Universal Sample Introduction System for Liquid and Gas Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems are not capable of analyzing both liquid and gaseous samples without converting gaseous samples to liquid form, and existing equipment is not interchangeable for handling both sample types in mass spectrometry, particularly in ICP-MS systems.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a chamber with interchangeable configurations for liquid and gaseous samples, a gas exchange device, and a microprocessor-based control system to manage flow rates and temperatures, allowing for the selective processing and analysis of either liquid or gaseous samples by transferring contaminants to a compatible exchange gas for introduction into an analytical device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate equipment is used for liquid and gaseous samples, then each sample type can be analyzed with dedicated equipment, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spray chamber is designed with a universal sample introduction system that can handle both liquid and gaseous samples through a single nebulizer interface. The system uses a gas-permeable membrane that allows both liquid aerosols and gaseous samples to be introduced into the ICP-MS instrument through the same pathway, eliminating the need for separate equipment configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
A gas-permeable membrane is introduced as an intermediary component between the sample introduction system and the plasma source. This membrane allows gaseous samples to be transferred into the carrier gas stream while maintaining the existing liquid sample pathway, serving as a mediator that enables dual sample type compatibility without requiring complete system redesign.
2Ease of operation
If gaseous samples are converted to liquid form for analysis, then they can be introduced to the nebulizer, but the sample conversion process adds complexity and potential contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the physical state parameter acceptance of the sample introduction system by modifying the nebulizer and spray chamber to accept both liquid aerosols and gaseous samples directly. The gas-permeable membrane enables gaseous samples to pass through into the carrier gas stream without requiring conversion to liquid form, maintaining the sample in its original state while achieving compatible introduction.
3Measurement precision
If calibration standards are liquid while samples are gaseous, then calibration can be performed, but the system cannot directly analyze gaseous samples without conversion
Solution Approach 1:
The modified spray chamber and nebulizer system provides universal sample introduction capability that handles both liquid calibration standards and gaseous samples through the same pathway. The gas-permeable membrane allows gaseous samples to be introduced alongside liquid calibration standards without requiring separate introduction systems, enabling direct analysis of gaseous samples with liquid-based calibration protocols.
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 the analysis of both liquid and gaseous samples using the same system without the need for separate equipment, ensuring efficient sample preparation and high sensitivity by maintaining a flow rate of at least 98% of the sample gas, thereby overcoming the limitations of existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
transferred the contaminants to a second gas (exchange gas)
Implementation Method 2
a heated chamber coupled to the liquid sample source and the gaseous sample source
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for use in introducing samples to an analytical instrument. The systems and methods are adaptable to process either a liquid sample or a gaseous sample, including samples containing particle contaminants, for subsequent analysis using an analytical instrument.