Integrated Chromatography System for Simultaneous Ion Identity and Concentration Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current chromatography methods struggle to simultaneously determine the identity and concentration of constituents in chemical samples, especially those with harmful aromatic components, as they often require separate analysis by different detectors.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the simultaneous analysis of a chemical sample using multiple data sources such as a flame ion detector, a mass spectrometer, and a vacuum ultraviolet detector, with signals from these sources being uploaded to a memory and processed to create a combined record that includes both ion identity and concentration information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate analysis by different detectors is used, then each detector can provide specialized information, but the overall analysis time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple detectors (mass spectrometer for identification and flame ion detector for quantification) into a single integrated chromatography system that analyzes samples simultaneously. This merging eliminates sequential analysis steps while maintaining the specialized capabilities of each detector, thereby reducing total analysis time without compromising identification accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated chromatography system is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously - both identifying chemical constituents and quantifying their concentrations - through a single operational sequence. This multi-functionality allows the system to replace multiple separate analysis procedures, addressing the time loss issue while preserving measurement precision through specialized detection methods.
2Loss of information
If multiple detectors are used simultaneously, then comprehensive information can be obtained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the mass spectrometer and flame ion detector into a single integrated chromatography system with unified sample introduction and data processing. This combining approach maintains comprehensive data collection capabilities while managing system complexity through integrated architecture, where the detectors share common components and data are processed through a coordinated system rather than independent units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a centralized data processing system as an intermediary that manages the information flow between multiple detectors and the final output. This intermediary layer consolidates data from various detectors, resolves potential conflicts, and produces unified results, thereby maintaining information completeness while simplifying the overall system architecture through centralized coordination.
3Measurement precision
If identity and concentration are determined separately, then each parameter can be optimized, but the overall process efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines identity determination (mass spectrometry) and concentration measurement (flame ion detection) into a single simultaneous analysis process. This merging allows both parameters to be optimized within the same operational framework, eliminating the need for separate optimization steps and thereby improving overall analysis efficiency while maintaining both identification and quantification accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated system maintains continuous analysis by performing both identity and concentration determination in an uninterrupted sequential manner within a single run. This continuity eliminates idle time between separate analyses and ensures that both parameters are determined through continuous monitoring of the same sample stream, thereby improving productivity without sacrificing measurement precision.
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 method allows for the accurate determination of both the identity and concentration of constituents in a chemical sample, providing a comprehensive analysis that enhances safety and efficiency in handling samples with aromatic components.
Implementation Method 1
deconvoluting the signals from the first data source via a processor to provide ion identity information on ions contained in the chemical sample
Implementation Method 2
Some tools, such as the mass spectrometer, are capable of identifying constituents of a sample
Implementation Method 3
others such as the flame ion detector, are capable of providing information on the relative amounts of the constituents
Implementation Method 4
a vacuum ultraviolet detector that are configured to simultaneously analyze a chemical sample
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method for determining a composition of a chemical sample via a computer which has a memory, a processor, and a display unit, the method including uploading signals from a first data source and signals from a second data source to the memory; deconvoluting, via the processor, the signals from the first data source to provide ion identity information on ions contained in the chemical sample; transferring, via the processor, the ion identity information to ion concentration information provided by the signals from the second data source; creating, via the processor, a combined record for the chemical sample; and providing an output of the combined record on the display unit.