Ion chromatography detector combining conductivity detection and optical detection

Abstract

The invention is applicable to the field of ion chromatography detection, and provides an electric conductivity detection and optical detection combined ion chromatography detector, which comprises a detection base, grooves are formed in the upper end and the lower end of the base, and electrode plates are installed in the grooves. Wherein a flow path is arranged in the middle of the detection base, the flow path is in a linear form in the detection base and penetrates through the detection base, and a liquid inlet connector and a liquid outlet connector which are communicated with the flow path are formed in the detection base; quartz lenses corresponding to the two ends of the flow path respectively are mounted on the detection base; a lamp panel fixing seat and a PD light source receiving plate are respectively mounted on two side surfaces, corresponding to the two groups of quartz lenses, of the detection base; through holes corresponding to the flow paths are formed in the lamp panel fixing seat and the PD fixing seat; lamp panels corresponding to the through holes in position are mounted on the lamp panel fixing seat; and a PD light source receiving plate corresponding to the position of the through hole is mounted on the PD fixing seat. Therefore, the device can carry out conductivity detection and optical detection at the same time; and the structure is compact and the size is small.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention is applicable to the field of ion chromatography detection and provides an ion chromatography detector that combines conductivity detection and optical detection. Background Technology

[0002] Ion chromatography is widely used in environmental monitoring, food testing, pharmaceutical analysis, water quality analysis, petrochemicals, and many other fields. The detector is a crucial component, determining the range of substances it can detect and its sensitivity. Currently, there are three main types of ion chromatography detectors: conductivity detectors, amperometric detectors, and optical detectors.

[0003] Conductivity detectors are versatile and applicable to most ionic compounds, but they have poor selectivity, responding to all conductive substances and are susceptible to matrix interference, thus affecting sensitivity. Ampere detectors offer high selectivity, strong anti-interference capabilities, and high sensitivity, but they are only suitable for electroactive substances, and their electrodes are easily contaminated, requiring regular maintenance and replacement. Optical detectors offer high selectivity, high detection sensitivity, and no conductivity interference, but they can only be applied to substances with chromophores, resulting in low versatility. All three types of detectors have their advantages and disadvantages in terms of versatility and sensitivity; none can achieve a perfect balance of versatility and anti-interference capabilities. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the aforementioned deficiencies, the present invention aims to provide an ion chromatography detector that combines conductivity detection and optical detection, in order to solve the problems raised in the background art. The device includes an outer housing of the detector and a detection base installed inside it. The detection base has grooves at both the top and bottom, and electrode plates are installed inside the grooves. The detection base has a flow path in the middle, which is straight inside the detection base and runs through the detection base. The detection base has a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet, both of which are connected to the flow path. The detection base is equipped with quartz lenses corresponding to both ends of the flow path; a lamp plate fixing seat and a PD light source receiving board are respectively installed on the two sides of the detection base corresponding to the two sets of quartz lenses. Both the lamp plate mounting base and the PD mounting base are provided with through holes corresponding to the flow path. The lamp plate mounting base is equipped with a lamp plate corresponding to the position of the through hole at the end away from the detection base. The PD mounting base is equipped with a PD light source receiving plate corresponding to the position of the through hole at the end away from the detection base.

[0005] Furthermore, the flow path includes a straight flow path that penetrates the detection base, and an inlet flow path and an outlet flow path with one end open on a different side from the two ends of the straight flow path and the other end on the same side as the two ends of the straight flow path, respectively. The two ports on different sides of the liquid inlet flow path and the liquid outlet flow path are respectively connected to the liquid inlet interface and the liquid outlet interface; Both of the quartz lenses are provided with optical path sealing gaskets between themselves and the detection base. The optical path sealing gaskets are provided with flow path grooves, which enable the inlet flow path and the outlet flow path to be connected to the straight flow path.

[0006] Furthermore, the detector's outer housing includes a lower base and a constant-temperature upper base, with a heating element fixedly connected to the bottom of the lower base.

[0007] Furthermore, a temperature sensor is installed on the lower base and penetrates inside the lower base; a temperature control switch is provided on the lower base.

[0008] Furthermore, a heating pipe for heating is installed on the top of the constant temperature upper base, and a pipe cover plate is installed on the constant temperature upper base.

