Fluid cell substance analysis and calibration methods

• US 6,254,828 B1
• Filed: 04/19/1993
• Issued: 07/03/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert B. LaCount
• Original Assignee: Robert B. LaCount
• Inventors: LaCount, Robert B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Soderquist, Arlen
• Application Number:
  US08/047,512
• Time in Patent Office: 2,997 Days
• Field of Search: 250/343-345, 250/373, 356/51, 356/246, 356/410, 356/436-440, 422/78, 422/80, 422/82.05, 422/82.09, 422/91, 436/155, 436/157, 436/181
• US Class Current: 422/78
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/0382 Frustoconical, tapered cell
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/3504 for analysing gases, e.g. multi-gas analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/0415 Carrusel, sequential
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/222 Solid fuels, e.g. coal
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25875 Gaseous sample or with change of physical state

Abstract

Gases flow to individual gas analysis cells. The cells are sequentially aligned with an infrared detector, which senses the composition and quantities of the gas components. Each elongated cell is tapered inward toward the center from cell windows at the ends. Volume is reduced from a conventional cell, while permitting maximum interaction of gas with the light beam. Reduced volume and angulation of the cell inlets provide rapid purgings of the cell, providing shorter cycles between detections. For coal and other high molecular weight samples, from 50% to 100% oxygen is introduced to the tubes. Cells are suspended from adjustable holders on a frame which is spaced from a table. The table is moved by a linear motor and a fixed platen. Sides of the table are shielded to prevent electromagnetic and magnetic motor interference with detected results. The entire table, cells, mounting plate and linear motor are mounted in a housing with aligned holes for the analysis energy source and detector. The gas cells are calibrated for carbon dioxide and water vapor with a mass flow controlled oxidized fuel gas from a single analyzed source of such gas, oxygen and inert gas. Other calibration gases may be included, generated or added in the calibration gas stream.

Claims

1. A gas analysis cell comprising a solid body having a first generally cylindrical end portion, a first sloping conical portion extending from the first cylindrical end portion to a throat narrower than the first end portion, a second sloping conical portion extending outward from the throat, a second cylindrical end portion connected to a diverging end of the second sloping conical portion, and first and second opposite end faces for transmitting energy, an inlet connected to the first cylindrical portion proximal the first end face, and having an outlet connected to the second cylindrical portion for introducing, purging and replacing gas to be analyzed into and out of the cell, further comprising an inlet director connected to the inlet for directing gas toward the first end face at an angle to the cylindrical end portion and at an acute angle to the first end face.

2. The gas analysis cell of claim 1, wherein the body is transparent.

3. The gas analysis cell of claim 1, wherein the first and second sloping conical positions are similar in shape.

4. The gas analysis cell of claim 1, wherein the body has a uniform wall thickness.

5. The gas analysis cell of claim 1, wherein the end faces are cell windows.

6. The gas analysis cell of claim 1, wherein the end faces are cell windows, and further comprising a focused spectrometer beam source aligned with one window and a spectrometer detector aligned with the other window.

7. The gas analysis cell of claim 1, wherein the cell body is glass.

8. The gas analysis cell of claim 1, further comprising an inlet tube connected within one end of the cell body.

9. The gas analysis cell of claim 1, further comprising suspenders connected to the cylindrical end portions of the cell for suspending the cell.

10. The gas analysis cell of claim 1, wherein the end faces are cell windows, further comprising a focused spectrometer beam source aligned with one window and a spectrometer detector aligned with the other window, and further comprising shielding adjacent the cell for preventing stray electromagnetic radiation and magnetic fields from reaching the cell or detector.

