Gas analysis system and gas analysis method

Abstract

To facilitate setting of measuring conditions and analysis conditions suitable for the analysis purpose for a gas sensor capable of detecting a number of gas kinds.SOLUTION: A gas analysis system includes a gas sensor 2 arranged within a measuring space 10, and a gas database 55 accumulating at least analysis purposes, measuring conditions and analysis conditions for gas analysis examples implemented in the gas analysis system. The system retrieves similar examples from the gas database on the basis of the analysis purpose for a gas in the measuring space, sets to the gas sensor parameters of the measuring condition in the similar example to the gas sensor, and receives a measured result by the gas sensor to implement analysis for the gas in the measuring space on the basis of parameters of analysis condition and an algorithm in the similar sample.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a gas analysis system and a gas analysis method.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for detecting substances using a nio sensor capable of detecting substances in an atmosphere. In Patent Document 1, a membrane-type surface stress sensor (MSS) is used as the nio sensor. The MSS includes a plurality of MSS elements having different sensitive film materials, and enables detection of various substances based on the pattern of the output data of the entire MSS obtained by synthesizing the output data generated when substances are adsorbed on the MSS elements. Therefore, since the behavior of the sensor data changes depending on each substance to be analyzed and further depending on the environmental conditions, an analyzer according to the environmental conditions is required, and it is pointed out that implementing a large number of analyzers is a problem in detecting various substances with MSS.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a gas sensor (photoacoustic sensor) that utilizes the photoacoustic effect of enclosing a measurement gas in a housing that forms a closed space called a cell, irradiating light in a pulsed manner to generate an acoustic wave, and identifying a gas component from the peak frequency (the frequency at which the intensity is maximum) of this acoustic wave.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Conventional gas sensors have widely used metal oxides and organic semiconductor thin films as sensor elements, detecting specific chemical substances by detecting changes in their properties due to adhesion. Therefore, they lack versatility. While the MSS disclosed in Patent Document 1 can detect multiple types of substances by implementing multiple analyzers, it relies on the adsorption phenomenon to the sensitive film, thus limiting the substances that can be detected by the MSS.

[0006] In contrast, the photoacoustic sensor disclosed in Patent Document 2 utilizes the photoacoustic effect, where intermittently (pulsed) irradiation with light of a specific wavelength causes molecules that absorb the light to undergo thermal expansion and contraction, generating acoustic waves. Therefore, it is possible to obtain information about various components (substances) contained in a gas.

[0007] Thus, photoacoustic sensors can detect a dramatically wider variety of substances than conventional gas sensors. This is because, as long as the photoacoustic effect occurs, the presence of a substance is reflected in the output signal. For this reason, it is expected that photoacoustic sensors will be able to expand into a wide range of applications where conventional gas sensors have not been used.

[0008] If the substance to be detected is known, it is possible to set suitable measurement and analysis conditions for that substance in the photoacoustic sensor. However, there are situations where the substance to be detected by a gas sensor is unknown, such as when a substance is detected as an odor by humans but the substance in the gas is unknown, or when it is necessary to detect some gas component that is a sign of spoilage or deterioration. In such cases, it is necessary to be able to set measurement and analysis conditions according to the application. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A gas analysis system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a gas sensor placed in a measurement space; a gas database that stores at least the analysis purpose, measurement conditions, and analysis conditions for gas analysis cases performed by the gas analysis system; an analysis method determination unit that searches for similar cases from the gas database based on the analysis purpose of the gas in the measurement space; and an analysis calculation unit that sets the parameters of the measurement conditions in similar cases to the gas sensor, receives the measurement results from the gas sensor, and performs analysis of the gas in the measurement space based on the parameters and algorithm of the analysis conditions in similar cases. Furthermore, the gas sensor is a photoacoustic sensor that identifies the type of gas by utilizing the photoacoustic effect that occurs when light is shone on the gas in the measurement space. . [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] For gas sensors capable of detecting multiple gas species, this invention facilitates the setting of measurement and analysis conditions suitable for analytical purposes. Other challenges and novel features will become apparent from the description and accompanying drawings in this specification. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1A] This is the first example of a gas analysis system. [Figure 1B] This is a second example of a gas analysis system. [Figure 2] This is the basic configuration of a gas sensor. [Figure 3] This is an example of a hardware configuration for an information processing device. [Figure 4] This is a functional block diagram of a gas analyzer. [Figure 5] This is an example of a data structure for a gas database. [Figure 6] This is a flowchart of the gas analysis process. [Figure 7] This is an example of a photoacoustic signal spectrum. [Figure 8] This is a diagram illustrating the first analysis example. [Figure 9] This is a diagram illustrating the second analysis example. [Figure 10] This is a diagram illustrating the third analysis example.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] Figure 1A shows a first example of a gas analysis system. The space where the gas to be measured exists is called a measurement space. The gas analysis system 1a includes a gas analyzer 4, a user terminal 5 accessed by a user, and an administrator terminal 6 accessed by a service provider, and these are communicably connected to each other by a network 7a. Here, a user is a person who has a need to solve some problem by gas analysis, and a service provider is a person who provides gas analysis by the gas analyzer 4 as a service.

