Trace Vapor Sampling with Pre-Concentration for Parallel Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trace detection devices using Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS) technology require manual operation for sampling, leading to increased consumable costs and difficulty in inspecting items inside packages, and may result in missed inspections due to manual limitations.
Innovation Solution
A detection system with a pre-concentrator and air pump for automated vapor sampling, using a sampling hose to collect target vapors onto an adsorption medium, and an analysis device for automated inspection without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a large volume of air is sampled to improve detection sensitivity for trace gases, then the detection limit is improved, but the sampling time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The sampling system is divided into multiple independent sampling lines (first sampling line, second sampling line, etc.) that can operate simultaneously. Each sampling line independently draws air from different locations or the same location, enabling parallel sampling that increases overall productivity while maintaining the required sample volume for sensitive detection
Solution Approach 2:
Air samples are collected and stored in sample bags before analysis. This preliminary sampling allows the system to accumulate sufficient sample volume in advance, enabling fast analysis later without compromising detection sensitivity. The sample bags act as intermediate storage that decouples the sampling rate from the analysis rate
2Productivity
If multiple sampling lines are used to increase sampling rate, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sampling lines share common components including the mass spectrometer, control unit, and data processing system. Each sampling line can be independently configured for different locations or purposes, but they all feed into the same analytical instrument, reducing overall system complexity compared to having separate analysis systems for each line
Solution Approach 2:
The sampling system is organized hierarchically with multiple sampling lines nested within a common control and analysis framework. The control unit manages multiple sampling lines through a unified interface, and the mass spectrometer serves as a shared resource that analyzes samples from all lines, creating a nested structure that manages complexity
3Speed
If continuous monitoring is implemented to improve real-time detection capability, then response time is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous analysis, the system uses periodic sampling where samples are collected continuously in sample bags and then analyzed at scheduled intervals. The mass spectrometer operates in discrete analysis cycles, injecting samples from the sample bags at regular intervals. This periodic operation maintains real-time monitoring capability while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous analysis
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 enables automated, cost-effective sampling and inspection of targets with low vapor pressure, allowing simultaneous inspection of multiple items without manual operation and improving detection sensitivity to ppb-ppt levels.
Implementation Method 1
air samples are drawn through a mass spectrometer for analysis
Implementation Method 2
a pump draws air through a mass spectrometer
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
Provided are a trace vapor sampling device and a detection system. The trace vapor sampling device includes: a moving carrier (1); a plurality of sampling apparatuses (2) provided on the moving carrier (1), including: a sampling hose (21) configured to go deep into an inside of a target to be inspected, the sampling hose (21) is configured to acquire a target vapor inside the target; a sampling channel (22) connected to the sampling hose (21) and configured to transmit the target vapor; and an pre-concentrator (23) provided in the sampling channel (22), an adsorption medium (24) is placed inside the pre-concentrator (23), and the target vapor is adsorbed onto the adsorption medium (24); a control apparatus (3) provided on the moving carrier (1); and at least one air pump (9), each air pump (9) is controllably communicated with one or more sampling apparatuses (2), the control apparatus (3) controls each air pump (9) to be selectively communicated with one sampling apparatus (2) or one of the plurality of sampling apparatuses (2), so that the air pump (9) drives the sampling hose (21) of the communicated sampling apparatus (2) to acquire the target vapor. The detection system includes the trace vapor sampling device and an analysis device. The analysis device is configured to inspect and analyze the target vapor acquired by the sampling device or the adsorption medium (24) adsorbed with the target vapor so as to obtain an analysis result.