11. A plurality of gas analysis cells, each cell comprising a solid body having a first generally cylindrical end portion, a first sloping conical portion extending from the first cylindrical end portion to a throat narrower than the first end portion, a second sloping conical portion extending outward from the throat, a second cylindrical end portion connected to a diverging end of the second sloping conical portion, and first and second opposite end faces for transmitting energy, an inlet connected to the first cylindrical portion proximal the first end face, and having an outlet connected to the second cylindrical portion for introducing, purging and replacing gas to be analyzed into and out of the cell, further comprising the plurality of the gas analysis cells being arranged in parallel axial relationship on a mounting plate, plural parallel bearings connected to the mounting plate, and plural parallel rails connected to the bearings transverse to the parallel axes of the gas cells, rail mounts for mounting the rails on a fixed bed, and a plate driver connected between the mounting plate and the fixed bed for sequentially driving the mounting plate and the bearings along the rails for sequential alignment of the axes of the analysis cells with an energy source and an energy detector for transmitting energy into and out of the cells and analyzing gaseous content of the cells.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the motion producer comprises a platen connected to the fixed base beneath the plate and parallel to the rails, and a forcer mounted beneath the plate above the platen for moving the plate along the platen and rails.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a housing connected to the base and surrounding the rails, platen, plate and cells, the housing having a base portion and first and second opposite parallel side wall portions, a first end wall connected to ends of the side wall and to the base portion, a hinge connected to an upper edge of the first end wall, a lid connected to the hinge and a second end wall connected to an end of the lid opposite the hinge, the side wall portions having energy transparent openings for alignment with the energy source and the energy detector.

14. A gas analysis cell comprising a solid body having a first generally cylindrical end portion, a first sloping conical portion extending from the first cylindrical end portion to a throat narrower than the first end portion, a second sloping conical portion extending outward from the throat, a second cylindrical end portion connected to a diverging end of the second sloping conical portion, and first and second opposite end faces for transmitting energy, an inlet connected to the first cylindrical portion proximal the first end face, and having an outlet connected to the second cylindrical portion for introducing, purging and replacing gas to be analyzed into and out of the cell, further comprising an inlet tube connected within one end of the cell body, wherein the inlet tube extends into the body and has an opening directed angularly toward an end face of the body for rapid purging and filling of the cell.

15. A gas analysis cell comprising a solid body having a first generally cylindrical end portion, a first sloping conical portion extending from the first cylindrical end portion to a throat narrower than the first end portion, a second sloping conical portion extending outward from the throat, a second cylindrical end portion connected to a diverging end of the second sloping conical portion, and first and second opposite end faces for transmitting energy, an inlet connected to the first cylindrical portion proximal the first end face, and having an outlet connected to the second cylindrical portion for introducing, purging and replacing gas to be analyzed into and out of the cell, further comprising suspenders connected to the cylindrical end portions of the cell for suspending the cell, wherein the suspenders are adjustable.

16. A gas analysis cell comprising an axially elongated cell body in a shape of a body of revolution formed about an elongated axis, the body having a uniform thickness non-porous wall, a central waist portion, first and second tapered portions extending axially in opposite directions from the waist portion and uniformly tapering radially and axially outwardly from the waist portion, the waist portion being narrower than the first and second portions, end portions on outer ends of the tapered portions and radially extending windows at outer axial ends of the end portions closing the cell body, an inlet near one end of the cell body and an outlet near another end of the cell body, further comprising an internal tube fixed to the inlet and extending into the cell body, wherein the internal tube is fixed at an angle to the wall for admitting gas at an angle to the wall and at an angle to one of the radially extending windows for promoting full and rapid purging and replacement of gas in the cell.

17. A gas analysis cell comprising a body having a first portion extending to a throat narrower than the first end portion, a second portion extending outward from the throat, and first and second opposite end faces for transmitting energy, an inlet connected to the first portion proximal the first end face, and an outlet connected to the second portion for introducing, purging and replacing gas to be analyzed into and out of the cell, further comprising an inlet director connected to the inlet for directing gas toward the first end face at an angle to the first portion and at an acute angle to the first end face.

18. The gas analysis cell of claim 17, further comprising adjustable suspenders connected to the cell for adjustably suspending the cell.