Heated Chamber Sampling for Real-Time Liquid Byproduct Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current monitoring systems in chemical and pharmaceutical processes fail to detect undesirable byproducts and impurities in real-time due to offline analysis, leading to delayed reaction times and potential damage, especially in processes like engine oil dilution.

Innovation Solution

A device and method for partial conversion of liquid samples into the gas phase using a heatable chamber with controlled flow rates, establishing a gas-liquid equilibrium within seconds, allowing for online sample preparation and analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If samples are taken and analyzed in a laboratory setting, then analysis can be performed with existing equipment, but significant time losses occur between sampling and receiving analysis results

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidtime loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

A heated chamber serves as an intermediary device between the liquid sampling system and the gas-phase analytical detector. The chamber receives liquid samples, performs phase conversion through heating, and delivers converted samples to the detector, enabling online analysis without direct laboratory processing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical/chemical laboratory analysis processes with a thermal field-based phase conversion system. By using a heated chamber to convert liquid samples to gas phase, the system eliminates the need for complex mechanical sample preparation and transportation to laboratories

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If online monitoring is implemented to detect byproducts in real-time, then immediate reaction is possible, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereal-time detectionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical parameter of temperature within the chamber to achieve phase conversion. By controlling the temperature parameter, the system enables real-time online monitoring without requiring complex multi-component analytical systems, as the heated chamber integrates sampling, conversion, and delivery functions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The heated chamber performs multiple functions: receiving liquid samples, heating and converting them to gas phase, and delivering the converted samples to the detector. This multi-functional design reduces overall system complexity compared to separate dedicated components for each function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Quantity of substance

If liquid samples are analyzed directly, then the complete sample composition is preserved, but analysis time increases significantly when byproducts or impurities are present

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesample compositionVSAvoidanalysis speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes phase transition from liquid to gas phase through heating in the chamber. This phase change enables faster analysis by converting the sample into a state that can be rapidly introduced into gas-phase analytical detectors, significantly improving analysis speed while preserving sample composition information

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

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 real-time analysis of liquid samples with minimal process disruption, achieving results within minutes by converting samples into the gas phase for immediate detection in downstream analytical devices.

Implementation Method 1

partial conversion of a liquid sample comprising several components into the gas phase

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase transition (liquid to gas): Phase Change

Implementation Method 2

an equilibrium is quickly established between the gas and liquid phases of a liquid sample introduced into the chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas-liquid equilibrium:

Implementation Method 3

A device and method for partial conversion of liquid samples into the gas phase using a heatable chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3642592B1Device and method for partial transfer of a liquid sample comprising multiple components into the gas phase, and use of the device in the method
Publication Date: 2026.01.21 V&F ANALYSE UND MESSTECHNIK GMBH
  • EP3642592B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3642592B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3642592B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device and method for the partial for the partial transfer of a liquid sample, comprising multiple components and to a method for the online determination and analysis of these components of a liquid sample comprising several components. The invention also relates to the use of said device as a sample preparation device.