Collection and separation systems and methods of use thereof and isotope analysis systems and methods of use thereof
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12357943-B2
Publication Date
2025-07-15
Expiration Date
Abstract
Collection and separation systems, collection and separation methods, isotope analysis systems, methods of processing samples to analyze 15N, 13C, and 34S, and the like are provided. A system that includes a collection system in gaseous communication with a first device, wherein the collection system is configured to isolate two or more gases of a gaseous sample and configured to introduce each to a second device independently of one another is provided.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a gas collection system that isolates two or more gases from a gaseous sample and introduces each gas to a second device independently of one another. The collection system is configured in gaseous communication with a first device and provides independent gas introduction to a second device through a multi-valve and multi-trap architecture.
The collection system comprises a first valve, a second valve, a third valve, and a fourth valve, and a first trap, a second trap, and a third trap. Each valve is configurable to be in gaseous communication with selected other valves, selected traps, and optionally a first device or at least the second device, thereby changing among gaseous communication flow paths within the collection system.
In one implementation, the first device includes a combustion oven configured to combust a sample to produce a gaseous sample comprising one or more of CO2, NOx (x is 1 to 2), and SO2, followed by a first water trap and a second water trap that remove water from the gaseous sample. The collection system is configured to introduce each of CO2, N2, and SO2 to a second device independently, and the second device optionally comprises an isotope-ratio mass spectrometer (IRMS).
In a further aspect, the collection system includes independently configurable valve-to-destination configurations selected from gaseous communication with He flow meters, gaseous communication with outlet vents, or combinations thereof. The traps include liquid-nitrogen trap structures with positional configurability, including elevated positions outside liquid nitrogen and immersed positions within liquid nitrogen, to support the independent routing architecture.
Claims Coverage
The partial content includes four independent claims, each directed to a gas collection and routing system having independently configurable valves and traps that isolate and independently introduce two or more gases to a second device, with optional configurations involving He flow meters, outlet vents, and liquid-nitrogen traps. Across the independent claims, the inventive concept is implemented via a multi-valve/multi-trap system controlling gaseous communication flow paths.
Isolating gases and independently introducing each to a second device
A collection system in gaseous communication with a first device, wherein the collection system is configured to isolate two or more gases of a gaseous sample and configured to introduce each to a second device independently of one another.
Multi-valve and multi-trap configurable gaseous communication flow paths
The collection system comprises a first valve, a second valve, a third valve, and fourth valve and a first trap, a second trap, and a third trap, wherein each valve is configurable to be in gaseous communication with selected ones of the other valves, selected traps, and optionally a first device or at least the second device, and wherein the configuration changes among gaseous communication flow paths within the collection system.
Independently configurable valves for He flow meters
Each of the first valve, the second valve, the third valve, and the fourth valve are independently configurable to be in gaseous communication with He flow meters.
Independent valve-to-outlet-vent communication
Each of the first valve, third valve, and the fourth valve, are independently configurable to be in gaseous communication with outlet vents.
Combustion oven with water traps
The first device comprises a combustion oven configured to combust a sample to produce a gaseous sample comprising CO2, NOx (x is 1 to 2), and SO2; a first water trap configured to remove water from the gaseous sample exiting the combustion oven; and a second water trap configured to remove water from the gaseous sample.
Independent introduction of CO2, N2, and SO2 to a second device
The collection system in gaseous communication with the second water trap is configured to introduce each of CO2, N2, and SO2 to the second device independently of one another.
Second device optionally comprising an isotope-ratio mass spectrometer
The second device is an analysis system that is in gaseous communication with the collection system, wherein the analysis system optionally comprises an isotope-ratio mass spectrometer (IRMS).
Independently configurable valve destinations including outlet vents and He flow meters
Each of the first valve, the second valve, the third valve, and the fourth valve are independently configurable to change between or among gaseous communication flow paths within the collection system; or wherein each of the first valve, the second valve, the third valve, and the fourth valve are independently configurable to be in gaseous communication with He flow meters; or wherein each of the first valve, third valve, and the fourth valve, are independently configurable to be in gaseous communication with outlet vents; or a combination thereof.
Liquid-nitrogen trap structures with elevated and immersed positions
The system includes liquid nitrogen trap structures movable between a first elevated position outside liquid nitrogen and a second immersed position within liquid nitrogen.
Overall, the independent claims focus on a multi-valve/multi-trap collection system that isolates gases and independently introduces each gas to a second device. The claims further define valve configurability for routing to He flow meters and/or outlet vents, and include a first-device chain involving combustion, water trapping, and optional isotope-ratio mass spectrometry as the second device.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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