Portable Atomic Analyzer Using Nonequilibrium Plasma for Solid Samples
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional atomic analyzers are unable to efficiently analyze metallic elements in soil, sludge, or waste fluid due to limitations in generating nonequilibrium plasma for solid samples, and existing portable systems lack the power to vaporize solids containing liquids effectively.
Innovation Solution
A portable atomic analyzer using a plasma generator that produces nonequilibrium atmospheric pressure plasma, with a bias voltage controller and a magnetic field generator to stabilize and direct the plasma for efficient atomization and spectroscopic analysis of solid samples, including those mixed with liquids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a laser is miniaturized for convenience of carrying, then portability is improved, but the laser power is reduced and analytical sensitivity is lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the laser-based physical atomization system with a plasma-based system. Instead of using a miniaturized laser that loses power and sensitivity, the invention uses a plasma generator that can be miniaturized while maintaining analytical capability through plasma-induced atomization rather than laser heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental atomization mechanism from laser heating to plasma heating. By using plasma instead of laser, the system achieves miniaturization without the power loss associated with miniaturized lasers, as plasma can be generated at atmospheric pressure in a compact configuration.
2Power
If a higher-power laser is used to vaporize a solid containing a liquid, then atomization capability is improved, but the laser becomes difficult to miniaturize
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the high-power laser system with a plasma generator that can achieve comparable or superior atomization capability without requiring miniaturization difficulties. The plasma system provides sufficient power for vaporizing solids containing liquids while maintaining a compact, portable form factor.
3Temperature
If helium gas is fed in the axial direction for cooling, then plasma generation is enabled, but the energy of helium is dissipated into the atmosphere
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a magnetic field dimension to control plasma behavior. By applying a magnetic field, the plasma is constrained to follow magnetic field lines rather than dissipating axially. This allows the plasma to be directed along the electrode surface where it can effectively cool and sustain the discharge without energy loss to the atmosphere.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a magnetic field as an intermediary to control plasma flow and direction. The magnetic field acts as a mediator that guides the plasma along desired paths and prevents direct axial dissipation, allowing efficient energy utilization for plasma generation and cooling.
4Measurement precision
If a plasma generator is used to atomize solid samples, then analytical capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a plasma generator that can handle multiple sample types (solids, liquids, slurries) and multiple analysis modes (emission spectroscopy, absorption spectroscopy) within a single compact device. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems and simplifies the overall device architecture despite the advanced plasma generation capability.
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
Enables stable and efficient atomization of solid samples, allowing for effective spectroscopic analysis of metallic elements in soil, sludge, and waste fluid, even when mixed with liquids, with improved analytical sensitivity and portability.
Implementation Method 1
a plasma generator in which a discharge gas is fed in a micro gap between a pair of electrodes to generate nonequilibrium atmospheric pressure plasma
Implementation Method 2
a discharge gas is fed in a micro gap between a pair of electrodes applied high-voltage, thus forming nonequilibrium atmospheric pressure plasma between the electrodes
Implementation Method 3
a bias voltage being applied between the plasma-leading electrode and the electrodes of the plasma generator to irradiate the object with the nonequilibrium atmospheric pressure plasma
Implementation Method 4
a spectrometer that analyzes the atoms spectroscopically from light emitted from atomized atoms generated by atomizing a substance composing the object to be irradiated by the nonequilibrium atmospheric pressure plasma irradiation or from light absorbed by the atomized atoms
Implementation Method 5
from light absorbed by the atomized atoms
Implementation Method 6
a magnetic field generator that generates a magnetic flux in a direction perpendicular to the top surface of the plasma-leading electrode, confines the nonequilibrium atmospheric pressure plasma emitted to the object to be irradiated
Data Source
AI summary
An atomic analyzer includes a plasma generator, in which a discharge gas is fed in a micro gap between a pair of electrodes to generate nonequilibrium atmospheric pressure plasma, a bias voltage controller that includes a plasma-leading electrode for leading the nonequilibrium atmospheric pressure plasma generated by the plasma generator to an object to be irradiated, the object to be irradiated with the nonequilibrium atmospheric pressure plasma is placed on the plasma-leading electrode, a bias voltage is applied between the plasma-leading electrode and the electrodes of the plasma generator to irradiate the object with the nonequilibrium atmospheric pressure plasma, and a spectrometer that analyzes atoms spectroscopically from light emitted from atomized generated by atomizing a substance composing the object to be irradiated by the nonequilibrium atmospheric pressure plasma irradiation or from light absorbed by the atomized atoms.