ESI Probe Coaxial Gas Channel Layout for Thermal Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing ESI probes face issues with thermal decomposition of the liquid sample and degradation of electrical insulators due to heat transfer from the heater and assist gas, leading to increased size and cost, particularly because a minimum distance is required to prevent heat transfer, which complicates the design and increases the device's dimensions.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an assist gas channel between the nebulizer gas channel and the heating gas channel, where the assist gas flows at ambient temperature before being heated, prevents heat transfer to the liquid sample channel, allowing for reduced probe size and lower heat-resistant insulator costs, and enabling the use of thermal insulation materials with reduced thermal insulation performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a heating gas channel is arranged close to the liquid sample channel for compact design, then the probe size is reduced, but heat transfers to the liquid sample causing thermal decomposition and to electrical insulators causing degradation
Solution Approach 1:
An assist gas channel is introduced as an intermediary component between the heating gas channel and the liquid sample channel. This assist gas channel acts as a thermal barrier, preventing heat from the heating gas channel from transferring to the liquid sample channel and electrical insulators, while allowing the heating gas channel to be positioned closer for compact design.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas flow path is segmented into two separate channels: an assist gas channel that carries cool gas to provide thermal insulation, and a heating gas channel that carries heated gas for ionization. This segmentation allows the two gas flows to serve different functions and be positioned optimally without direct thermal interaction.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If thermal insulation materials with high performance are used to prevent heat transfer, then heat protection is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using complex thermal insulation materials, the invention uses a pneumatic approach by introducing an assist gas channel that flows cool gas to provide thermal protection. This pneumatic insulation method is simpler and more cost-effective than using high-performance thermal insulation materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature parameter of the gas in the assist gas channel is maintained at ambient temperature, creating a thermal gradient that protects the liquid sample and electrical insulators from heat. This parameter-based protection approach is simpler than using complex insulation materials.
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 configuration enhances thermal insulation, reduces the probe's size, and allows for the use of lower-cost, lower-heat-resistant electrical insulators, while maintaining efficient ionization and sensitivity in the mass spectrometry process.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element which is arranged inside said heating gas channel and heats the assist gas for injecting through said heating gas injection port
Implementation Method 2
a high voltage on the order of several kV is applied to the tip of the nozzle to generate a strong non-uniform electric field. As a result, the liquid sample undergoes charge separation due to the electric field and is pulled apart and atomized by coulombic attraction
Implementation Method 3
a needle electrode is arranged in front of the nozzle tip. Drops of the sample which has been atomized by heating in the nozzle are ionized by chemically reacting with carrier gas ions (buffer ions) generated by corona discharge from the needle electrode
Implementation Method 4
the solvent in the drop comes into contact with the surrounding air and evaporates, and gas ions are generated
Data Source
AI summary
A probe including a liquid sample channel through which a liquid sample flows in a specified direction; a nebulizer gas channel through which a nebulizer gas flows in a specified direction, formed at the outer circumference of the liquid sample channel so as to have a round annular outer circumference and be coaxial with the liquid sample channel; a heating gas channel for injecting an assist gas in a specified direction, wherein a heating gas injection port is formed around the outlet end of the nebulizer gas channel so as to have a round annular outer circumference and be coaxial with the nebulizer gas channel; and a heating element which is arranged inside the heating gas channel and heats the assist gas for injecting through the heating gas injection port.