Ion Mobility Spectrometer Negative Pressure Energy Supply

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ion mobility spectrometers face challenges in rapidly detecting and quantitatively analyzing benzene in the presence of toluene or water due to cross-sensitivities, limiting their ability to monitor hazardous substances effectively in complex gas mixtures.

Innovation Solution

A gas analysis device with an ion mobility spectrometer that employs a reaction chamber under negative pressure and an energy supply device to free reactant ions from unwanted binding partners, using electromagnetic waves or electric fields to increase the density of free reactant ions, thereby enhancing the ionization probability and sensitivity for analytes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If ion mobility spectrometry is used for rapid analysis of complex gas mixtures, then analysis speed is improved, but cross-sensitivities prevent quantitative detection of specific substances

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanalysis speedVSAvoidquantitative detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the ion mobility spectrometer into two separate spectrometers with different drift gases (first drift gas and second drift gas). This segmentation allows each spectrometer to detect different substances or ion types, enabling selective measurement that eliminates cross-sensitivity interference while maintaining rapid analysis capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Quantity of substance

If reactant ions are supplied to the reaction chamber, then ionization of analytes occurs, but binding with unwanted partners (water molecules) reduces the density of free reactant ions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedensity of free reactant ionsVSAvoidbinding with unwanted partners
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces a buffer gas as an intermediary substance in the reaction chamber. This buffer gas mediates between the reactant ions and unwanted binding partners (water molecules), facilitating the formation of desired analyte ions while preventing unwanted binding. The buffer gas acts as a protective medium that maintains the availability of free reactant ions for target analyte ionization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If energy is supplied to free reactant ions from binding partners, then density of free reactant ions increases, but additional device complexity is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedensity of free reactant ionsVSAvoidenergy supply device
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention designs the energy supply device to serve multiple functions: it not only frees reactant ions from unwanted binding partners but also maintains ionization conditions, controls reaction chamber temperature, and supports the buffer gas chemistry. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated devices for each function, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.

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

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 approach allows for rapid, sensitive detection of analytes in complex gas mixtures without chromatographic pre-separation, enabling real-time monitoring of toxic components and improving measurement sensitivity, especially for substances like benzene in the presence of toluene or water.

Implementation Method 1

a negative pressure generating device coupled to a reaction chamber of the ion mobility spectrometer, which is set up to generate a negative pressure compared to atmospheric pressure at least in the reaction chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNegative pressure: Pressure Drop

Implementation Method 2

The energy to be fed into the reaction chamber by means of the energy supply device can be supplied, for example, by irradiating the reaction chamber with electromagnetic waves

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

The energy supply can also advantageously take place with the help of electric fields

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectric field: Electric Field

Implementation Method 4

ion mobility spectrometry method

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIon mobility: Electrophoresis

Data Source

PatentEP3084412B1Gas analyzing device and method for analyzing gas
Publication Date: 2018.10.24 GOTTFRIED WILHELM LEIBNIZ UNIV HANNOVER
  • EP3084412B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3084412B1 patent drawingFigure 5
  • EP3084412B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a gas analyzing device (1) which comprises at least one ion mobility spectrometer (2). Said gas analyzing device (1) also comprises an energy supply device (50) interacting with a reaction chamber (5) of the ion mobility spectrometer (2) which is designed to manipulate the density of free reactant ions in the reaction chamber (5) by supplying energy. The invention also relates to a method for analyzing gas by means of a gas analyzing device according to the ion mobility spectrometry.