Method and apparatus for enhanced detection of a specie using a gas chromatograph

• US 20060075802A1
• Filed: 11/17/2005
• Published: 04/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Las Perkinelmer
• Original Assignee: Las Perkinelmer
• Inventors: Dalmia, Avinash, Prohaska, Otto J., Tipler, Andrew
• Granted Patent: US 7,237,430 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/23.420
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2030/025 Gas chromatography
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2030/125 pyrolising
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2030/645 electrical conductivity detectors
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/4045 for gases other than oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 30/62 Detectors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 30/64 Electrical detectors

Abstract

The invention includes a method and apparatus for a chromatography system having a chromatographic column for separating gases in a mixture from one another and an electrochemical gas sensor coupled to the chromatographic column for detecting a gas being emitted from the column. The electrochemical gas sensor further includes a substrate having a surface for depositing electrodes thereon, an ionomer membrane in contact with the surface, an electrode in contact with the surface, and an opening in the ionomer membrane in a location proximate to the electrode for permitting a gas to diffuse through the opening to simultaneously contact the electrode and the ionomer membrane within the opening.

Claims

1. A method for detecting a gas in a gas chromatography system, comprising the steps of:

eluting a gas from a chromatographic column;

coupling an electrochemical gas sensor to the chromatographic column; and

detecting gas in an approximately parts per billion range.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of oxidizing the gas.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of reducing the gas.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of providing a reactor.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of adding a reactant to the gas.

6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of heating the gas and reactant.

7. A method for detecting a gas in a gas chromatography system, comprising the steps of:

eluting a gas from a chromatographic column;

providing a substrate having a surface;

depositing an electrode on the surface;

contacting the electrode with an ionomer membrane;

providing an opening in the ionomer membrane in an approximate area of the electrode;

introducing the gas into the opening toward the electrode; and

simultaneously contacting the gas with both the electrode and ionomer membrane.

8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising the step of providing a housing and a gas diffusion passage in the housing in the approximate area of the electrode.

9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of aligning the gas diffusion passage with the opening.

10. The method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of angling the gas diffusion passage with the opening, thereby defining an angled passage for the gas to diffuse.

11. The method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of misaligning the gas diffusion passage with the opening, thereby defining a misaligned passage for the gas to diffuse.

12. The method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of introducing the gas into the opening and gas diffusion passage.

13. The method according to claim 7, further comprising the step of detecting gas in an approximately parts per billion range.

14. The method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of controlling the gas as it passes through the opening and gas diffusion passage toward the electrode.

15. The method according to claim 7, further comprising the step of providing at least one hole in the substrate that extends from a first surface of the substrate to a second surface of the substrate.

16. The method according to claim 7, further comprising the step of providing a reservoir containing moisture to moisten the ionomer membrane.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising the step of positioning the reservoir adjacent to the substrate.

18. The method according to claim 16, further comprising the step of positioning the reservoir on a side of the substrate opposite the ionomer membrane.

19. The method according to claim 16, further comprising the step of diffusing moisture from the reservoir to the at least one hole.

20. The method according to claim 16, further comprising the step of placing a wicking material in contact with the second surface and a solution in the reservoir for drawing moisture from the reservoir toward the substrate.

21. The method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of placing a wicking material in the at least one hole.

22. he method according to claim 16, further comprising the step of controlling moisture as it passes through the at least one hole in the substrate.