Gas chromatography system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a gas chromatography system capable of operating two analyzers simultaneously. A gas chromatography system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: first and second supply terminals into which a carrier gas and a target gas are respectively injected; a first multi-port valve that selectively connects the first supply terminal to a first analyzer through a first-1 or first-2 internal flow path; a second multi-port valve that communicates with the first multi-port valve and selectively connects the first supply terminal to a second analyzer through a second-1 or second-2 internal flow path; and a control unit that controls the first and second multi-port valves such that, in one operating mode, the first supply terminal and the first and second analyzers are respectively connected through the first-1 and second-1 internal flow paths, and the mutually communicating first-2 and second-2 internal flow paths are connected to the second supply terminal.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a gas chromatography system capable of operating two analyzers simultaneously. Background Technology

[0003] Korea Electric Power Corporation has been replacing 50% of new substation orders from existing Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) to ECO-GIS since 2024, and has established a plan to order 100% of new substations as ECO-GIS from 2025 onwards.

[0004] In ECO-GIS, a mixed gas containing C4F7N is injected instead of SF6, which was previously used as an insulating gas. Since the proportion of C4F7N in the mixed gas directly affects the insulating performance, managing the purity of C4F7N through gas chromatography is an important task.

[0005] Generally, a standard substance is required for gas chromatography, but since there is no standard substance for C and F compounds, qualitative analysis using an MSD (Mass Selective Detector) is followed by quantitative analysis using an AED (Atomic Emission Detector).

[0006] As such, since it is difficult to use specific standard substances in gas chromatography of C and F compounds, the precision of qualitative and quantitative analysis through MSD and AED is very important; however, conventionally, MSD and AED are operated separately, so the input conditions of the compounds differ, which leads to a problem of lower analytical accuracy. The problem to be solved

[0008] The present invention aims to operate two different analyzers simultaneously when performing gas chromatography.

[0009] The objects of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned objects and advantages of the present invention may be understood from the following description and will be more clearly understood by the embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, it will be readily apparent that the objects and advantages of the present invention can be realized by the means and combinations thereof set forth in the claims. means of solving the problem

[0011] A gas chromatography system according to one embodiment of the present invention for achieving the aforementioned purpose comprises: first and second supply terminals into which a carrier gas and a target gas are respectively injected; a first multi-port valve that selectively connects the first supply terminal to a first analyzer through a first-1 or first-2 internal flow path; a second multi-port valve that communicates with the first multi-port valve and selectively connects the first supply terminal to a second analyzer through a second-1 or second-2 internal flow path; and a control unit that controls the first and second multi-port valves such that, in one operating mode, the first supply terminal and the first and second analyzers are respectively connected through the first-1 and second-1 internal flow paths, and the mutually communicating first-2 and second-2 internal flow paths are connected to the second supply terminal.

[0012] In one embodiment, the first and second supply terminals are each equipped with a flow controller that controls the flow rates of the carrier gas and the target gas.

[0013] In one embodiment, the first-2 and second-2 internal flow paths are characterized by each forming a sample loop of the same capacity.

[0014] In one embodiment, the first analyzer is provided with a first column that is optionally connected to the first-1 or first-2 internal flow path, and the second analyzer is provided with a second column that is optionally connected to the second-1 or second-2 internal flow path.

[0015] In one embodiment, the first and second analyzers are characterized as being an MSD (Mass Selective Detector) and an AED (Atomic Emission Detector), respectively.

[0016] In one embodiment, the target gas introduced from the second supply end in the one operation mode is characterized by being discharged outside the second multi-port valve through the first-2 and second-2 internal flow paths.

[0017] In one embodiment, the control unit controls the first multi-port valve so that the first supply terminal and the first analyzer are connected through the first-2 internal flow path in another operation mode after the first operation mode.

[0018] In one embodiment, the target gas flowing in the first-2 internal flow path in the first operation mode is supplied to the first analyzer by the carrier gas introduced into the first-2 internal flow path in the other operation mode.

