Sampling arrangement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sampling systems for gaseous analytes are complicated by resistance heaters, which lead to prolonged cool-down times and difficulty in stepwise release of trapped compounds, resulting in reduced accuracy due to co-release of water with CO2/C-14 in humid air.
Innovation Solution
A sampling arrangement that includes a sample concentration element for freezing analytes, a sample release arrangement with a drying element to remove humidity, and a pump element to provide a controlled gas flow at room temperature around the sample concentration element, allowing for precise temperature control and separate release of analytes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a resistance heater is used to vaporize the frozen sample, then the sample can be released for analysis, but the system becomes complicated with electronics and the cool-down time is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the resistance heater from the cryotrap assembly, extracting the heating function to a separate gas flow system. This eliminates the electronic heating element and its associated complexity while maintaining the vaporization capability through controlled gas flow heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a gas flow as an intermediary heating medium. Instead of direct electrical heating, room temperature or heated gas flows through or around the cryotrap to transfer thermal energy, enabling temperature control without direct contact heating elements.
2Measurement precision
If a resistance heater is used to release the trapped analytes, then the analytes can be vaporized, but water is released together with CO2/C-14 lowering analysis accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies different temperature zones to different parts of the trapped sample. By controlling gas flow rate and temperature, analytes with lower freezing points (CO2/C-14) are released at milder conditions while water remains trapped at higher temperatures, achieving spatial and thermal separation of release conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention performs preliminary separation of analytes based on their different freezing points before final analysis. By using controlled gas flow heating, CO2/C-14 are released in a first stage while water remains frozen, allowing selective analysis without water interference.
3Productivity
If strong heating is applied to release trapped compounds quickly, then the sampling frequency can be increased, but stepwise or separated release of compounds becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses dynamically adjustable gas flow parameters (flow rate, temperature, duration) to control the heating process. This allows the system to adapt between rapid heating for high sampling frequency and controlled gradual heating for stepwise release, providing operational flexibility without sacrificing productivity.
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 enables quick and accurate release of frozen analytes, reduces heating-related complications, and allows for multiple analytes to be released sequentially with minimized cross-contamination, thereby shortening sampling turnaround time and enhancing analysis accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a sample concentration element configured to trap at least one analyte of interest by freezing
Implementation Method 2
The release gas preprocessing element may comprise a drying element configured to reduce or remove humidity from the gas flow
Implementation Method 3
a pump element configured to provide the gas flow on or around the sample concentration element
Implementation Method 4
providing a gas flow at room temperature on or around the sample concentration element in order to change the temperature thereof
Data Source
AI summary
A sampling arrangement includes a sample concentration element configured to trap at least one analyte of interest by freezing; and a sample release arrangement configured to provide a flow of gas, at room temperature on or around the sample concentration element in order to change the temperature thereof; wherein the sample release arrangement further includes a release gas preprocessing element; and a pump element configured to provide the gas flow on or around the sample concentration element.