Noble Gas Mass Spectrometry for Trace Halogen Determination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining halogen elements in geological samples, particularly Br and I, face challenges due to their low content, volatility, and high ionization energy, leading to inaccurate analysis and complex, dangerous sample pretreatment processes.
Innovation Solution
Converting halogens in samples into noble gases through irradiation, followed by heating with a laser device, purifying and enriching the gases using a cold trap, and analyzing them with a noble gas mass spectrometer to achieve accurate determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional methods (ion chromatography, X-ray fluorescence, ICP-MS) are used to determine halogen content, then the analysis can be performed with existing equipment, but the determination accuracy is poor due to low halogen content, volatility, and high ionization energy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the determination object from halogen elements directly to noble gas isotopes produced by neutron irradiation. This parameter change allows the use of noble gas mass spectrometry which has superior detection sensitivity and accuracy for trace elements, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and reliability for low-content halogen determination
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces noble gases as an intermediary substance. Halogen elements are converted to noble gases through neutron irradiation, which then serve as the actual measurement target. This intermediary transformation eliminates the direct measurement problems of halogen volatility and low ionization efficiency, improving both precision and reliability
2Ease of manufacture
If high-temperature heating or acid-base reagents are used in sample pretreatment, then the samples can be digested and processed, but the process becomes complex, time-consuming, and dangerous
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the halogen elements from the complex sample matrix through neutron irradiation, converting them to noble gases that can be easily separated and measured. This eliminates the need for complex high-temperature digestion and acid-base treatment steps, simplifying the overall process while maintaining feasibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical/chemical pretreatment methods (high-temperature heating, acid digestion) with a nuclear physical method (neutron irradiation). This substitution eliminates the need for complex chemical reagents and high-temperature equipment, reducing process complexity and safety risks while achieving effective sample processing
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 method allows for precise analysis of low- and ultra-low-content halogens without chemical extraction complications, avoiding matrix interference and achieving high sensitivity and precision.
Implementation Method 1
heating a surface of the sample by using a laser device to extract target gases
Implementation Method 2
enriching and separating purified noble gases according to different condensation temperatures, and enabling the noble gases after enrichment and separation to enter a noble gas mass spectrometer in turn for testing
Data Source
AI summary
A halogen element determination method and a halogen element determination device are provided, belonging to the technical field of geological sample detection. The method includes the following steps: converting halogens in a sample into noble gases by irradiation; heating the sample using a laser device to extract target gases; adsorbing active gases in the target gases to purify the target gases; enriching and separating purified noble gases according to different condensation temperatures, and enabling the noble gases after enrichment and separation to enter a noble gas mass spectrometer in turn for testing; and calculating a yield of converting halogens into the noble gases after irradiation through a standard sample, and inferring the content of halogen elements through the volume of noble gases in an unknown sample by calculating the volume of noble gases produced by a standard sample with known content of halogen elements.