[0019] In one embodiment, the control unit is characterized by releasing communication between the first-2 and second-2 internal flow paths in the other operation mode, and communicating the second supply end and the second-2 internal flow path through the first-3 internal flow path within the first multi-port valve.

[0020] In one embodiment, the control unit controls the second multi-port valve so that the first supply terminal and the second analyzer are connected through the second-2 internal flow path in another operation mode after the first operation mode.

[0021] In one embodiment, the target gas flowing in the second-2 internal flow path in the first operation mode is supplied to the second analyzer along the carrier gas introduced into the second-2 internal flow path in the other operation mode.

[0022] In one embodiment, the control unit is characterized by releasing communication between the first-2 and second-2 internal passages in the other operation mode and communicating the second-3 internal passage within the second multi-port valve with the first-2 internal passage.

[0023] In addition, a gas chromatography system according to one embodiment of the present invention for achieving the aforementioned purpose comprises: first and second supply terminals into which a carrier gas and a target gas are respectively injected; a first multi-port valve that selectively connects the first supply terminal to the first analyzer through a first-1 or first-2 internal flow path; a second multi-port valve that communicates with the first multi-port valve and selectively connects the first supply terminal to the second analyzer through a second-1 or second-2 internal flow path; and a control unit that controls the first and second multi-port valves to simultaneously supply the target gas to the first and second analyzers, respectively, through the first-2 and second-2 internal flow paths after conditioning the first and second analyzers through the first-1 and second-1 internal flow paths.

[0024] In addition, a gas chromatography system according to one embodiment of the present invention for achieving the aforementioned purpose comprises: first and second supply terminals into which a carrier gas and a target gas are respectively injected; a first multi-port valve that selectively connects the first supply terminal to the first analyzer through a first-1 or first-2 internal flow path; a second multi-port valve that communicates with the first multi-port valve and selectively connects the first supply terminal to the second analyzer through a second-1 or second-2 internal flow path; and a control unit that controls the first and second multi-port valves so that, in one operating mode, mutually communicating first-2 and second-2 internal flow paths are connected to the second supply terminal, wherein the control unit controls the first supply terminal and the first analyzer to be connected through the first-2 internal flow path in another operating mode after the first operating mode, thereby supplying the target gas remaining in the first-2 internal flow path to the first analyzer through the carrier gas.

[0025] In addition, a gas chromatography system according to one embodiment of the present invention for achieving the aforementioned purpose comprises: first and second supply terminals into which a carrier gas and a target gas are respectively injected; a first multi-port valve that selectively connects the first supply terminal to the first analyzer through a first-1 or first-2 internal flow path; a second multi-port valve that communicates with the first multi-port valve and selectively connects the first supply terminal to the second analyzer through a second-1 or second-2 internal flow path; and a control unit that controls the first and second multi-port valves so that, in one operating mode, mutually communicating first-2 and second-2 internal flow paths are connected to the second supply terminal, wherein the control unit controls the first supply terminal and the second analyzer to be connected through the second-2 internal flow path in another operating mode after the first operating mode, thereby supplying the target gas remaining in the second-2 internal flow path to the second analyzer through the carrier gas. Effects of the invention

[0027] The present invention allows for the simultaneous operation of two different analyzers when performing gas chromatography, thereby reducing the time required for cross-analysis and gas consumption, and maintaining the same input conditions and analysis environment for the analytes, which can increase the accuracy of cross-analysis.

[0028] In addition to the effects described above, the specific effects of the present invention are described together with the specific details for implementing the invention below. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0030] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a conventional gas chromatography system. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing MSD and AED peaks measured according to a conventional method. FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating a gas chromatography system according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the analyzer conditioning process according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the target gas preparation process according to the present invention. FIGS. 6 and FIGS. 7 are drawings for illustrating each process of supplying a target gas to a first and second analyzer according to the present invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the process of simultaneously supplying a target gas to a first and second analyzer according to the present invention. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing MSD and AED peaks measured according to the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0031] The aforementioned objectives, features, and advantages are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings, thereby enabling those skilled in the art to easily implement the technical concept of the present invention. In describing the present invention, detailed descriptions of known technologies related to the present invention are omitted if it is determined that such descriptions would unnecessarily obscure the essence of the invention. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar components.

