Trace particle and vapor detection system

Abstract

This invention discloses a trace particulate and vapor detection system, comprising: a first sampling unit adapted to vaporize a test target adsorbed on a sampling carrier to form a first target gas; a second sampling unit adapted to enrich a second target gas; and a detection unit adapted to detect the first target gas and the enriched second target gas. The detection system of this invention can simultaneously support inhaled gas sampling, inhaled gas sample detection, and detection of samples sampled by a manually held sampling carrier.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] At least one embodiment of the present invention relates to a security inspection system, and more particularly to a trace particle and vapor detection system for security inspection. Background Technology

[0002] When inspecting baggage and cargo, because the saturated vapor pressure of explosives and drug molecules is extremely low (in the ppb to ppt range) or they are essentially non-volatile, operators typically use swabs to collect trace samples remaining on the surfaces of personnel and baggage. This can be done by holding the swab (while wearing gloves) directly on the surface of the object being tested, or by attaching the swab to a sampler and holding the sampler to collect the sample. The collected sample is then placed into the detection system for testing, and the results are awaited.

[0003] Because testing requires manual sampling of various surfaces of the item being tested, it is time-consuming and labor-intensive. Furthermore, sampling swabs are consumables, and as the number of inspections increases, the consumption of consumables also increases, leading to high application costs. In addition, when physical space is limited, it can be difficult to insert the swab for direct sampling.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need to improve the detection system. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, the main objective of the present invention is to provide a trace particulate and vapor detection system in order to at least partially solve at least one of the technical problems mentioned above and others.

[0006] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a trace particulate and vapor detection system is provided, comprising:

[0007] The first sampling unit is suitable for vaporizing the test target adsorbed on the sampling carrier to form the first target gas;

[0008] The second sampling unit is suitable for enriching the second target gas;

[0009] The detection unit is suitable for detecting and analyzing the first target gas and the enriched second target gas.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first sampling unit includes:

[0011] The first inlet is suitable for receiving sampling carriers;

[0012] The pyrolysis adsorber is suitable for heating the sampling carrier to vaporize the test target and form the first target gas.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second sampling unit includes:

[0014] The second injection port is suitable for receiving the second target gas;

[0015] The enricher, which is controllably connected to the second inlet, is suitable for enriching a second target gas.

[0016] The pipeline, with a controllable connection to the suction inlet, is suitable for delivering a second target gas.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second sampling unit further includes a sampling hose adapted to penetrate into the interior of the target to be detected and to deliver the second target gas to the second inlet.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a first solenoid valve is provided between the second inlet and the enricher.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a second solenoid valve is provided between the second inlet and the pipeline.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the present invention, one of the first solenoid valve and the second solenoid valve is selectively opened.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the enrichment device includes a plurality of enrichment channels, each enrichment channel being provided with an adsorption medium and a heating section; the adsorption medium is suitable for adsorbing a second target gas to enrich the second target gas, and the heating section is suitable for heating the adsorption medium to remove the second target gas adsorbed on the adsorption medium.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the present invention, when the first solenoid valve is open, the second injection port can controllably connect to the target enrichment channel among multiple enrichment channels.

[0023] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the detection unit includes: a detector adapted to detect a first target gas and a enriched second target gas, and an air pump disposed inside the detector, the air pump being adapted to drive a second air inlet to adsorb the second target gas.

[0024] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the detection unit further includes: a first semi-permeable membrane disposed between the pyrolysis adsorber and the detector, suitable for selectively filtering the first target gas.

[0025] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the detection unit further includes a second semi-permeable membrane disposed between the enricher and the detector, which is suitable for selectively filtering the second target gas.

