US20220412893A1 - Photolytic converter - Google Patents
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- US20220412893A1 US20220412893A1 US17/897,874 US202217897874A US2022412893A1 US 20220412893 A1 US20220412893 A1 US 20220412893A1 US 202217897874 A US202217897874 A US 202217897874A US 2022412893 A1 US2022412893 A1 US 2022412893A1
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- photolytic
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- G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
- G01N21/75—Systems in which material is subjected to a chemical reaction, the progress or the result of the reaction being investigated
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- B01D53/34—Chemical or biological purification of waste gases
- B01D53/46—Removing components of defined structure
- B01D53/54—Nitrogen compounds
- B01D53/56—Nitrogen oxides
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- B01D—SEPARATION
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- B01J19/08—Processes employing the direct application of electric or wave energy, or particle radiation; Apparatus therefor
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- G01N21/62—Systems in which the material investigated is excited whereby it emits light or causes a change in wavelength of the incident light
- G01N21/63—Systems in which the material investigated is excited whereby it emits light or causes a change in wavelength of the incident light optically excited
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- G01N33/0004—Gaseous mixtures, e.g. polluted air
- G01N33/0009—General constructional details of gas analysers, e.g. portable test equipment
- G01N33/0027—General constructional details of gas analysers, e.g. portable test equipment concerning the detector
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- G01N33/0037—Specially adapted to detect a particular component for NOx
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- G01N31/10—Investigating or analysing non-biological materials by the use of the chemical methods specified in the subgroup; Apparatus specially adapted for such methods using catalysis
Definitions
- This invention generally relates to a device and a method for indirectly measuring and/or transforming a quantity of a target molecule in a fluid sample, and more specifically relates to a photolytic converter for interference-free conversion of a reactant molecule to a desired product molecule.
- Photodissociation, photolysis, or photodecomposition is a chemical reaction in which a chemical compound is broken down by photons. It is defined as the interaction of one or more photons with one target molecule. Photodissociation is not limited to visible light. Any photon with sufficient energy can affect the chemical bonds of a chemical compound. Since a photon's energy is inversely proportional to its wavelength, electromagnetic waves with the energy of visible light or higher, such as ultraviolet light, x-rays and gamma rays are usually involved in such reactions.
- NO 2 nitrogen dioxide
- NO 3 nitric oxide
- NO 2 is a classified criteria pollutant known to be a major precursor for the production of the harmful secondary pollutant ozone (O 3 ), in the troposphere.
- NO 2 is photodissociated at ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths below 420 nm in the following first order process
- reaction (1) reacts rapidly with molecular oxygen (O 2 ) to form O 3 ,
- NO 2 * equals electronically excited NO 2 .
- the NO 2 * relaxes by giving off energy as shown in formula (4) in a principle called chemiluminescence,
- glyoxal In ambient air, a possible interference species in NO 2 photolysis is glyoxal (HCO) 2 which absorbs light in the same NO 2 photolysis region (350-420 nm). Glyoxal at elevated levels has a negative interference on the measured NO concentration as illustrated in the reaction equations below.
- HCO radicals react with molecular oxygen to form peroxyradicals, HO 2 (eqn. 6).
- the peroxyradicals, HO 2 , or alkoxyradicals, RO 2 react with NO via a second order kinetic mechanism to form NO 2 (eqn. 7).
- the OH radicals formed from equation 7a can initiate a second mechanism where alkyl radicals can be formed from hydrocarbons present in the sample stream.
- the alkyl radicals then react with molecular oxygen to generate peroxyradicals to re-activate equation 7.
- Molybdenum oxide is the most commonly used thermal substrate. Use of molybdenum converters in chemiluminescent analyzers can result in a gross overestimate of ambient NO 2 , as it converts more than just NO 2 to NO. Compounds such as NO 3 and N 2 O 5 , Peroxyacylnitrates (PANS), alkylnitrates (ANs), and other oxidized nitrogen oxides (which are generally known as NO z ) can also be converted into NO when present in the sampled air mass. Because of this, the ‘NO x ’ readings can and will be overestimated when these compounds are present in significant levels.
- PANS Peroxyacylnitrates
- ANs alkylnitrates
- NO z oxidized nitrogen oxides
- the ‘NO x ’ measurement read by the chemiluminescent analyzer is now a measurement of NO y , which is the sum of NO x and other reactive nitrogen compounds.
- the resultant ‘NO x ’ reading causes the chemiluminescent analyzer to overestimate NO 2 readings. Knowing the precise amount of NO 2 is important, as it determines how much ozone is being created in the troposphere which is of the utmost importance to the environmental science community.
- the Molybdenum converter is not effective in all process conditions even if the listed NO, compounds are absent, as it can also be affected by ammonia (NH 3 ), nitric acid (HNO 3 ), and water. These products deposit onto the converter's surface, preventing effective conversion (of NO 2 to NO) from occurring and causing uncertainty in the readings on the analyzer. Finally, the Molybdenum catalyst must be heated to 300° C.-350° C. to convert NO 2 to NO. The above illustrates the increased maintenance and operational costs for the analyzer, as the Molybdenum will need to be replaced more frequently.
- the photolysis-chemiluminescence (P-CL) technique has been compared to other NO 2 measurement techniques on the ground (Mihelcic, D., et al., An improved method of measuring tropospheric NO 2 and RO 2 by matrix isolation and electron spin resonance, Journal of Atmospheric Chemistry, 3, 341-361, 1985.; Fehsenfeld et al., 1990) and aboard aircraft (Del Negro, L. A., et al., Comparison of modeled and observed values of NO 2 and J NO2 during the Photochemistry of Ozone Loss in the Arctic Region in Summer (POLARIS) mission, Journal of Geophysical Research, 104, 26, 687-26, 703, 1999).
- the detrimental effects are largely based on the broad spectrum of light applied to the sample.
- the sources that produce significant radiation in the infrared (>1000 nm) result in heat being added to the air sample, which in turn resulted in thermal conversion of labile compounds such as PANs and ANs.
- the broadband sources also emit radiation in the UV at both shorter and longer wavelengths than useful for NO 2 conversion, often resulting in photolytic conversion of interfering species (e.g., HNO 3 and the halogen nitrates at wavelengths less than 350 nm).
- U.S. Pat. No. 7,238,328 discloses a solid-state light source photolytic NO 2 converter including a reaction chamber made of a reflective material with diffuse reflective properties, whereby the reaction chamber includes a low volume gas cell wherein the gas sample residence time is less than 5 seconds is provided to avoid unwanted side reactions of NO 2 and NO.
- the converter and method described in this patent also suffer from low conversion efficiency at reduced pressures and limited range as the converter disclosed therein cannot measure higher than 2-4 ppm of NO 2 .
- the converter loses conversion efficiency when operating in a reduced pressure system, making its integration into an existing analyzer even more difficult.
- JP 4543186 discloses an apparatus and a chemiluminescence method for measuring nitrogen oxide concentration, wherein the apparatus is configured to have ultraviolet light source as part of the converter main body.
- the apparatus of this reference would also suffer with similar problems as that of U.S. Pat. No. 7,238,328, for example the reaction chamber configuration would allow for recombination reactions to occur before the NO leaves the chamber.
- this patent does not address the range at which they can operate, nor if the converter has a linear conversion of NO 2 to NO as the concentration of NO 2 increases.
- a photolytic converter which can be incorporated into existing measurement systems (such as chemiluminescent analyzers) and is linear across a wide dynamic range.
- a photolytic converter for converting reactant molecules in a fluid sample into product molecules by photolytic dissociation with electromagnetic radiation, comprising: a converter body defining a sealed reaction chamber, and having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface optionally has reflective properties; one or more electromagnetic radiation sources in communication with the reaction chamber for transmitting the electromagnetic radiation into the reaction chamber for photolytically dissociating the reactant molecules in the fluid sample to form the product molecules; an inflow conduit for conveying the fluid sample into the reaction chamber, the inflow conduit having an inlet configured to be in fluid communication with a source of the fluid sample and an outlet in communication with the reaction chamber, wherein the fluid sample enters the inlet of the inflow conduit as an unprocessed fluid sample; and an outflow conduit for conveying the fluid sample out of the reaction chamber, the outflow conduit having an inlet in fluid communication with the reaction chamber and an outlet configured to be in fluid communication with a receptacle for receiving the fluid sample, wherein the fluid sample exits
- a method of photolytically converting reactant molecule present in an unprocessed fluid sample into product molecules in a processed fluid sample providing a converted body defining a reaction chamber in communication with one or more electromagnetic sources, said converter body having: an inlet for conveying the unprocessed fluid sample into the chamber for converting the reactant molecules of the unprocessed fluid sample into the product molecules in the processed fluid sample by photolytic dissociation with electromagnetic radiation; an outlet in communication with a receptacle for conveying the processed gas sample out from the reaction chamber; passing the unprocessed fluid sample into the reaction chamber via a confined path and/or passing the processed fluid sample out of the reaction chamber via a confined path.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a converter body in accordance with an embodiment of the photolytic converter of present invention.
- FIG. 2 illustrates a converter body in accordance with another embodiment of the photolytic converter of present invention.