[0032] In this specification, terms such as "first," "second," etc. are used to describe various components, but these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used merely to distinguish one component from another, and unless specifically stated otherwise, the first component may be the second component.

[0033] Additionally, in this specification, the statement that any configuration is disposed on the "upper (or lower)" or "upper (or lower)" of a component may mean not only that any configuration is disposed in contact with the upper (or lower) surface of said component, but also that another configuration may be interposed between said component and any configuration disposed on (or below) said component.

[0034] Furthermore, where it is stated in this specification that one component is "connected," "coupled," or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that while the components may be directly connected or connected to each other, another component may be "interposed" between each component, or each component may be "connected," "coupled," or "connected" through another component.

[0035] Additionally, singular expressions used in this specification include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, terms such as "composed of" or "comprising" should not be interpreted as necessarily including all of the various components or steps described in the specification, and should be interpreted as meaning that some of the components or steps may not be included, or that additional components or steps may be included.

[0036] Additionally, in this specification, "A and / or B" means A, B, or A and B unless specifically stated otherwise, and "C to D" means C or more and D or less, unless specifically stated otherwise.

[0037] The present invention relates to a gas chromatography system capable of operating two analyzers simultaneously. Before describing the present invention in detail, the problems of conventional gas chromatography systems will be explained.

[0038] Generally, in gas chromatography, qualitative analysis is performed to identify the components of a sample by determining the peak occurrence times through mass spectrometry, and then quantitative analysis is conducted to determine the concentration of each component in the sample by comparing the peak area of ​​the sample with the peak area of ​​a known standard material (Certified Reference Material).

[0039] However, in the case of C and F-based compounds that have recently gained attention as insulating gases, there are no standard materials in the relevant technical field or it is very difficult to obtain them, so quantitative analysis is impossible using only the aforementioned mass spectrometry. Therefore, quantitative analysis of the sample is performed separately through atomic analysis such as an AED (Atomic Emission Detector).

[0040] In this case, qualitative and quantitative analysis are performed using separate analyzers. However, since the two analyzers are operated separately, the sample input conditions and analysis environment differ, which leads to a problem of reduced analysis accuracy.

[0041] Referring to Fig. 1, in the existing system (1'), since the Mass Selective Detector (MSD) for qualitative analysis of the sample and the AED for quantitative analysis are operated separately, errors occur in the input conditions and analysis environment of the sample or standard material (CRM).

[0042] Accordingly, as shown in Fig. 2, peaks for each component of the sample (e.g., air, C4F7N) occur at different times in MSD analysis and AED analysis. Although only the peaks of the two components are shown in Fig. 2, when the number of components constituting the sample increases, the MSD peaks and AED peaks cannot be matched with each other; in other words, it is difficult to determine which peak in the AED analysis corresponds to the peak that occurred at a specific time in MSD analysis, which increases the difficulty of gas analysis and lowers the accuracy.

[0043] The present invention is intended to overcome the limitations of such existing systems (1'), and specifically relates to a gas chromatography system capable of operating two analyzers simultaneously. Hereinafter, a gas chromatography system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 8.

[0044] FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating a gas chromatography system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the analyzer conditioning process according to the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the target gas preparation process according to the present invention. Additionally, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are diagrams illustrating the respective processes of supplying the target gas to the first and second analyzers according to the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the process of simultaneously supplying the target gas to the first and second analyzers according to the present invention.