[0026] The trace particulate and vapor detection system provided by the embodiments of the present invention can process the test target on a handheld sampling carrier using a first sampling unit, then detect the test target using a detection unit, and finally enrich a second target gas using a second sampling unit to sample the second target gas (this sampling process is also called inhalation gas sampling). The second target gas is then detected using the detection unit. The sampling process for the second target gas does not require a handheld sampling carrier. Therefore, the trace particulate and vapor detection system provided by the embodiments of the present invention can simultaneously support inhalation gas sampling, inhalation gas sample detection, and detection of test targets on a handheld sampling carrier. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 This is a structural block diagram of a detection system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0029] 1 First Sampling Unit

[0030] 11 First Inlet

[0031] 12 Pyrolysis Adsorber

[0032] 2 Second sampling unit

[0033] 21 Second Inlet

[0034] 22 enrichment device

[0035] 23 Pipelines

[0036] 3 Detection Units

[0037] 31 First semipermeable membrane

[0038] 32 Second semipermeable membrane

[0039] 33 detectors Detailed Implementation

[0040] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention clearer, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments and accompanying drawings.

[0041] However, it should be understood that these descriptions are merely exemplary and not intended to limit the scope of this application. Furthermore, descriptions of well-known structures and techniques are omitted in the following description to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the concepts of this application. Various structural schematic diagrams according to embodiments of this application are shown in the accompanying drawings. These drawings are not to scale, and some details have been enlarged for clarity, and some details may have been omitted.

[0042] According to the general inventive concept of one aspect of the present invention, a trace particulate matter and vapor detection system is provided, comprising:

[0043] The first sampling unit is suitable for vaporizing the test target adsorbed on the sampling carrier to form the first target gas;

[0044] The second sampling unit is suitable for enriching the second target gas;

[0045] The detection unit is suitable for detecting the first target gas and the enriched second target gas.

[0046] Figure 1 This is a structural block diagram of a detection system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 1 As shown, a detection system is provided, including: a first sampling unit 1, a second sampling unit 2, and a detection unit 3.

[0048] The first sampling unit 1 (i.e., the particulate sampling subsystem) is used to vaporize the test target adsorbed on the sampling carrier (not shown in the figure) to form a first target gas. The sampling carrier can be a swab, and the test target on the sampling carrier can be target particles. Therefore, target particles can be placed in the first sampling unit 1 and processed. The second sampling unit 2 (i.e., the gas sampling subsystem) is used to enrich the second target gas. The detection unit 3 (i.e., the detection subsystem) is used to detect the first target gas and the enriched second target gas, that is, it can detect the target particles and the second target gas.

[0049] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the detection system can support traditional swab sampling and rapid heating of the swab to extract samples because the first sampling unit 1 can vaporize the target particles adsorbed on the sampling carrier (e.g., swab paper).

[0050] The detection system according to an embodiment of the present invention supports synchronous detection, that is, simultaneously activating the first sampling unit 1 and the second sampling unit 2 to detect the target particles and the second target gas in the same detection. Alternatively, the first sampling unit 1 or the second sampling unit 2 can be activated separately to detect the target particles or the second target gas.

[0051] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first sampling unit 1 includes: a first inlet 11, adapted to receive a sampling carrier; and a pyrolysis adsorber 12, adapted to heat the sampling carrier to vaporize the test target and form a first target gas.

[0052] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second sampling unit 2 includes a second inlet 21, an enricher 22, and a conduit 23. The second inlet 21 is adapted to receive a second target gas. The enricher 22 is controllably connected to the second inlet and is adapted to enrich the second target gas. The conduit 23 is controllably connected to the intake inlet and is adapted to deliver the second target gas.

[0053] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the detector 33 of the detection unit is provided with an air pump, which is suitable for driving the second inlet 21 and for receiving the second target gas.

[0054] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the enricher 22 includes multiple enrichment channels, each containing an adsorption medium (not shown) and a heating element (not shown). The adsorption medium is suitable for adsorbing a second target gas to enrich it, and the heating element is suitable for heating the adsorption medium to remove the second target gas adsorbed on it. Gas molecules generated by substances with low saturated vapor pressure and low volatility undergo "pre-concentration" on the adsorption material in the enricher. After a set enrichment time, the adsorption medium is rapidly heated using the high temperature generated by the heating element to obtain a second target gas with a higher concentration.

