Rapid-cooled coiled chromatography column module

Abstract

This invention provides a rapidly cooled coiled chromatography column module that enables reduced time between analysis cycles. [Solution] The gas chromatograph incorporates a rapidly cooled coiled chromatography column module 100. The rapidly cooled coiled chromatography column module 100 includes a chassis 120, a cooling radial fan 140, and a temperature sensor 180. The coiled chromatography column is positioned radially away from the rotatable fan blades 142 and is held in the chassis 120 so as to radially surround the cooling radial fan 140. The operation of the fan is controlled by the temperature of the coiled chromatography column detected by the temperature sensor 180.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a rapidly cooled coiled chromatography column module.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] In the drilling industry, rapid and accurate gas chromatographic mud logging has been required for many years. Current gas chromatographs that can detect and quantify "light" organic substances (i.e. C 1-5 ) require several minutes per cycle, and thus are not suitable for application to mud logging. This is because the drill bit will have moved a considerable distance before the results of each test are obtained and appropriate drilling adjustments can be made.

[0003] The present inventors have found that in gas chromatographs used for the detection and quantification of light organic substances, the main parameter contributing to the extended time between analysis cycles is the length of the cooling period between analyses. Accordingly, the present inventors have developed a compact module capable of rapidly cooling a coiled chromatography column. This significantly shortens the cooling period, and can reduce each analysis cycle time of the gas chromatograph.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] A first aspect of the present invention is a rapidly cooled coiled chromatography column module, which includes a chassis, a cooling radial fan, a coiled chromatography column, and a temperature sensor. The cooling radial fan has fan blades rotatable about an axis fixed to the chassis. The coiled chromatography column is held on the chassis so as to radially surround the cooling radial fan while maintaining a constant radial distance from the rotatable fan blades. The temperature sensor is configured and arranged to detect the temperature of the coiled chromatography column and transmit a signal indicative of the detected temperature to an on-off controller. The cooling radial fan is provided with rotatable fan blades that rotate about a shaft fixed to the chassis.

[0005] A second aspect of the present invention is a gas chromatograph incorporating one or more rapid-cooling coil-shaped chromatography column modules according to the first aspect. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of an exploded view of one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a rear perspective view of a fully assembled embodiment of the present invention, schematically showing a coiled chromatography column. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is a front view of the fully assembled embodiment shown. [Figure 4] Figure 2 is a schematic side view of the open side of a fully assembled embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a coiled chromatography column. [Figure 5] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a gas chromatograph equipped with a pair of rapidly cooled coiled chromatography column modules. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] In this specification (including the claims), "thermal insulation" means that the value of the thermal conductivity k is less than 3 W / mK, "high thermal insulation" means that the value of the thermal conductivity k is less than 1 W / mK, and "excellent thermal insulation" means that the value of the thermal conductivity k is less than 0.5 W / mK.

[0008] As shown in Figures 1-4, the present invention relates to a rapidly cooled coiled chromatography column module 100 and a gas chromatograph 10 incorporating one or more rapidly cooled coiled chromatography column modules 100. The rapidly cooled coiled chromatography column module 100 includes a chassis 120, a cooling radial fan 140, a coiled chromatography column 160, and a temperature sensor 180.

[0009] As shown in Figures 1-4, one embodiment of the chassis 120 includes a partitioning unit 120m, a faceplate unit 120n fixed to the partitioning unit 120m and defining a partition 129, and a plurality of standoffs 127 arranged radially and spaced apart between the partitioning unit 120m and the faceplate unit 120n.

[0010] As shown in Figures 2-4, the assembled chassis 120 has a first side 121, a second side 122, a third side 123, a fourth side 124, a first surface 125, and a second surface 126, with one or more sides open or partially open. The assembled chassis 120 defines a section 129 having a longitudinal height between the first side 121 and the third side 123, a lateral width between the second side 122 and the fourth side 124, and a lateral depth between the first surface 125 and the second surface 126.