[0046] Figure 9 is a diagram showing MSD and AED peaks measured according to the present invention.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 3, a gas chromatography system (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include first and second supply terminals (11, 12) into which a carrier gas and a target gas are respectively injected, a first multi-port valve (20) that selectively connects the first supply terminal (11) to a first analyzer (41) through an internal flow path, a second multi-port valve (30) that communicates with the first multi-port valve (20) and selectively connects the first supply terminal (11) to a second analyzer (42) through an internal flow path, and a control unit (not shown) that controls the formation of internal flow paths of the first and second multi-port valves (20, 30).

[0048] The control unit may include at least one physical element among ASICs (application specific integrated circuits), DSPs (digital signal processors), DSPDs (digital signal processing devices), PLDs (programmable logic devices), FPGAs (field programmable gate arrays), processors, microprocessors, controllers, and microcontrollers to control each multi-port valve (20, 30).

[0049] Meanwhile, the gas chromatography system (1) illustrated in FIG. 3 is according to one embodiment, and the components constituting the invention are not limited to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, and some components may be added, changed, or deleted as needed.

[0050] A carrier gas may be supplied to the first supply terminal (11), and a target gas may be supplied to the second supply terminal (12). The carrier gas may include any inert gas, such as H2, N2, Ar, He, etc. Meanwhile, the target gas is a gas to be analyzed and may include a sample gas to be analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively, and a Certified Reference Material (CRM) used as a standard in quantitative analysis. Meanwhile, in the present invention, the sample gas may be C4F7N.

[0051] Each multi-port valve (20, 30) includes a plurality of ports, and an internal flow path can be formed by connecting each port or disconnecting the connection of the ports. In the example of FIG. 3, each multi-port valve (20, 30) may be a 6-port valve, and in the present invention, at least three different internal flow paths can be formed by connecting and disconnecting the internal ports.

[0052] Specifically, the first multi-port valve (20) can selectively connect the first supply terminal (11) to the first analyzer (41) through the first-1 internal flow path (21) or the first-2 internal flow path (22) formed according to port control. Additionally, the second multi-port valve (30) can selectively connect the first supply terminal (11) to the second analyzer (42) through the second-1 internal flow path (31) or the second-2 internal flow path (32) formed according to port control. At this time, the first multi-port valve (20) and the second multi-port valve (30) can communicate with each other through either internal port.

[0053] In this structure, the control unit can operate two analyzers simultaneously by controlling the formation of internal flow paths within each multi-port valve (20, 30). Specifically, the control unit can perform system conditioning, target gas preparation, and target gas analysis by controlling each multi-port valve (20, 30).

[0054] <제1 동작 모드>

[0055] Referring to FIG. 4, in the <first operation mode>, the control unit can control each multi-port valve (20, 30) so that the first supply terminal (11) and the first analyzer (41) are connected through the first-1 internal flow path (21) in the first multi-port valve (20), and the first supply terminal (11) and the second analyzer (42) are connected through the second-1 internal flow path (31) in the second multi-port valve (30).

[0056] Specifically, in a structure in which port 5 within the first multi-port valve (20) is connected to the first supply terminal (11) and port 4 is connected to the first analyzer (41), the control unit can connect port 4 and port 5 to form a first-1 internal flow path (21). Accordingly, the first supply terminal (11) and the first analyzer (41) can communicate through the first-1 internal flow path (21).

[0057] Additionally, in a structure in which port e in the second multi-port valve (30) is connected to the first supply terminal (11) and port d is connected to the second analyzer (42), the control unit can connect port e and port d to form a second-1 internal flow path (31). Accordingly, the first supply terminal (11) and the second analyzer (42) can communicate through the second-1 internal flow path (31).

[0058] Meanwhile, the first supply unit (11) may be equipped with a flow controller, such as a Mass Flow Controller (MFC), that controls the flow rate of the carrier gas, and the control unit can simultaneously condition the two analyzers by supplying the carrier gas from the first supply unit (11) to the first and second analyzers (41, 42) through MFC control.

[0059] Apart from the aforementioned conditioning process, the control unit can control each multi-port valve (20, 30) so that the first-2 internal flow path (22) within the first multi-port valve (20) and the second-2 internal flow path (32) within the second multi-port valve (30), which are mutually connected, are connected to the second supply terminal (12).

