Degassing Chamber Layout for Low-Contamination Gas Analysis
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing degassing systems suffer from contamination by ambient air in the dead volume, which complicates accurate measurement of dissolved gases, particularly in the low ppm range, due to the presence of nitrogen and other substances.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that incorporates a second volume or gas tank, connected to the first volume via a valve, which redistributes air from the dead volume into a larger second volume during evacuation, significantly reducing contamination by diluting the ambient air in the first volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a pump is used for both evacuation and degassing, then device complexity is reduced, but contamination by ambient air in the dead volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the volume into a first volume (dead volume at pump discharge) and a second volume (larger expansion volume), separated by a valve. During evacuation, both volumes are connected to the pump; during degassing, the second volume is isolated. This segmentation allows the pump to serve dual purposes while managing contamination through volume distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the effective volume parameter by connecting or disconnecting the second volume based on operational phase. During evacuation, the pump evacuates both volumes; during degassing, only the first volume is active. This dynamic parameter change allows the same pump to handle both functions while controlling the impact of dead volume contamination.
2Measurement precision
If the dead volume is minimized, then measurement precision improves, but the pump's ability to maintain low pressure during degassing deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system adds a volumetric dimension by introducing a second volume that is spatially separated from the first volume. This additional dimensional space allows the pump to maintain low pressure during degassing by providing a larger expansion space, while the first volume remains small enough to minimize dead volume contamination effects on measurements.
3Measurement precision
If a second volume is added to reduce contamination, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the evacuation and degassing functions into a single integrated apparatus by using the same pump for both operations and employing valve means to control the configuration. The second volume is integrated into the existing pump system rather than being a separate standalone component, reducing overall device complexity while achieving the goal of reduced contamination.
4Measurement precision
If the second volume is made very large to maximize contamination reduction, then measurement precision improves, but the space required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by using a second volume that is sufficiently large to provide the desired contamination reduction (in the embodiment, 100 times the first volume), but not excessively large. This optimized sizing achieves the necessary measurement precision improvement while controlling the space requirement, avoiding unnecessary over-engineering.
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
The apparatus effectively reduces contamination by a factor of X, allowing for precise analysis of gases such as oxygen and nitrogen with minimal space and cost, using the same pump for both evacuation and degassing, and enabling automated gas analysis.
Implementation Method 1
Parts of a degassing unit can be evacuated by means of a pump
Implementation Method 2
the lower the differential pressure between the pressure at the entry to the pump and the pressure at the discharge of the pump is
Implementation Method 3
the extraction of the gas from the insulating oil... is all the more effective the lower the pressure in the vessel or volume which receives the gas is
Data Source
AI summary
In order to degas a device (7), an apparatus (10) is provided that comprises a control unit (19), a pump (3), a first volume (1,2), a second volume (6), valve means (12), a first valve (15) and a second valve (14). At the discharge end, the pump (3) is connected to an air outlet (21) via the valve means (12) and to the first volume (1, 2) via the valve means (12). The first volume (1, 2) and the second volume (6) are connected via the first valve (15). At the intake end, the pump (3) is connected to the first volume (1, 2) via the second valve (14) and can be connected to the device (7) to be degassed.