[0009] Furthermore, the heating pipe is a heating resistance wire with an external insulating coating.

[0010] Furthermore, the detection base is made of aluminum alloy.

[0011] Therefore, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: 1. Introducing optical detection into the conductivity detector can eliminate interference from other ions due to their close elution times; 2. Pressing the sample tube into the heated aluminum alloy allows for rapid preheating of the sample inside the tube; 3. Conductivity detection and optical detection share a single flow path, resulting in a compact structure and small size. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 Exploded view of the detector structure; Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the optical path sealing gasket; Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the detector flow path structure. Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the detector's internal structure. In the diagram: 01-Straight flow path; 02-Inlet flow path; 03-Outlet flow path; 1-Lower base; 11-Heating element; 12-Temperature control switch; 13-Temperature sensor; 2-Detection base; 21-Inlet interface; 22-Outlet interface; 31-Upper electrode; 32-Lower electrode; 4-Optical path sealing gasket; 40-Flow path groove; 41-First quartz lens; 42-Second quartz lens; 51-PD mounting base; 52-Lamp board mounting base; 6-PD light source receiving board; 7-Lamp board; 8-Constant temperature upper base; 9-Pipeline cover. Detailed Implementation

[0013] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments.

[0014] It should be noted that, in the description of this invention, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more; the terms "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "inner," "outer," "front end," "rear end," "head," "tail," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," "third," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0015] Furthermore, in the description of this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected" and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0016] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the invention.

[0017] See Figure 1-4 The purpose of this invention is to provide an ion chromatography detector that combines conductivity detection and optical detection, comprising an outer housing of the detector composed of a lower base 1 and a constant-temperature upper base 8; The detector's outer housing houses a detection base 2, which has grooves at both its upper and lower ends. Electrode plates are installed inside both grooves. Specifically, the electrode plates include an upper electrode 31 and a lower electrode 32. The detection base 2 has embedding slots at both its upper and lower ends, with the upper electrode 31 and lower electrode 32 respectively embedded in these slots. The upper electrode 31 and lower electrode 32 are electrically connected to external detection equipment.

[0018] The detection base 2 has a flow path in the middle, see appendix for details. Figure 3The flow path is a straight line inside the detection base 2 and runs through the detection base 2. The detection base 2 is provided with a liquid inlet 21 and a liquid outlet 22. Both the liquid inlet 21 and the liquid outlet 22 are connected to the flow path to realize the introduction and discharge of the sample solution.

[0019] Quartz lenses, corresponding to the two ends of the flow path, are installed on two opposite sides of the detection base 2. Simultaneously, lamp plate mounting bases 52 and PD light source receiving boards 6 are installed on two sides of the detection base 2 corresponding to the two sets of quartz lenses, respectively. See the appendix for details. Figure 2 As shown, the quartz lens includes a first quartz lens 41 and a second quartz lens 42. The first quartz lens 41 is installed between the lamp plate fixing seat 52 and the detection base 2, and the second quartz lens 42 is installed between the PD light source receiving board 6 and the detection base 2.

[0020] Both the lamp plate mounting base 52 and the PD mounting base 51 are provided with through holes corresponding to the flow path. The lamp plate 7 corresponding to the position of the through hole is installed at the end of the lamp plate mounting base 52 away from the detection base 2; the PD light source receiving plate 6 corresponding to the position of the through hole is installed at the end of the PD mounting base 51 away from the detection base 2.

[0021] Therefore, the through-hole design allows the light emitted from the light-emitting element on the lamp plate 7 to pass sequentially through the lamp plate mounting base 52, the second quartz lens 42, the flow path, the first quartz lens 41, and the PD mounting base 51, directly onto the PD light source receiving plate 6. Based on the above configuration, the detector can perform optical detection of the solution through the combination of the lamp plate 7 and the PD light source receiving plate 6; and perform conductivity testing of the solution through the combination of the upper electrode 31 and the lower electrode 32.

[0022] In other words, this flow path is located within the detection base 2, and fluid can be introduced into the flow path. The conductivity of the fluid can be detected by the upper electrode 31 and lower electrode 32 located at its upper and lower ends, respectively. Simultaneously, the fluid inside this flow path can also be optically detected by the lamp plate 7 and PD light source receiving plate 6 at its lateral ends. Unlike existing technologies, although existing devices can simultaneously perform optical and conductivity detection, the detection devices are not located at the same point in the flow path, making it impossible to obtain detection results under the same external environment under consistent temperature or other conditions.

