System and method for optimal chemical analysis
Inventors
Briglin, Shawn Michael • Bartholomew, Katherine Abigail
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10175198-B2
Publication Date
2019-01-08
Expiration Date
Abstract
A system and method for chemical analysis are described herein. The system includes a probe, a sample collection cartridge, and a chemical analyzer. The probe is configured to collect the optimal amount of sample for a future analysis and to store this chemical sample in the sample collection cartridge. The probe also collects sample data. The chemical analyzer is configured to determine the optimal analysis settings based on the sample data and analyze the chemical sample stored in the sample collection cartridge based on the optimal analysis settings.
Core Innovation
A remote chemical analysis system includes a probe with a photo ionization detector (PID) module configured to measure vapor concentration and a microcontroller. The probe determines an optimal sample collection location and monitors sample collection while a removable sample collection cartridge is retained within the probe. The microcontroller collects sample data during sample collection and stores the sample data in memory on the probe and/or the cartridge.
The sample collection cartridge is configured to removably couple to the probe and the chemical analyzer, and includes a sample retention device configured to store a chemical sample and a memory. When the sample collection cartridge is coupled to the probe, the system collects a chemical sample into the sample retention device and stores the sample collection data. The cartridge memory stores sample data such as total collected air sample volume, calculated sample mass, measured sample concentration, or a combination thereof.
When the sample collection cartridge is coupled to the chemical analyzer, the chemical analyzer determines optimal analysis settings based on the stored sample data and analyzes the chemical sample using the determined optimal analysis settings. The probe and cartridge support collecting an amount of sample that matches an analysis dynamic range by using reference/PID sensitivity factors and integrated mass flux. The system further supports storing the sample data and the collected sample in the removable cartridge for later analysis by a coupled chemical analyzer.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover three coordinated aspects: (1) a chemical analysis system with probe PID-driven sampling and cartridge data storage followed by analyzer-selected optimal analysis settings, (2) a PID probe with cartridge-based sampling and microcontroller stopping logic using a reference table of target sample masses, and (3) a method that performs locating an optimal sample collection location, collecting and storing sample and sample collection data, and optionally transmitting the stored data to determine optimal analyzer settings.
Probe with photo ionization detector module and microcontroller
A probe comprising a photo ionization detector (PID) module configured to measure vapor concentration and a microcontroller.
Removably coupled sample collection cartridge with retention device and memory
A sample collection cartridge configured to removably couple to each of the probe and the chemical analyzer, respectively, the sample collection cartridge comprising a sample retention device configured to store a chemical sample and a memory.
Optimal sample collection location and cartridge coupling data collection
The probe is configured to determine an optimal sample collection location, and when the sample collection cartridge is coupled to the probe, the probe is configured to collect a chemical sample in the sample collection cartridge and the microcontroller is configured to collect sample data during sample collection and store the sample data in the memory.
Optimal analysis settings from stored sample data
When the sample collection cartridge is coupled to the chemical analyzer, the chemical analyzer is configured to determine optimal analysis settings based on the stored sample data and analyze the chemical sample using the determined optimal analysis settings.
PID probe with removable sample cartridge inlet port, sample retention device, and sample pump
A probe for a chemical analyzer comprising a photo ionization detector (PID) module configured to measure vapor concentration of a chemical sample; a removable sample cartridge comprising an inlet port and a sample retention device; a sample pump operatively coupled to the removable sample cartridge and configured to draw a chemical sensor through the inlet port and into the sample retention device; a microcontroller; and memory configured to store a reference table of target sample masses.
Stopping and collection control using reference table and sample data
The microcontroller is configured to determine an optimal sample collection location, monitor sample collection, determine sample data, and discontinue sample collection based on the sample data and the reference table.
Method steps for locating, collecting, storing sample, and storing sample collection data
A method of optimizing chemical sample analysis comprising locating, via the PID module, an optimal sample collection location; collecting and storing a chemical sample in the retention device when the sample collection cartridge is retained within the probe; collecting, via the microcontroller, sample collection data; and storing the sample collection data in the memory.
Across the independent claims, the core inventive coverage is the closed-loop pairing of a PID-based probe that determines an optimal sample collection location and collects/stores sample collection data in cartridge memory, with a chemical analyzer that determines optimal analysis settings based on that stored data; additionally, a PID probe implementation includes cartridge sampling and microcontroller control to discontinue sample collection based on sample data and a reference table of target sample masses.
Stated Advantages
Determines optimal sample collection location.
Determines optimal analysis settings based on stored sample data.
Enables analysis of the chemical sample using determined optimal analysis settings.
Discontinues sample collection based on sample data and the reference table of target sample masses.
Stores sample collection data in memory.
Documented Applications
Remote chemical analysis where a probe collects a chemical sample into a removable cartridge for later chemical analyzer analysis using stored sample data.
Optimizing chemical sample analysis by locating an optimal sample collection location, collecting/storing a chemical sample in a retention device, collecting/storing sample collection data, and using that data to determine optimal analysis settings by a coupled chemical analyzer.
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