[0060] Referring to FIG. 5, the system (1) of the present invention may have a structure in which port 1 in the first multi-port valve (20) is connected to the second supply terminal (12), port 2 in the first multi-port valve (20) and port a in the second multi-port valve (30) are in mutual communication, and port b in the second multi-port valve (30) is in communication with the outside.

[0061] The control unit can form any first-2 internal flow path (22) (e.g., sequential connection of ports 1, 6, 3, and 2) with port 1 in the first multi-port valve (20) as the starting point and port 2 as the ending point. Likewise, the control unit can form any second-2 internal flow path (32) (e.g., sequential connection of ports a, f, c, and b) with port a in the second multi-port valve (30) as the starting point and port b as the ending point.

[0062] Meanwhile, the second supply unit (12) may be equipped with a flow controller, such as an MFC, for controlling the flow rate of the target gas, and the control unit may supply the target gas to the first-2 internal flow path (22) and the second-2 internal flow path (32) through MFC control, thereby allowing the target gas to be discharged to the outside through port b of the second multi-port valve (30). During this discharge process, the first-2 internal flow path (22) and the second-2 internal flow path (32) may be filled with the target gas.

[0063] The target gas filled in the first-2 and second-2 internal channels (22, 32) is supplied to the first and second analyzers (41, 42) respectively as described below, and the aforementioned target gas discharge process can be performed as a target gas preparation process.

[0064] Meanwhile, referring again to FIG. 5, the first-2 internal flow path (22) and the second-2 internal flow path (32) can each form a sample loop of the same capacity. Accordingly, the sample loop formed by the first-2 internal flow path (22) and the second-2 internal flow path (32) can be filled with the same amount of target gas, and the same amount of target gas can be supplied to the first and second analyzers (41, 42) during the analysis process described later.

[0065] Accordingly, in the present invention, the amount of gas introduced into the two analyzers can be adjusted equally, and the amount of target gas introduced can also be easily adjusted by replacing the sample loop.

[0066] <제2 동작 모드>

[0067] Referring to FIG. 6, in the <second operation mode> following the <first operation mode> described above, the control unit can control the first multi-port valve (20) so that the first supply terminal (11) and the first analyzer (41) are connected through the first-2 internal flow path (22).

[0068] Specifically, the control unit can control the first supply unit (11) to communicate with the first-2 internal flow path (22) by blocking the connection between port 4 and port 5 of the first multi-port valve (20) and connecting port 5 to port 6. Additionally, the control unit can control the first-2 internal flow path (22) to communicate with the first analyzer (41) by blocking the connection between port 2 and port 3 and connecting port 3 to port 4. Each of the aforementioned port controls can be performed simultaneously, and accordingly, the first supply unit (11) and the first analyzer (41) can communicate through the first-2 internal flow path (22).

[0069] The control unit can supply carrier gas to the first-2 internal flow path (22) through MFC control provided in the first supply unit (11). Accordingly, the target gas flowing in the first-2 internal flow path (22) in the aforementioned <first operation mode> can be supplied to the first analyzer (41) by the carrier gas introduced into the first-2 internal flow path (22).

[0070] In summary, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the control unit controls each multi-port valve (20, 30) so that the mutually communicating first-2 and second-2 internal passages (22, 32) are connected to the second supply terminal (12), and then, as illustrated in FIG. 6, controls the first supply terminal (11) and the first analyzer (41) to be connected through the first-2 internal passage (22) so that the target gas remaining in the first-2 internal passage (22) can be supplied to the first analyzer (41) through a carrier gas.

[0071] The target gas analysis process of the first analyzer (41) can be started according to the target gas supply.

[0072] The first analyzer (41) may be provided with a first column that is optionally connected to the first-1 or first-2 internal flow path (21, 22), and as the target gas flows along the first column, each component within the target gas may be separated from one another and supplied to the first analyzer (41) in small amounts. The first analyzer (41) may include any analysis device used for gas chromatography, for example, an MSD used for qualitative analysis of a gas.

