Fluid Filtration System of Mass Spectrometry Equipment, Mass Spectrometry Equipment and Recycling Usage Method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fluid filtration system, a mass spectrometry device and a method for recycling use of a mass spectrometry device. The fluid filtration system includes a first filter element, a second filter element, an intake valve, an exhaust valve and a drain valve. The intake valve is respectively connected to the first filter element and the second filter element and is used for feeding fluid with impurities into the first filter element and the second filter element, and the two outlet ends cannot be opened simultaneously. The exhaust valve is respectively connected to the first filter element and the second filter element and is used for discharging the dried fluid filtered by the first filter element and the second filter element through the exhaust valve for use by the mass spectrometry device. The drain valve is respectively connected to the first filter element and the second filter element. The first filter element and the second filter element are connected with a backflush pipeline, and a flow limiting valve is arranged on the backflush pipeline. The work and regeneration of the first filter element and the second filter element are alternately switched, and the in-situ regeneration of the filter element can be realized without disassembly, thereby improving the work efficiency and reducing the replacement time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of mass spectrometry equipment filter element regeneration, and particularly relates to a fluid filtration system for a mass spectrometry equipment, a mass spectrometry equipment, and a regeneration usage method. Background Art

[0002] Mass spectrometry equipment is usually designed to detect explosives, drugs, agricultural residues, veterinary residues, food additives, contraband, etc. The main principle of this equipment is: using an ion source device to ionize sample molecules, and through an ion transmission device, entering a mass analyzer. The mass analyzer is a device that separates different ions entering it simultaneously according to the mass-to-charge ratio. After separation, the ions enter an ion detector in sequence. After collecting and amplifying the ion signals, they are processed by a computer and finally drawn into a mass spectrum diagram.

[0003] This equipment needs to use a gas as a carrier gas. The role of the carrier gas is to send the sample from the sample inlet to the ionization region of the ion source. For a mass spectrometry equipment that uses a capillary as the ion transmission path, the carrier gas needs to pass through the capillary, so the purity of the carrier gas must be ensured. The purity of the carrier gas is ensured by the filtration of the filter element; if the filter element fails, it will cause excess impurities and moisture in the carrier gas, thereby blocking the capillary, and ultimately causing damage to the ion source outside the cavity, the ion trap inside the cavity, and the detector. Therefore, ensuring the dryness and cleanliness of the circulating gas in the mass spectrometry equipment is a necessary condition for ensuring the equipment is in good working condition and ensuring its lifespan.

[0004] In order to ensure the normal filtration effect of the filter element, the existing mass spectrometry equipment adopts the method of replacing the filter element. After the filter element is used for a period of time, it is disassembled and replaced, or the filter element is taken out separately after disassembly for regeneration and drying. The disadvantage of this method is that it increases the usage cost of the filter element, and the replacement process is time-consuming and laborious, and it is impossible to achieve on-line in-situ regeneration, which greatly reduces the working efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the technical problem that the filter element of the existing mass spectrometry equipment needs to be disassembled for regeneration and cannot achieve on-line in-situ regeneration.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a fluid filtration system for a mass spectrometry equipment, including

[0007] A first filter element, having a front face adapted to receive the fluid with impurities and a back face for discharging the clean fluid;

[0008] A second filter element, also having a front face adapted to receive the fluid with impurities and a back face for discharging the clean fluid;

[0009] A first passage, adapted to introduce the fluid with impurities into the first filter element from the front face and introduce the clean fluid into the back face of the second filter element;

[0010] A second passage, adapted to introduce the fluid with impurities from the front side of the second filter element and introduce the clean fluid to the back side of the first filter element.

[0011] Preferably, the fluid filtration system of the mass spectrometry device includes:

[0012] An intake valve, having an intake end and at least two outlet ends, the intake end being adapted to communicate with a gas supply device, one of the outlet ends being connected to the front side of the first filter element and the other outlet end being connected to the front side of the second filter element;

[0013] The two outlet ends of the intake valve are not opened simultaneously;

[0014] A backflush pipeline, communicating the back side of the first filter element and the back side of the second filter element.

[0015] Preferably, in the fluid filtration system of the mass spectrometry device, a flow limiting valve is provided on the backflush pipeline.

