Degassing Device with Integrated Absorbance Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing degassing devices in liquid chromatography systems require separate UV spectrophotometers for verifying degassing performance, making the system large and costly, and the process of verifying performance is cumbersome and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A degassing device with an integrated absorbance measurement section using a semiconductor light-emitting element and a passage-switching mechanism allows for in-device verification of degassing performance without additional equipment, calculating the degree of degassing based on absorbance differences measured with and without the degassing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a separate UV spectrophotometer is used to verify degassing performance, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the absorbance measurement function directly into the degassing device by integrating a light source, flow cell, and photodetector within the degassing chamber. This allows the degassing device to independently verify its own performance without requiring a separate UV spectrophotometer, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The degassing device is designed to perform multiple functions: it both removes dissolved gas from the mobile phase and simultaneously measures the absorbance to verify degassing performance. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate verification equipment and simplifies the overall system
2Measurement precision
If manual passage changes are performed to verify degassing performance, then measurement accuracy is improved, but time consumption and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an automatic passage switching mechanism controlled by a solenoid valve that can dynamically switch between the degassing passage and bypass passage based on measurement needs. This eliminates manual passage changes, reduces verification time, and allows rapid switching between measurement modes without operational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically performs absorbance measurements and compares results to reference values to provide feedback on degassing performance. The passage switching is triggered automatically based on this feedback mechanism, eliminating the need for manual intervention and reducing verification time
3Measurement precision
If high degassing performance is required for measurement accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement function is merged into the degassing device itself, with the flow cell positioned within the degassing chamber. This integration allows high-precision absorbance measurement to verify degassing performance without adding separate complex verification systems, maintaining measurement precision while controlling device complexity
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 easy and accurate verification of degassing performance within the device, reducing system size and cost, and eliminating the need for manual passage changes, thus improving measurement efficiency and maintainability.
Implementation Method 1
a degassing tube housed in the chamber and made of a gas-permeable material allowing gas to pass through while preventing liquid from passing through
Implementation Method 2
a chamber evacuated by a vacuum pump
Implementation Method 3
a reduced-pressure degassing system using a gas-liquid separation membrane
Implementation Method 4
an absorbance measurement section that includes a flow cell through which the liquid flows, a light-casting unit using a semiconductor light-emitting element as a light source for casting measurement light into the flow cell, and a photodetector for detecting light resulting from transmission of the measurement light through the flow cell
Data Source
AI summary
A degassing device 2 includes: a built-in absorbance measurement section 28 using an LED light source and measuring the intensity of light transmitted through a mobile phase passing through a flow cell; and a solenoid valve 26 switchable between two states with and without the mobile phase passed through a degassing tube 21. The passage-switching operation by the solenoid valve is performed so as to obtain detection signals of the transmitted light in the absorbance measurement section when the mobile phase drawn from a mobile phase container by a liquid-feeding pump 40 is passed through the degassing tube for degassing as well as when the mobile phase is not passed through the degassing tube for degassing. A signal processor 29 calculates the difference in absorbance based on those detection signals, estimates the degree of degassing based on that difference, and displays the result on a display unit 32.