[0073] Meanwhile, referring again to FIG. 6, the control unit can connect port 3 in the first multi-port valve (20) to port 4, thereby releasing the communication between the first-2 and second-2 internal flow paths (22, 32). At this time, the control unit can connect port 1 and port 2 to form the first-3 internal flow path (23), and can connect the second supply terminal (12) and the second-2 internal flow path (32) through the first-3 internal flow path (23).

[0074] Accordingly, the target gas can be continuously discharged through the second-2 internal passage (32), and through this process, impurities such as air can be prevented from entering the second-2 internal passage (32) even during the operation of the first analyzer (41).

[0075] <제3 동작 모드>

[0076] Referring to FIG. 7, in the <3rd operation mode> following the <1st operation mode> described above, the control unit can control the second multi-port valve (30) so that the first supply terminal (11) and the second analyzer (42) are connected through the 2-2 internal flow path (32).

[0077] Specifically, the control unit can control the first supply unit (11) to communicate with the second-2 internal flow path (32) by blocking the connection between port d and port e of the second multi-port valve (30) and connecting port e to port f. Additionally, the control unit can control the second-2 internal flow path (32) to communicate with the second analyzer (42) by blocking the connection between port b and port c and connecting port c to port d. Each of the aforementioned port controls can be performed simultaneously, and accordingly, the first supply unit (11) and the second analyzer (42) can communicate through the second-2 internal flow path (32).

[0078] The control unit can supply a carrier gas to the second-2 internal flow path (32) through MFC control provided in the first supply unit (11). Accordingly, the target gas flowing in the second-2 internal flow path (32) in the aforementioned <first operation mode> can be supplied to the second analyzer (42) by the carrier gas introduced into the second-2 internal flow path (32).

[0079] In summary, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the control unit controls each multi-port valve (20, 30) so that the mutually communicating first-2 and second-2 internal passages (22, 32) are connected to the second supply terminal (12), and then, as illustrated in FIG. 7, controls the first supply terminal (11) and the second analyzer (42) to be connected through the second-2 internal passage (32) so that the target gas remaining in the second-2 internal passage (32) can be supplied to the second analyzer (42) through a carrier gas.

[0080] Depending on the target gas supply, the target gas analysis process of the second analyzer (42) can be started.

[0081] The second analyzer (42) may be provided with a second column that is optionally connected to the second-1 or second-2 internal flow path (31, 32), and as the target gas flows along the second column, each component within the target gas may be separated from one another and supplied to the second analyzer (42) in small amounts. The second analyzer (42) may also include any analysis device used for gas chromatography, for example, an AED used for quantitative analysis of gas.

[0082] Meanwhile, referring again to FIG. 7, the control unit can connect port a in the second multi-port valve (30) to port b in the <third operation mode> to release communication between the first-2 and second-2 internal flow paths (22, 32) and simultaneously form a second-3 internal flow path (33) that communicates with the first-2 internal flow path (22). Accordingly, the second supply terminal (12) can communicate with the outside through the first-2 internal flow path (22) and the second-3 internal flow path (33).

[0083] Accordingly, the target gas can be continuously discharged to the outside, and through this process, impurities such as air can be prevented from entering the first-second internal flow path (22) even during the operation of the second analyzer (42).

[0084] Meanwhile, the aforementioned <second operation mode> and <third operation mode> can be performed simultaneously. Specifically, the control unit can condition the two analyzers (41, 42) by controlling the first supply unit (11) and the first and second analyzers (41, 42) to be connected respectively through the first-1 and second-1 internal flow paths (21, 31) as described in the <first operation mode>. Subsequently, the control unit can start the target gas analysis process by controlling the first and second multi-port valves (20, 30) to simultaneously supply the target gas to the first and second analyzers (41, 42) respectively through the first-2 and second-2 internal flow paths (22, 32).