[0014] The measurement output of the gas sensor 2 is affected by the temperature and humidity of the measurement space 10. Therefore, in order to simultaneously measure the environment of the measurement space 10 that affects the measurement output, an environmental sensor 3 for measuring temperature, humidity, etc. is provided in the measurement space 10. These are communicably connected to the gas analyzer 4 by a network 7b.

[0015] The type and measurement form of the gas to be measured are not limited. For example, for the purpose of environmental protection or abnormality detection, gas sensors may be arranged in a wide space such as a factory or a warehouse to perform gas analysis. Or, for the purpose of food and cosmetic development and quality assurance, the food or cosmetic to be measured may be placed in a sealed space to perform gas analysis. Thus, the environment of the measurement space may be a strictly controlled environment or an as-is environment depending on the measurement purpose.

[0016] The measurement output of the gas sensor 2 and the measurement output of the environmental sensor 3 are transmitted to the gas analyzer 4, and the gas analyzer 4 executes the measurement of the gas in the measurement space 10. The analysis result by the gas analyzer 4 is displayed on the user terminal 5.

[0017] Figure 1B shows a second example of a gas analysis system. Gas analysis system 1a is configured to be suitable mainly for monitoring measurement results, while gas analysis system 1b is configured to control the device based on the measurement results. The control device 8 receives the measurement results from the gas analyzer 4 and controls the drive device 9. For example, this could be used for air conditioning control, manufacturing line control, plant control, or alarm activation for machinery.

[0018] The gas sensor 2 is a photoacoustic sensor as disclosed in Patent Document 2. The basic configuration of the gas sensor 2 will be explained using Figure 2.

[0019] The gas sensor 2 comprises at least a gas cell 13 that forms an internal space and stores the gas to be measured, light sources A12a to N12n that irradiate the gas in the gas cell 13 with light, and a microphone 15 that detects acoustic waves of the gas in the gas cell 13. The gas cell 13 is provided with at least two connection holes 14 that connect the internal space and the external space within the gas cell 13 in order to circulate the gas within the gas cell 13.

[0020] Light from light sources A12a to N12n is irradiated into the internal space from a light incidence opening formed in the gas cell 13. Various light sources can be used for light sources A12a to N12n, such as semiconductor lasers, gas lasers, and LEDs. Light sources A12a to N12n emit light intermittently (in pulses), supplying light energy to the gas stored in the gas cell 13. As a result, specific gas components in the gas cell 13 repeatedly expand and contract due to thermal expansion, generating acoustic waves.

[0021] The measurable gas components are determined by the wavelength of light emitted from light sources A12a to N12n. One gas component may be detected by a feature quantity based on the acoustic wave characteristics of light from one light source 12, or one gas component may be detected by feature quantities based on multiple acoustic wave characteristics of light from multiple light sources 12. When using LEDs as light sources 12, the desired wavelength can be obtained by using an optical filter that transmits a predetermined wavelength.

[0022] Light sources A12a to N12n are pulsed and controlled by drive circuits A11a to N11n, respectively. Drive circuits A11a to N11n stagger the timing of their emission so that at least one of the light sources A12a to N12n emits light, and sweep the emission frequency to search for the peak frequency at which the intensity of the acoustic wave detected by the microphone 15 is maximized. For this reason, drive circuits A11a to N11n are driven at timings and frequencies determined by the control circuit unit 18. The control circuit unit 18 consists of a microcomputer, input / output circuits, etc., and executes predetermined functions using control software stored in the ROM built into the microcomputer. For example, the control circuit unit 18 has a function to change the frequency of drive circuits A11a to N11n (light source driving function). It may also have a function to determine the type and concentration of gas components from the acoustic wave (gas estimation function).

