Ion Analyzer Gas Heater Mounting to Prevent Sample Probe Boiling
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Solution Overview
Problem
In existing ion analyzers, the heat from the gas heater is conducted to the sample probe via the ionization chamber wall, causing the liquid sample to boil and fluctuate the detection signal.
Innovation Solution
An ion analyzer with a gas heater fixed to the ionization chamber wall using a cooled fixture, which prevents heat conduction to the sample probe by incorporating a cooling unit to manage the heat from the gas heater.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the gas heater is fixed to the ionization chamber wall to maintain positional relationship between heating gas and nebulized liquid sample, then the heating function is effective, but the heat is conducted to the sample probe causing liquid sample to boil and detection signal to fluctuate
Solution Approach 1:
The gas heater is segmented into a heating section (tubular member with heater) and a connection section (fixture), allowing the heating function to be separated from the mounting function. This enables the tubular member to be heated to high temperature while the fixture remains at lower temperature due to thermal isolation, preventing heat conduction to the sample probe while maintaining effective heating of the gas flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixture acts as a thermal intermediary or buffer between the heated tubular member and the ionization chamber wall. By positioning the fixture away from direct thermal contact with the wall and potentially using thermal insulation materials, it mediates the heat transfer path, allowing the tubular member to be heated effectively while preventing excessive heat conduction to the sample probe through the chamber wall.
2Productivity
If the tubular member is heated to high temperature to promote vaporization of solvent, then desolvation efficiency is improved, but heat is conducted through the fixture and wall to the sample probe causing intermittent ejection of liquid sample
Solution Approach 1:
The gas heater structure is segmented into a heating section (tubular member) and a mounting section (fixture), allowing independent thermal management. The tubular member can be heated to high temperature (e.g., 400°C) for effective desolvation, while the fixture is thermally isolated to remain at lower temperature, preventing harmful heat conduction to the sample probe and eliminating intermittent liquid ejection.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixture serves as a thermal intermediary that decouples the high-temperature heating zone from the low-temperature mounting zone. By using thermal insulation or positioning the fixture away from direct thermal contact with the ionization chamber wall, it mediates heat transfer, enabling high desolvation efficiency while preventing harmful thermal effects on the sample probe.
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
Prevents boiling of the liquid sample in the sample probe, stabilizing the detection signal by reducing heat conduction from the gas heater to the sample probe.
Implementation Method 1
the heat of the tubular member is conducted to the sample probe fixed to the wall via the wall of the ionization chamber to which the tubular member is attached
Implementation Method 2
a heater to heat the inside of the tubular member
Implementation Method 3
heating gas heated to a high temperature (for example, about 400° C.) is introduced into the ionization chamber in order to promote vaporization (desolvation) of the solvent from a nebulized liquid sample
Data Source
AI summary
A mass spectrometer (ion analyzer) includes: an ionization chamber; a sample probe fixed to a wall of the ionization chamber and configured to nebulize a liquid sample into the ionization chamber; a gas heater including a tubular member having both end walls and a peripheral wall, a heater configured to heat the inside of the tubular member, a gas flow inlet and a gas flow outlet provided in the peripheral wall or the end wall of the tubular member, and a gas flow outlet pipe having one end connected to the gas flow outlet and the other end inserted into the ionization chamber; a fixture configured to fix the gas heater to the wall of the ionization chamber; and a cooling unit configured to cool the fixture.