Measuring trace components of complex gases using gas chromatography/absorption spectrometry
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method comprising:
- injecting a first sample of a gas mixture containing a component into a first gas chromatography column through which a carrier gas flows, the component being transported by the carrier gas through the first gas chromatography column and eluting from the first gas chromatography column at a known elution time;
supplying the carrier gas and the component eluting from the first gas chromatography column into a sample cell of an absorption spectrometer at the elution time;
passing a light beam through the sample cell;
measuring an absorption of the light beam in the sample cell; and
converting the absorption to a concentration of the component in the sample cell.
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Abstract
Low concentrations of complex gas mixture components may be detected and quantified using a gas-chromatograph to separate a gas mixture prior to analysis of one or more eluting components using an absorption spectrometer. Substantial reductions in analytical system complexity and improvements in reliability are achieved compared with other commonly used methods for analyzing such complex mixtures.
41 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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injecting a first sample of a gas mixture containing a component into a first gas chromatography column through which a carrier gas flows, the component being transported by the carrier gas through the first gas chromatography column and eluting from the first gas chromatography column at a known elution time; supplying the carrier gas and the component eluting from the first gas chromatography column into a sample cell of an absorption spectrometer at the elution time; passing a light beam through the sample cell; measuring an absorption of the light beam in the sample cell; and converting the absorption to a concentration of the component in the sample cell. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An apparatus comprising:
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a first gas chromatography column; a first injector to deliver a first sample of a gas mixture into the first gas chromatography column; an absorption spectrometer comprising a sample cell, a laser source that generates a beam of light passing through the sample cell, and a photodetector that quantifies absorption of the light beam in the sample cell; a gas chromatograph outlet valve to divert gases exiting the gas chromatography column to the sample cell; and a process controller that controls the injector port to deliver the first sample to the first gas chromatography column at a first time and the gas chromatograph outlet valve to divert the outflow from the first gas chromatography column to the sample cell at a second time that is selected to coincide with a retention time of a component of the first gas mixture. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. An apparatus comprising:
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a first gas chromatography column; a first injector to deliver a first sample of a gas mixture into the first gas chromatography column; a gas chromatograph outlet valve to divert gases exiting the gas chromatography column to a sample cell of an absorption spectrometer; and a process controller that controls the injector port to deliver the first sample to the first gas chromatography column at a first time and the gas chromatograph outlet valve to divert the outflow from the first gas chromatography column at a second time that is selected to coincide with a retention time of a component of the first gas mixture.
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24. An apparatus comprising:
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means for separating a first component in a gas mixture from one or more other components in the gas mixture; means for injecting a sample of the gas mixture into the separation means; means for containing the separated component as it leaves the separation means; means for producing and directing a beam of light through the contained separated component; means for recording an absorption spectrum for the separated component; and processing means for processing the recorded spectrum and calculating a concentration of the component in the gas mixture.
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Specification