[0023] The operation of the drive circuit A11a and light source A12a will be described below, but the other drive circuits B11b to N11n and light sources B12b to N12n operate similarly. The acoustic waves generated by the intermittent light emission of light source A12a, detected by microphone 15, are converted into electrical signals by detection circuit 16, and further noise is removed and amplified by signal processing unit 17 before being transmitted to control circuit 18. The control circuit 18 determines the drive frequency of drive circuit A11a that generates the peak frequency at which the intensity of the acoustic waves is maximum.

[0024] In other words, since the emission frequency of light source A12a and the frequency of the acoustic wave are almost identical, the drive frequency of the drive circuit A11a is determined to obtain a more accurate frequency. This drive frequency is generated by the control circuit unit 18 itself, so it is sufficient to determine this drive frequency. The peak frequency at which the intensity of this acoustic wave is maximum, and its intensity, are temporarily stored in memory 19. These are just examples; if there are multiple peak frequencies, each peak frequency may be stored, or the emission frequency dependence (spectrum) of the acoustic wave intensity may be stored. The data to be stored depends on the algorithm used to calculate the feature quantities for detecting the gas component. Memory 19 is a rewritable memory, and can use memory such as battery-backed RAM, flash ROM, or microcomputer RAM.

[0025] Furthermore, the gas sensor 2 is equipped with a communication unit 20 and is connected to the gas analyzer 4 via the network 7b. In order for the gas analyzer 4 to perform gas analysis of the measurement space 10, the measurement results stored in the memory 19 are transmitted to the gas analyzer 4. On the other hand, if the control circuit unit 18 is equipped with a gas estimation function, the measurement results of the environmental sensor 3 are taken in via the gas analyzer 4 to perform gas analysis of the measurement space 10, and the analysis results (gas estimation results) are transmitted to the gas analyzer 4.

[0026] The gas analyzer 4, user terminal 5, and administrator terminal 6 are each implemented by an information processing device 30, which primarily includes a processor (CPU) 31, memory 32, storage device 33, input device 34, output device 35, communication device 36, and bus 37, as shown in Figure 3. The processor 31 functions as a functional unit that provides predetermined functions by executing processing according to a program loaded into the memory 32. The storage device 33 stores data and programs used by the functional unit. The storage device 33 uses a non-volatile storage medium such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive). The input device 34 is a keyboard, pointing device, etc., and the output device 35 is a display, etc. The communication device 36 enables communication with other information processing devices via a network. These are connected to each other via the bus 37.

[0027] Furthermore, some or all of the functions of the gas analyzer 4 may be implemented as a cloud-based application.

[0028] Figure 4 is a functional block diagram of the gas analyzer 4. The gas analyzer 4 has three functional units: an analysis unit 41, an analysis improvement unit 45, and a storage unit 50. The analysis unit 41 includes an analysis method determination unit 42 that determines an analysis method using gas analysis examples using photoacoustic sensors stored in a gas database (gas DB) 55, and an analysis calculation unit 43 that performs gas analysis based on the determined analysis method. For example, the aroma DB 56 stores characteristic quantities measured for each substance, and the analysis calculation unit 43 identifies the gas contained in the gas by comparing the measured characteristic quantities with the characteristic quantities stored in the aroma DB 56. The analysis improvement unit 45 includes a database update unit 46 that updates the gas DB 55 and an analysis calculation adjustment unit 47 that adjusts the parameters and algorithms of the measurement conditions and analysis conditions for performing gas analysis.

[0029] The memory unit 50 stores setting data 51, which are the measurement conditions and analysis conditions parameters for gas analysis; algorithm data 52, which is the algorithm for performing gas analysis; result data 53, which includes the measurement results performed by the gas sensor 2 and the analysis results based on those measurement results; external data 54 related to gas analysis; gas DB 55, which stores gas analysis examples of the gas analyzer 4; and aroma DB 56, which stores aroma information. The setting data 51 stores the parameters used in the examples registered in the gas DB 55. The algorithm data 52 stores analysis algorithms according to the content of the analysis. Analysis methods vary widely depending on the purpose of the analysis. For example, the appropriate analysis algorithm will differ depending on whether you want to detect a specific odor, detect a specific odor in an environment with unknown interfering odors, or detect some kind of abnormal odor. Therefore, multiple analysis algorithms are stored so that an analysis algorithm according to the purpose of the analysis can be selected. The contents of the result data 53 are reflected in the aroma DB 56 as needed and used for analysis by the gas analyzer 4.