[0016] Preferably, the fluid filtration system of the mass spectrometry device further includes:

[0017] A sewage discharge valve, having at least two intake ends, the two intake ends being respectively communicated with the front sides of the first filter element and the second filter element;

[0018] An exhaust valve, having at least two intake ends and one outlet end, the two intake ends being respectively communicated with the back sides of the first filter element and the second filter element, and the outlet end being adapted to be connected to the mass spectrometry device.

[0019] Preferably, in the fluid filtration system of the mass spectrometry device, the intake valve, the sewage discharge valve and the exhaust valve are all three-way valves.

[0020] Preferably, the fluid filtration system of the mass spectrometry device further includes a condensation device, and the condensation device is arranged at the intake end of the sewage discharge valve.

[0021] Preferably, the fluid filtration system of the mass spectrometry device further includes a heating device, and the heating device is arranged outside the first filter element and the second filter element.

[0022] Preferably, in the fluid filtration system of the mass spectrometry device, the outer surfaces of the first filter element and the second filter element are wrapped with a heat preservation structure.

[0023] Another object of the present invention is to further provide a mass spectrometry device, including an intake system, an ion source device, a mass analyzer, a detector and a recording system, and the fluid filtration system of the mass spectrometry device according to any one of the above is provided on the intake pipeline of the intake system.

[0024] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for regenerating and using a fluid filtration system of a mass spectrometry device, including the following method steps:

[0025] (1) The intake valve and the exhaust valve are both connected to the first filter element, and the first filter element works to dehumidify and dry the carrier gas;

[0026] (2) The sewage discharge valve is connected to the second filter element, the first filter element and the second filter element are connected, and part of the carrier gas in the first filter element enters the second filter element through the backflush pipeline, heating the second filter element. The moisture absorbed by the second filter element evaporates at high temperature and condenses at the sewage discharge valve and then is discharged, realizing the operation of the first filter element and simultaneously regenerating the second filter element;

[0027] (3) Stop heating the second filter element, disconnect the connection between the first filter element and the second filter element. The regeneration of the second filter element is completed until the second filter element cools naturally. After the first filter element continues to work for a period of time, it is switched, and the second filter element is used for operation while the first filter element is regenerated;

[0028] (4) The intake valve and the exhaust valve are connected to the second filter element, and the second filter element works to dehumidify and dry the carrier gas, and the second filter element operates;

[0029] (5) The first filter element is connected to the sewage discharge valve, the second filter element is connected to the first filter element, and part of the carrier gas in the second filter element enters the first filter element through the backflush pipeline, heating the first filter element, realizing the operation of the second filter element and simultaneously regenerating the first filter element;

[0030] (6) The operation and regeneration of the first filter element and the second filter element are alternately realized in sequence.

[0031] The technical solution of the present invention has the following advantages:

[0032] 1. A fluid filtration system of a mass spectrometry device provided by the present invention includes a first filter element, a second filter element, a first passage and a second passage. The first passage is connected to the first filter element, and the second passage is connected to the second filter element, realizing the switching use of two filter element structures of the first filter element and the second filter element to ensure the purity of the carrier gas.

[0033] 2. A fluid filtration system for a mass spectrometry device provided by the present invention includes an intake valve, an exhaust valve, and a drain valve. The two outlet ends of the intake valve are respectively connected to the front of the first filter element and the front of the second filter element, and are used to send the fluid with impurities to the fronts of the first filter element and the second filter element. The two outlet ends cannot be opened simultaneously, that is, the first filter element and the second filter element cannot work simultaneously. The two inlet ends of the exhaust valve are respectively connected to the back of the first filter element and the back of the second filter element, and are used to discharge the purified fluid filtered by the first filter element and the second filter element through the exhaust valve for use by the mass spectrometry device. The drain valve has two inlet ends, which are respectively connected to the fronts of the first filter element and the second filter element. The back of the first filter element and the back of the second filter element are connected with a backflush pipeline. When one of the first filter element and the second filter element works, part of the gas enters the other filter element. By heating this filter element, the moisture adsorbed by this filter element evaporates and is then condensed and discharged through the drain valve. It realizes the alternating switching between the work and regeneration of the first filter element and the second filter element, can realize the in-situ regeneration of the filter element online without disassembly, improves the work efficiency, reduces the replacement time, ensures the normal filtering effect of the filter element, and guarantees the purity of the fluid.

[0034] 3. For the fluid filtration system of a mass spectrometry device provided by the present invention, a condensation device is added to the inlet end of the drain valve. The moisture evaporated during the regeneration process is condensed by the condensation device and discharged in the form of a liquid, reducing the pollution of the atmosphere caused by gas emissions and enabling recycling.