- FIG. 3 illustrates a converter body in accordance with another embodiment of the photolytic converter of present invention.
- FIG. 4 illustrates a converter body in accordance with another embodiment of the photolytic converter of present invention.
- FIG. 5 illustrates a converter body accordance with another embodiment of the photolytic converter of present invention.
- FIG. 6 illustrates a converter body in accordance with another embodiment of the photolytic converter of present invention.
- FIG. 7 illustrates a converter body in accordance with another embodiment of the photolytic converter of present invention.
- FIG. 8 illustrates a converter body in accordance with another embodiment of the photolytic converter of present invention.
- FIG. 9 illustrates results of an experiment demonstrating the conversion of NO 2 to NO at varying concentrations of NO 2 using the photolytic converter of the present invention in comparison to the results to the conversion of NO 2 to NO with a molybdenum converter.
- FIG. 10 a and FIG. 10 b illustrate a correlation plots of NO 2 measured using exemplary embodiments of the present invention vs NO 2 measured with know techniques in a laboratory setting.
- FIG. 10 a shows results from initial laboratory grade testing
- FIG. 10 b shows results from the pre-production prototype.
- FIG. 11 illustrates results from a field trial conducted with the photolytic device integrated with a chemiluminescent analyzer and plotted against a non-modified chemiluminescent analyzer.
- FIG. 12 a is a top view of an embodiment of a photolytic converter in accordance with the present invention, comprising a converter body enclosed in a housing provided with electromagnetic radiation sources, and heat dissipation equipment attached to the housing.
- FIG. 12 b illustrates a cut away view of an embodiment of the photolytic converter in accordance with the present invention, comprising a converter body enclosed in a housing, with the electromagnetic radiation source and the heat dissipation equipment attached to the housing.
- FIG. 13 is a schematic illustration of the integration of an embodiment of a photolytic converter in accordance with the present invention with an existing chemiluminescent analyzer, showing the disconnection points in the existing chemiluminescent analyzer and their connection to the photolytic converter System.
- electromagnetic radiation includes radio waves, microwaves, infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, X-rays and gamma rays.
- UV refers to ultraviolet radiation in the region of electromagnetic spectrum including wavelengths from 40 to 4000 ⁇ (4 to 400 nm).
- chemiluminescence refers to the emission of absorbed energy (as light) due to a chemical reaction of the components of the system. Chemiluminescence occurs in thousands of chemical reactions covering a wide variety of compounds, both organic and inorganic.
- Quantum yield for a photochemical reaction refers to the number of moles of a stated reactant disappearing, or the number of moles of a stated product produced, per unit of light of the stated wavelength absorbed. Quantum yield also means the number of photon-induced reactions of a specified type per photon absorbed.
- Photolytic and photolysis means the use of radiant energy to produce chemical changes. Photolytic and photolysis also means decomposition of a compound into simpler units as a result of absorbing one or more quanta of radiation.
- Absorption cross-section means the ratio of the amount of power removed from a beam by absorption of radio energy by a target to the power in the beam incident upon the target.
- fluid refers to a substance, as a liquid or gas.
- the term “about” refers to approximately a +/ ⁇ 10% variation from a given value. It is to be understood that such a variation is always included in any given value provided herein, whether or not it is specifically referred to.
- the present invention provides a photolytic converter for converting reactant molecules in a fluid sample into product molecules by photolytic dissociation with electromagnetic radiation.
- the photolytic converter of the present invention comprises a converter body defining a reaction chamber, and having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the reaction chamber optionally has reflective properties.
- One or more electromagnetic radiation sources are placed in communication with the reaction chamber for transmitting the electromagnetic radiation into the reaction chamber for photolytically dissociating the reactant molecules in the fluid sample to form the product molecules.
- the photolytic converter further comprises an inflow conduit for conveying the fluid sample into the reaction chamber, and an outflow conduit for conveying the fluid sample out of the reaction chamber.
- the inflow conduit has an inlet in fluid communication with a source of the fluid sample and an outlet in communication with the reaction chamber, wherein the fluid sample enters the inlet of the inflow conduit as an unprocessed fluid sample.
- the outflow conduit has an inlet in fluid communication with the reaction chamber and an outlet in fluid communication with a receptacle for receiving the fluid sample, which exits the outflow conduit as a processed fluid sample.
- the photolytic converter of the present invention is designed such that at least one of the inflow and outflow conduits extends into the reaction chamber.
- the conduit(s) extending to the reaction chamber can be transparent, translucent and/or opaque.
- the conduit(s) extending into the reaction chamber is transparent to the electromagnetic radiation for allowing the fluid sample to be irradiated by the electromagnetic radiation as it is conveyed into or out of the reaction chamber.
- the conduit(s) extending into the chamber is translucent or opaque.
- the conduit(s) can extend in any direction within the reaction chamber.
- the photolytic converter of the present invention comprises one or more additional inflow conduits and/or one or more additional outflow conduits. In some embodiments, one or more the additional inflow and outflow conduits may extend into the chamber.
- the conduit(s) extending into the reaction chamber extend(s) in a direction parallel to, orthogonal to and/or at an angle relative to the propagation of the electromagnetic radiation within the chamber.
- the conduit(s) extending into the reaction chamber has a portion extending in a direction parallel to the propagation of the electromagnetic radiations within the chamber, and has a portion extending in a direction orthogonal to the propagation of the electromagnetic radiation within the chamber.
- the conduit(s) extending into the reaction chamber has a first portion extending in a direction parallel to the propagation of the electromagnetic radiation within the chamber, and has a second portion extending in a direction orthogonal to the propagation of the electromagnetic radiation within the chamber.
- the inflow and/or the outflow conduit(s) extends parallel to a longitudinal axis of the converter body. In some embodiments, the inflow and/or the outflow conduit extends parallel to a transverse axis of the converter body. In some embodiments the inflow and/or the outflow conduit(s) extends at an angle relative to the longitudinal and/or transverse axis of the converter body.
- the inflow and/or the outflow conduit(s) has a portion extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the converter body and a portion extending parallel to the transverse axis of the converter body.
- the photolytic converter of the present invention further comprises one or more additional conduits within the reaction chamber, each having an inlet and an outlet.
- the additional conduits are disposed such that the outlet of an inflow conduit of the one or more additional conduits is in fluid communication with the inlet of a next conduit of the one or more additional conduits and so on, wherein the inlet of the first additional conduit is in fluid communication with the outlet of the inflow conduit and the outlet of the last conduit of the one of more additional conduits is in fluid communication with the inlet of the outflow conduit.
- the photolytic converter of the present invention comprises an inflow conduit and an outflow conduit as described above, and an additional conduit placed within the reaction chamber, and having an inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the inflow conduit, and an outlet in fluid communication with the inlet of the outflow conduit.
- the conduit(s) extending into the reaction chamber has a length within the reaction chamber sufficient to provide a confined path for the flow of the fluid sample into the reaction chamber (thereby to achieve a defined flow of the fluid sample into reaction chamber) or to provide a confined path for the flow of the fluid sample out of the reaction chamber (thereby to achieve a defined flow of the processed fluid sample out of the reaction chamber).
- the length of the inflow conduit within the reaction chamber is configured to achieve a defined flow of the fluid sample into the reaction chamber
- the length of the outflow conduit within the reaction chamber is configured to achieve a defined flow of the fluid sample out of the reaction chamber.
- the conduit(s) entering and/or exiting the reaction chamber influence the flow in such a way that it is controlled between the exit of the inlet conduit(s) and the entrance of the outlet conduit(s).
- the conduit(s) extending into the reaction chamber has a length within the reaction chamber sufficient to provide a confined path for the flow of the fluid sample into the reaction chamber, and/or to provide a confined path for the flow of the fluid sample out of the reaction chamber, and to provide controlled flow between the outlet of the inflow conduit and the inlet of the outflow conduit.
- Desired lengths of the conduits extending into the reaction chamber can be calculated based on calculation methods known in the art.
- the conduit(s) extending into the reaction chamber has a length within the reaction chamber longer than the hydrodynamic entry length of the unprocessed fluid sample and/or hydrodynamic entry length of the processed fluid sample.
- the length of the inflow conduit(s) and/or the outflow conduit(s) within the reaction chamber is longer than the hydrodynamic entry length of the unprocessed fluid sample.
- the length of the inflow conduit(s) or the outflow conduit(s) within the reaction chamber is longer than the hydrodynamic entry length of the processed fluid sample.
- the hydrodynamic entry length of the unprocessed fluid sample and/or the processed fluid sample can be calculated using the Reynold numbers of the fluid, which in turn depends upon the fluid kinematic viscosity, speed of fluid flow, and diameter of the conduit.
- the diameter of the conduits(s) can be selected to achieve and/or control a desired speed for fluid flow.
- the diameter of the conduit(s) can be about 3 mm to about 15 mm depending upon the length of the conduit and the length and/or width of the reaction chamber.
- the length of the inflow conduit(s) and/or the outflow conduit(s) within the reaction chamber is at least 30% of the length of the reaction chamber. In some embodiments, the length of the inflow conduit(s) and/or the outflow conduit(s) within the reaction chamber is at least 40%, or at least 50%, or at least 60%, or at least 70% or at least 80% or at least 90% of the length of the reaction chamber. It would be apparent to the skilled worker that there would be some space left between the chamber end wall and the inlet and or the outlet of the extending conduits to allow for the fluids to flow into and out of the reaction chamber.
