Analysis system and analysis method

Abstract

This analysis system analyzes a gas generated by heating a sample, and comprises: a pretreatment device that pretreats the sample in a state in which the sample is housed in a container; an elemental analysis device that has an introduction port through which the pretreated sample is introduced, and that has a heating furnace that heats the sample introduced through the introduction port; and a transport mechanism that transports the container housing the sample to the pretreatment device, transports the container housing the sample from the pretreatment device after pretreatment to the introduction port, and introduces the sample to the introduction port.

Description

Analysis System and Analysis Method

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

[0002] Conventionally, there is an analysis system that heats and reduces a sample such as steel, non-ferrous metal, or ceramics, and analyzes the gas generated thereby.

[0003] In this type of analysis system, as shown in Patent Document 1 for example, it includes a sample pretreatment device that pre-removes deposits and oxide films adhering to the surface of the sample by heating, and an analysis device that analyzes the gas generated by heating the pretreated sample. The sample pretreatment device is provided above the analysis device.

[0004] In the above analysis system, the sample pretreatment device includes a heating furnace that heats the sample, a cooling unit that holds and cools the sample heated in the heating furnace, a moving mechanism that moves the sample between the inside and outside of the heating furnace, and a discharge port that drops and discharges the sample cooled by the cooling unit.

[0005] The moving mechanism has a sample receiving part that receives the sample, an actuator that moves the sample receiving part, and a connecting part that connects the sample receiving part and the actuator. The actuator slides the sample receiving part between a receiving position where it receives the sample, a heating position set inside the heating furnace, and a delivery position where it delivers the sample to the cooling unit, thereby moving the sample into the heating furnace. After the sample is heated, the sample receiving part moves to the delivery position and drops the sample from the sample receiving part into the cooling unit.

[0006] By the way, in the above analysis system, the sample receiving part has a space penetrating in the vertical direction. The holding space for holding the sample is formed by the side wall surface of the sample receiving part and the inner wall surface of the heating furnace. In this case, when the actuator slides the sample receiving part or drops the sample from the sample receiving part into the cooling unit, the sample may get caught on the inner wall surface of the heating furnace, the inner wall surface of the sample receiving part, or the inner wall surface of the cooling unit, or may fall to an unintended location, so there is a risk that the sample cannot be reliably introduced into the analysis device.

[0007] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-101416

[0008] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the main objective of the present invention is to ensure that the sample is reliably fed into the elemental analyzer in an analytical system comprising a sample pretreatment device for pretreatment of a sample and an elemental analyzer for analyzing gas generated by heating the pretreated sample.

[0009] In other words, the present invention is an analytical system for analyzing gas generated by heating a sample, and is characterized by comprising: a pretreatment device for pre-treating the sample while the sample is contained in a container; an elemental analyzer having an input port into which the pre-treated sample is introduced and a heating furnace for heating the sample introduced from the input port; and a transport mechanism for transporting the container containing the sample to the pretreatment device, and after pre-treatment, transporting the container containing the sample from the pretreatment device to the input port, and introducing the sample into the input port.

[0010] With this configuration, the transport mechanism transports the container containing the sample to the pretreatment device, and after pretreatment, transports the container containing the sample from the pretreatment device to the input port, where the sample is then introduced. Therefore, the sample remains contained in the container until it is introduced into the input port. Consequently, the sample can be reliably introduced into the elemental analyzer.

[0011] The container is preferably a bottomed cylindrical shape with an open top, and the transport mechanism preferably further includes an inert gas blowing section that blows an inert gas from the opening of the container toward the inside of the container.

[0012] With this configuration, an inert gas is blown into the container, creating an inert gas atmosphere inside the container. As a result, the sample contained in the container becomes less susceptible to oxidation. Furthermore, when pretreatment by heating is performed, the sample needs to be cooled to a predetermined temperature. Since the inert gas blowing unit blows inert gas into the container, the sample can be cooled more efficiently.

[0013] In terms of specific embodiments of the transport mechanism, it is preferable that the transport mechanism further includes a gripping section for gripping the container, and that the inert gas blowing section is provided on the gripping section.

[0014] With this configuration, since the inert gas spraying unit is located on the gripping unit, the distance between the inert gas spraying unit and the container is reduced, allowing the inert gas to be sprayed more reliably into the container.

