Integrated Solvent Trap for Mass Spectrometry Drainage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current solvent trapping systems in mass spectrometry often require multiple collection points for excess solvent, leading to inefficiencies and increased environmental contamination due to the separation of gas and liquid phases during ionization processes in liquid chromatography mass spectrometry.

Innovation Solution

An integrated solvent trap with a wet gas inlet, liquids outlet, and dry gas outlet, incorporating active or passive cooling mechanisms, baffles, and coalescing media to condense and separate solvents within a single enclosure, allowing for efficient solvent collection and environmental protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If solvent trapping is performed using separate collection points for gas and liquid phases, then solvent capture is achieved, but device complexity and waste management requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesolvent capture effectivenessVSAvoidnumber of collection points

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines separate gas phase and liquid phase solvent collection systems into a single integrated solvent trap. The trap simultaneously captures both phases through unified cooling and condensation mechanisms, eliminating the need for multiple separate collection points while maintaining effective solvent capture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The solvent trap is designed to perform multiple functions within a single device: it condenses gas phase solvent, collects liquid phase solvent, and provides a unified drainage system. This multi-functional design reduces overall system complexity while ensuring comprehensive solvent management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If solvent is not condensed and separated within the trap, then device simplicity is maintained, but environmental contamination increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidenvironmental contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The solvent trap utilizes phase transition principles by cooling the trapped solvent below its condensation point, causing gas phase solvent to condense into liquid form. This phase change enables effective separation and collection of solvent in a single device, preventing environmental contamination while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The trap converts the harmful effect of solvent vapor accumulation and potential contamination into a beneficial condensation process. By actively cooling the trap, the system transforms solvent vapor into collectible liquid, turning a potential environmental hazard into a controlled waste management solution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Productivity

If active cooling mechanisms are added to the solvent trap, then solvent condensation efficiency improves, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesolvent condensation efficiencyVSAvoidcooling energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system optimizes the cooling temperature parameter to achieve solvent condensation at the most energy-efficient point. By monitoring and adjusting the cooling intensity based on solvent vapor pressure and flow conditions, the system maintains high condensation efficiency while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 integrated solvent trap effectively captures and drains solvents from the gas flow, reducing the need for multiple waste collection points and minimizing environmental contamination by condensing solvents within the trap, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and reducing waste management costs.

Implementation Method 1

The integrated solvent trap with a wet gas inlet, liquids outlet, and dry gas outlet, incorporating active or passive cooling mechanisms, baffles, and coalescing media to condense and separate solvents within a single enclosure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCoalescence: Coagulation

Implementation Method 3

a liquids outlet port configured to enable liquids to flow under gravity from the internal space

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS9754773B1Internal solvent trap with drain

Publication Date: 2017.09.05 THERMO FINNIGAN LLC

AI summary

A solvent trap for integration with a mass spectrometry system includes an enclosure defining an internal space; a wet gas inlet port configured to receive a gaseous flow from an ion source; a liquids outlet port configured to enable liquids to flow under gravity from the internal space; and a dry gas outlet port configured to exhaust gas from the internal space.