- the length of the inflow and/or the outflow conduit(s) within the reaction chamber is from about 30% to about 99% of the length of the reaction chamber. In some embodiments, the length of the inflow and/or the outflow conduit(s) within the reaction chamber is up to about 50% or about 45%, or about 50% or about 55% or about 60% or about 70% or about 80% or about 90% or about 99% or about 99.5%, and any range in between.
- the inflow conduit(s) and/or the outflow conduit(s) has a first portion extending parallel to the longitudinal axis and a second portion extending transversely within the reaction chamber.
- the first portion extending parallel to the longitudinal axis has a length at least 50% of the length of the reaction chamber
- the second portion extending parallel to the transverse direction has a length less than 60% of the width of the reaction chamber.
- the length in the longitudinal axis is at least 60%, or at least 70%, or at least 80% or at least 90% of the length of the reaction chamber, and the length in the transverse direction is less than 55%, or less than 50%, or less than 45% or less than 40%, or less than 35% or less than 30% of the width of the reaction chamber.
- two or more conduits extend within the reaction chamber, and the reaction chamber is provided with one or more separation members to facilitate separation of the conduits from one another.
- the separation member is a membrane.
- the separation member is a diaphragm with openings for allowing axial extension of the conduits within the reaction chamber, while separating conduits from one another.
- the conduit(s) extending into the reaction chamber can be straight, bent at angles, curved and/or spiral.
- the conduit(s) extending into the chamber has a flared outlet/inlet inside of the reaction chamber.
- the outlet of the inflow conduit(s) which extends into the reaction chamber has a flared end.
- the inlet of the outflow conduit which extends into the reaction chamber has a flared end.
- the inflow or outflow conduits split into two or more conduits inside the reaction chamber.
- the outlet of the inflow conduit(s) which extends into the reaction chamber splits into two or more ends.
- the inlet of the outflow conduit which extends into the reaction chamber splits into two or more ends.
- the one or more electromagnetic sources can be placed outside or inside the converter body.
- the one or more electromagnetic radiation sources are provided outside the converter body, and the converter body is provided with one or more corresponding communication regions provided in the converter body, thereby allowing exposure of the radiation from the one or more electromagnetic radiation sources to the fluid sample in the reaction chamber.
- the one or more communication regions are provided at one end and/or one side of the converter body. In some embodiments, the one or more communication regions are provided at opposite ends and/or opposite sides of the converter body.
- the one or more communication regions are one or more transparent windows provided on the converter body, thereby allowing exposure of the radiation from the one or more electromagnetic radiation sources to the fluid sample in the reaction chamber.
- the photolytic converter of the present invention comprises a housing enclosing the converter body, and the electromagnetic radiation sources are provided in the housing and in communication with the one or more communication regions provided in the converter body.
- the housing has structural components that hold the electromagnetic radiation sources.
- the electromagnetic radiation sources are integrated directly into the housing.
- the one or more electromagnetic radiation sources are integrated in the body or are placed within the body, such that the radiation sources are in direct contact with the fluid sample.
- the electromagnetic radiation source is located at one end and/or one side of the body. In some embodiments, the one or more electromagnetic radiation sources are located at opposite ends and/or opposite sides of the converter body.
- the converter body has one or more open ends/sides to allow contact with the electromagnetic source(s) and/or an independent housing with the electromagnetic source(s) attached to it, and has an air tight seal with the electromagnetic sources and/or the independent housing, such as described in JP 4543186, incorporated herein by reference.
- the one or more electromagnetic radiation sources are located at two opposite ends of the converter body.
- the electromagnetic radiation sources are located around the outside of the converter body. In embodiments where the reaction chamber is cylindrical, the electromagnetic radiation sources may be located circumferentially around the converter body.
- the outlet of the inflow conduit and/or the inlet of the outflow conduit is disposed in close proximity to the portion of the reaction chamber, which is in communication with the one or more electromagnetic radiation sources. In some embodiments, the outlet of the inflow conduit and/or the inlet of the outflow conduit is adjacent the portion of the reaction chamber, which is in communication with the one or more electromagnetic radiation sources.
- the converter body can be made of any material.
- the material can be reflective, transparent, translucent and/or opaque to electromagnetic radiation.
- the converter body can be created through means of forming the material into the desired converter shape (e.g. welding, glass blowing, machining, carving, extruding), or hollowing/carving out the converter shape from a solid piece of material.
- the converter body is made from a solid piece of material (metal, plastic, glass, etc.).
- the space inside of the chamber becomes the space created from the act of hollowing out the piece of material.
- the metal is aluminum, and/or steel.
- the converter body is made of glass (e.g. quartz, borosilicate, etc.). In some embodiments the converter body is made of metal (e.g. aluminum, steel, stainless steel, etc.).
- the reflective properties of the reaction chamber can be derived from the material the converter body is made of, and/or by covering and/or coating the inner surface and/or the outer surface of the converter body with a material having reflective properties and/or electromagnetic radiation reflective properties.
- the converter body is made of electromagnetic radiation reflective material. In such cases the inner surface and/or the outer surface of the converter body has reflective properties. In some embodiments, the convert body is made of material transparent to electromagnetic radiation. In such cases the inner and/or the outer surface of the converter body can be covered or coated with a material having reflective properties and/or electromagnetic radiation reflective properties, which could be specular and/or diffuse reflective properties. In some embodiments, the converter body can be made of a material translucent and/or opaque to electromagnetic radiation. In such cases the inner surface of the converter body can be covered or coated with a material having reflective properties.
- the inner surface and/or outer surface of the converter body is coated with a reflective coating having specular or diffusive reflector properties.
- the inner surface and/or outer surface of the converter body is coated with a reflective coating comprising material having specular reflector properties, such as Krylon® mirror glass spray, Rust-Oleum Specialty® mirror effect spray, and/or thin film UV elliptical coatings
- the inner surface and/or outer surface of the converter body is coated with a reflective coating comprising material having diffuse reflector properties, such as TeflonTM or barium sulfate (BaSO 4 ).
- TeflonTM means polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) fluorocarbon polymers available as molding and extrusion powders, aqueous dispersion, film, finishes, and multifilament yarn or fiber, and/or thin film UV diffuse reflective coatings.
- the inner surface and/or outer surface and/or of the converter body is covered with a material having reflective properties, such as aluminum foil.
- the converter body is made of glass, which is covered or coated with a reflective material, while leaving certain portions uncovered or uncoated to provide one more transparent windows to allow transmission of electromagnetic radiations.
- the converter body is made of quartz.
- the inner surface and/or outer surface of the converter body or material that is covering the converter body has specular and/or diffusive reflective properties.
- Specular reflector means a reflecting surface (polished metal or silvered glass) that gives a direct image of the source, with the angle of reflection equal to the angle of incidence.
- a specular reflector is also known as regular reflector or specular surface and it produces a direct reflection, mirror reflection or regular reflection.
- Diffuse reflector means any surface whose irregularities are so large compared to the wavelength of the incident radiation that the reflected rays are sent back in a multiplicity of directions.
- the converter body can be elongated, square, rectangular, circular, oblong, elliptical or partially elliptical, etc.
- the photolytic converter of the present invention comprises an elongated body, which defines a sealed reaction chamber having a first end and a second end, an inner surface and an outer surface, and one or more windows at the first end and/or the second end, which are transparent to electromagnetic radiation.
- the transparent windows of the chamber are placed in communication with one or more electromagnetic sources for transmitting electromagnetic radiation into the reaction chamber.
- at least one of the conduits is bent or is substantially L-shaped having a first portion extending longitudinally within the reaction chamber and a second portion extending transversely within the reaction chamber. The length of the first portion is at least 60% of the length of the reaction chamber, and the length of the second portion is less than 60% of the width of the reaction chamber.
- both of the inflow and outflow conduits extend into the reaction chamber and each conduit has a portion extending longitudinally between the first and the second end of the reaction chamber, and a portion extending transversely with the reaction chamber.
- outlet of the inflow conduit and the inlet of the outflow conduit are disposed towards opposite ends of the reaction chamber.
- the converter further comprises a third conduit disposed between the inflow and the outflow conduit and having an inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the inflow conduit and an outlet in fluid communication with the outflow conduit.
- the outlet of the inflow conduit and the outlet of the third conduit are disposed towards opposite ends of the reaction chamber.
- the converter body is made of glass (such as quartz), which is covered or coated with a reflective material, while leaving certain portions uncovered or uncoated to provide one more transparent windows to allow transmission of electromagnetic radiations.
- the converter body is covered with aluminum and/or aluminum foil.
- the conduits of the photolytic converter of the present invention can be configured to convey the unprocessed fluid sample and the processed fluid sample into and from the reaction chamber, respectively, at a desired pressure.
- the inflow conduit is connected to a pressure regulator to convey the unprocessed fluid sample at a pressure lower than the pressure of the reaction chamber
- the outflow conduit is connected to a pressure regulator to convey the processed fluid sample at a pressure higher than the pressure of the reaction chamber.