[0015] In a specific manner for introducing a sample into the input port, it is preferable that the container is a bottomed cylindrical shape with an open top, the transport mechanism has a gripping part for gripping the container, and a rotating part for rotating the gripping part so that the opening of the container faces downward while the gripping part is gripping the container, and after the transport mechanism transports the container from the pre-processing device to the input port, the rotating part rotates the container so that the opening of the container faces the input port while the gripping part is gripping the container, thereby introducing the sample into the input port.

[0016] With this configuration, the rotating part rotates the gripping part so that the opening of the container faces the input port, allowing the conveying mechanism to be miniaturized.

[0017] Preferably, the pretreatment apparatus comprises a mounting section for placing the container transported by the transport mechanism, and a pretreatment heating furnace for heating the sample contained in the container while the container is placed on the mounting section.

[0018] With this configuration, the pre-treatment heating furnace preheats and removes any deposits or oxide films adhering to the sample surface, allowing the elemental analyzer to accurately detect the oxygen contained in the sample.

[0019] The pretreatment apparatus further comprises a mounting mechanism for moving the mounting portion described above between a heating position in which the container is located inside the pretreatment heating furnace and a retraction position in which the container is located outside the pretreatment heating furnace. Preferably, the mounting portion moving mechanism moves the mounting portion described above from the retraction position to the heating position while the container containing the sample is mounted on the mounting portion described above, and then moves the mounting portion described above from the heating position to the retraction position after the sample has been heated.

[0020] With this configuration, the mounting mechanism moves the mounting section while the container containing the sample is placed on it, further reducing the risk of the sample getting caught on the inner wall of the pre-treatment heating furnace and being lost. In addition, since the mounting section movement mechanism moves the mounting section to two positions, a retracted position and a heating position, the movement of the mounting section can be easily achieved.

[0021] The aforementioned pre-treatment heating furnace is cylindrical in shape and has a heating space extending vertically from an opening formed at its lower end, and the aforementioned mounting part movement mechanism moves the aforementioned mounting part vertically between the heating position and the retraction position through the opening of the pre-treatment heating furnace.

[0022] With this configuration, the heating space becomes hot after the sample is heated, while the mounting section is located outside the heating space after the sample has been heated. Therefore, the mounting section is not exposed to the heating space for an extended period after the sample has been heated, thus preventing deformation and damage to the mounting section.

[0023] Preferably, the pretreatment apparatus further comprises an inert gas supply unit formed at the upper end of the pretreatment heating furnace and supplying an inert gas to the pretreatment heating furnace toward the opening of the pretreatment heating furnace.

[0024] With this configuration, the inert gas supply unit supplies inert gas towards the opening of the pre-treatment heating furnace, so the inert gas is supplied only to the pre-treatment heating furnace. As a result, the amount of inert gas supplied can be reduced compared to the conventional configuration in which the inert gas is supplied to both the heating furnace and the cooling unit.

[0025] Preferably, the transport mechanism further includes an inclined section that guides the sample toward the input opening, and the transport mechanism is configured to input the sample toward the inclined section.

[0026] With this configuration, the inclined section guides the sample towards the input opening, ensuring that the sample reaches the opening reliably and further reducing the risk of sample loss.

[0027] Preferably, the system further includes a space partition interposed between the pre-treatment heating furnace and the input port, which, by injecting an inert gas, divides the transport space through which the transport mechanism transports the container into a first space where the opening of the pre-treatment heating furnace is provided and a second space where the input port is provided.

[0028] With this configuration, the spatial partition injects an inert gas upward, dividing the transport space through which the transport mechanism transports the container into a first space where the opening for the pre-treatment heating furnace is provided and a second space where the input port is provided. As a result, during the cooling process, the container containing the sample W is transported to the second space, thereby accelerating the cooling of the sample.

[0029] Here, if the sample is inserted towards the input port and gets stuck in the input port, the user will have to go through the trouble of removing the sample from the input port. Therefore, it is desirable to further include a cylindrical member that is detachably fitted into the input port and has an opening facing the input port.

[0030] With this configuration, even if a sample is inserted towards the input port and gets caught on the inner surface of the cylindrical member, the user can simply remove the cylindrical member and retrieve the sample, thus reducing the effort required from the user due to the sample getting caught in the input port.

[0031] An analytical method comprising an elemental analyzer having a pretreatment device for pretreatment of a sample, an input port into which the pretreatment sample is introduced, and a heating furnace for heating the sample introduced from the input port, characterized in that a robot transports the container containing the sample to the pretreatment device, the pretreatment device pretreatments the sample while it is contained in the container, after pretreatment the robot transports the container containing the sample from the pretreatment device to the input port, the robot introduces the sample into the input port, and the elemental analyzer heats the sample introduced from the input port and analyzes the gas generated.

[0032] With this configuration, the same effects and benefits as the analysis system described above can be obtained.

[0033] According to the present invention, in an analytical system comprising a sample pretreatment device for pretreatment of a sample and an elemental analyzer for analyzing gases generated by heating the pretreated sample, the sample can be reliably fed into the elemental analyzer.

[0034] A schematic diagram showing an analysis system in one embodiment of the present invention. A schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the sample receiving position, the retraction position, the input port, and the transport mechanism in the same embodiment. A schematic diagram showing the transport of the container containing the sample to the pretreatment device in the same embodiment. A schematic diagram of the analysis system when the container containing the sample is located in the retraction position in the same embodiment. A schematic diagram of the analysis system when the container containing the sample is located in the heating position in the same embodiment. A schematic diagram of the analysis system when the container containing the sample is located in the cooling position in the same embodiment. A schematic diagram of the analysis system when the container containing the sample is located in the input port in the same embodiment. A schematic diagram of the analysis system when the sample is inserted into the input port in the same embodiment. A schematic diagram showing an analysis system in another embodiment.

[0035] The following describes an analysis system according to one embodiment of the present invention, using drawings. Note that, for the sake of clarity, some details may be omitted or exaggerated in the following diagrams. The same reference numerals are used for identical components, and their explanations are omitted as appropriate.

[0036] <System Configuration> The analysis system 100 of this embodiment heats and reduces a sample W, such as iron, steel, non-ferrous metals, or ceramics, and analyzes the elements such as O, N, and H contained in the gas produced by the reduction of the sample W. The sample W in this embodiment is, for example, a plate-like shape such as a rectangular flat plate or a columnar shape such as a cylinder.

[0037] Specifically, as shown in Figure 1, the analysis system 100 includes a pretreatment device 2 that removes any deposits or oxide films adhering to the surface of the sample W, an elemental analyzer 3 that analyzes the sample W pretreated by the pretreatment device 2, and a transport mechanism 4 that transports the container C containing the sample W. The pretreatment device 2 and the transport mechanism 4 are located above the elemental analyzer 3, and the pretreated sample W is introduced through an input port 3P located above the elemental analyzer 3.

[0038] Here, container C is a bottomed cylindrical shape with an open top. Container C is, for example, a quartz crucible, and it promotes the reduction reaction of the sample W in the pretreatment heating furnace 22, which will be described later, by itself. As shown in Figure 1, before the sample W is placed in container C, container C is located at the sample receiving position R to receive the sample W. A base is provided at the sample receiving position R, and container C receives the sample W while resting on this base, however, the base does not necessarily have to be provided at the sample receiving position R.

[0039] First, let me explain the configuration of the elemental analyzer 3.

[0040] As shown in Figure 1, the elemental analysis apparatus 3 comprises an analysis furnace 31 in which a graphite crucible K containing the sample W is placed, and a gas analyzer 32 for analyzing the gas produced from the sample W that has been heated and burned in the analysis furnace 31.

[0041] The analysis furnace 31 is configured to perform dry heating on the graphite crucible K not containing the sample W inside, or to heat the graphite crucible K containing the sample W, thereby heating the sample W to generate gas.

[0042] Specifically, the analysis furnace 31 includes an upper electrode 31a and a lower electrode 31b for electrically heating the graphite crucible K. The upper electrode 31a and the lower electrode 31b sandwich and hold the graphite crucible K from above and below, and by applying a voltage to the upper electrode 31a and the lower electrode 31b, the graphite crucible K is electrically heated to heat the sample W therein. The upper electrode 31a is formed with a sample introduction path 31c for introducing the sample W and a gas lead-out path 31d for leading out the gas generated from the sample W to the gas analyzer 32. The sample introduction path 31c communicates with the upper opening of the graphite crucible K. Further, the sample introduction path 31c is connected to the input port 3P of the elemental analyzer 3 provided at the upper part of the analysis furnace 31.

[0043] The gas analyzer 32 analyzes the gas generated in the analysis furnace 31 to determine the content of each component contained in the sample W. In the present embodiment, for example, it is analyzed using the non-dispersive infrared absorption method (NDIR method). Specifically, this gas analyzer 32 has a non-dispersive infrared detector (not shown), and by detecting CO2, CO, etc. contained in the gas led out from the analysis furnace 31, it determines the content of oxygen (O), etc. contained in the sample W.

[0044] In order to facilitate receiving the sample W, the input port 3P is formed with an inclined portion 3P1 that guides toward the input port 3P. Specifically, the inclined portion 3P1 has its lower end connected to the upper end of the input port 3P and is inclined so as to expand from the lower end toward the upper end.

[0045] Next, the configuration of the pretreatment device 2 will be described.

[0046] The pretreatment device 2 is provided at a position different from the sample receiving position R. Specifically, the pretreatment device 2 is provided on the side opposite to the sample receiving position R with respect to the input port 3P.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 1, the pretreatment device 2 includes a placement unit 21 for placing the container C, a pretreatment heating furnace 22 for heating the sample W contained in the container C in a state where the container C is placed on the placement unit 21, a placement unit moving mechanism 23 for moving the placement unit 21, and an inert gas supply unit 24 for supplying inert gas to the pretreatment heating furnace 22.

[0048] The placement unit 21 has a columnar shape extending in the vertical direction, and its upper surface serves as a placement surface for placing the container C. Since the placement unit 21 is inserted into the pretreatment heating furnace 22, the placement unit 21 is made of a heat-resistant member such as quartz, for example.

[0049] The pretreatment heating furnace 22 has a cylindrical shape and has a heating space 22S extending in the vertical direction from an opening 22H formed at the lower end, and heats the sample W in the heating space 22S. Specifically, the pretreatment heating furnace 22 includes a furnace body 221 through which the container C containing the sample W is inserted and removed, an electric resistor 222 provided around the furnace body 221 for heating the furnace body 221, and a power supply circuit (not shown) for supplying power to the electric resistor 222 to cause it to generate heat by energization.

[0050] The furnace body 221 is, for example, a cylindrical ceramic molded body and has a heating space 22S inside that can accommodate the container C containing the sample W. Here, the furnace body 221 is composed of a quartz tube. One end of the furnace body 221 communicates with the opening 22H.

[0051] The placement unit moving mechanism 23 includes an actuator 231 for moving the placement unit 21 and a connecting portion 232 for connecting the placement unit 21 and the actuator 231.

[0052] The actuator 231 moves the mounting section 21 between a retraction position P (see Figure 4) where the container C is located outside the pre-treatment heating furnace 22, and a heating position Q (see Figure 5) where the container C is located inside the pre-treatment heating furnace 22. The retraction position P is located outside the heating space 22S, and the heating position Q is located inside the heating space 22S. Specifically, the heating position Q, the opening 22H of the pre-treatment heating furnace 22, and the retraction position P are located in this order from top to bottom. The actuator 231 slides the mounting section 21 vertically between the retraction position P and the heating position Q via the opening 22H of the pre-treatment heating furnace 22. The actuator 231 may be configured using a motor and ball screw mechanism or a cylinder device. The various operations of the actuator 231 are controlled by a control unit (not shown), such as a computer.

[0053] The inert gas supply unit 24 is located at the upper end of the pre-treatment heating furnace 22 and supplies an inert gas such as helium or argon to the heating space 22S. The heating space 22S is filled with the inert gas from the inert gas supply unit 24. In this embodiment, the inert gas supply unit 24, the heating position Q, the opening 22H of the pre-treatment heating furnace 22, and the retraction position P are located on substantially the same straight line in the vertical direction.

[0054] Next, the configuration of the transport mechanism 4 will be explained.

[0055] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the transport mechanism 4 includes a gripping unit 41 for gripping the container C, a rotating unit 42 for rotating the gripping unit 41, and a Cartesian robot 43 for sliding the gripping unit 41 and the rotating unit 42 on two axes.

[0056] The gripping section 41 grips the container C by moving a plurality of gripping pieces using an actuator such as a motor. In this embodiment, the gripping section 41 has two gripping pieces facing each other, and the container C is gripped or released by expanding or contracting the distance between the two gripping pieces. The number of gripping pieces is not particularly limited.

[0057] The rotating part 42 rotates the gripping part 41 so that the opening of the container C faces downwards while the gripping part 41 is gripping the container C. The rotating part 42 is, for example, an actuator such as a motor.

[0058] The Cartesian robot 43 is configured, for example, using a robotic arm. The Cartesian robot 43 is capable of sliding along two axes: the vertical direction and the left-right direction perpendicular to the vertical direction (in other words, the direction from the sample receiving position R towards the retraction position P). This allows the gripping part 41 and the rotating part 42 to move along the two axes: the vertical direction and the left-right direction. With this configuration, as shown in Figure 2, the sample receiving position R, the retraction position P, and the input port 3P are arranged on approximately the same straight line in the left-right direction. As shown in Figure 2, the surface on which the pretreatment device 2 is mounted, the surface on which the input port 3P is provided, and the surface on which the sample receiving position R is provided are on the same plane. However, in order to promote the cooling of the sample W in the cooling process described later, the surface on which the pretreatment device 2 is mounted may be located above the surface on which the input port 3P is provided and the surface on which the sample receiving position R is provided. The various operations of the Cartesian robot 43 are controlled by a control unit (not shown), such as a computer.

[0059] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the transport mechanism 4 includes an inert gas blowing unit 44 that blows inert gas from the opening of the container C toward the inside of the container C.

[0060] The inert gas blowing unit 44 is connected via a tube to an inert gas supply source (not shown) that supplies an inert gas such as helium or argon, and blows the inert gas from the inert gas supply source into the inside of the container C. The inert gas blowing unit 44 is provided on one of the gripping pieces of the gripping unit 41. More specifically, the inert gas blowing unit 44 is, for example, a nozzle, and is provided on the gripping piece of the gripping unit 41 such that the tip of the nozzle faces the opening of the container C. The inert gas blowing unit 44 may be provided on both of the gripping pieces.

[0061] <Operation of the Analysis System> Next, the operation of the analysis system 100 in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 8.

[0062] (a) Sample receiving process (see Figure 1) The user or transport mechanism 4 places the container C at the sample receiving position R. After the container C is placed at the sample receiving position R, the gripping unit 41 grips the container C. In this state, the user or transport mechanism 4 puts the sample W into the container C. In this state, the inert gas blowing unit 44 blows inert gas into the inside of the container C, and the inside of the container C is filled with inert gas. Alternatively, after the sample W has been put into the container C, the gripping unit 41 may grip the container C and the inert gas blowing unit 44 may blow inert gas into the inside of the container C.

[0063] In the sample receiving process, the heating space 22S of the pretreatment device 2 is filled with inert gas from the inert gas supply unit 24. Also, the mounting unit 21 of the pretreatment device 2 is located in the retracted position P.

[0064] (b) Heating process (see Figures 3 to 5) After the sample W is placed in the container C, as shown in Figure 3, with the gripping unit 41 gripping the container C containing the sample W, the Cartesian robot 43 moves the container C containing the sample W from the sample receiving position R to the pretreatment device 2. Here, "moving the container C containing the sample W to the pretreatment device 2" means that the Cartesian robot 43 moves the container C containing the sample W to the mounting unit 21 located at the retraction position P. After that, the gripping unit 41 increases the distance between its two gripping pieces so that the container C containing the sample W is placed on the mounting unit 21. After the container C containing the sample W is placed on the mounting unit 21, as shown in Figure 4, the Cartesian robot 43 moves to a position away from the pretreatment device 2.

[0065] After the Cartesian robot 43 leaves the pretreatment device 2, as shown in Figure 5, with the container C containing the sample W placed on the mounting unit 21, the actuator 231 raises the mounting unit 21 from the retracted position P to the heating position Q. As a result, the container C containing the sample W is placed in the heating space 22S, and the sample W is heated. As a result, any deposits or oxide films on the surface of the sample W are removed. The heating conditions are, for example, 1000°C for 1 minute.

[0066] (c) Cooling process (see Figure 6) After heating the sample W, with the container C containing the sample W placed on the mounting section 21, the actuator 231 lowers the mounting section 21 from the heating position Q to the retraction position P. After a predetermined time (for example, 3 minutes) has elapsed since the mounting section 21 reached the retraction position P, and the temperature of the outer surface of the container C has decreased to the point where the gripping section 41 can grip the container C, the Cartesian robot 43 moves to the mounting section 21 located at the retraction position P. The gripping section 41 then grips the container C containing the sample W. With the gripping section 41 gripping the container C containing the sample W, the Cartesian robot 43 transports the container C containing the sample W from the retraction position P to the cooling position H where the sample W is cooled. The cooling position H referred to here is a position other than directly below the opening 22H of the pre-treatment heating furnace 22, and specifically, a position located on the side of the input port 3P from the retraction position P in the left-right direction. The cooling position H may be the same position as the input position where the sample W is introduced into the input port 3P, or it may be a different position from the input position.

[0067] When the container C containing the sample W is in the cooling position H, the gripping part 41 grips the container C containing the sample W, and the sample W is cooled. In this case, the inert gas blowing part 44 may blow inert gas onto the sample W to accelerate the cooling of the sample W, or it may not be necessary to blow inert gas onto the sample W.

[0068] (d) Derivation process (see Figure 7) After a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) has elapsed since the start of cooling, the Cartesian robot 43 transports the container C containing the sample W from the cooling position H to the input port 3P, as shown in Figure 7. Here, "transporting the container C containing the sample W to the input port 3P" means that the Cartesian robot 43 transports the container C containing the sample W until it is positioned above the input port 3P. Note that if the cooling position H is the same as the input position, the Cartesian robot 43 does not need to transport the container C containing the sample W to the input port 3P.

[0069] The cooling and unloading processes may be performed simultaneously. Specifically, after heating the sample W, the Cartesian robot 43 moves to the mounting unit 21 located at the retraction position P, and the gripping unit 41 grips the container C containing the sample W. In this state, the inert gas blowing unit 44 blows inert gas onto the sample W to cool it, and the Cartesian robot 43 may transport the container C containing the sample W from the retraction position P to the input port 3P.

[0070] (e) Input process (see Figure 8) After the Cartesian robot 43 transports the container C containing the sample W to the input port 3P, the sample W is input into the input port 3P. Specifically, as shown in Figure 8, with the gripping part 41 gripping the container C, the rotating part 42 rotates the container C vertically so that the opening of the container C faces the input port 3P. At this time, the rotating part 42 inputs the sample W toward the inclined part 3P1. As a result, after the sample W falls from the container C, the sample W is guided by the inclined part 3P1 and input into the input port 3P. Alternatively, after the sample W falls from the container C, the sample W is input directly into the input port 3P without being guided by the inclined part 3P1.

[0071] <Effects of this embodiment> The transport mechanism 4 transports the container C containing the sample W to the pretreatment device 2, and after pretreatment, transports the container C containing the sample W from the pretreatment device 2 to the input port 3P, and puts the sample W into the input port 3P. Therefore, the sample W remains contained in the container C until it is put into the input port 3P. Consequently, the sample W will not get caught on, for example, the inner wall surface of the pretreatment heating furnace 22 or fall to an unintended location before it is introduced into the elemental analyzer 3, so that the sample W can be reliably put into the input port 3P.

[0072] The inert gas blowing unit 44 blows inert gas into the container C containing the sample W, thereby creating an inert gas atmosphere inside the container C. As a result, the sample W contained in the container C becomes less susceptible to oxidation. Furthermore, because the inert gas blowing unit 44 blows inert gas into the container C containing the sample W, the sample W can be cooled more efficiently during the cooling process.

[0073] Since the inert gas blowing section 44 is provided on the gripping section 41, the distance between the inert gas blowing section 44 and the container C is reduced, making it easier to blow the inert gas into the inside of the container C.

[0074] The rotating part 42 rotates the gripping part 41 so that the opening of the container C faces the input port 3P, thus allowing the conveying mechanism 4 to be miniaturized.

[0075] The pre-treatment heating furnace 22 preheats and removes any deposits or oxide films adhering to the surface of the sample W, allowing the elemental analyzer 3 to accurately detect the oxygen contained in the sample W.

[0076] With the container C containing the sample W placed on the mounting section 21, the mounting section moving mechanism 23 moves the mounting section 21, further reducing the risk of the sample W getting caught on the inner wall surface of the pre-treatment heating furnace 22 and being lost. In addition, since the mounting section moving mechanism 23 moves the mounting section 21 to two positions, a retracted position P and a heating position Q, the movement of the mounting section 21 can be made easy.

[0077] After heating the sample W, the heating space 22S becomes hot, while the mounting portion 21 is located outside the heating space 22S. Therefore, the mounting portion 21 is not exposed to the heating space 22S for an extended period after heating the sample W, thus preventing deformation and damage to the mounting portion 21. In particular, in this embodiment, since the mounting portion 21 is columnar in shape extending in the vertical direction, it is possible to prevent the mounting portion 21 from bending compared to a shape where the mounting portion 21 extends in the horizontal direction.

[0078] Since the inert gas supply unit 24 supplies inert gas to the sample W through the opening 22H of the pretreatment heating furnace 22, the amount of inert gas supplied can be reduced compared to the conventional configuration in which the inert gas is supplied to the heating furnace and the cooling unit.

[0079] Since the inclined section 3P1 guides the sample W toward the input port 3P, it is possible to ensure that the sample W reaches the input port 3P even more reliably.

[0080] <Other Embodiments> The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.