[0055] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a first solenoid valve is provided between the second inlet 21 and the enricher 22. A second solenoid valve is provided between the second inlet 21 and the pipeline 23. The first solenoid valve and the second solenoid valve can be selectively opened.

[0056] According to an embodiment of the present invention, by providing a first solenoid valve between the second inlet 21 and the enricher 22, and a second solenoid valve between the second inlet 21 and the pipeline 23, a pneumatic reversing mechanism is formed between the enricher 22 and the pipeline 23. This pneumatic reversing mechanism can support the detection of substances with different saturated vapor pressures. Specifically, firstly, the second solenoid valve is opened, and the detector 33 of the detection unit drives the second inlet 21 to receive the second target gas. The second target gas enters the pipeline 23 from the second inlet 21, completing the sampling of substances with high saturated vapor pressure. Secondly, the first solenoid valve is opened, and the detector 33 of the detection unit drives the second inlet 21 to receive the second target gas. The second target gas enters the enricher 22 from the second inlet 21 and is enriched in the enricher 22, obtaining a second target gas with a higher concentration. This process can complete the sampling of substances with low saturated vapor pressure.

[0057] According to an embodiment of the present invention, when the first solenoid valve is open, the second injection port can controllably connect to the target enrichment channel among multiple enrichment channels. Since the enricher can contain multiple channels, the channels can be used in turn by switching, and channels not in use can be restored to a usable state through high-temperature cleaning, reducing the system's cleaning time.

[0058] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second sampling unit further includes a sampling hose (not shown in the figure), which is adapted to penetrate into the interior of the target to be detected and to deliver the second target gas to the second inlet 21.

[0059] According to embodiments of the present invention, the sampling hose is suitable for penetrating deep into the interior of a target to be tested (e.g., a container, cargo box, luggage box, etc.) to obtain the target gas inside the target. Furthermore, the length of the sampling hose is adjustable, thus allowing it to penetrate into targets at greater distances. Additionally, the sampling hose can bypass physical obstructions to reach the interior of the target.

[0060] According to an embodiment of the present invention, detector 33 is suitable for detecting a first target gas and a enriched second target gas.

[0061] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the detection unit further includes a first semi-permeable membrane 31 disposed between the pyrolysis adsorber 12 and the detector 33, which is suitable for selectively filtering the first target gas.

[0062] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the detection unit further includes a second semi-permeable membrane 32 disposed between the enricher 22 and the detector 33, which is suitable for selectively filtering the second target gas.

[0063] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the detector 33 includes at least one of the following: an ion mobility spectrometer, a gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometer, a miniature mass spectrometer, an asymmetric field ion mobility spectrometer, a gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometer, an electrochemical sensor array, a photoacoustic spectroscopy sensor, a QCL infrared spectroscopy system, a fluorescent polymer sensor, and a quartz crystal microbalance detector.

[0064] The detection system according to an embodiment of the present invention overcomes the shortcomings of related detection systems that make it difficult to inspect large air cargo boxes, truck carriages, and containers containing a large number of items in one go without opening the cargo packaging. The detection system of the present invention is equipped with a sampling hose in the second sampling unit, which can adapt to the inspection site and can bypass obstacles or inspect items hidden inside the packaging without fully opening the cargo packaging.

[0065] The detection system according to embodiments of the present invention can simultaneously support the detection of gas-sampled samples and the detection of manually handheld sampling carriers. Compared with the traditional method of sampling using only sampling swabs, it has a lower application cost and greatly reduces the total life-cycle application cost of security inspection equipment. The same operator can inspect multiple items, improving inspection efficiency.