- the inflow conduit is connected to a pressure regulator to convey the unprocessed fluid sample at a pressure higher than the pressure of the reaction chamber, and the outflow conduit is connected to a pressure regulator to convey the processed fluid sample at a pressure lower than the pressure of the reaction chamber.
- the inflow conduit is connected to a pressure regulator to convey the unprocessed fluid sample at a pressure higher than the pressure of the reaction chamber and the outflow conduit is connected to a pressure regulator to convey the processed fluid sample at a pressure higher than the pressure of the reaction chamber.
- the inflow conduit is connected to a pressure regulator to convey the unprocessed fluid sample at a pressure lower than the pressure of the reaction chamber
- the outflow conduit is connected to a pressure regulator to convey the processed fluid sample at a pressure lower than the pressure of the reaction chamber.
- the reaction chamber of the converter of the present invention is able to withstand pressure in the range of 170 mmHg (abs) to 1000 mmHg (abs).
- the residence time of the fluid sample in the photolytic converter can be up to 10 seconds by modifying the volume of the reaction chamber and/or the shape of the reaction chamber. In one embodiment, the resident time of up to 10 seconds is achieved by using a pressure regulator and/or a flow controller.
- the photolytic converter of the present invention can be used with any electromagnetic radiation source, such as light-emitting diode (LED), LASER, xenon arc lamp, etc.
- electromagnetic radiation source such as light-emitting diode (LED), LASER, xenon arc lamp, etc.
- the electromagnetic radiation source is configured to produce UV and near UV wavelength radiation in the range of 351-415 nm
- the electromagnetic radiation source is a source of radio waves, microwaves, infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, X-rays or gamma rays.
- the receptacle comprises a detector member in communication with the outlet of the outflow conduit for generating a signal indicative of a concentration of product molecules(s) in the processed gas sample.
- the photolytic converter of the present invention is for converting NO 2 present in the gas sample into NO.
- the receptacle comprises a NO detector means in communication with the reaction chamber outlet for generating a signal indicative of a concentration of NO in the processed gas sample.
- the conversion of the NO 2 to NO can be used as a zeroing scheme for existing NO 2 analyzers employing direct measurement technologies.
- This embodiment uses the converter to “remove” NO 2 from the sample, creating a zero background that can be used to calibrate and zero the instrument.
- an insulating covering is provided over the body of the photolytic converter to maintain a constant fluid sample temperature, preferably at the same measurement conditions within the measurement system.
- the photolytic converter is provided with one or more heat dissipating devices.
- heat dissipating devices include heat sinks, thermoelectric cooling devices (such as Peltier coolers), fans, heat pipe systems, or water cooling systems.
- heat dissipating device(s) are connected or attached to the electromagnetic radiation source.
- the housing comprises structural components to hold one or more heat dissipating devices.
- the heat dissipation devices are integrated directly into the housing.
- At least one heat sink is mounted to the housing and located substantially close to the at least one electromagnetic radiation source.
- a heat sink and active cooling device are used in tandem.
- the heat dissipation devices(s) can be attached to the housing by screws, or alternatively by other fasteners such as bolts, clamps, couplings or pins.
- the heat sinks and housing can be comprised of a material with good heat transfer properties, such as aluminum.
- the heat dissipation device(s) is provided to maintain the electromagnetic source temperature at a temperature low enough such that the fluid sample does not thermally decompose other species in the gas sample (e.g. Peroxyacetal nitrate (PANS)), and/or low enough to extend the operational life of the electromagnetic sources based off of manufacturer recommended operating parameters, by dissipating the heat orthogonally to the heat transfer device, such as a heat sink with fan and/or water cooling, or through other means such as thermoelectrically with a Peltier cooler.
- PANS Peroxyacetal nitrate
- the housing provides axial alignment of the center of the converter body, the electromagnetic light sources, and the heat dissipation device(s).
- the photolytic converter (with or without the housing) is placed within a chassis to provide an overall photolytic converter system.
- the photolytic converter of the present invention can be configured to be used in conjunction, internally or externally, with an existing chemiluminescent analyzer.
- the photolytic converter of the present invention can be used as an alternative to existing thermal catalytic converters in current chemiluminescent analyzers to provide consumers with the added benefits of a photolysis converter without purchasing a new analyzer.
- the existing thermal converter can be disconnected, and the photolytic device can be connected in its stead to convert NO 2 to NO for measurement by the chemiluminescent analyzer.
- the converter of the present application can be provided with connection members configured to connect with the inlets and outlets of the existing thermal converter.
- a method of photolytically converting reactant molecule present in an unprocessed fluid sample into product molecules in a processed fluid sample providing a converted body defining a reaction chamber in communication with one or more electromagnetic sources, said converter body having: an inlet for conveying the unprocessed fluid sample into the chamber for converting the reactant molecules of the unprocessed fluid sample into the product molecules in the processed fluid sample by photolytic dissociation with electromagnetic radiation; an outlet in communication with a receptacle for conveying the processed gas sample out from the reaction chamber; passing the unprocessed fluid sample into the reaction chamber via a confined path and/or passing the processed fluid sample out of the reaction chamber via a confined path.
- the confined path can be obtained by providing the reaction chamber with one or more inflow conduits and/or one or more outflow conduits as described above, wherein at let one of said conduits extents into the reaction chamber.
- FIG. 1 illustrates converter body 11 defining reaction chamber 12 having first end 12 a and second end 12 b .
- UV transparent windows 14 a and 14 b are provided at both ends 12 a and 12 b , respectively, to receive the UV radiation from UV sources 20 a and 20 b , respectively.
- the converter body is made of quartz, wherein the portions other than windows are covered with aluminum.
- the converter body further has inflow conduit 16 (having inlet 16 a configured to communicate with a gas source and outlet 16 b in communication with reaction chamber 12 ), and L-shaped outflow conduit 18 having inlet 18 a in communication with reaction chamber 12 and outlet 18 b configured to be in communication with a receptacle for the processed gas sample.
- outlet 16 b of the inflow conduit is adjacent first window 14 a .
- the outflow conduit 18 has a portion 18 d which extends longitudinally between the two ends such that its inlet 18 a is adjacent second window 14 b , and has a portion 18 c which extends transversely in the reaction chamber.
- FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of the converter body 21 defining reaction chamber 22 having first end 22 a and second end 22 b having UV transparent windows 24 a and 24 b , respectively, to receive the UV radiation from UV sources 30 a and 30 b respectively.
- the inflow conduit 26 extends into the reaction chamber, and has a portion 26 c which extends transversely in the reaction chamber and a portion 26 d which extends longitudinally within the reaction chamber.
- the inlet 26 a of the inflow conduit 26 is configured to communicate with a gas source and the outlet 26 b is in communication with reaction chamber 22 , and is in close proximity to the first window 24 a .
- the outflow conduit 28 has inlet 28 a in communication with reaction chamber 22 and outlet 28 b configured to be in communication with a receptacle for the processed gas sample.
- FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a partially elliptical-shaped converter body ( 111 or 211 ), wherein the UV transparent window is provided on one end only.
- converter body 111 has inflow conduit 116 having inlet 116 a and outlet 116 b , which is adjacent the UV transparent window 114 provided at end 112 a to receive the UV radiation from UV source 120 .
- the outflow conduit 118 having a portion 118 c which extends transversely and a portion 118 d which extends longitudinally in the reaction chamber 112 such that inlet 118 a is located towards end 112 b away from the window. Configuration of this embodiment can be reversed such that the conduit 118 acts as the inflow conduit to convey the fluid sample into the reaction chamber and the conduit 116 acts as the outflow conduit.
- the converter body 211 has inflow conduit 218 having a portion 218 c which extends transversely and a portion 218 d which extends longitudinally in the reaction chamber 212 such that its inlet 218 a is towards end 212 a adjacent the UV transparent window 214 provided at end 212 a , to receive the UV radiation from UV source 220 .
- the outflow conduit 216 has inlet 216 a closer to the end 212 b away from the window.
- the configuration of this embodiment can be reversed such that the conduit 216 acts as the inflow conduit to convey the fluid sample into the reaction chamber and the conduit 218 acts as the outflow conduit.
- FIG. 5 illustrates cylindrical converter body 311 defining reaction chamber 312 having ends 312 a and 312 b .
- UV transparent windows 314 a and 314 b are provided at opposite ends in communication with UV radiation source 320 a and 320 b .
- both inflow and outflow conduits 316 and 318 are L-shaped and both have a portion ( 316 d and 318 d , respectively) that extends longitudinally between the first and second ends of reaction chamber 312 , such that outlet 316 b of the inflow conduit is adjacent second window 314 b and inlet 318 a of the outflow conduit is adjacent first window 314 a .
- Inlet 316 a of the inflow conduit 316 is configured to communicate with a gas source, and outlet 318 b of the outflow conduit 318 is configured to be in communication with a receptacle for the processed gas sample.
- the chamber further comprises a radial diaphragm 322 with holes to accommodate the longitudinally extension of the inflow and the outflow conduits within the reaction chamber.
- FIG. 6 illustrates cylindrical converter body 411 defining reaction chamber 412 having ends 412 a and 412 b .
- both ends are provided with UV transparent windows 414 a and 414 b , respectively.
