TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The stream is directed to more than one collection chambers depending on detection of the stream component and time. The washing is carried out in both forward and backward directions for efficient removal from the collection chamber. The chromatographic exit stream contains a compressed fluid (preferably at least one solvent) that is at or near supercritical condition. The cooling of the collection chamber is accomplished through at least one of the following techniques: electric cooling, liquid nitrogen cooling, peltier cooling or other fluidic cooling. When the chromatographic exit stream contains the compressed fluid, then the cooling of the collection chamber is accomplished through the pressure reduction of the compressed fluid. The collection chamber is heated by electrical or fluidic heating. The cooling and the heating are accomplished rapidly. The collection chamber contains absorbing material. The collection chamber contains absorbing material, adsorbing material and a removable cartridge. The adsorbing or absorbing material is in particulate form or is a liquefied or frozen gas. The cartridge is packed with at least one of the adsorbing or adsorbing materials. The particles of the adsorbing or absorbing material have active or passive surface area for efficient retention. The washings are collected in vials for further processing. The steps of the processes are automated through the use of mechanical arrangements, electrical or pneumatic pulses, logic controllers, microprocessors or software programs. The stream component is detected by using at least one of the detectors such as Mass spectroscopy detector, UV/VIS detector, Evaporative Light Scattering Detector, Flame Ionization detector, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy Detector, and/or Infrared Detector. The collection chamber can be cleaned with a solvent and dried for subsequent use. The chamber is cleaned by forward or backward flowing of the solvent. The amount of the washing solvent to be used is specific. The collection in the collection chambers is enhanced by pressure reduction.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Device: In the device, the mechanism for washing is automated and coordinated with the directing valve, collection chamber and washing solvent pump. The washing solvent pump is capable of pumping more than one solvent drawn from different sources at a specific composition, where the specific composition is obtained through the use of a series of valves. The device components as well as the fluid connections can withstand pressures up to 1000 bar. The fluidic connections are made of stainless steel or an alloy.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The compressed fluid is methane, ethane, ethylene, propane, butane, n-pentane, benzene, methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, isobutanol, monofluoromethane, trifluoromethane, dimethyl sulfoxide, acetonitrile, hydrofluorocarbons, chlorotrifluoromethane, monofluoromethane, hexafluoroethane, 1,1-difluoroethylene, 1,2-difluoroethylene, toluene, pyridine, cyclohexane, meta-cresol, decalin, cyclohexanol, ortho-xylene, tetralin, aniline, acetylene, chlorotrifluorosilane, and/or propane.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The compressed fluid is carbon dioxide, water, ammonia, nitrogen, nitrous oxide, xenon, and/or sulfur hexafluoride (preferably carbon dioxide).