[0085] Referring to FIG. 8, after the conditioning and target gas preparation process of the two analyzers described in the <first operation mode> (see FIG. 4 and FIG. 5), the control unit can control the first supply unit (11) to communicate with the first-2 internal flow path (22) by blocking the connection between port 4 and port 5 of the first multi-port valve (20) and connecting port 5 to port 6. Additionally, the control unit can control the first-2 internal flow path (22) to communicate with the first analyzer (41) by blocking the connection between port 2 and port 3 and connecting port 3 to port 4. Accordingly, the first supply unit (11) and the first analyzer (41) can communicate through the first-2 internal flow path (22).

[0086] At the same time, the control unit can control the first supply unit (11) to communicate with the second-2 internal flow path (32) by blocking the connection between port d and port e of the second multi-port valve (30) and connecting port e to port f. Additionally, the control unit can control the second-2 internal flow path (32) to communicate with the second analyzer (42) by blocking the connection between port b and port c and connecting port c to port d. Accordingly, the first supply unit (11) and the second analyzer (42) can communicate through the second-2 internal flow path (32).

[0087] The control unit can supply carrier gas to the first-2 and second-2 internal flow paths (22, 32) through MFC control provided at the first and second supply terminals (11, 12), respectively. Accordingly, the target gas flowing in the first-2 and second-2 internal flow paths (22, 32) in the <first operation mode> (see FIG. 5) can be supplied to the first and second analyzers (41, 42), respectively, by the carrier gas introduced into the first-2 and second-2 internal flow paths (22, 32).

[0088] At this time, first-3 and second-3 internal passages (23, 33) are formed within each multi-port valve (20, 30), and the target gas is continuously discharged through the passages, thereby preventing impurities such as air from entering the system.

[0089] The target gas analysis process of the first and second analyzers (41, 42) can be started according to the target gas supply, and since the analysis process is as described above, a detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0090] As described above, the present invention can reduce the time required for cross-analysis and gas consumption by simultaneously operating two different analyzers when performing gas chromatography, and can increase the accuracy of cross-analysis by maintaining the same input conditions and analysis environment for the analytes.

[0091] Specifically, by referring together to Fig. 2, which illustrates MSD and AED peaks measured according to a conventional method, and Fig. 9, which illustrates MSD and AED peaks measured according to the present invention, it can be seen that the time difference between the MSD and AED peaks, which occurred when the two analyzers were operated separately, has disappeared in the present invention, in which the two analyzers are operated simultaneously. In other words, according to the present invention, it can be seen that the MSD peak and the AED peak occur at the same time.

[0092] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the illustrated drawings, the present invention is not limited by the embodiments and drawings disclosed in this specification, and it is obvious that various modifications can be made by a person skilled in the art within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. Furthermore, even if the effects of the configuration according to the present invention were not explicitly described while explaining the embodiments of the present invention above, it is natural to acknowledge that the effects predictable by said configuration should also be recognized.