[0066] The detection system according to an embodiment of the present invention achieves successful detection of non-volatile substances with low saturated vapor pressure through pre-concentration by adding an enricher 22. Therefore, the detection system of the embodiment of the present invention has high sensitivity. The detection system of the embodiment of the present invention can detect explosives, and its detection capability can be continuously enhanced by expanding the feature database to include contraband such as drugs, toxic and harmful gases, explosive precursors, and precursor chemicals.

[0067] The detection system according to an embodiment of the present invention has the potential to be integrated into automated unmanned equipment such as drones, unmanned vehicles, and robots.

[0068] The detection system according to embodiments of the present invention is mainly used in the field of security inspection, particularly in the scanning of baggage and articles in airports, customs, logistics, and other fields, such as passenger baggage inspection and air cargo inspection at civil aviation airports. It can also be extended to industrial fields such as food, chemical, pharmaceutical, biological, semiconductor, and electromechanical equipment manufacturing to detect trace chemical substances of interest in these fields.

[0069] The specific embodiments described above further illustrate the purpose, technical solution, and beneficial effects of the present invention. It should be understood that the above descriptions are merely specific embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A trace particulate and vapor detection system, comprising: The first sampling unit (1) is suitable for vaporizing the test target adsorbed on the sampling carrier to form the first target gas; The sampling medium is a swab. The first sampling unit (1) includes: The first inlet (11) is suitable for receiving the sampling carrier; The pyrolysis adsorber (12) is suitable for heating the sampling carrier to vaporize the test target and form the first target gas; The second sampling unit (2) is suitable for enriching the second target gas. The second sampling unit (2) includes: The second inlet (21) is suitable for receiving the second target gas; The enricher (22) is controllably connected to the second inlet and is suitable for enriching the second target gas. The enricher (22) includes multiple enrichment channels, each of which is provided with an adsorption medium and a heating section. The adsorption medium is suitable for adsorbing the second target gas to enrich the second target gas, and the heating section is suitable for heating the adsorption medium to remove the second target gas adsorbed on the adsorption medium. The conduit (23) is controllably connected to the second inlet (21) and is suitable for delivering the second target gas; The detection unit (3) is suitable for detecting the first target gas and the enriched second target gas; A first solenoid valve is provided between the second inlet (21) and the enricher (22), and a second solenoid valve is provided between the second inlet (21) and the pipeline (23). The first solenoid valve and the second solenoid valve can be opened selectively to sample the second target gas generated by substances with different saturated vapor pressures; the first sampling unit (1) or the second sampling unit (2) can be opened separately to detect the target particles or the second target gas. First, the second solenoid valve is opened to allow the second target gas to enter the pipeline (23) from the second inlet (21). Second, the first solenoid valve is opened to allow the second target gas to enter the enricher (22) from the second inlet (21) and be enriched in the enricher (22). When the first solenoid valve is open, the second injection port can controllably connect to the target enrichment channel among multiple enrichment channels, and the enrichment channels can be used in turn by switching the target enrichment channels.

2. The trace particle and vapor detection system as described in claim 1, wherein, The second sampling unit further includes a sampling hose adapted to penetrate into the interior of the target to be detected and to deliver the second target gas to the second inlet (21).

3. The trace particle and vapor detection system as described in claim 1, wherein, When the first solenoid valve is open, the second injection port can controllably connect to the target enrichment channel among the plurality of enrichment channels.

4. The trace particle and vapor detection system as described in claim 1, wherein, The detection unit includes: The detector (33) is suitable for detecting the first target gas and the enriched second target gas. The detector (33) is equipped with a gas pump, which is suitable for driving the second inlet to receive the second target gas.

5. The trace particle and vapor detection system as described in claim 4, wherein, The detection unit also includes: A first semi-permeable membrane (31) is disposed between the pyrolysis adsorber (12) and the detector (33) and is suitable for selectively filtering the first target gas.

6. The trace particle and vapor detection system as described in claim 4, wherein, The detection unit also includes: The second semi-permeable membrane (32) is disposed between the enricher (22) and the detector (33) and is suitable for selectively filtering the second target gas.

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