[0011] As shown in Figures 1-4, the cooling radial fan 140 is located within compartment 129 and fixed to the chassis 120. The rotation axis 140a of the cooling radial fan 140 extends laterally. Electrical leads 157 extend from the cooling radial fan 140 through the chassis 120 to supply power to a power source (not shown). The fan blades 142 of the cooling radial fan 140 rotate around the rotation axis 140a, blowing a cooling airflow radially outward 140r from the vicinity of the rotation axis 140a to the sides 121, 122, 123, and 124 of the chassis 120.

[0012] As shown in Figures 1-3, the first surface 125 and the second surface 126 of the chassis 120 can be provided with air inlets 129m and 129n, respectively, to facilitate the intake of air in the rotation axis direction 140a into the compartment 129.

[0013] As shown in Figure 4, the coiled chromatography column 160 is fixed by the chassis 120 and positioned to radially surround the cooling radial fan 140. In this arrangement, the fan blades 142 are spaced radially 140r apart from the column, so that the airflow generated by the cooling radial fan 140 can contact the coiled chromatography column 160 almost uninterruptedly around its entire circumference.

[0014] The coiled chromatography column 160 can be wound in any way, but a uniform single-layer helical structure or a basketweave single-layer helical structure is preferred as it provides an excellent exposed surface area for contact with the airflow generated from the cooling radial fan 140.

[0015] The preferred radial distance between the coiled chromatography column 160 and the rotatable fan blade 142 is 2 mm to 20 mm, more preferably 3 mm to 10 mm. If the distance is less than approximately 2 mm, there is a risk of damage due to contact between the coiled chromatography column 160 and the rotatable fan blade 142 over time. On the other hand, if the distance exceeds approximately 20 mm, the cooling effect of the airflow generated by the rotating fan blade 142 is unnecessarily reduced.

[0016] A coiled chromatography column 160 typically exhibits a radially outward bias of 140r when wound into a coil, towards the unwinding state. Therefore, it is easily held in place by axially extending members spaced circumferentially. That is, by positioning the coiled chromatography column 160 radially inward of the standoff 127, the standoff 127 functions as a stopper, preventing it from unwinding further outward. In a preferred embodiment, the standoff 127 itself may be made of an insulating material (e.g., a plastic with insulating, highly insulating, or excellent insulating properties). Alternatively, a separate insulating spool 130 made of a plastic or other material with insulating, highly insulating, or excellent insulating properties may be attached to each standoff 127. This prevents heat transfer and thermal damage from the standoff 127 and module 100 to other components.

[0017] The coiled chromatography column 160 includes, but is not limited to, boiling point chromatography columns. It may be substantially any type of chromatography column.

[0018] As shown in Figures 2 and 5, the temperature sensor 180 is located in compartment 129 and detects the temperature of the coiled chromatography column 160. It transmits a signal indicating the detected temperature to the controller 200 mounted on the gas chromatograph 10 via the telecommunications lead wire 187, and controls the on / off state of the cooling radial fan 140. More specifically, the controller 200 preferably activates the cooling radial fan 140 when the detected temperature exceeds a first threshold temperature, and stops the cooling radial fan 140 when the detected temperature falls below a second threshold temperature, based on the detected temperature signal received from the temperature sensor 180. The temperature difference ΔT between the first threshold temperature and the second threshold temperature is preferably at least 50°C, and most preferably at least 100°C.

[0019] As shown in Figure 4, a heating wire 190 is wound around the coiled chromatography column 160, so that the test sample flowing through the coiled chromatography column 160 can be heated. An electrical lead 197 extends from the heating wire 190 through the chassis 120, and is connected to a power source (not shown). The heating wire 190 can also communicate with the controller 200 via an electrical communication lead 187 to perform on-off control.

