The invention generally relates to methods of analyzing crude oil. In certain embodiments, methods of the invention involve obtaining a crude oil sample, and subjecting the crude oil sample to mass spectrometry analysis. In certain embodiments, the method is performed without any sample pre-purification steps.

Systems and methods for inline and automatic dilution of chemicals of interest for speciation and subsequent analysis by ICP spectrometry are described. A system embodiment includes a first valve to receive a sample into a holding loop; a plurality of syringe pumps coupled to the first valve to deliver an inline diluted sample from the first valve; and a second valve coupled to the first valve to receive the inline diluted sample from the first valve into a sample holding loop coupled to the second valve, the second valve configured to couple to at least one of an eluent source or a carrier fluid source to receive at least one of an eluent fluid or a carrier fluid to transfer the inline diluted sample from the sample holding loop to a speciation column to separate one or more species from the inline diluted sample.

The invention generally relates to methods of analyzing crude oil. In certain embodiments, methods of the invention involve obtaining a crude oil sample, and subjecting the crude oil sample to mass spectrometry analysis. In certain embodiments, the method is performed without any sample pre-purification steps.

A liquid sample introduction system for an ion source which ionizes a liquid sample by supplying the liquid sample to an ionization probe 30 in an ion source and making an atomization-promoting gas blow at the liquid sample exiting from the tip of the ionization probe 30, the liquid sample introduction system including: a liquid sample container 70a-70f which is a hermetically closable container for holding a liquid sample; a liquid-supply-gas passage 50 having one end connected to a point in a passage 41 for supplying an atomization-promoting gas to the ion source, and the other end connected to a space above a liquid level in the liquid sample container 70a-70f; and a sample supply passage 60 having one end connected to a space below the liquid level in the liquid sample container 70a-70f and the other end connected to the ionization probe 30.

A liquid sample analyzing system including an ion analyzer having a first ion source receiving a target sample and a second ion source receiving a reference sample; a liquid sample introduction mechanism 3 including a passage-switching section introducing reference samples into the second ion source; and a controller for repeatedly performing a series of steps in the ion analyzer, the steps including: a pre-measurement step for initiating a measurement; a measurement step for introducing a target sample into the first ion source and performing a measurement on an ion originating from the target sample along with an ion originating from a reference sample introduced into the second ion source by the liquid sample introduction mechanism; and a post-measurement step where the liquid sample introduction mechanism operates concurrently with the predetermined post-measurement step to switch the passage-switching section to a passage having a reference sample for the next analysis.

An embodiment of an analysis system can include an initial multi-port valve, at least one intermediate multi-port valve, a further multi-port valve, and a time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF-MS). The initial multi-port valve can be configured to receive a sample. The at least one intermediate multi-port valve can be fluidly connected to the initial multi-port valve and configured to receive the sample from the initial multi-port valve. A given intermediate multi-port valve can have an ion-exchange column associated therewith. The given intermediate multi-port valve can be configured selectably to one of direct the sample through the ion-exchange column associated therewith (in a speciation mode) or bypass the ion-exchange column (in an infusion mode). The further multi-port valve can be fluidly connected with the at least one intermediate multi-port valve and configured to receive the sample from therefrom. The time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF-MS) can be fluidly connected to the further multi-port valve.

A liquid-chromatography module includes a microfluidic cartridge housing a microfluidic substrate with a channel for transporting fluid. The microfluidic substrate has fluidic apertures through which fluid is supplied to the channel. One side of the cartridge has nozzle openings, each aligning with a fluidic aperture in the microfluidic substrate and receiving a fluidic nozzle. A clamping assembly has a plunger that is movable into a clamped position and an end housing that defines a chamber. One wall of the end housing has a fluidic block with fluidic nozzles extending into the chamber. A second wall has a slot through which the cartridge enters the chamber. When moved into the clamped position while the cartridge is in the chamber, the plunger urges the cartridge against the fluidic block such that each fluidic nozzle enters one nozzle opening and establishes fluidic communication with one fluidic aperture in the microfluidic substrate.

A method is disclosed comprising providing a biological sample on a swab, directing a spray of charged droplets onto a surface of the swab in order to generate a plurality of analyte ions, and analysing the analyte ions.

A clinical diagnostic system is presented and comprises a sample preparation station for automatically preparing samples comprising analytes of interest, a liquid chromatography (LC) separation station comprising a plurality of LC channels and a sample preparation/LC interface for inputting prepared samples into the LC channels. The system further comprises a controller to assign samples to pre-defined sample preparation workflows each comprising a pre-defined sequence of sample preparation steps and requiring a pre-defined time for completion depending on the analytes. The controller further assigns an LC channel for each prepared sample depending on the analytes and plans an LC channel input sequence for inputting the prepared samples that allows analytes from different LC channels to elute in a non-overlapping LC eluate output sequence based on expected elution times. The controller further sets and initiates a start sequence that generates a prepared sample output sequence that matches the LC channel input sequence.

In order to implement a high-sensitivity mass spectrometry through an improvement in solvent removal efficiency during electrospray ionization and the like, an ionization device is provided with a light guide path 28 which guides light from a light source to sample microparticles generated by a micronization device to irradiate the microparticles. A closest distance d2 between a spatial area 34 in which the sample microparticles are present and a distal end 29 of the light guide path is greater than or equal to 0.1 mm and less than or equal to 20 mm. A closest distance d1 between an area of light irradiation 35 by the light guide path and any of a sample surface, a micronization device, and a sample holding unit that is the closest is greater than or equal to 0.01 mm and less than or equal to 10 mm.