[0023] For example, in the technical solution of the present invention, Preferably, a heating element 11 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the lower base 1, and a temperature sensor 13 is installed inside the lower base 1; simultaneously, a temperature control switch 12 is provided on the lower base 1. Both the temperature sensor 13 and the temperature control switch 12 are electrically connected to an external control system. Thus, the external control system can detect and adjust the internal temperature of the ion chromatography detector in real time.

[0024] Preferably, a heating pipe for heating is installed on the top of the constant temperature upper base 8. The heating pipe can be a heating resistance wire with an external insulating coating. A pipe cover plate 9 is installed on the constant temperature upper base 8. The heating pipe is located between the constant temperature upper base 8 and the pipe cover plate 9, which can rapidly preheat the sample solution inside the ion chromatography detector of the present invention.

[0025] Preferably, the detection base 2 is made of aluminum alloy, and the flow path is pressed inside the heated aluminum alloy, which can quickly preheat the sample inside the tube.

[0026] Based on the heating configuration described above, the optical conductivity and electrical conductivity of the fluid within the flow path can be detected under different temperature conditions. This solves the problem of existing detection equipment requiring external heating devices to detect temperature changes. Furthermore, the heating configuration is highly integrated with the detection device itself, achieving a reduction in size while providing rich functionality.

[0027] On the other hand, existing testing equipment requires external heating devices to detect electrical conductivity and optical conductivity at different temperatures. However, the placement of the heating device at different monitoring points on existing testing equipment creates temperature differences between these points, resulting in discrepancies between the two detection methods. This new device, however, ensures that the detection points for optical and electrical conductivity detection are aligned, achieving high integration while minimizing detection errors caused by varying detection conditions at different points.

[0028] Preferably, in the ion chromatography detector of the present invention, the two ends of the flow path are respectively disposed on two opposite sides of the detection base 2, and the first quartz lens 41 and the second quartz lens 42 correspond to the liquid inlet and liquid outlet of the flow path, respectively. For details, see the appendix. Figure 2 As shown, the flow path includes a straight flow path 01 that runs through the detection base 2, and an inlet flow path 02 and an outlet flow path 03, each with one end open to a different side from the two ends of the straight flow path 01 and the other end open to the same side as the two ends of the straight flow path 01, respectively. Simultaneously, the two ports of the inlet flow path 02 and the outlet flow path 03, which are on different sides from the two ends of the straight flow path 01, are respectively connected to the inlet port 21 and the outlet port 22.

[0029] In other words, the liquid inlet 21 and the liquid outlet 22 are located on the same side of the detection base 2, corresponding to the two ports of the liquid inlet flow path 02 and the liquid outlet flow path 03, respectively. The other two ports corresponding to the liquid inlet flow path 02 and the liquid outlet flow path 03 are on the same side as the two ports of the straight flow path 01.

[0030] At this point, see Appendix Figure 2As shown, optical path sealing gaskets 4 are provided between the two quartz lenses and the detection base 2. Flow path grooves 40 are provided on the optical path sealing gaskets 4, which allow the inlet flow path 02 and the outlet flow path 03 to be connected to the straight flow path 01. Therefore, when the device connected to the inlet port 21 supplies liquid, the solution sequentially passes through the inlet flow path 02, the optical path sealing gasket 4 between the first quartz lens 41 and the detection base 2, the straight flow path 01, the optical path sealing gasket 4 between the detection base 2 and the second quartz lens 42, and the outlet flow path 03, finally exiting from the outlet port 22.

[0031] This makes the flow path to be detected a straight flow path 01. The straight flow path 01 itself is isolated from the inlet flow path 02 and the outlet flow path 03, which better enables conductivity and optical conductivity detection of the same flow path.

[0032] In actual use, the sample solution is introduced through the inlet port 21, flows sequentially through the inlet flow path 02, the flow path groove 40 on the optical path sealing gasket 4, the straight flow path 01, the flow path groove 40 on the other side of the optical path sealing gasket 4, and the outlet flow path 03, and is finally discharged from the outlet port 22. During this process, the heating element 11 located on the lower base 1, the heating pipe in the constant temperature upper base 8, and the aluminum alloy detection base 2 work together to quickly and uniformly preheat and maintain the temperature of the sample in the flow path. The temperature sensor 13 and the temperature control switch 12 work together to ensure a stable detection environment temperature.