Claims

Claim 1 A gas chromatography system comprising: first and second supply terminals into which a carrier gas and a target gas are respectively injected; a first multi-port valve that selectively connects the first supply terminal to a first analyzer through a first-1 or first-2 internal flow path; a second multi-port valve that communicates with the first multi-port valve and selectively connects the first supply terminal to a second analyzer through a second-1 or second-2 internal flow path; and a control unit that controls the first and second multi-port valves such that, in one operating mode, the first supply terminal and the first and second analyzers are respectively connected through the first-1 and second-1 internal flow paths, and the mutually communicating first-2 and second-2 internal flow paths are connected to the second supply terminal. Claim 2 A gas chromatography system according to claim 1, wherein the first and second supply terminals are each equipped with a flow controller for controlling the flow rates of the carrier gas and the target gas. Claim 3 A gas chromatography system according to claim 1, wherein the internal flow paths of the first-2 and second-2-2 each form a sample loop of the same capacity. Claim 4 A gas chromatography system according to claim 1, wherein the first analyzer is provided with a first column that is optionally connected to the first-1 or first-2 internal flow path, and the second analyzer is provided with a second column that is optionally connected to the second-1 or second-2 internal flow path. Claim 5 In claim 1, the first and second analyzers are gas chromatography systems, each being an MSD (Mass Selective Detector) and an AED (Atomic Emission Detector). Claim 6 A gas chromatography system according to claim 1, wherein the target gas introduced from the second supply end in the above-mentioned operating mode is discharged outside the second multi-port valve through the first-2 and second-2 internal flow paths. Claim 7 A gas chromatography system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the first multi-port valve so that the first supply terminal and the first analyzer are connected through the first-2 internal flow path in another operation mode after the first operation mode. Claim 8 A gas chromatography system according to claim 7, wherein the target gas flowing in the first-2 internal flow path in the first operating mode is supplied to the first analyzer by the carrier gas introduced into the first-2 internal flow path in the other operating mode. Claim 9 A gas chromatography system according to claim 7, wherein the control unit releases communication between the first-2 and second-2 internal flow paths in the other operation mode and communicates the second supply end and the second-2 internal flow path through the first-3 internal flow path in the first multi-port valve. Claim 10 A gas chromatography system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the second multi-port valve so that the first supply terminal and the second analyzer are connected through the second-2 internal flow path in another operation mode after the first operation mode. Claim 11 A gas chromatography system according to claim 10, wherein the target gas flowing in the 2-2 internal flow path in the above-mentioned first operating mode is supplied to the 2nd analyzer along the carrier gas introduced into the 2-2 internal flow path in the above-mentioned other operating mode. Claim 12 In claim 10, the control unit releases communication between the 1st-2 and 2nd-2 internal flow paths in the other operation mode and communicates the 2nd-3 internal flow path within the 2nd multi-port valve with the 1st-2 internal flow path, in a gas chromatography system. Claim 13 A gas chromatography system comprising: first and second supply terminals into which a carrier gas and a target gas are respectively injected; a first multi-port valve that selectively connects the first supply terminal to the first analyzer through a first-1 or first-2 internal passage; a second multi-port valve that communicates with the first multi-port valve and selectively connects the first supply terminal to the second analyzer through a second-1 or second-2 internal passage; and a control unit that controls the first and second multi-port valves to simultaneously supply the target gas to the first and second analyzers, respectively, through the first-2 and second-2 internal passages after conditioning the first and second analyzers through the first-1 and second-1 internal passages. Claim 14 A gas chromatography system comprising: first and second supply terminals into which a carrier gas and a target gas are respectively injected; a first multi-port valve that selectively connects the first supply terminal to the first analyzer through a first-1 or first-2 internal path; a second multi-port valve that communicates with the first multi-port valve and selectively connects the first supply terminal to the second analyzer through a second-1 or second-2 internal path; and a control unit that controls the first and second multi-port valves such that, in one operating mode, mutually communicating first-2 and second-2 internal paths are connected to the second supply terminal, wherein, in another operating mode after the first operating mode, the control unit controls the first supply terminal and the first analyzer to be connected through the first-2 internal path, thereby supplying the target gas remaining in the first-2 internal path to the first analyzer through the carrier gas. Claim 15 A gas chromatography system comprising: first and second supply terminals into which a carrier gas and a target gas are respectively injected; a first multi-port valve that selectively connects the first supply terminal to the first analyzer through a first-1 or first-2 internal path; a second multi-port valve that communicates with the first multi-port valve and selectively connects the first supply terminal to the second analyzer through a second-1 or second-2 internal path; and a control unit that controls the first and second multi-port valves such that, in one operating mode, mutually communicating first-2 and second-2 internal paths are connected to the second supply terminal, wherein, in another operating mode after the first operating mode, the control unit controls the first supply terminal and the second analyzer to be connected through the second-2 internal path, thereby supplying the target gas remaining in the second-2 internal path to the second analyzer through the carrier gas.

Images