Gas Analysis Device Switching Mechanism Prevents Sample Gas Backflow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gas analysis devices face accuracy issues due to sample gas backflow from dead volumes in cleaning mechanisms, especially with adsorptive gases like NH3, which can accumulate and alter sample gas parameters during analysis.

Innovation Solution

A gas analysis device with a switching mechanism that connects the gas port to a suction source instead of a purge gas source during sample gas introduction and analysis, preventing backflow and maintaining sample gas parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a gas port is arranged toward a predetermined region of the gas contact surface and connected to a purge gas source through a piping mechanism to blow purge gas for cleaning, then dirt on the gas contact surface is removed, but sample gas accumulates in dead volume inside the piping mechanism and may return into the cell during analysis, changing sample gas parameters and reducing measurement accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidsample gas parameter stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The piping mechanism is made switchable between connecting to the purge gas source and connecting to the suction source. During cleaning operations, it connects to the purge gas source; during sample gas introduction and analysis, it connects to the suction source to prevent backflow. This dynamic reconfiguration resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to adapt its configuration based on operational mode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A switching part (three-way valve) is introduced as an intermediary component to control the connection between the gas port and either the purge gas source or the suction source. This intermediary mechanism enables the system to select the appropriate gas flow path based on operational requirements, preventing sample gas backflow during analysis while maintaining cleaning capability when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the gas port is connected to the purge gas source for continuous cleaning, then the gas contact surface remains clean, but sample gas continuously accumulates in the piping mechanism dead volume, increasing measurement errors for adsorptive gases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface cleanlinessVSAvoidconcentration measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches the gas port connection from the purge gas source during cleaning operations to the suction source during sample gas analysis. This dynamic adjustment ensures that the gas contact surface is cleaned when needed while preventing sample gas accumulation in the piping mechanism during measurement, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining cleanliness and ensuring measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs periodic switching between cleaning mode (connected to purge gas source) and analysis mode (connected to suction source). This periodic action allows the system to alternate between cleaning the gas contact surface and preventing sample gas backflow, ensuring both surface cleanliness and measurement precision at different operational phases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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 analysis accuracy by preventing sample gas backflow and maintaining consistent sample gas parameters, particularly effective for adsorptive gases like NH3.

Implementation Method 1

the gas port is connected to a suction source, and therefore sample gas is prevented from flowing back from inside of the piping mechanism into the cell

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNegative pressure: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

blow purge gas from the gas port toward the gas contact surface to remove the dirt on the gas contact surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 3

if adsorptive gas such as NH3 is contained in the sample gas, the adsorptive gas adheres to an inner surface of the piping mechanism to accumulate much more gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentEP2685230B1Gas analysis device
Publication Date: 2020.09.30 HORIBA LTD
  • EP2685230B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2685230B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2685230B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In order to be able to prevent analysis accuracy from being reduced by a backward flow of sample gas from dead volume in a cleaning mechanism into a cell at the time of analysis, a gas analysis device 100 is provided with: the cell 21 into which the sample gas is introduced; an analysis part 22, 23 that analyzes the sample gas introduced into the cell 21; gas ports 91 that are arranged toward predetermined regions of gas contact surfaces in the cell; and a piping mechanism 92 that connects the gas ports 91 to a predetermined purge gas source 93, and is configured to blow purge gas from the gas ports toward the predetermined regions at the time of purging that cleans the gas contact surfaces, and wherein the gas analysis device 100 is further provided with a switching part 94 that switches a connecting destination of the piping mechanism 92 from the purge gas source to a predetermined suction part 24, and configured to, at the time of introducing or analyzing the sample gas, connect the gas ports 92 to the suction source 24.