[0033] The light emitted by the lamp board 7 passes sequentially through the through hole of the lamp board mounting base 52, the second quartz lens 42, the sample in the flow path, the first quartz lens 41, and the through hole of the PD mounting base 51, and is finally received by the PD light source receiving board 6. This process completes the optical detection of the sample. Meanwhile, the upper electrode 31 and the lower electrode 32 simultaneously measure the conductivity of the sample flowing through the straight flow path 01, thereby realizing the synchronous and in-situ acquisition of optical and conductivity data.

[0034] Therefore, this device can achieve continuous temperature control, optical absorption detection, and conductivity measurement of the sample solution in the same flow path through an integrated structure. This not only significantly improves detection efficiency and data synchronization, but also ensures rapid balance and stability of sample temperature by using an aluminum alloy detection base 2 and a dual-path heating design. This effectively reduces the impact of temperature fluctuations on the accuracy of optical and conductivity detection, and helps to improve detection sensitivity and reproducibility.

[0035] Of course, the present invention may have other various embodiments. Without departing from the spirit and essence of the present invention, those skilled in the art can make various corresponding changes and modifications according to the present invention, but these corresponding changes and modifications should all fall within the protection scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An ion chromatography detector combining conductivity detection and optical detection, characterized in that, Includes the detector's outer housing and the detection base installed inside it (2); The detection base (2) has grooves at both the top and bottom, and electrode plates are installed inside the grooves; The detection base (2) has a flow path in the middle. The flow path is straight inside the detection base (2) and runs through the detection base (2). The detection base (2) has a liquid inlet (21) and a liquid outlet (22). The liquid inlet (21) and the liquid outlet (22) are both connected to the flow path. The detection base (2) is equipped with quartz lenses corresponding to both ends of the flow path; the detection base (2) is equipped with a lamp plate fixing seat (52) and a PD light source receiving plate (6) on the two sides corresponding to the two sets of quartz lenses. Both the lamp plate mounting base (52) and the PD mounting base (51) are provided with through holes corresponding to the flow path. The lamp plate mounting base (52) is equipped with a lamp plate (7) corresponding to the position of the through hole at one end away from the detection base (2). The PD mounting base (51) is equipped with a PD light source receiving plate (6) corresponding to the position of the through hole at one end away from the detection base (2).

2. The ion chromatography detector combining conductivity detection and optical detection according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flow path includes a straight flow path (01) that runs through the detection base (2), and an inlet flow path (02) and an outlet flow path (03) that have one end open on a different side from the two ends of the straight flow path (01) and the other end on the same side as the two ends of the straight flow path (01). The two ports on different sides of the liquid inlet flow path (02) and liquid outlet flow path (03) are respectively connected to the liquid inlet interface (21) and the liquid outlet interface (22) of the straight flow path (01). Optical path sealing gaskets (4) are provided between the two quartz lenses and the detection base (2). The optical path sealing gaskets (4) are provided with flow path grooves (40). The flow path grooves (40) make the inlet flow path (02) and the outlet flow path (03) both connected to the straight flow path (01).

3. The ion chromatography detector combining conductivity detection and optical detection according to claim 1, characterized in that, The detector's outer housing includes a lower base (1) and a constant-temperature upper base (8), with a heating element (11) fixedly connected to the bottom of the lower base (1).

4. The ion chromatography detector combining conductivity detection and optical detection according to claim 3, characterized in that, A temperature sensor (13) is installed on the lower base (1) and passes through the interior of the lower base (1); a temperature control switch (12) is provided on the lower base (1).

5. The ion chromatography detector combining conductivity detection and optical detection according to claim 3, characterized in that, The top of the constant temperature upper base (8) is equipped with a heating pipe for heating, and a pipe cover plate (9) is installed on the constant temperature upper base (8).

6. The ion chromatography detector combining conductivity detection and optical detection according to claim 5, characterized in that, The heating pipe is a heating resistance wire with an external insulating coating.

7. The ion chromatography detector combining conductivity detection and optical detection according to claim 1, characterized in that, The detection base (2) is made of aluminum alloy.

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