[0030] Figure 5 shows an example of the data structure of the gas database (DB55). The gas database (DB55) stores records of gas analysis cases performed by the gas analysis system. For each case (project), the gas database (DB55) registers the field (61), analysis objective (62), gas type (63), feature quantity (64), measurement conditions (65), analysis conditions (66), analysis results (67), and external evaluation results (68). The field (61) registers the field of the case. The field is classified by the service provider for each case according to the measurement target or analysis task, such as brewing, fragrances, and food. Appropriate classification of cases makes it easier for the gas analyzer (4) to search for cases similar to the project it is about to perform measurements on. Here, an example is shown where one case is assigned to one classification, but the service provider may define tags that indicate the characteristics of a case in advance and assign one or more corresponding tags to the case. The analysis objective (62) registers the analysis objective of the case. For example, "We want to detect the generation of gas A in the brewing process," or "We want to identify characteristic gases contained in brewed alcohol that negatively affect quality." The gas type 63 registers one or more gas types detected in the case. For each gas type registered in gas type 63, feature quantities 64, measurement conditions 65, analysis conditions 66, and analysis results 67 are registered. In the example in Figure 5, one set of measurement conditions and one set of analysis conditions are set for one gas type, but there may be two or more measurement conditions or two or more analysis conditions set for one gas type, in which case records will be added accordingly. Feature quantities 64 register the feature quantities of the acoustic wave of the detected gas type, such as peak frequency, intensity of the acoustic wave at that time, and molecular weight. Measurement conditions 65 register the measurement conditions when the gas type was detected, such as light source wavelength and irradiation time. Analysis conditions 66 register the analysis conditions for detecting the gas type, such as preprocessing methods such as noise reduction processing, an analysis algorithm to identify the gas type from the output of the gas sensor, and a threshold for determining whether or not it is the gas type in question. Analysis results 67 register the results of the analysis performed on the gas type in the case. External evaluation results 68 register the evaluation results related to each case.For example, if the case involves measuring fragrances, the evaluation of human tolerance to the fragrance of that fragrance is registered. Specific examples of external evaluation results 68 will be described later.

[0031] The database format is arbitrary; feature quantities 64, measurement conditions 65, analysis conditions 66, analysis results 67, and external evaluation results 68 may have data directly written to the fields, or the addresses of the storage units 50 where these contents are stored may be written. In this case, the contents of result data 53 can be accessed by following the link for feature quantity 64 or analysis result 67, the contents of setting data 51 can be accessed by following the link for measurement conditions 65 or analysis conditions 66, and the external data 54 can be accessed by following the link for external evaluation results 68.

[0032] Figure 6 illustrates the processing flow of gas analysis using the gas analysis system 1a. In this embodiment, we assume that the user has a specific need to solve a problem by measuring gas, but does not have knowledge of what type of gas is causing the problem. Therefore, this embodiment utilizes measurement and analysis conditions from similar cases.

[0033] The administrator terminal 6 inputs the user's analysis objective to the gas analyzer 4 (S01). In this embodiment, the gas analysis is described assuming that the service provider performs it, but it may also be performed by the user themselves. The analysis method determination unit 42 compares the input analysis objective with the analysis objective 62 in the gas DB 55 (see Figure 5) and searches for similar cases (S02). In the search, classification and other information may be used to narrow down the results. The service provider uses the measurement conditions and analysis conditions of the searched similar cases as the measurement conditions and analysis conditions for this case (S03) and performs the gas analysis (S04).

[0034] Figure 7 shows an example of a photoacoustic signal spectrum obtained by the control circuit unit 18 of the gas sensor 2. The horizontal axis represents the emission frequency, and the vertical axis represents the intensity of the acoustic wave. Different photoacoustic signal spectra can be obtained by irradiating with light from light sources of different wavelengths. Photoacoustic signal spectra 71-73 are obtained by emitting light from LEDs 1-3 of different wavelengths for the same gas species. For example, the emission frequency and acoustic wave intensity of the peaks in the photoacoustic signal spectrum can be used as features to identify the gas species. The gas species can be identified using the photoacoustic signal spectrum of an LED of a certain wavelength, or by using the photoacoustic signal spectra of LEDs of multiple wavelengths. For example, in the example in Figure 7, the maximum peaks of the photoacoustic signal spectra are obtained at the same emission frequency, and it is also possible to identify the gas species from the ratio of these photoacoustic signal intensities. The analysis method should be one that can distinguish the target gas species from other gas species with high sensitivity. Such photoacoustic signal spectra or features extracted from photoacoustic signal spectra are registered in the Aroma DB56 along with the substance name and measurement conditions.