[0035] 4. A mass spectrometry device provided by the present invention includes the above-mentioned fluid filtration system, which can regenerate the filter element online without disassembly for regeneration or disassembly and replacement, improves the work efficiency, reduces the usage cost, and improves the dryness of the carrier gas. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] In order to more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for use in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the following drawings are some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings.

[0037] Figure 1 It is a structural diagram of the fluid filtration system of the present invention.

[0038] Description of the reference numerals:

[0039] 1 - First filter element;

[0040] 2 - Second filter element;

[0041] 3 - Intake valve;

[0042] 4 - Drain valve;

[0043] 5 - Exhaust valve;

[0044] 6 - Flow - limiting valve;

[0045] 7 - Air pump;

[0046] 8 - Main air pipe;

[0047] 9 - First air pipe;

[0048] 10 - Second air pipe;

[0049] 11 - Third air pipe;

[0050] 12 - Fourth air pipe;

[0051] 13 - Back - blowing pipeline;

[0052] 14 - Fifth pipeline;

[0053] 15 - Sixth air pipe. Detailed implementation mode

[0054] Next, the technical solutions of the present invention will be described clearly and completely in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all of them. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0055] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. It is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation to the present invention. In addition, the terms "first", "second", "third" are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0056] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installation", "connection", "connection" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it can be the communication inside two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific situations.

[0057] In addition, the technical features involved in different embodiments of the present invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0058] Example 1

[0059] The fluid filtration system of the mass spectrometry device in this example, as Figure 1 shown, includes a first filter element 1, a second filter element 2, a first passage, a second passage, an intake valve 3, a sewage discharge valve 4, a backflush pipeline, a flow limiting valve 6, a gas supply device (not shown), a heating device (not shown), and a condensation device (not shown). The first filter element 1 and the second filter element 2 are both molecular sieve filter elements, and both have a front side and a back side. The front side is used to receive the fluid with impurities, and the back side is used to discharge the clean fluid; one end of the first passage is connected to the gas supply device, and the other end is connected to the front side of the first filter element 1, and is adapted to introduce the fluid with impurities from the front side of the first filter element 1 and introduce the clean fluid to the back side of the second filter element 2; one end of the second passage is connected to the gas supply device, and the other end is connected to the front side of the second filter element 2 and introduces the fluid with impurities to the front side of the second filter element 2, and introduces the clean fluid to the back side of the first filter element 1; heating devices (not shown) and heat preservation devices (not shown) are wrapped around the outsides of the first filter element 1 and the second filter element 2, and the condensation device is arranged at the intake end of the sewage discharge valve 4; the backflush pipeline 13 connects the back sides of the first filter element 1 and the second filter element 2, and the flow limiting valve 6 is arranged on the backflush pipeline 13. The gas supply device is a common gas storage tank in the existing market; the condensation device is a common condenser in the existing market, and the specific structure is not limited and described; the heating device is a common heating sheet structure, etc. The specific structure and working principle are not limited and described here; the heat preservation structure is common heat preservation cotton in the existing market, and the specific structure and material, etc. are not limited and described. Those skilled in the art can select according to actual needs; the flow limiting valve is a common backflush flow limiting valve in the existing market, and the specific structure and working principle are not limited and described here. The fluid in this example refers to a gas medium, and the impurities refer to moisture and other particulate impurities in the carrier gas, etc. Of course, the fluid filtration system in this example can also be used for the filtration of liquid media.

