Ionic Liquid Electrospray Gas Sampler with Cooled Electrode
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air sampling technologies, such as Summa canisters and solid-absorbent sampling tubes, face limitations due to high cost, size, and labor-intensive handling, while alternative methods like solid-phase micro-extraction (SPME) show discrepancies in data accuracy due to narrow adsorption spectra and selective gas adsorption.
Innovation Solution
A gas sampling system utilizing an ionic liquid electrospray with a cooled counter electrode and layered solid absorbents in a miniaturized cartridge form, which captures polar and non-polar gases, and noble gases, offering a dynamic range from 10 ppt to 100 ppm for subsequent GC-MS analysis, and includes a void space for gases non-interacting with the ionic liquid or solid phase materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If Summa canisters are used for air sampling, then data accuracy is improved, but cost, size, and labor-intensive handling increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable sampling cartridges containing solid absorbent materials that can be easily discarded after use, eliminating the need for complex Summa canister handling procedures while maintaining analytical accuracy through optimized absorbent chemistry
Solution Approach 2:
The invention modifies the sampling approach by changing from bulk liquid absorption (Summa canisters) to solid-phase adsorption using engineered absorbent materials with optimized surface area and chemical selectivity, achieving comparable accuracy with simpler hardware
2Device complexity
If solid-absorbent sampling tubes are used, then cost and size are reduced, but data accuracy decreases due to narrow adsorption spectrum
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite absorbent materials combining multiple solid absorbent phases with different selectivities and adsorption characteristics, enabling simultaneous capture of diverse gas compounds across a broad spectral range while maintaining device simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The sampling tube is designed with multi-functional absorbent layers that can simultaneously target different classes of gases (volatile organic compounds, halogenated compounds, etc.), making a single device capable of handling diverse analytical requirements without requiring multiple specialized samplers
3Device complexity
If SPME sampling technologies are used, then cost and size are reduced, but data accuracy decreases due to limited absorption capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs porous solid absorbent materials with controlled pore sizes and high surface area to volume ratios, enhancing the absorption capacity for trace gases while keeping the overall device size small and simple
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 system provides accurate and efficient capture of a wide range of atmospheric compounds with high capture efficiency and minimal contamination, overcoming competitive displacement issues and achieving data accuracy comparable to Summa canisters while being more cost-effective and compact.
Implementation Method 1
charged nanodroplet enhanced sampling may be used to capture organics, acids, halogens, noble gases
Implementation Method 2
An ionic liquid electrospray with a cooled counter electrode is used to collect polar and polarizable molecules
Implementation Method 3
The cartridge may be a highly miniaturized sampling capsule
Implementation Method 4
An ionic liquid electrospray with a cooled counter electrode is used to collect polar and polarizable molecules
Implementation Method 5
In some cases, an additional adsorption layer is added to the surface of the summa canister
Data Source
AI summary
A gas sampling canister has an electrospray nozzle for creating an ionic fluid electrospray plume. A gas sample intake is positioned to provide a gas sample flowing through the ionic fluid electrospray plume. A cooled counter electrode is positioned to collect the electrospray plume such that selected chemicals in the gas sample are captured by ionic fluid accumulating on the cooled counter electrode. A system and method for sampling gas are also described.