[0035] If the analytical objective is not achieved by the gas analysis, review the measurement conditions or analytical conditions (S03) and perform the gas analysis again (S04). Alternatively, search the gas database again (S02), determine the measurement conditions and analytical conditions for the gas analysis again based on another similar case (S03), and perform the gas analysis again (S04).

[0036] If the analysis objective is achieved, the analysis is completed and the gas analysis results are displayed on the user terminal 5 (S06). The analysis calculation adjustment unit 47 stores the measurement conditions and analysis conditions adjusted based on the conditions set during the gas analysis process as setting data 51 for that case, making them available for reuse (S07). The database update unit 46 updates the database by adding information about the performed gas analysis to the gas DB 55 and adding the gas analysis results to the aroma DB 56 (S08).

[0037] The following describes an example of analysis using Gas DB55.

[0038] (Analysis Example 1) Figure 8 shows the first analysis example. The purpose of the analysis was to "detect abnormalities during brewing at an early stage." Under the initial measurement and analysis conditions, gas types X, Y, and Z were identified using measurement and analysis conditions that detect unspecified gas types, with gas type X showing the highest intensity. If this result identifies the presence of gas type X as an indicator of an abnormality during brewing, the measurement and analysis conditions are changed to those that accurately detect gas type X, and the measurement is continued.

[0039] If gas analysis is performed continuously in this manner, gas type X is added to the gas database 55 as an example of detection, and the measurement conditions and analysis parameters are stored in the setting data 51. This makes it possible to detect anomalies during brewing by focusing on gas type X from the beginning in similar cases. Note that adding a record is just one example of an update method; the record for the analysis in question may also be updated.

[0040] (Analysis Example 2) Figure 9 shows a second example of analysis. The objective of the analysis is to "evaluate fragrance (A + B)". However, it is assumed that analyses have been conducted in the past for the separate objectives of "evaluating fragrance A" and "evaluating fragrance B". From these past analysis results, the features obtained for the objective of "evaluating fragrance (A + B)" can be estimated. In this case, the features are first calculated from the existing evaluation results without actually performing measurements. If the features calculated from the existing evaluation results are insufficient for the analysis objective, actual measurements are performed. By utilizing past analysis results in this way, analysis results can be obtained early for the analysis objective.

[0041] Figure 9 also shows an example of external evaluation results 68. In this case, the results of sensory evaluation conducted on fragrances A and B are registered as external evaluation results. For example, the user transfers the results of sensory evaluation conducted on fragrances A and B from the user terminal 5 to the gas analyzer 4, and the storage unit 50 of the gas analyzer 4 stores them as external data 54. When the analysis calculation unit 43 displays the results to the user (S06), it displays the sensory evaluation results together with the gas analysis results for the fragrances. In this example, high acceptability was obtained for fragrance A, and particularly high intensity was obtained for gas species L. On the other hand, low acceptability was obtained for fragrance B, and particularly high intensity was obtained for gas species N. From these, it can be inferred that gas species L may be related to a high evaluation, and gas species N may be related to a low evaluation, and these can be recognized as gas species to focus on in the analysis of fragrances. External evaluation results are not limited to the evaluation results of the target, but may be any information related to the purpose of analysis.

[0042] (Analysis Example 3) Figure 10 shows a third analysis example. The purpose of the analysis is to "detect spoilage of vegetables stored in a warehouse in advance." In this example, information on whether the vegetables are spoiled or not is registered as an external evaluation result 68. For example, the user checks the condition of the vegetables stored in the warehouse at the same time as measuring the gas inside the warehouse, transfers the information from the user terminal 5 to the gas analyzer 4, and stores it as external data 54 in the storage unit 50 of the gas analyzer 4. It is also assumed that it was known in advance that gas type O is generated when spoilage occurs.

