first valve and the second opening to the second valve.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a sensor connected to the tube network for monitoring pressure within the first closed vessel.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a heat exchanger for heating the first closed vessel to increase a rate of the first chemical reaction within the first closed vessel.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the first closed vessel has a top surface and a bottom surface, and wherein the first opening is proximate the bottom surface. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the system does not include a pump for removing the sample of the liquid from the first closed vessel or the sample of the liquid from the second closed vessel. 
     
     
         14 . A system comprising:
 a biomass;   a reagent that reacts with the biomass to produce gas and liquid;   a vessel for containing a chemical reaction between the biomass and the reagent and having an opening for removing a sample of the liquid from the vessel;   a valve for expelling the sample of the liquid from the vessel via the opening using only pressure in the vessel generated by gas produced by the chemical reaction.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a sensor connected to the vessel for monitoring pressure within the vessel.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a heat exchanger for heating the vessel to increase a rate of the chemical reaction within the vessel.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a chemical analysis instrument for analyzing the sample of the liquid removed from the vessel.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the chemical analysis instrument is selected from the group consisting of atomic absorption spectrometer, atomic fluorescence spectrometer, inductively-coupled plasma emission spectrometer, inductively-coupled plasma/mass spectrometer, electrochemical analyzer and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a second reagent that reacts with the sample of the liquid removed from the vessel to produce gas and liquid;   a second vessel for receiving the sample of the liquid removed from the vessel and for containing a second chemical reaction between the sample of the liquid removed from the vessel and the second reagent and having a second opening for removing a sample of the liquid from the second vessel; and   a second valve for expelling the sample of the liquid from the second vessel via the second opening using only pressure in the second vessel generated by gas produced by the second chemical reaction.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the reagent is a mixture of nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide.