Absorption Tube Selection Valve for Combustion Ion Chromatograph
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Solution Overview
Problem
In combustion ion chromatography analysis, contamination can occur when analyzing multiple samples due to insufficient washing of the absorption tube, leading to reduced analysis accuracy, especially when samples contain organofluorine compounds at low concentrations.
Innovation Solution
A recovery solution generating device for a combustion ion chromatograph that includes a combustion tube, a carrier gas supply, a plurality of absorption tubes with an absorbent, and an absorption tube selection valve, controlled by a controller to ensure that each sample's component to be recovered is directed to a specific absorption tube, minimizing contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single absorption tube is used for multiple samples, then device complexity is reduced, but contamination occurs between samples reducing measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The absorption part is divided into multiple separate absorption tubes (first absorption tube, second absorption tube, etc.) instead of using a single tube for all samples. Each absorption tube is dedicated to a specific sample, preventing cross-contamination while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
An absorption tube selection valve is introduced as an intermediary component to control and switch between different absorption tubes. This valve enables the system to selectively connect the combustion tube to the appropriate absorption tube based on the sample being analyzed, ensuring proper sample-tube matching without requiring manual intervention.
2Measurement precision
If the absorption tube is washed between samples, then contamination is reduced, but loss of time increases due to washing and refilling operations
Solution Approach 1:
By having multiple dedicated absorption tubes, the system eliminates the need to wash and refill the same tube repeatedly. Instead, a clean tube is selected for each sample, and used tubes are simply replaced, significantly reducing the time required between sample analyses.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adopts a approach where used absorption tubes are discarded and replaced with fresh tubes for each sample. This is more efficient than recovering and washing the same tube, as it eliminates the time-consuming washing and refilling operations while ensuring each sample receives a clean absorption tube.
3Loss of time
If insufficient washing is performed, then loss of time is reduced, but contamination occurs reducing measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses separate dedicated absorption tubes for each sample, which inherently prevents contamination without requiring extensive washing. Each tube is used once and then replaced, eliminating the need for time-consuming washing operations while ensuring complete prevention of cross-contamination between samples.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution reduces the likelihood of contamination by ensuring each sample is processed in a dedicated absorption tube, maintaining analysis accuracy even for samples with low organofluorine concentrations, and allowing for the generation of multiple recovery solutions under the same conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an organofluorine compound contained in the sample is converted into hydrogen fluoride by combusting the sample in a combustion tube
Implementation Method 2
the hydrogen fluoride is absorbed by an absorbent in the absorption tube
Data Source
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AI summary
There are provided a combustion tube (16) for generating a component to be recovered by combusting a sample; a carrier gas supply part (23) configured to supply a carrier gas to the combustion tube (16) so as to cause the component to be recovered generated in the combustion tube (16) to flow out from an outlet of the combustion tube (16) by the carrier gas; an absorption part (6) including a plurality of absorption tubes (30), and an absorption tube selection valve (34) for selecting one absorption tube (30) to be fluidly connected to the outlet of the combustion tube (16) from among the plurality of absorption tubes; and a controller (36) configured to control an operation of the absorption part (6) such that the component to be recovered generated from the sample introduced into the combustion tube (16) is recovered in a predetermined absorption tube (30).