[0043] In the first measurement shown in record 81, both gas species O and gas species P were detected, but the external evaluation result 68 indicated that spoilage had already begun. On the other hand, in the second measurement shown in record 82, gas species O was not detected, but gas species P was detected. From this, it can be concluded that gas species O is a gas produced by spoilage and is not suitable for pre-detection of spoilage, and further verification of changes in gas species P may provide insights that could lead to pre-detection of spoilage. In this way, by displaying the gas analysis results together with the external evaluation results, the analysis calculation unit 43 allows the user to continue measurement and analysis while changing the gas species of focus.

[0044] In analysis example 3, records may be updated or added as in analysis example 1. For example, the analysis objective "I want to detect vegetable spoilage in advance" may be updated to "I want to detect vegetable spoilage in advance (I want to detect gas type P)," or a record may be added. This update may be based on instructions from the user, or it may be performed automatically by the analysis improvement unit 45. For example, the analysis calculation adjustment unit 47 refers to the external evaluation result 68 and changes the measurement conditions and / or analysis conditions so that the measurement target is narrowed down to only gas types detected when the external evaluation result is "not spoiled." In other words, the measurement conditions and analysis conditions are changed to measure the narrowed-down gas types. In response to this change, the database update unit 46 updates or adds records to the gas DB 55.

[0045] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and includes various modifications. For example, the embodiments described above are described in detail to make the present invention easier to understand, and are not necessarily limited to those having all the configurations described. Furthermore, it is possible to replace parts of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, and it is also possible to add configurations from other embodiments to the configuration of one embodiment. In addition, it is possible to add, delete, or replace parts of the configuration of each embodiment with other configurations.

[0046] For example, in the embodiment, an example of performing gas analysis with the gas analyzer 4 is shown, but the program that executes the analysis calculation unit 43 of the gas analyzer 4 may be implemented on the user terminal 5 or the control device 8, so that the user performs the analysis calculation. In this case, the setting data 51 and algorithm data 52 required by the analysis calculation unit 43 are also transferred from the gas analyzer 4 to the user. Also, in the flowchart of Figure 6, step S01 describes an example in which the administrator terminal 6 inputs the user's analysis objective to the gas analyzer 4, but the user themselves may input the analysis objective to the gas analyzer 4 from the user terminal 5. Also, in step S06, an example of displaying the gas analysis results on the user terminal 5 is described, but the results may be displayed on the administrator terminal 6, or on both terminals. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 1: Gas analysis system, 2: Gas sensor, 3: Environmental sensor, 4: Gas analyzer, 5: User terminal, 6: Administrator terminal, 7: Network, 8: Control device, 9: Drive device, 10: Measurement space, 11: Drive circuit, 12: Light source, 13: Gas cell, 14: Connection port, 15: Microphone, 16: Detection circuit section, 17: Signal processing section, 18: Control circuit section, 19: Memory, 20: Communication section, 30: Information processing device, 31: Processor (CPU), 32: Memory, 33: Storage device, 34: Input device, 35: Output device, 36: Communication device 37: Bus, 41: Analysis unit, 42: Analysis method determination unit, 43: Analysis calculation unit, 45: Analysis improvement unit, 46: Database update unit, 47: Analysis calculation adjustment unit, 50: Storage unit, 51: Setting data, 52: Algorithm data, 53: Result data, 54: External data, 55: Gas database, 56: Aroma database, 61: Field, 62: Analysis purpose, 63: Gas type, 64: Feature quantity, 65: Measurement conditions, 66: Analysis conditions, 67: Analysis results, 68: External evaluation results, 71, 72, 73: Photoacoustic signal spectrum, 81, 82: Record.

Claims

1. A gas analysis system for analyzing gases, A gas sensor placed within the measurement space, Regarding gas analysis cases performed using the aforementioned gas analysis system, a gas database is established that stores at least the analysis purpose, measurement conditions, and analysis conditions, An analysis method determination unit searches for similar cases from the gas database based on the purpose of analyzing the gas in the measurement space, The system includes an analysis calculation unit that sets the parameters of the measurement conditions in the gas sensor as those in the similar case, and, upon receiving the measurement results from the gas sensor, performs an analysis of the gas in the measurement space based on the parameters and algorithm of the analysis conditions in the similar case. The gas sensor is a photoacoustic sensor that identifies the type of gas by utilizing the photoacoustic effect generated when light is irradiated onto the gas in the measurement space, and is part of a gas analysis system.

2. In claim 1, A gas analysis system whose parameters for the measurement conditions include at least one of the wavelength of the light and the irradiation time of the light.

