Lanthanide Torch Body for High-Temperature Plasma Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Torches used to sustain atomization sources, such as plasma, experience significant degradation due to high temperatures, leading to reduced lifetime.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating lanthanide or actinide materials with higher melting points than quartz into the torch design, particularly at the exit end, to prevent degradation and extend the torch's operational life. These materials can be coated, fused, or used as a solid body, and may include cerium, terbium, or thorium, with optional optically transparent windows for observation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If conventional materials (e.g., quartz) are used in the torch body, then the torch can be manufactured with standard materials, but the torch lifespan is reduced due to high temperature degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter by replacing quartz with lanthanide or actinide materials that have higher melting points and better thermal stability. This parameter change directly addresses the temperature resistance issue while extending torch lifespan in high-temperature plasma environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures where lanthanide or actinide materials are integrated with other torch components. These composite structures provide both the high-temperature resistance needed for reliability and the structural integrity required for extended operation.
2Productivity
If higher gas flows are used to cool the torch, then the torch temperature is controlled, but the atomization and ionization efficiencies are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material composition parameter to lanthanide or actinide materials that can withstand higher temperatures without degradation. This allows the torch to operate at higher temperatures without requiring excessive cooling gas flows, thereby maintaining atomization and ionization efficiency.
3Temperature
If the torch is designed to withstand higher temperatures, then the temperature tolerance is increased, but the detection limits are affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the material parameters by selecting specific lanthanide or actinide materials with appropriate thermal properties. These materials provide sufficient temperature tolerance while maintaining optical properties that enable effective detection, thus balancing temperature resistance with measurement precision.
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 use of lanthanide or actinide materials significantly increases the torch's temperature tolerance, allowing for lower gas flows and enhanced atomization and ionization efficiencies, while reducing degradation and extending the torch's lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
the lanthanide or actinide material is selected to provide a working temperature greater than 750 degrees Celsius or greater than 1300 degrees Celsius
Implementation Method 2
at least an exit end of the body comprises a lanthanide material or an actinide material comprising a melting point higher than the melting point of quartz
Data Source
AI summary
Certain embodiments described herein are directed to a torch that includes a lanthanide or actinide material. In some embodiments, the torch can include one or more other materials in combination with the lanthanide or actinide material. In some embodiments, the torch can comprise cerium, terbium or thorium. In other embodiments, the torch can comprise a lanthanide or actinide material comprising a melting point higher than the melting point of quartz.