Ion Mobility Analyzer Gas Recirculation for Higher Throughput
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ion mobility separation techniques face limitations in gas flow management, leading to inefficient separation efficiency and ion throughput due to excessive vacuum pump requirements and space charge effects, particularly at reduced pressures.
Innovation Solution
A gas recirculation system is introduced to supply a portion of the gas flow through the ion mobility separation region, allowing for high gas flows without the need for excessive pumping capacity, by using a recirculator with an inlet downstream and an outlet upstream of the separation region.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high gas flows are used in ion mobility separation region, then separation efficiency and ion throughput are improved, but excessive vacuum pump capacity is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a gas recirculation system where gas flowing through the ion mobility separation region is continuously recaptured downstream and reused upstream. This continuous recirculation maintains high gas flow rates for improved ion throughput and separation efficiency without requiring proportionally larger vacuum pump capacity, as the same gas is reused multiple times
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding the gas after it passes through the separation region, the system recovers and recirculates it back to the upstream side. This recovery approach allows high gas flows to be maintained while reducing the net gas load on the vacuum pump system
2Manufacturing precision
If high gas flows are supplied from external gas line, then separation efficiency is improved, but vacuum pump capacity requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The recirculation system continuously cycles gas through the separation region, maintaining high flow rates that improve separation resolution without requiring continuous introduction of large amounts of fresh gas that would demand larger vacuum pump capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter from continuous fresh gas introduction to recirculated gas flow, maintaining the beneficial high flow rate effects for separation resolution while reducing the net gas load on the vacuum system
3Manufacturing precision
If gas flow is increased to improve separation efficiency, then ion mobility separation is enhanced, but space charge effects increase
Solution Approach 1:
The recirculation system maintains steady-state gas flow conditions that improve separation efficiency while the continuous circulation helps distribute and dissipate ion charge buildup, reducing space charge effects compared to single-pass high flow systems
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
Enhances separation efficiency and ion throughput while reducing the need for large vacuum pumps, enabling improved resolution and analysis sensitivity.
Implementation Method 1
A gas recirculation system is introduced to supply a portion of the gas flow through the ion mobility separation region, allowing for high gas flows without the need for excessive pumping capacity
Implementation Method 2
Ion mobility separation utilizes the transport of analyte ions through a gas in the presence of an electric field to temporally or spatially separate the ions according to their mobility cross-sections
Data Source
AI summary
An ion mobility analyser is disclosed having a gas flow directed along the ion travel axis and a set of electrodes to which DC voltages are applied to establish a DC field. The opposing forces of the gas flow and DC field cause ions to be trapped within a separation region in axial regions determined by their ion mobilities. A gas recirculator, having inlet and outlet ends respectively located downstream and upstream of the separation region, supplies at least fifty percent of the gas flow within the separation region, thereby reducing vacuum pumping requirements.