3. In claim 1, The aforementioned gas database further stores characteristic quantities of gas species measured in gas analysis cases performed by the aforementioned gas analysis system. The analysis calculation unit is a gas analysis system that calculates the characteristic quantities of gas types in the gas analysis case of the measurement space from the characteristic quantities of gas types measured in the case stored in the gas database.

4. In claim 1, A database update unit that registers the analysis examples of the gas in the measurement space into the gas database, A gas analysis system comprising: an analysis calculation adjustment unit for registering the parameters of the measurement conditions and the parameters of the analysis conditions in the gas analysis example of the measurement space.

5. In claim 4, The database update unit is a gas analysis system that, when an analysis case of the gas in the measurement space is an analysis case in which analysis is continuously performed and the analysis method is changed, updates the measurement conditions and analysis conditions registered for the gas analysis case of the measurement space in accordance with the change.

6. In claim 4, The analysis calculation adjustment unit is a gas analysis system that, when the parameters of the measurement conditions or the parameters of the analysis conditions are changed in an analysis example of the gas in the measurement space, updates the parameters of the measurement conditions or the parameters of the analysis conditions registered for that gas analysis example in the measurement space to match the change.

7. In claim 4, The aforementioned gas database further stores external evaluation results for gas analysis cases performed by the aforementioned gas analysis system. The analysis calculation adjustment unit is a gas analysis system that changes the measurement conditions and / or analysis conditions according to the external evaluation results.

8. In claim 1, The aforementioned gas database further stores external evaluation results for gas analysis cases performed by the aforementioned gas analysis system. When an external evaluation result is registered for an analysis example of the gas in the measurement space, the analysis calculation unit displays the registered external evaluation result along with the analysis result of the gas in the measurement space on the output device, based on the characteristic quantities of the gas types measured in the examples stored in the gas database.

9. A gas analysis method using a gas analysis system for analyzing gases, The gas analysis system comprises a gas sensor placed in a measurement space, a gas database that stores at least the purpose of analysis, measurement conditions, and analysis conditions for gas analysis cases performed by the gas analysis system, an analysis method determination unit, and an analysis calculation unit. The gas sensor is a photoacoustic sensor that identifies the type of gas by utilizing the photoacoustic effect that occurs when light is irradiated onto the gas in the measurement space. The analysis method determination unit searches for similar cases from the gas database based on the purpose of analyzing the gas in the measurement space. The analysis calculation unit sets the parameters of the measurement conditions in the similar case to the gas sensor, and, upon receiving the measurement result from the gas sensor, performs an analysis of the gas in the measurement space based on the parameters and algorithm of the analysis conditions in the similar case, in a gas analysis method.

10. In claim 9, A gas analysis method in which the parameters of the measurement conditions include at least the wavelength of the light and the irradiation time of the light.

11. In claim 9, The aforementioned gas database further stores characteristic quantities of gas species measured in gas analysis cases performed by the aforementioned gas analysis system. The analysis calculation unit calculates the characteristic quantities of gas species in the gas analysis case of the measurement space from the characteristic quantities of gas species measured in the case stored in the gas database.

12. In claim 9, The gas analysis system further comprises a database update unit and an analysis calculation adjustment unit. The database update unit registers the gas analysis examples of the measurement space in the gas database. The analysis calculation adjustment unit is a gas analysis method that registers the parameters of the measurement conditions and the parameters of the analysis conditions in the gas analysis example of the measurement space.

13. In claim 12, The database update unit is a gas analysis method in which, if the analysis method is changed for an analysis case in which the gas analysis case in the measurement space is continuously performed, the measurement conditions and analysis conditions registered for the gas analysis case in the measurement space are updated in accordance with the change.

14. In claim 12, The analysis calculation adjustment unit updates the parameters of the measurement conditions or analysis conditions registered for the gas analysis case in the measurement space to reflect the change when the parameters of the measurement conditions or analysis conditions are changed in the gas analysis case in the measurement space.

15. In claim 9, The aforementioned gas database further stores external evaluation results for gas analysis cases performed by the aforementioned gas analysis system. A gas analysis method in which, when an external evaluation result is registered for an analysis example of the gas in the measurement space, the analysis calculation unit displays the registered external evaluation result along with the analysis result of the gas in the measurement space on the output device, based on the characteristic quantities of the gas types measured in the examples stored in the gas database.

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