[0060] As Figure 1As shown in the figure, the first pipeline is composed of a main air pipe 8 and a first air pipe 9, and the first air pipe 9 is connected to the front of the first filter element 1; the second pipeline is composed of the main air pipe 8 and a second air pipe 10, and the second air pipe 10 is connected to the front of the second filter element 2; an air pump 7 is provided on the main air pipe 8; the intake valve 3, the sewage discharge valve 4 and the exhaust valve 5 are all three-way valves. The intake valve 3 is arranged at the connection of the main air pipe 8, the first air pipe 9 and the second air pipe 10. The intake valve 3 has an intake end and two outlet ends. The intake end is adapted to be connected to the air supply device through the main air pipe 8. One of the outlet ends is connected to the front of the first filter element 1 through the first air pipe 9, and the other outlet end is connected to the front of the second filter element 2 through the second air pipe 10; during use, the two outlet ends of the intake valve 3 are not opened simultaneously; the flow limiting valve 6 is arranged on the backwashing pipeline 13; the sewage discharge valve 4 has two intake ends, and the two intake ends are respectively connected to the front of the first filter element 1 and the second filter element 2 through a fifth air pipe 14 and a sixth air pipe 15; the exhaust valve 5 has two intake ends and one outlet end. The two intake ends are respectively connected to the back of the first filter element 1 and the back of the second filter element 2 through a third air pipe 11 and a fourth air pipe 12, and the outlet end is adapted to be connected to a mass spectrometry device (not shown). As an alternative embodiment, the intake end of the intake valve 3 includes but is not limited to one, and the outlet ends include but are not limited to two; similarly, the intake ends of the exhaust valve 5 include but are not limited to two, and the outlet end includes but is not limited to one; the intake ends of the sewage discharge valve 4 include but are not limited to two, and the outlet end includes but is not limited to one.

[0061] As an alternative embodiment, in this embodiment, the intake end of the sewage discharge valve 4 may not be provided with a condensation device, and the sewage discharge valve 4 itself has a condensation function.

[0062] As another alternative embodiment, in this embodiment, the first filter element 1 and the second filter element 2 may not be wrapped with a heating device, and the heating device may be an externally added heating device to heat the first filter element 1 and the second filter element 2 respectively.

[0063] Embodiment 2

[0064] The fluid filtration system of the mass spectrometry device in this embodiment includes an intake system, an ion source device, a mass analyzer, a detector and a recording system. An intake pipeline of the intake system is provided with the fluid filtration system of the mass spectrometry device in Embodiment 1 above. The structure of the mass spectrometry device in this embodiment is a commonly used mass spectrometry device in the existing market, and the specific structure, the connection relationship between the structures and the working principle are not described and limited in detail here.

[0065] Embodiment 3

[0066] The method for recycling the fluid filtration system of the mass spectrometry device in this embodiment includes the following method steps:

[0067] (1) The intake valve 3 and the exhaust valve 5 are both connected to the first filter element 1, and the first filter element 1 operates to dehumidify and dry the carrier gas;

[0068] (2) The sewage discharge valve 4 is connected to the second filter element 2, the first filter element 1 and the second filter element 2 are connected, and part of the carrier gas in the first filter element 1 enters the second filter element 2 through the backflush pipeline 13 to heat the second filter element 2. The moisture absorbed by the second filter element 2 evaporates at high temperature and condenses at the sewage discharge valve 4 and then is discharged, realizing the operation of the first filter element 1 and at the same time regenerating the second filter element 2;

[0069] (3) Stop heating the second filter element 2, disconnect the connection between the first filter element 1 and the second filter element 2. After the regeneration of the second filter element 2 is completed, until the second filter element 2 cools naturally, the first filter element 1 continues to operate for a period of time and then switches, and the second filter element 2 is used for operation while the first filter element 1 is regenerated;

[0070] (4) The intake valve 3 and the exhaust valve 5 are connected to the second filter element 2, and the second filter element 2 operates to dehumidify and dry the carrier gas, and the second filter element 2 operates;

[0071] (5) The first filter element 1 is connected to the sewage discharge valve 4, the second filter element 2 is connected to the first filter element 1, and part of the carrier gas in the second filter element 2 enters the first filter element 1 through the backflush pipeline 13 to heat the first filter element 1, realizing the operation of the second filter element 2 and at the same time regenerating the first filter element 1;

[0072] (6) The operation and regeneration of the first filter element 1 and the second filter element 2 are alternately realized in sequence.

[0073] During the working process, the moisture in the carrier gas is adsorbed. During regeneration, by heating to 200 °C, the adsorbed moisture in the filter element evaporates. The temperature for heating the second filter element 2 in step (2) is 200 °C, and the heating time is determined according to the actual situation. In order to ensure that the moisture in the molecular sieve of the filter element reaches the standard, a moisture testing device can be added, and when the moisture testing device detects that the moisture meets the standard, the heating of the filter element can be disconnected.

[0074] When stopping heating the second filter element 2 in step (3), the gas dew point in the first filter element 1 is lower than -60 °C, meeting the detection requirements of the mass spectrometry equipment and keeping the gas dry.