- outflow conduit 418 has a portion 418 c that extends transversely and a portion 418 d that extends longitudinally between the first and second ends of reaction chamber 412 , such that its inlet 418 a is adjacent second window 414 a
- the inflow conduit 416 is disposed such that its outlet 416 b is relatively more towards the first window 414 b .
- This embodiment further comprises third conduit 422 (having inlet 422 a and outlet 422 b ), extending longitudinally between the first and second ends, and disposed between the inflow and outflow conduits, such that the outlet 416 b of the inflow conduit 416 is in fluid communication with the inlet 422 a , and the outlet 422 b is in fluid communication with the inlet 418 a of the outflow conduit to allow a flow of the gas sample from the outlet of the inflow conduit into the reaction chamber and towards the inlet of the outflow conduit, and out through the outlet of the outflow conduit.
- third conduit 422 having inlet 422 a and outlet 422 b ), extending longitudinally between the first and second ends, and disposed between the inflow and outflow conduits, such that the outlet 416 b of the inflow conduit 416 is in fluid communication with the inlet 422 a , and the outlet 422 b is in fluid communication with the inlet 418 a of the outflow conduit to allow a flow of the gas sample from the
- Inlet 416 a of the inflow conduit 416 is configured to communicate with a gas source, and outlet 418 b of the outflow conduit 418 is configured to be in communication with a receptacle for the processed gas sample.
- the reaction chamber further comprises a radial diaphragm 424 with holes to accommodate the axial extension of the third conduit and the outflow conduits within the reaction chamber, while separating the conduits from each other.
- FIG. 7 illustrates converter body similar to the one as described in FIG. 1 , with the difference that the converter body 511 has open ends and UV sources 520 a and 520 b form an air-tight seal with 511 to form reaction chamber 512 .
- the UV light sources 520 a and 520 b are in direct communication with the fluid sample.
- the converter body further has inflow conduit 516 (having inlet 516 a configured to communicate with a gas source and outlet 516 b in communication with reaction chamber 512 ) and L-shaped outflow conduit 518 (having inlet 518 a in communication with reaction chamber 512 and outlet 518 b configured to be in communication with a receptacle for the processed gas sample).
- the outflow conduit 518 has a portion 518 d which extends longitudinally between the two ends and has a portion 518 c which extends transversely in the reaction chamber.
- FIG. 8 illustrates converter body similar to the one as described in FIG. 1 , with the difference that the portion of the conduit that extends longitudinally within the reaction chamber has a spiral configuration.
- the converter body 611 defines reaction chamber 612 having first end 612 a and second end 612 b .
- UV transparent windows 614 a and 614 b are provided at both ends 612 a and 612 b , respectively, to receive the UV radiation from UV sources 620 a and 620 b , respectively.
- the converter body further has inflow conduit 616 (having inlet 616 a configured to communicate with a gas source and outlet 616 b in communication with reaction chamber 612 ) and L-shaped outflow conduit 618 (having inlet 618 a in communication with reaction chamber 612 and outlet 618 b configured to be in communication with a receptacle for the processed gas sample).
- outlet 616 b of the inflow conduit is adjacent first window 614 a .
- the outflow conduit 618 has a portion 618 d which extends longitudinally between the two ends such that its inlet 618 a is adjacent second window 614 b , and has a portion 618 c which extends transversely in the reaction chamber.
- the Applicant has surprisingly found and established that the design of the photolytic converter of the present invention provides an efficient photolytic dissociation of target molecules in a fluid sample into product molecules.
- the conversion of reactant molecules in a fluid sample (such as conversion of NO 2 to NO in a gas sample) can be achieved with minimal or no interferences/side reactions illustrated earlier, which results in more selective and precise measurement of reactant molecules in the fluid sample (such as NO 2 in a gas sample) over a wide range of operating conditions, and at pressures at or below ambient conditions ( ⁇ 1 atm abs).
- the design of the photolytic converter of the present invention provides a confined path for the movement of the fluid sample into and/or out of the reaction chamber, thereby providing an ordered flow into and out of the reaction chamber and, in some cases, within the reaction chamber itself.
- This ordered flow has been proven through smoke testing and fluid modeling. It is believed that the confined movement of the fluid into and/or out of the reaction chamber decreases the average velocity of the randomly moving molecules within the reaction chamber, and/or increases the effective volume of target molecules swept in unit time, which in turn reduces possibility/probability of recombination reactions between the photolysis products, along with providing uniform exposure of the fluid sample to the radiation source, thereby providing more selective and precise measurements of target molecules in a fluid sample.
- the photolytic converter of the present invention can impart a non-turbulent whirlwind-swirling motion to the fluid as it passes through the chamber. It is believed that this non-turbulent swirling also provides order in the flow of the fluid sample and stratification of the photolyzed molecules (such that fluid exits the chamber in substantially the same order that it entered in), which again reduces the possibility/probability of recombination reactions occurring between the photolysis products.
- the sample gas is drawn towards inlet 18 a of conduit 18 where another pressure change occurs in zone Z 3 , with similar flowrate F 1 .
- the sample flow direction intersects the light path initially upon entry into reaction chamber 12 before being drawn into the same axis of propagation of the light sources.
- the dual stage pressure fluctuations within the reaction chamber provides the sample flow with an ordered flow pattern where the mean free path between the target/reactant molecules are greatly reduced in conduit 18 , and the molecules per unit volume are greatly increased.
- the light flux within conduit 18 is greatly increased, resulting in efficient photolysis of the target molecules. It is also believed that due to the design of the reaction chamber, the average relative velocity of the randomly moving target/reactant molecules are decreased.
- conduit 18 ensures that the effective volume of target molecules swept in unit time is increased, which significantly reduces recombination reactions between photolysis products, overcoming prior art claims that increased molecules per unit volume should have rather enhanced recombination reactions.
- the photolytic converter of the present invention can photolyze NO 2 from a range of 10 ppb to 37 ppm during preliminary testing. Sample data are presented here.
- FIG. 9 illustrates results of an experiment demonstrating linear conversion of NO 2 to NO using the photolytic converter of the present invention.
- Experiments were conducted at 0.5-0.7 lpm, 190-250 mmHg pressure, using a Thermo Fisher Scientific (Thermo) 42C that was integrated with the photolytic converter of the present invention, and a Thermo Fisher Scientific (Thermo) 42i analyzer that was equipped with a thermal molybdenum converter.
- Calibrations were done using a certified 37.3 ppm NO 2 protocol gas from Praxair.
- An API dilution calibrator was used to create various mixing ratios of NO 2 from the 37.3 ppm certified NO 2 protocol gas to form concentrations of NO 2 from 200-1000 ppbv (shown in FIG.
- FIG. 9 As the Expected NO 2 trace, and confirmed by the use of the calibrated Thermo 42i analyzer equipped with a molybdenum catalytic thermal converter).
- Various mixing ratios resulting from the dilution of the 37.3 ppm certified protocol NO 2 gas with various ratios of zero air (a volume of air having no detectable amount of NO 2 or NO) is shown in FIG. 9 as stages A to G. These mixing ratios in steps A to G were sampled by both Thermo 42C and 42i analyzers.
- the trace in FIG. 9 “Measured NO 2 ”, is the result from the Thermo 42C analyzer with the photolytic converter.
- stage G the light source was turned off, and as expected, the 42C analyzer returned to ‘zero’ readings on the NO 2 and NO x channels although 973.0 ppbv of NO 2 (measured by the Thermo 42i) was flowing through the photolytic converter, proving that the photolytic converter works as expected when the lights are on.
- FIG. 10 a and FIG. 10 b illustrate correlation plots of NO 2 measured using exemplary embodiments of the present invention vs NO 2 measured with know techniques in a laboratory setting.
- the results shown in FIG. 10 a were obtained by using a laboratory grade photolytic device coupled with a Thermo 42i analyzer, and compared to a Thermo 42C analyzer using a molybdenum converter during a side-by-side experiment using diluted NO 2 gas from a certified 37.3 ppm NO 2 bottle. The results proved that 100% photolysis can be achieved with the photolytic converter of the present invention.
- the results presented in FIG. 9 b were obtained using a pre-production prototype with a modified mechanical design and new components (e.g. light sources, housing design) from the previous tests. This photolytic device was coupled with a Thermo 42i analyzer and compared to a laboratory grade direct NO 2 measurement device (CRDS). The results proved 92.7% photolysis was achieved with the pre-production model.
- CRDS laboratory grade direct
- the pre-production prototype was then tested at a high concentration of NO 2 to determine its linearity.
- the certified NO 2 gas was delivered directly to the analyzer, and the results showed that the photolytic converter system converted 91.2% of the undiluted certified protocol NO 2 gas (37.3 ppm). These results confirm the wide linear dynamic range of the photolytic converter (within acceptable instrumental errors of ⁇ 5%), and the range of testing was limited only by the availability of a certified NO 2 gas.
- FIG. 11 illustrates results from a field trial.
- the data presented is a plot showing raw NO 2 data from a field trial conducted with the photolytic device integrated with a Thermo 42i chemiluminescent analyzer and plotted against the NO 2 measured by a pre-existing Thermo 17i chemiluminescent analyzer with a thermal converter that was operating at an ambient monitoring station. There was a strong correlation between the NO 2 measurements obtained from each of the devices during the field trial.
- FIG. 12 a illustrates a top view of an embodiment of the photolytic converter placed inside a chassis 711 .
- FIG. 12 b illustrates a cut away view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 12 a .
- the photolytic converter comprises a housing 712 enclosing converter body 714 defining reaction chamber 716 , an inflow conduit having inlet 718 a , and an outflow conduit 720 having an inlet 720 a and outlet 720 b .
- the LED modules 722 a and 722 b are provided inside the housing 712 , such that electromagnetic radiation from the LED modules 722 a and 722 b are in communication with the reaction chamber.
- the LED modules 722 a and 722 b are in thermal communication with the heatsinks 724 a and 724 b respectively, which in turn are attached to the walls of the housing.
- the housing in this embodiment is made of metal, and has cut away window portions in the housing walls wherein the LEDs are located.
- the reaction chamber is aligned with structural elements of the housing such that the center of the reaction chamber is in line with the center of the LEDs.
- the LED light passes through the windows of the reaction chamber and interacts with the sample gas flowing through the chamber.
- Fans 726 a and 726 b are integrated with the heat sinks 724 a and 724 b , respectively to dissipate the heat in a direction orthogonal to the LEDs such that the heat from the LEDs is not blown across the reaction chamber and/or the housing.
- FIG. 13 is a schematic illustration of the integration of a photolytic converter system 811 comprising a converter body 714 and electromagnetic sources enclosed by a housing 712 and placed inside a chassis 711 , with a chemiluminescent analyzer 812 , showing the disconnection points 814 from the thermal converter inside of the chemiluminescent analyzer 812 .
- the sample inlet 820 of the analyzer 812 is in fluid communication with inlet port 816 of the photolytic converter system 811
- outlet port 818 of the photolytic converter system 811 is in fluid communication with the detection cell 822 of the analyzer 812 .
- an unprocessed fluid sample (such as a gas sample comprising NO 2 ) passes through the housing 712 , enters the reaction chamber 714 , interacts with the LED light, and is photolyzed into a processed fluid sample (i.e. gas sample comprising NO).
- a processed fluid sample i.e. gas sample comprising NO.
- the processed fluid sample then exits the reaction chamber, the housing, and the photolytic converter chassis, and is passed back into the existing chemiluminescent analyzer 812 .
- the processed fluid sample re-enters the chemiluminescent analyzer plumbing system and is transported to the detection cell 822 in analyzer 812 .
Abstract
The present invention provides a photolytic converter for converting reactant molecules in a fluid sample into product molecules by photolytic dissociation with electromagnetic radiation. The converter has a reaction chamber in communication with one or more electromagnetic radiation sources, an inflow conduit for conveying the fluid sample into the reaction chamber, and an outflow conduit for conveying the fluid sample out of the reaction chamber into a receptacle, wherein at least one of the first and outflow conduits extends into the reaction chamber. The receptacle can comprise detection means for generating a signal indicative of a concentration of product molecules in the processed fluid sample.
Description
- This invention generally relates to a device and a method for indirectly measuring and/or transforming a quantity of a target molecule in a fluid sample, and more specifically relates to a photolytic converter for interference-free conversion of a reactant molecule to a desired product molecule.
- Photodissociation, photolysis, or photodecomposition is a chemical reaction in which a chemical compound is broken down by photons. It is defined as the interaction of one or more photons with one target molecule. Photodissociation is not limited to visible light. Any photon with sufficient energy can affect the chemical bonds of a chemical compound. Since a photon's energy is inversely proportional to its wavelength, electromagnetic waves with the energy of visible light or higher, such as ultraviolet light, x-rays and gamma rays are usually involved in such reactions.
- Two reactive forms of nitrogen oxides, namely nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and nitric oxide (NO) (together known as NO3) are among several toxic gases emitted by combustion sources. NO2 is a classified criteria pollutant known to be a major precursor for the production of the harmful secondary pollutant ozone (O3), in the troposphere.
- Accurate measurements of NOx are crucial for obtaining knowledge, to combat adverse effects of the pollutants, and to meet government regulations or help policy decisions. Various methods to measure the concentration of NO2 in ambient air have been developed.
- In general, NO2 is photodissociated at ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths below 420 nm in the following first order process,
-
NO2 +hv→NO+O (1) - with the rate constant for photolysis given by j (units of s−1), which is the wavelength-integrated product of the photon flux (photons cm−2s−1), the weakly temperature-dependent NO2 absorption cross-section (cm2 molecule−1), and the quantum yield for photodissociation (molecules photon−1) (DeMore, W. B., et al., Chemical Kinetics and Photochemical Data for use in Stratospheric Modeling, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., 1997).
- In air, the O atom formed in reaction (1) reacts rapidly with molecular oxygen (O2) to form O3,
-
O+O2→O3 (2) - which can then react with NO to re-form NO2,
-
NO+O3→NO2*+O2 (3) - where NO2* equals electronically excited NO2. The NO2* relaxes by giving off energy as shown in formula (4) in a principle called chemiluminescence,
-
NO2*→NO2 +hv. (4) - Efficient conversion of NO2 to NO serves to maximize that difference and improve instrumental sensitivity for NO2. The light given off from Reaction (4) is used to quantify the resulting product NO.
- In ambient air, a possible interference species in NO2 photolysis is glyoxal (HCO)2 which absorbs light in the same NO2 photolysis region (350-420 nm). Glyoxal at elevated levels has a negative interference on the measured NO concentration as illustrated in the reaction equations below.
-
(HCO)2 +hv*2HCO* (5) -
HCO*+O2→HO2 *+CO (6) -
HO2 *+NO→+NO2 (7a) -
RO2 *+NO→RO*+NO2 (7b) -
R—H+OH*→R*+H2O (8) -
R*+O2→RO2 * (9) - When glyoxal is present at elevated levels in the sample cell, it is photolyzed to produce formyl (HCO) radicals (eqn. 5). The HCO radicals react with molecular oxygen to form peroxyradicals, HO2 (eqn. 6). The peroxyradicals, HO2, or alkoxyradicals, RO2, react with NO via a second order kinetic mechanism to form NO2 (eqn. 7). More so, the OH radicals formed from equation 7a can initiate a second mechanism where alkyl radicals can be formed from hydrocarbons present in the sample stream. The alkyl radicals then react with molecular oxygen to generate peroxyradicals to re-activate equation 7. Although this leads to unintended reduction in the NO measurement, a well-designed photolysis chamber could minimize or prevent these side reactions from occurring (including the NO—O3 recombination reactions discussed earlier). It is challenging to perfect such a system but through flow dynamics coupled with carefully selected wavelength and a novel chamber design, this can be achieved.
- Conventionally, commercially available instruments used for measuring NO2 in the atmosphere employ thermal catalysts for NO2 conversion. These conventional devices, however, are not specific for NO2 For example, one commercially available converter design is based on the reduction of NO2 to NO on a heated substrate (i.e., thermal decomposition), such as molybdenum oxide, ferrous sulfate, and stainless steel. These surface-based converters are not specific for NO2, as they also efficiently reduce other atmospheric nitrogen-containing compounds to a detectable form. (Fehsenfeld, F. C., et al., Intercomparison of NO2 measurement techniques, Journal of Geophysical Research, 95, 3579-3597, 1990; Fehsenfeld, F. C., et al., Ground-based intercomparison of nitric acid measurement techniques, Journal of Geophysical Research, 103, 3343-3353, 1998.).
- Molybdenum oxide is the most commonly used thermal substrate. Use of molybdenum converters in chemiluminescent analyzers can result in a gross overestimate of ambient NO2, as it converts more than just NO2 to NO. Compounds such as NO3 and N2O5, Peroxyacylnitrates (PANS), alkylnitrates (ANs), and other oxidized nitrogen oxides (which are generally known as NOz) can also be converted into NO when present in the sampled air mass. Because of this, the ‘NOx’ readings can and will be overestimated when these compounds are present in significant levels. The ‘NOx’ measurement read by the chemiluminescent analyzer is now a measurement of NOy, which is the sum of NOx and other reactive nitrogen compounds. The resultant ‘NOx’ reading causes the chemiluminescent analyzer to overestimate NO2 readings. Knowing the precise amount of NO2 is important, as it determines how much ozone is being created in the troposphere which is of the utmost importance to the environmental science community.
- Moreover, the Molybdenum converter is not effective in all process conditions even if the listed NO, compounds are absent, as it can also be affected by ammonia (NH3), nitric acid (HNO3), and water. These products deposit onto the converter's surface, preventing effective conversion (of NO2 to NO) from occurring and causing uncertainty in the readings on the analyzer. Finally, the Molybdenum catalyst must be heated to 300° C.-350° C. to convert NO2 to NO. The above illustrates the increased maintenance and operational costs for the analyzer, as the Molybdenum will need to be replaced more frequently.
- Another technique, the photolytic dissociation of NO2 with UV light followed by chemiluminescence detection of the product NO, has been employed for ambient measurements of NO2 for over two decades. (Kley, D. et al., Chemiluminescence detector for NO and NO2, Atmospheric Technology, 12, 63-69, 1980; Ryerson, et al., Journal Geophys. Res., 10, 2000.) This broadband photolysis technique has provided field measurement data used to evaluate and improve the current understanding of tropospheric and stratospheric ozone chemistry, radiative transfer, and sources and fate of reactive nitrogen compounds. The photolysis-chemiluminescence (P-CL) technique has been compared to other NO2 measurement techniques on the ground (Mihelcic, D., et al., An improved method of measuring tropospheric NO2 and RO2 by matrix isolation and electron spin resonance, Journal of Atmospheric Chemistry, 3, 341-361, 1985.; Fehsenfeld et al., 1990) and aboard aircraft (Del Negro, L. A., et al., Comparison of modeled and observed values of NO2 and JNO2 during the Photochemistry of Ozone Loss in the Arctic Region in Summer (POLARIS) mission, Journal of Geophysical Research, 104, 26, 687-26, 703, 1999). It has been shown to provide useful data over a wide range of concentrations and ambient environments, and has a fast start up and integration time. It also results in greater specificity for NO2, but is hampered by relatively low conversion efficiency and detrimental effects of using the broadband light sources typically employed (e.g., high-pressure mercury lamp, xenon arc lamp, mercury arc lamp).
- The detrimental effects are largely based on the broad spectrum of light applied to the sample. The sources that produce significant radiation in the infrared (>1000 nm) result in heat being added to the air sample, which in turn resulted in thermal conversion of labile compounds such as PANs and ANs. The broadband sources also emit radiation in the UV at both shorter and longer wavelengths than useful for NO2 conversion, often resulting in photolytic conversion of interfering species (e.g., HNO3 and the halogen nitrates at wavelengths less than 350 nm).
- The relatively low conversion efficiency afforded by the conventional photolytic methods has typically been compensated for by allowing for longer residence time in the photolysis chamber. This practice further complicates the conversion by allowing for back reaction of the NO produced with ambient ozone. Ideally, the photolysis would take place in one second or less to minimize the effects of the back reaction.
- In addition, the existing photolysis-based methods have not seen widespread use because of the operating costs associated with replacement of the relatively short-lived light sources (typically 200-1500 hours of continuous operation depending on the lamp, with costs ranging from $200-$900 per lamp). Replacing these lamps also equates to man hours spent and instrument downtime incurred, both adding costs to the testing procedure. In addition to these costs, additional costs of prior methods include the mechanical shuttering devices, filters, broadband light source power requirements and elaborate positioning devices employed to position the broadband light source.
- U.S. Pat. No. 7,238,328 discloses a solid-state light source photolytic NO2 converter including a reaction chamber made of a reflective material with diffuse reflective properties, whereby the reaction chamber includes a low volume gas cell wherein the gas sample residence time is less than 5 seconds is provided to avoid unwanted side reactions of NO2 and NO. The converter and method described in this patent also suffer from low conversion efficiency at reduced pressures and limited range as the converter disclosed therein cannot measure higher than 2-4 ppm of NO2. In addition, the converter loses conversion efficiency when operating in a reduced pressure system, making its integration into an existing analyzer even more difficult.
- JP 4543186 discloses an apparatus and a chemiluminescence method for measuring nitrogen oxide concentration, wherein the apparatus is configured to have ultraviolet light source as part of the converter main body. The apparatus of this reference would also suffer with similar problems as that of U.S. Pat. No. 7,238,328, for example the reaction chamber configuration would allow for recombination reactions to occur before the NO leaves the chamber. In addition, this patent does not address the range at which they can operate, nor if the converter has a linear conversion of NO2 to NO as the concentration of NO2 increases.
- Therefore, a need exists to provide a system and a method, which can reduce or minimize interference from photolabile species during photolytic dissociation of a reactant molecule to a product molecule, thereby improving conversion efficiency. There is also a need for a photolytic converter which can be incorporated into existing measurement systems (such as chemiluminescent analyzers) and is linear across a wide dynamic range.
- Numerous other features, objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
- In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photolytic converter for converting reactant molecules in a fluid sample into product molecules by photolytic dissociation with electromagnetic radiation, comprising: a converter body defining a sealed reaction chamber, and having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface optionally has reflective properties; one or more electromagnetic radiation sources in communication with the reaction chamber for transmitting the electromagnetic radiation into the reaction chamber for photolytically dissociating the reactant molecules in the fluid sample to form the product molecules; an inflow conduit for conveying the fluid sample into the reaction chamber, the inflow conduit having an inlet configured to be in fluid communication with a source of the fluid sample and an outlet in communication with the reaction chamber, wherein the fluid sample enters the inlet of the inflow conduit as an unprocessed fluid sample; and an outflow conduit for conveying the fluid sample out of the reaction chamber, the outflow conduit having an inlet in fluid communication with the reaction chamber and an outlet configured to be in fluid communication with a receptacle for receiving the fluid sample, wherein the fluid sample exits the outflow conduit as a processed fluid sample; wherein at least one of the inflow conduit and the outflow conduit extends into the reaction chamber.
- In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of photolytically converting reactant molecule present in an unprocessed fluid sample into product molecules in a processed fluid sample: providing a converted body defining a reaction chamber in communication with one or more electromagnetic sources, said converter body having: an inlet for conveying the unprocessed fluid sample into the chamber for converting the reactant molecules of the unprocessed fluid sample into the product molecules in the processed fluid sample by photolytic dissociation with electromagnetic radiation; an outlet in communication with a receptacle for conveying the processed gas sample out from the reaction chamber; passing the unprocessed fluid sample into the reaction chamber via a confined path and/or passing the processed fluid sample out of the reaction chamber via a confined path.
-
FIG. 1 illustrates a converter body in accordance with an embodiment of the photolytic converter of present invention. -
FIG. 2 illustrates a converter body in accordance with another embodiment of the photolytic converter of present invention. -
FIG. 3 illustrates a converter body in accordance with another embodiment of the photolytic converter of present invention. -
FIG. 4 illustrates a converter body in accordance with another embodiment of the photolytic converter of present invention. -
FIG. 5 illustrates a converter body accordance with another embodiment of the photolytic converter of present invention. -
FIG. 6 illustrates a converter body in accordance with another embodiment of the photolytic converter of present invention. -
FIG. 7 . illustrates a converter body in accordance with another embodiment of the photolytic converter of present invention. -
FIG. 8 illustrates a converter body in accordance with another embodiment of the photolytic converter of present invention. -
FIG. 9 illustrates results of an experiment demonstrating the conversion of NO2 to NO at varying concentrations of NO2 using the photolytic converter of the present invention in comparison to the results to the conversion of NO2 to NO with a molybdenum converter. -
FIG. 10 a andFIG. 10 b illustrate a correlation plots of NO2 measured using exemplary embodiments of the present invention vs NO2 measured with know techniques in a laboratory setting.FIG. 10 a shows results from initial laboratory grade testing, andFIG. 10 b shows results from the pre-production prototype. -
FIG. 11 illustrates results from a field trial conducted with the photolytic device integrated with a chemiluminescent analyzer and plotted against a non-modified chemiluminescent analyzer. -
FIG. 12 a is a top view of an embodiment of a photolytic converter in accordance with the present invention, comprising a converter body enclosed in a housing provided with electromagnetic radiation sources, and heat dissipation equipment attached to the housing. -
FIG. 12 b illustrates a cut away view of an embodiment of the photolytic converter in accordance with the present invention, comprising a converter body enclosed in a housing, with the electromagnetic radiation source and the heat dissipation equipment attached to the housing. -
FIG. 13 is a schematic illustration of the integration of an embodiment of a photolytic converter in accordance with the present invention with an existing chemiluminescent analyzer, showing the disconnection points in the existing chemiluminescent analyzer and their connection to the photolytic converter System. - Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.
- As used herein, the term “electromagnetic radiation” includes radio waves, microwaves, infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, X-rays and gamma rays.
- As used herein, the term “UV” refers to ultraviolet radiation in the region of electromagnetic spectrum including wavelengths from 40 to 4000 Å (4 to 400 nm).
- As used herein, the term “chemiluminescence” refers to the emission of absorbed energy (as light) due to a chemical reaction of the components of the system. Chemiluminescence occurs in thousands of chemical reactions covering a wide variety of compounds, both organic and inorganic.
- As used herein, the term “quantum yield” for a photochemical reaction refers to the number of moles of a stated reactant disappearing, or the number of moles of a stated product produced, per unit of light of the stated wavelength absorbed. Quantum yield also means the number of photon-induced reactions of a specified type per photon absorbed. Photolytic and photolysis means the use of radiant energy to produce chemical changes. Photolytic and photolysis also means decomposition of a compound into simpler units as a result of absorbing one or more quanta of radiation. Absorption cross-section means the ratio of the amount of power removed from a beam by absorption of radio energy by a target to the power in the beam incident upon the target.
- As used herein, the term “solid-state light source” refers to a diode in which a semiconductor material produces either the spectrally coherent output beam (diode laser), or a narrow range of wavelengths (LED—typically full width at half maximum=5-20 nm).
- As used herein, the term “fluid” refers to a substance, as a liquid or gas.