Description of Reference Signs

[0020] 10 Gas chromatograph 100 Rapidly cooled coiled chromatography column module 120 Chassis 120m Chassis partition forming unit 120n Chassis face plate unit 121 First side face of the assembled chassis 122 Second side face of the assembled chassis 123 Third side face of the assembled chassis 124 Fourth side face of the assembled chassis (open side face) 125 First face of the assembled chassis 126 Second face of the assembled chassis 127 Standoff 129 Compartment defined by the chassis 129m Air inlet penetrating through the chassis partition forming unit 129n Air inlet penetrating through the chassis face plate unit 130 Heat insulating spool 140 Cooling radial fan 142 Fan blade 140a Rotational axis direction of the cooling radial fan 140r Radial direction of the cooling radial fan 157 Electrical lead for power supply to the cooling radial fan 160 Coiled chromatography column 180 Temperature sensor 187 Electrical communication lead between the temperature sensor and the controller 190 Heating wire 197 Electrical lead wires for supplying power to the heating element 200 controllers

Claims

1. A rapidly cooled coiled chromatography column module, (a) Chassis and (b) A cooling radial fan fixed to the chassis, having fan blades that can rotate around an axis, (c) A coiled chromatography column held in the chassis so as to radially surround the cooling radial fan while maintaining a constant radial distance from the rotatable fan blades, and (d) A temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the coiled chromatography column and transmits a signal indicating the detected temperature to the on / off controller, A rapidly cooled coiled chromatography column module including [specific component].

2. Furthermore, the rapid cooling coil chromatography column module according to claim 1, further comprising (e) a controller capable of communicating with the temperature sensor to activate the cooling radial fan when the detected temperature exceeds a first threshold temperature and to stop the cooling radial fan when the detected temperature falls below a second threshold temperature.

3. Furthermore, the rapid-cooling coiled chromatography column module according to claim 1 is further equipped with a heating wire wound around the coiled chromatography column to heat the sample flowing through the coiled chromatography column.

4. The rapid cooling coiled chromatography column module according to claim 1, wherein the airflow generated by the cooling radial fan is in continuous contact with the coiled chromatography column over its entire 360 ​​degrees.

5. The rapid-cooled coiled chromatography column module according to claim 1, wherein the coiled chromatography column is a coiled boiling point chromatography column.

6. The rapid cooling coiled chromatography column module according to claim 1, wherein the radial distance between the coiled chromatography column and the rotatable fan blade is 2 mm to 20 mm.

7. The rapid-cooling coiled chromatography column module according to claim 6, wherein the radial distance between the coiled chromatography column and the rotatable fan blade is 3 mm to 10 mm.

8. The rapid-cooling coil-shaped chromatography column module according to claim 2, wherein the temperature difference ΔT between the first threshold temperature and the second threshold temperature is at least 50°C.

9. The rapid-cooling coil-shaped chromatography column module according to claim 2, wherein the temperature difference ΔT between the first threshold temperature and the second threshold temperature is at least 100°C.

10. The rapid-cooled coiled chromatography column module according to claim 1, wherein the coiled chromatography column is uniformly wound as a single-layer helical structure.

11. The rapid-cooled coiled chromatography column module according to claim 10, wherein the coiled chromatography column has a single-layer basket-weave helical structure.

12. The rapid-cooling coiled chromatography column module according to claim 1, wherein the coiled chromatography column held in the chassis is held by axially extending insulating members arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction.

13. The rapid-cooling coil-shaped chromatography column module according to claim 12, wherein the axially extending heat insulating members, which are spaced apart in the circumferential direction, are cylindrical plastic spools.

14. The rapid-cooling coiled chromatography column module according to claim 1, wherein the coiled chromatography column held in the chassis is held by highly insulating, axially extending members arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction.

15. The rapid-cooling coil-shaped chromatography column module according to claim 14, wherein the highly heat-insulating, axially extending members, which are spaced apart in the circumferential direction, are cylindrical spools made of plastic.

16. The rapid-cooling coiled chromatography column module according to claim 1, wherein the coiled chromatography column held in the chassis is held by axially extending members with excellent thermal insulation properties, which are spaced apart in the circumferential direction.

17. The rapid-cooling coil-shaped chromatography column module according to claim 16, wherein the axially extending members having excellent heat insulation properties, which are spaced apart in the circumferential direction, are cylindrical spools made of plastic.

18. A gas chromatograph comprising a rapidly cooled coiled chromatography column module as described in claim 1.

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