Pressurized Sample Container for Vacuum XRF Liquid Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzers face challenges in measuring light elements in liquids due to air absorption of fluorescent X-rays, leading to evaporation or freezing of samples in vacuum conditions, and require complex helium gas management systems.
Innovation Solution
A sample container with a sealable receptacle and pressure adjusting valve maintains a vacuum atmosphere within the XRF analyzer, allowing the sample chamber to be pressurized above the boiling point of the liquid sample but below the damage threshold of the analytical film, enabling measurements without helium replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a vacuum atmosphere is created in the sample chamber to reduce X-ray absorption, then measurement precision is improved, but the liquid sample evaporates or freezes causing loss of substance
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two separate chambers: a sample chamber maintained at vacuum atmosphere for X-ray detection, and a sample container chamber maintained at atmospheric pressure to prevent sample evaporation. The sample container acts as an isolated environment within the vacuum chamber, allowing each segment to operate under optimal conditions independently.
Solution Approach 2:
A transparent window or membrane serves as an intermediary between the vacuum sample chamber and the pressurized sample container. This intermediary allows X-rays to pass through from the vacuum environment to the sample while maintaining the pressure differential, enabling both vacuum benefits and sample stability simultaneously.
2Measurement precision
If helium gas is introduced into the sample chamber to replace air, then X-ray absorption is reduced improving measurement precision, but device complexity increases due to gas management mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The problematic air is completely removed from the sample chamber by maintaining vacuum, eliminating the need for helium gas introduction and management systems. The sample container is sealed to prevent air ingress, extracting the air removal function from the overall system and avoiding complex gas handling mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of implementing expensive and complex helium gas management infrastructure, the system uses a simple disposable or replaceable sealed sample container that can be easily opened, filled, and closed. This temporary sealing approach replaces the need for permanent complex gas management systems.
3Measurement precision
If the sample chamber is sealed to maintain vacuum, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in sample replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the sample handling function from the vacuum maintenance function by using a removable sample container that can be independently opened, filled, and sealed outside the vacuum chamber. The container itself becomes a portable vacuum-sealable unit, allowing sample replacement without compromising the permanent vacuum environment of the measurement chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The sample container is pre-filled and pre-sealed in atmospheric conditions before being introduced to the vacuum chamber. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need to open or manipulate the sample during vacuum operation, maintaining vacuum integrity while simplifying the operation sequence to just container replacement.
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 accurate measurement of light elements in liquids by preventing sample evaporation and film damage, while maintaining a vacuum atmosphere without the need for helium gas management systems.
Implementation Method 1
an analytical film closing off the second opening and transmitting X-rays
Implementation Method 2
a pressure adjusting valve for adjusting the pressure in the first receptacle; the interior of the first receptacle can be maintained at a pressure higher than the pressure at which the liquid sample boils
Implementation Method 3
a sample chamber maintained in the vacuum atmosphere; Air absorbs fluorescent X-rays generated from the sample. Especially, air absorbs fluorescent X-rays from light elements released from the sample strongly.
Implementation Method 4
irradiating a sample with primary X-rays produced from an X-ray tube
Implementation Method 5
detecting with a detector secondary X-rays responsively emanating from the sample
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a sample container which is for use with an X-ray fluorescence analyzer and which permits measurement of light elements in a liquid. The sample container (100) includes a sealable first receptacle (40), a pressure adjusting valve (50) for adjusting the pressure in the first receptacle (40), a second receptacle (10) receiving a liquid sample (S) and having both a first opening (12) and a second opening (14) located inside and outside, respectively, of the first receptacle (40), and an analytical film (20) closing off the second opening (14) and transmitting X-rays.