[0081] For example, as shown in Figure 9, the analysis system 100 may further include a space partition 5 interposed between the pre-treatment heating furnace 22 and the input port 3P, which, by injecting an inert gas, divides the transport space through which the transport mechanism 4 transports the container C into a first space S1 where the opening 22H of the pre-treatment heating furnace 22 is provided and a second space S2 where the input port 3P is provided.

[0082] Specifically, the analysis system 100 includes a housing 6 that accommodates the transport mechanism 4 and has a retraction position P and an input port 3P in its internal space. In the internal space of the housing 6, the surface on which the pretreatment device 2 is mounted is located above the surface on which the sample receiving position R is provided and the surface on which the input port 3P is provided. The space partition 5 is tubular in shape and is provided in the front-to-back direction of the housing 6. The front-to-back direction here refers to the direction perpendicular to the left-to-right direction along the surface on which the input port 3P is provided.

[0083] Here, the space partition 5 has multiple openings 5H that open upward along the front-to-back direction. An inert gas, such as argon gas, flows inside the space partition 5, and the inert gas is injected upward through the multiple openings 5H. As a result, the transport space in which the transport mechanism 4 transports the container C is divided into a first space S1 where the opening 22H of the pre-treatment heating furnace 22 is provided, and a second space S2 where the input port 3P is provided. The first space S1 is provided with an exhaust port (not shown).

[0084] With this configuration, the space partition 5 injects inert gas upward, dividing the transport space through which the transport mechanism 4 transports the container C into a first space S1 where the opening 22H of the pre-treatment heating furnace 22 is provided and a second space S2 where the input port 3P is provided. Therefore, during the cooling process, the Cartesian robot 43 can transport the container C containing the sample W to the second space S2, thereby accelerating the cooling of the sample W.

[0085] Specifically, the high-temperature fluid from the heating space 22S flows out into the first space S1 through the opening 22H of the pre-treatment heating furnace 22, so the first space S1 becomes hot. On the other hand, the first space S1 and the second space S2 are separated by an inert gas injected from the space partition 5, so the heat from the first space S1 is not easily transferred to the second space S2. In particular, in the internal space of the housing 6, the surface on which the pre-treatment device 2 is mounted is located above the surface on which the sample receiving position R is provided and the surface on which the input port 3P is provided, so the high-temperature fluid in the first space S1 is not easily transferred to the second space S2, which is located below the first space S1. As a result, the container C containing the sample W is transported to the second space S2 during the cooling process, which promotes the cooling of the sample W.

[0086] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9, the analysis system 100 may further include a cylindrical member 7 that is detachably fitted into the input port 3P and opens toward the input port 3P. Specifically, the cylindrical member 7, like the inclined portion 3P1, guides toward the input port 3P to facilitate the receipt of the sample W. More specifically, the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical member 7 is in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the inclined portion 3P1.

[0087] With this configuration, even if the rotating part 42 feeds the sample W towards the input port 3P and the sample W gets caught on the inner surface of the cylindrical member 7, the cylindrical member 7 can be removed and the sample W recovered, thus reducing the effort required from the user due to the sample W getting caught in the input port 3P.

[0088] Furthermore, the housing 6 may be configured to be detachable from the elemental analyzer 3 while the pretreatment device 2, transport mechanism 4, and sample receiving position R are attached to the housing 6. With such a configuration, compared to a configuration in which the pretreatment device 2, transport mechanism 4, and sample receiving position R are attached to the elemental analyzer 3, only the housing 6 needs to be removed from the elemental analyzer 3, thus reducing the effort required of the user when maintaining the elemental analyzer 3.

[0089] In the above embodiment, container C was a graphite crucible, but it does not have to be a graphite crucible. In this case, it is conceivable to place graphite in the pretreatment heating furnace 22 to promote the reduction reaction, or to provide graphite separately in container C.

[0090] In the above embodiment, the transport mechanism 4 was equipped with a two-axis orthogonal robot 43, but the robot used in the transport mechanism 4 may be a three-axis or more orthogonal robot, an articulated robot, or a parallel link robot, etc. In this case, the sample receiving position R, the input port 3P, and the retraction position P do not have to be located on substantially the same straight line in the left-right direction.

[0091] In the above embodiment, the inert gas blowing unit 44 blows inert gas into the container C during the sample introduction step, but the inert gas may be blown into the container C during other steps. For example, during the cooling step, the transport mechanism 4 may move to the placement unit 21, and the inert gas blowing unit 44 may blow inert gas into the container C. As a result, inert gas is supplied to the sample W from the inert gas blowing unit 44 in addition to the inert gas supply unit 24, which can promote the cooling of the sample W.

