Plasma Emission Spectroscopy for Rapid Heavy Metal Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for analyzing components in fine dust, such as inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, are inefficient and time-consuming, making it difficult to accurately and quickly measure heavy metals in air samples.
Innovation Solution
A device and method utilizing a plasma generation unit with electrodes to ionize samples, followed by signal detection units that sense light emitted by heavy metals as they return to a ground state, allowing for accurate measurement of heavy metal concentrations through controlled timing and wavelength filtering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry or mass spectrometer is used to analyze components in fine dust, then measurement precision of heavy metals is improved, but analysis time increases significantly (taking more than one hour)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential function of plasma generation and light detection needed for heavy metal analysis, removing unnecessary components like complex mass spectrometry systems. By using a simple plasma generation unit with electrodes and photodetectors to directly measure emission spectra, the system achieves rapid heavy metal detection without the time-consuming sample preparation and analysis steps of conventional methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical and chemical analysis systems (centrifugal separators, chemical preconditioning) with an optical detection system. The plasma emission spectra are directly detected by photodetectors, substituting mechanical separation and chemical processing with non-contact optical measurement, enabling real-time analysis.
2Measurement precision
If conventional methods with chemical preconditioning are used, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and operation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs self-service principles by allowing the plasma generation unit to automatically ionize the sample and the photodetectors to automatically detect the emission spectra without external chemical preconditioning. The system performs sample introduction, plasma generation, and spectral detection in an integrated manner, eliminating the need for separate chemical preparation steps and reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from requiring chemical state information (in conventional methods) to detecting optical emission spectra directly. By measuring the intensity of characteristic emission lines at specific wavelengths, the system determines heavy metal concentrations based on optical parameters rather than chemical properties, simplifying the overall process.
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
Enables rapid and precise measurement of heavy metal concentrations in air samples by detecting plasma emission spectra without chemical preconditioning, allowing for real-time calculation.
Implementation Method 1
a plasma generation unit (20) connected to the power supply unit (10) and including a pair of electrodes facing each other
Implementation Method 2
supply power to generate plasma
Implementation Method 3
sense light emitted from the sample because of the plasma
Implementation Method 4
signal detection units arranged on the electrodes and configured to sense light emitted
Data Source
AI summary
A device and a method of detecting a concentration of a sample are provided. The device includes a power supply unit configured to supply power to generate plasma, a plasma generation unit connected to the power supply unit and including a pair of electrodes facing each other, a plurality of signal detection units arranged on the pair of electrodes and configured to sense light emitted from the sample because of the plasma, and a controller configured to control a driving start point of the signal detection unit so that the signal detection unit is driven after a preset period of time after oscillation is terminated between the pair of electrodes.