Selective chemical detection by energy modulation of sensors
A portable instrument for use in the field in detecting, identifying, and quantifying a component of a sampled fluid includes a sensor which chemically reacts with the component of interest or a derivative thereof, an electrical heating filament for heating the sample before it is applied to the sensor, and modulator for continuously varying the temperature of the filament (and hence the reaction rate) between two values sufficient to produce the chemical reaction. In response to this thermal modulation, the sensor produces a modulated output signal, the modulation of which is a function of the activation energy of the chemical reaction, which activation energy is specific to the particular component of interest and its concentration. Microprocessor which compares the modulated output signal with standard responses for a plurality of components to identify and quantify the particular component of interest. In particular, the concentration of the component of interest is proportional to the amplitude of the modulated output signal, while the identifying activation output energy of the chemical interaction indicative of that component is proportional to a normalized parameter equal to the peak-to-peak amplitude divided by the height of the upper peaks above a base line signal level. 5 figures.
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-31109-ENG-38
- Assignee:
- Arch Development Corporation, Argonne, IL (United States)
- Patent Number(s):
- US 5047352; A
- Application Number:
- PPN: US 7-300206
- OSTI ID:
- 7084742
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: 23 Jan 1989
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
FLUIDS
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
DESIGN
COMPUTERIZED CONTROL SYSTEMS
CONCENTRATION RATIO
DATA ANALYSIS
OPERATION
TEMPERATURE CONTROL
CONTROL
CONTROL SYSTEMS
ON-LINE CONTROL SYSTEMS
ON-LINE SYSTEMS
400102* - Chemical & Spectral Procedures