Inert Jet Assembly for Flame Detector Analyte Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Chromatography systems with flame detectors face challenges in detecting certain analytes due to sample reactions with hot surfaces in the flame jet assembly, leading to detection difficulties or impossibilities.

Innovation Solution

A jet assembly with a fluid flow path constructed from substantially inert materials such as titanium, aluminum, yttrium, or their oxides, or alloys like Hastelloy and Inconel, which are non-catalytic and resistant to sample reactions, is used to prevent unwanted catalysis and sample loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional materials are used in the flame jet assembly, then the detector structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the sample reacts with hot surfaces causing detection failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidmaterial selection complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the inert environment principle by constructing the fluid flow path from substantially inert materials such as titanium, aluminum, yttrium, or their oxides. These materials create a chemically inert environment that prevents sample reactions with hot surfaces in the flame jet assembly, thereby ensuring reliable detection of analytes including hydrogen sulfide and other challenging compounds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite materials by using alloys such as Hastelloy and Inconel, which combine multiple elements to achieve both thermal resistance and chemical inertness. These composite materials provide the necessary durability and non-reactivity in the high-temperature flame environment while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If inert materials are used in the fluid flow path, then sample reactions are prevented, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetector performanceVSAvoidfabrication difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The fluid flow path is constructed from substantially inert materials including titanium, aluminum, yttrium, or their oxides, creating a chemically inert environment that prevents sample reactions. This ensures consistent detector performance over time and across repeated uses, particularly for detecting hydrogen sulfide and other reactive analytes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

Solution Approach 2:

The use of Hastelloy and Inconel alloys provides a balance between manufacturing feasibility and performance requirements. These alloys offer excellent corrosion resistance and thermal stability while being workable through standard metal fabrication techniques, reducing the overall manufacturing complexity compared to more exotic inert materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Measurement precision

If non-catalytic materials are used, then catalysis is deterred, but material options are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanalyte detection accuracyVSAvoidmaterial selection flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs substantially inert materials such as titanium, aluminum, and yttrium or their oxide coatings, which inherently possess non-catalytic properties. These materials prevent unwanted catalysis reactions that could interfere with analyte detection, thereby ensuring high measurement precision for various flame-based detection methods including flame photometric and flame ionization detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

Solution Approach 2:

The use of alloy systems like Hastelloy and Inconel provides versatile material options that maintain non-catalytic properties while offering different mechanical and thermal property profiles. This allows selection based on specific application requirements such as operating temperature ranges and pressure conditions, maintaining material selection flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite 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

The use of inert materials in the jet assembly prevents sample reactions, ensuring accurate detection of analytes like hydrogen sulfide and maintaining detector performance over time, even with repeated use.

Implementation Method 1

the fluid flow path comprises a substantially inert material... the substantially inert metal material comprises titanium, aluminum, yttrium or combinations thereof... to deter catalysis in the fluid flow path

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Data Source

PatentUS8951471B2Jet assembly for use in detectors and other devices

Publication Date: 2015.02.10 PERKINELMER U S LLC

AI summary

Certain embodiments described herein are directed to jet assemblies that include a substantially inert fluid flow path. In some examples, a jet assembly includes a fluid flow path comprising a substantially inert metal in a fluid flow path. Devices and systems using the jet assembly are also described. In other embodiments, a brazeless or weldless jet assembly is provided. In some embodiments, the brazeless jet assembly may include an inert material or coating, e.g., a silica coating, in a fluid flow path.