[0075] Obviously, the above embodiments are only examples clearly described and not limitations on the implementation manners. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other different forms of changes or modifications can be made based on the above description. It is not necessary and impossible to list all the implementation manners here. And the obvious changes or modifications derived therefrom are still within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for the regenerative use of a fluid filtration system of a mass spectrometry device, which uses the fluid filtration system of the mass spectrometry device, Characterized in that, The fluid filtration system of the mass spectrometry device includes: A first filter element (1), having a front side adapted to receive fluid with impurities and a back side for discharging dry and clean fluid; A second filter element (2), also having a front side adapted to receive fluid with impurities and a back side for discharging clean fluid; A first passage, adapted to introduce fluid with impurities into the front side of the first filter element (1) and introduce clean fluid into the back side of the second filter element (2); A second passage, adapted to introduce fluid with impurities into the front side of the second filter element (2) and introduce clean fluid into the back side of the first filter element (1); An intake valve (3), having an intake end and at least two outlet ends, the intake end being adapted to communicate with a gas supply device, one of the outlet ends being connected to the front side of the first filter element (1), and the other outlet end being connected to the front side of the second filter element (2); The two outlet ends of the intake valve (3) are not opened simultaneously; A backflush pipeline (13), connecting the back side of the first filter element (1) and the back side of the second filter element (2); A flow limiting valve (6) is provided on the backflush pipeline (13); A sewage discharge valve (4), having at least two intake ends, the two intake ends being respectively connected to the front sides of the first filter element (1) and the second filter element (2); An exhaust valve (5), having at least two intake ends and one outlet end, the two intake ends being respectively connected to the back sides of the first filter element (1) and the second filter element (2), and the outlet end being adapted to be connected to the mass spectrometry device; The method for the regenerative use of the fluid filtration system of the mass spectrometry device includes the following method steps: (1) The intake valve (3) and the exhaust valve (5) are both connected to the first filter element (1), and the first filter element (1) operates to dehumidify and dry the carrier gas; (2) The sewage discharge valve (4) is connected to the second filter element (2), and the first filter element (1) and the second filter element (2) are connected. Part of the carrier gas in the first filter element (1) enters the second filter element (2) through the backflush pipeline (13), heating the second filter element (2). The moisture absorbed by the second filter element (2) evaporates at high temperature and condenses at the sewage discharge valve (4) and then is discharged, realizing the operation of the first filter element (1) and the regeneration of the second filter element (2) at the same time; (3) Stop heating the second filter element (2), disconnect the connection between the first filter element (1) and the second filter element (2). The regeneration of the second filter element (2) is completed. Until the second filter element (2) cools naturally, the first filter element (1) continues to operate for a period of time and then is switched. The second filter element (2) operates and the first filter element (1) is regenerated; (4) The intake valve (3) and the exhaust valve (5) are connected to the second filter element (2), and the second filter element (2) operates to dehumidify and dry the carrier gas, and the second filter element (2) operates; (5) The first filter element (1) is connected to the sewage discharge valve (4), and the second filter element (2) is connected to the first filter element (1). Part of the carrier gas in the second filter element (2) enters the first filter element (1) through the backflush pipeline (13), heating the first filter element (1), realizing the operation of the second filter element (2) and the regeneration of the first filter element (1) at the same time; (6) Cycle in sequence to realize the alternating operation and regeneration of the first filter element (1) and the second filter element (2).

2. The method for regenerative use of the fluid filtration system of the mass spectrometry device according to claim 1, wherein, the intake valve (3), the sewage discharge valve (4) and the exhaust valve (5) are all three-way valves.

3. The method for regenerative use of the fluid filtration system of the mass spectrometry device according to claim 2, wherein, it further includes a condensation device, and the condensation device is arranged at the intake end of the sewage discharge valve (4).

4. The method for regenerative use of the fluid filtration system of the mass spectrometry device according to claim 1, wherein, it further includes a heating device, and the heating device is arranged outside the first filter element (1) and the second filter element (2).

5. The method for regenerative use of the fluid filtration system of the mass spectrometry device according to claim 4, wherein, the outer surfaces of the first filter element (1) and the second filter element (2) are wrapped with a heat preservation structure.

6. A mass spectrometry device, comprising an intake system, an ion source device, a mass analyzer, a detector and a recording system, wherein, a fluid filtration system of the mass spectrometry device in the regenerative use method of the fluid filtration system of the mass spectrometry device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is arranged on the intake pipeline of the intake system.

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