[0092] In the above embodiment, the transport mechanism 4 was further configured to include an inert gas blowing section 44, but it is not necessary to include the inert gas blowing section 44. Even in this case, the transport mechanism 4 can reliably deliver the sample W to the elemental analyzer 3.

[0093] Furthermore, the present invention can be modified in various ways, as long as it does not contradict its spirit.

[0094] According to the present invention, in an analytical system comprising a sample pretreatment device for pretreatment of a sample and an elemental analyzer for analyzing gases generated by heating the pretreated sample, the sample can be reliably fed into the elemental analyzer.

[0095] 100...Analysis system W...Sample C...Container 2...Pretreatment device 21...Placement unit 22...Pretreatment heating furnace 22S...Heating space 23...Placement unit movement mechanism 24...Inert gas supply unit 3...Elemental analyzer 31...Analysis furnace 3P...Inlet 3P1...Inclined unit 4...Transportation mechanism 41...Gripping unit 42...Rotating unit 43...Cargo robot 44...Inert gas blowing unit R...Sample receiving position P...Retraction position Q...Heating position

Claims

1. An analytical system for analyzing gas generated by heating a sample, comprising: a pretreatment device for pre-treating the sample while the sample is contained in a container; an elemental analyzer having an input port into which the pre-treated sample is introduced and a heating furnace for heating the sample introduced from the input port; and a transport mechanism for transporting the container containing the sample to the pretreatment device, and after pre-treatment, transporting the container containing the sample from the pretreatment device to the input port, thereby introducing the sample into the input port.

2. The analytical system according to claim 1, wherein the container is a bottomed cylindrical shape with an open top, and the transport mechanism further comprises an inert gas blowing unit that blows an inert gas from the opening of the container toward the inside of the container.

3. The analytical system according to claim 2, wherein the transport mechanism further comprises a gripping portion for gripping the container, and the inert gas blowing portion is provided on the gripping portion.

4. The analytical system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the container is a bottomed cylindrical shape with an open top, the transport mechanism has a gripping part for gripping the container, and a rotating part for rotating the gripping part so that the opening of the container faces downward while the gripping part is gripping the container, and after the transport mechanism transports the container from the pre-processing device to the input port, the rotating part rotates the container so that the opening of the container faces the input port while the gripping part is gripping the container, thereby introducing the sample into the input port.

5. The analysis system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the pretreatment apparatus comprises a mounting section for mounting the container transported by the transport mechanism, and a pretreatment heating furnace for heating the sample contained in the container while the container is mounted on the mounting section.

6. The pretreatment apparatus further comprises a mounting unit moving mechanism for moving the mounting unit described above between a heating position in which the container is located inside the pretreatment heating furnace and a retraction position in which the container is located outside the pretreatment heating furnace, wherein the mounting unit moving mechanism moves the mounting unit described above from the retraction position to the heating position with the container containing the sample placed on the mounting unit described above, and moves the mounting unit described above from the heating position to the retraction position after the sample has been heated, the analytical system according to claim 5.

7. The analysis system according to claim 6, wherein the pre-treatment heating furnace is cylindrical and has a heating space extending vertically from an opening formed at its lower end, and the mounting part moving mechanism moves the mounting part vertically between the heating position and the retracted position through the opening of the pre-treatment heating furnace.

8. The analysis system according to claim 7, further comprising an inert gas supply unit formed at the upper end of the pretreatment heating furnace for supplying an inert gas to the pretreatment heating furnace.

9. The analytical system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising an inclined section that guides toward the input port, wherein the transport mechanism loads the sample toward the inclined section.

10. The analysis system according to claim 7, further comprising a space partition interposed between the pre-treatment heating furnace and the input port, which, by injecting an inert gas, divides the transport space through which the transport mechanism transports the container into a first space where the opening of the pre-treatment heating furnace is provided and a second space where the input port is provided.

11. The analysis system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising a cylindrical member that is detachably fitted into the input port and has an opening toward the input port.

12. An analytical method comprising an elemental analyzer having a pretreatment device for pretreatment of a sample, an input port into which the pretreatment sample is introduced, and a heating furnace for heating the sample introduced from the input port, wherein a robot transports the container containing the sample to the pretreatment device; the pretreatment device pretreatments the sample while it is contained in the container; after pretreatment, the robot transports the container containing the sample from the pretreatment device to the input port, the robot introduces the sample into the input port, and the elemental analyzer heats the sample introduced from the input port and analyzes the gas generated.

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