Gas Phase Standard Preparation Device for On-Site Reference Material Creation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for providing standardized reference materials for air sample analysis are limited by the need for pre-made high-pressure cylinders, which require special shipping and disposal, and cannot accommodate labs' varying concentration requirements.
Innovation Solution
A gas phase standard preparation device that allows laboratories to create custom reference materials by diluting a sealed ampule of chemical cocktail within a preparation station, using a vacuum pump, diluent gas, and pressure sensor to achieve the desired concentration, reducing the need for shipping and disposal of high-pressure cylinders.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pre-made high-pressure cylinders are used for reference materials, then standardized testing can be provided, but special shipping methods and disposal complications are required
Solution Approach 1:
The reference material system is segmented into two parts: a stable, easy-to-ship sealed ampule containing the concentrated reference material, and a separate diluent gas (nitrogen). The ampule is broken in situ within the preparation station, allowing the reference material to be released and diluted with the nitrogen gas to create the final standardized mixture. This segmentation eliminates the need to ship and dispose of high-pressure cylinders while maintaining standardized testing capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealed ampule acts as an intermediary carrier that contains the concentrated reference material in a stable, low-pressure form suitable for standard shipping. The ampule is designed to break in situ, releasing the material into the preparation station where it is then diluted with nitrogen gas. This intermediary approach allows the reference material to be transported and stored safely without requiring special high-pressure cylinder handling procedures.
2Reliability
If pre-made reference materials are used, then standardized testing is available, but labs cannot obtain different concentrations
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static pre-filled cylinders to a dynamic preparation process. The preparation station allows laboratories to dynamically adjust the concentration of reference materials by controlling the amount of diluent gas (nitrogen) added to the broken ampule contents. This dynamic approach enables customization of concentrations while maintaining the reliability of standardized testing through controlled dilution procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables parameter changes in concentration by separating the reference material storage (in sealed ampules at fixed concentrations) from the final delivery format (diluted in nitrogen gas to custom concentrations). Laboratories can change the concentration parameter by adjusting the dilution ratio, allowing versatile customization while maintaining the stability and reliability of the original reference material standards.
3Adaptability or versatility
If custom concentrations are requested from suppliers, then specific needs are met, but additional shipping and handling requirements are created
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the reference material into a concentrated form in sealed ampules that can be shipped using standard procedures, separate from the diluent gas and the final customized concentration mixture. This allows laboratories to receive ampules via regular shipping, then locally prepare custom concentrations in-house, eliminating the need for suppliers to ship multiple pre-filled cylinders at different concentrations.
Solution Approach 2:
The preparation station enables laboratories to self-service their own custom concentration requirements by providing the tools to break ampules and mix with nitrogen gas on-site. This self-service approach eliminates the need for suppliers to handle custom ordering, special shipping arrangements, and complex inventory management for multiple concentrations, while still allowing laboratories to obtain any desired concentration.
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 on-site creation of custom reference materials at desired concentrations, reducing shipping costs and waste, and allowing for flexible concentration adjustments not met by standard suppliers.
Implementation Method 1
The first compartment provides two connections for a vacuum pump
Implementation Method 2
the nitrogen, which is used for dilution of the reference material concentration, pushes the ampule reference material from the ampule into the cylinder
Data Source
AI summary
This invention is a gas standard preparation device and method of use for creating a reference material or a certified reference material. The reference material or the certified reference material is used to quantitate air from a collected sample. This is beneficial for identifying if the air within the area contains certain volatile compounds or other undesired compounds. This is accomplished by providing a sealed ampule containing reference material that is eventually broken by the gas preparation device. Once the ampule is broken, the reference material within the ampule is mixed with a diluent gas and forced into a reference material cylinder. The concentration of the final reference material within the reference material cylinder is verified for use in testing collected air sample. Accordingly, this device allows for creating a custom reference material onsite in a laboratory without the need for shipping in pre-made compressed gas cylinders for air quality testing.