Inline Dilution System for ICP-MS Speciation Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
ICP spectrometry struggles to distinguish between different species of chemical elements, leading to erroneous analysis due to species conversion during manual pre-dilution and contamination risks from metal components in high-pressure systems.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an inline and automatic dilution system using syringe pumps and valve configurations to provide real-time dilution and speciation analysis, eliminating the need for pre-dilution and minimizing metal contamination risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If manual pre-dilution is performed, then sample concentration is reduced, but species conversion occurs leading to erroneous analysis
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs dilution immediately before analysis through automated inline dilution, eliminating the time delay that causes species conversion. The sample is diluted at the moment of introduction into the ICP-MS system, ensuring species stability is maintained while achieving the required concentration reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual pre-dilution operations are replaced with an automated robotic liquid handling system that performs precise dilutions through robotic pipetting and mixing. This eliminates human error and the time delay associated with manual operations, maintaining species integrity while achieving accurate concentration control.
2Productivity
If high-pressure systems with metal components are used, then sample processing capability is improved, but contamination risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes metal components from the sample introduction system by using a robotic liquid handling system with non-metallic (e.g., plastic or glass) components. This extraction of harmful metal elements eliminates the source of contamination while maintaining sample processing capability through automated liquid transfer mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a contamination-free environment by using non-metallic materials throughout the sample introduction pathway. The robotic liquid handling system operates in an environment free from metal surfaces that could leach contaminants, effectively creating an inert chemical environment for sensitive speciation analysis.
3Measurement precision
If automated robotic liquid handling is implemented, then operational accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic liquid handling system is designed to perform multiple functions including sample aspiration, dilution, mixing, and injection through a single integrated platform. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate manual operations and equipment, managing complexity while enhancing operational accuracy across all liquid handling tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated system performs all liquid handling operations autonomously without requiring manual intervention. The robotic system self-regulates dilution ratios, mixing times, and transfer volumes based on pre-programmed parameters, eliminating human error while managing complexity through software control rather than mechanical complexity.
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 accurate, real-time speciation analysis by preventing species conversion and reducing contamination, with stable retention times and high accuracy across various matrices.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of syringe pumps coupled to the first valve to deliver an inline diluted sample from the first valve
Implementation Method 2
transfer the inline diluted sample from the sample holding loop to a speciation column to separate one or more species from the inline diluted sample
Implementation Method 3
ICP spectrometry employs electromagnetically generated partially ionized argon plasma which reaches a temperature of approximately 7,000K. When a sample is introduced to the plasma, the high temperature causes sample atoms to become ionized
Implementation Method 4
the high temperature causes sample atoms to become ionized or emit light
Implementation Method 5
transport the aliquot to a nebulizer that converts the aliquot into a polydisperse aerosol suitable for ionization in plasma
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for inline and automatic dilution of chemicals of interest for speciation and subsequent analysis by ICP spectrometry are described. A system embodiment includes a first valve to receive a sample into a holding loop; a plurality of syringe pumps coupled to the first valve to deliver an inline diluted sample from the first valve; and a second valve coupled to the first valve to receive the inline diluted sample from the first valve into a sample holding loop coupled to the second valve, the second valve configured to couple to at least one of an eluent source or a carrier fluid source to receive at least one of an eluent fluid or a carrier fluid to transfer the inline diluted sample from the sample holding loop to a speciation column to separate one or more species from the inline diluted sample.