- As used herein, the term “about” refers to approximately a +/−10% variation from a given value. It is to be understood that such a variation is always included in any given value provided herein, whether or not it is specifically referred to.
- The present invention provides a photolytic converter for converting reactant molecules in a fluid sample into product molecules by photolytic dissociation with electromagnetic radiation.
- The photolytic converter of the present invention comprises a converter body defining a reaction chamber, and having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the reaction chamber optionally has reflective properties. One or more electromagnetic radiation sources are placed in communication with the reaction chamber for transmitting the electromagnetic radiation into the reaction chamber for photolytically dissociating the reactant molecules in the fluid sample to form the product molecules. The photolytic converter further comprises an inflow conduit for conveying the fluid sample into the reaction chamber, and an outflow conduit for conveying the fluid sample out of the reaction chamber. The inflow conduit has an inlet in fluid communication with a source of the fluid sample and an outlet in communication with the reaction chamber, wherein the fluid sample enters the inlet of the inflow conduit as an unprocessed fluid sample. The outflow conduit has an inlet in fluid communication with the reaction chamber and an outlet in fluid communication with a receptacle for receiving the fluid sample, which exits the outflow conduit as a processed fluid sample. The photolytic converter of the present invention is designed such that at least one of the inflow and outflow conduits extends into the reaction chamber.
- The conduit(s) extending to the reaction chamber can be transparent, translucent and/or opaque.
- In some embodiments, the conduit(s) extending into the reaction chamber is transparent to the electromagnetic radiation for allowing the fluid sample to be irradiated by the electromagnetic radiation as it is conveyed into or out of the reaction chamber.
- In some embodiments, the conduit(s) extending into the chamber is translucent or opaque.
- The conduit(s) can extend in any direction within the reaction chamber.
- In some embodiments, the photolytic converter of the present invention comprises one or more additional inflow conduits and/or one or more additional outflow conduits. In some embodiments, one or more the additional inflow and outflow conduits may extend into the chamber.
- In some embodiments, the conduit(s) extending into the reaction chamber extend(s) in a direction parallel to, orthogonal to and/or at an angle relative to the propagation of the electromagnetic radiation within the chamber.
- In some embodiments, the conduit(s) extending into the reaction chamber has a portion extending in a direction parallel to the propagation of the electromagnetic radiations within the chamber, and has a portion extending in a direction orthogonal to the propagation of the electromagnetic radiation within the chamber.
- In some embodiments, the conduit(s) extending into the reaction chamber has a first portion extending in a direction parallel to the propagation of the electromagnetic radiation within the chamber, and has a second portion extending in a direction orthogonal to the propagation of the electromagnetic radiation within the chamber.
- In some embodiments, the inflow and/or the outflow conduit(s) extends parallel to a longitudinal axis of the converter body. In some embodiments, the inflow and/or the outflow conduit extends parallel to a transverse axis of the converter body. In some embodiments the inflow and/or the outflow conduit(s) extends at an angle relative to the longitudinal and/or transverse axis of the converter body.
- In some embodiments, the inflow and/or the outflow conduit(s) has a portion extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the converter body and a portion extending parallel to the transverse axis of the converter body.
- In some embodiments, the photolytic converter of the present invention further comprises one or more additional conduits within the reaction chamber, each having an inlet and an outlet. The additional conduits are disposed such that the outlet of an inflow conduit of the one or more additional conduits is in fluid communication with the inlet of a next conduit of the one or more additional conduits and so on, wherein the inlet of the first additional conduit is in fluid communication with the outlet of the inflow conduit and the outlet of the last conduit of the one of more additional conduits is in fluid communication with the inlet of the outflow conduit.
- In some embodiments, the photolytic converter of the present invention comprises an inflow conduit and an outflow conduit as described above, and an additional conduit placed within the reaction chamber, and having an inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the inflow conduit, and an outlet in fluid communication with the inlet of the outflow conduit.
- The conduit(s) extending into the reaction chamber has a length within the reaction chamber sufficient to provide a confined path for the flow of the fluid sample into the reaction chamber (thereby to achieve a defined flow of the fluid sample into reaction chamber) or to provide a confined path for the flow of the fluid sample out of the reaction chamber (thereby to achieve a defined flow of the processed fluid sample out of the reaction chamber). For example, the length of the inflow conduit within the reaction chamber is configured to achieve a defined flow of the fluid sample into the reaction chamber, and the length of the outflow conduit within the reaction chamber is configured to achieve a defined flow of the fluid sample out of the reaction chamber.
- In one embodiment, the conduit(s) entering and/or exiting the reaction chamber influence the flow in such a way that it is controlled between the exit of the inlet conduit(s) and the entrance of the outlet conduit(s). In some embodiments, the conduit(s) extending into the reaction chamber has a length within the reaction chamber sufficient to provide a confined path for the flow of the fluid sample into the reaction chamber, and/or to provide a confined path for the flow of the fluid sample out of the reaction chamber, and to provide controlled flow between the outlet of the inflow conduit and the inlet of the outflow conduit.
- Desired lengths of the conduits extending into the reaction chamber can be calculated based on calculation methods known in the art.
- In some embodiments, the conduit(s) extending into the reaction chamber has a length within the reaction chamber longer than the hydrodynamic entry length of the unprocessed fluid sample and/or hydrodynamic entry length of the processed fluid sample.
- In some embodiments, the length of the inflow conduit(s) and/or the outflow conduit(s) within the reaction chamber is longer than the hydrodynamic entry length of the unprocessed fluid sample.
- In some embodiments, the length of the inflow conduit(s) or the outflow conduit(s) within the reaction chamber is longer than the hydrodynamic entry length of the processed fluid sample.
- The hydrodynamic entry length of the unprocessed fluid sample and/or the processed fluid sample can be calculated using the Reynold numbers of the fluid, which in turn depends upon the fluid kinematic viscosity, speed of fluid flow, and diameter of the conduit.
- The diameter of the conduits(s) can be selected to achieve and/or control a desired speed for fluid flow. For example, the diameter of the conduit(s) can be about 3 mm to about 15 mm depending upon the length of the conduit and the length and/or width of the reaction chamber.
- In some embodiments, the length of the inflow conduit(s) and/or the outflow conduit(s) within the reaction chamber is at least 30% of the length of the reaction chamber. In some embodiments, the length of the inflow conduit(s) and/or the outflow conduit(s) within the reaction chamber is at least 40%, or at least 50%, or at least 60%, or at least 70% or at least 80% or at least 90% of the length of the reaction chamber. It would be apparent to the skilled worker that there would be some space left between the chamber end wall and the inlet and or the outlet of the extending conduits to allow for the fluids to flow into and out of the reaction chamber.
- In some embodiments, the length of the inflow and/or the outflow conduit(s) within the reaction chamber is from about 30% to about 99% of the length of the reaction chamber. In some embodiments, the length of the inflow and/or the outflow conduit(s) within the reaction chamber is up to about 50% or about 45%, or about 50% or about 55% or about 60% or about 70% or about 80% or about 90% or about 99% or about 99.5%, and any range in between.
- In some embodiments, the inflow conduit(s) and/or the outflow conduit(s) has a first portion extending parallel to the longitudinal axis and a second portion extending transversely within the reaction chamber. In some aspects of such embodiments, the first portion extending parallel to the longitudinal axis has a length at least 50% of the length of the reaction chamber, and the second portion extending parallel to the transverse direction has a length less than 60% of the width of the reaction chamber. In some aspects of this embodiment, the length in the longitudinal axis is at least 60%, or at least 70%, or at least 80% or at least 90% of the length of the reaction chamber, and the length in the transverse direction is less than 55%, or less than 50%, or less than 45% or less than 40%, or less than 35% or less than 30% of the width of the reaction chamber.
- In some embodiments, two or more conduits extend within the reaction chamber, and the reaction chamber is provided with one or more separation members to facilitate separation of the conduits from one another. In some embodiments, the separation member is a membrane. In some embodiments, the separation member is a diaphragm with openings for allowing axial extension of the conduits within the reaction chamber, while separating conduits from one another.
- The conduit(s) extending into the reaction chamber can be straight, bent at angles, curved and/or spiral.
- In some embodiments, the conduit(s) extending into the chamber has a flared outlet/inlet inside of the reaction chamber. In some embodiments, the outlet of the inflow conduit(s) which extends into the reaction chamber has a flared end. In some embodiments, the inlet of the outflow conduit which extends into the reaction chamber has a flared end.
- In some embodiments, the inflow or outflow conduits split into two or more conduits inside the reaction chamber. In some embodiments, the outlet of the inflow conduit(s) which extends into the reaction chamber splits into two or more ends. In some embodiments, the inlet of the outflow conduit which extends into the reaction chamber splits into two or more ends.
- The one or more electromagnetic sources can be placed outside or inside the converter body.
- In some embodiments, the one or more electromagnetic radiation sources are provided outside the converter body, and the converter body is provided with one or more corresponding communication regions provided in the converter body, thereby allowing exposure of the radiation from the one or more electromagnetic radiation sources to the fluid sample in the reaction chamber.
- In some embodiments, the one or more communication regions are provided at one end and/or one side of the converter body. In some embodiments, the one or more communication regions are provided at opposite ends and/or opposite sides of the converter body.
- In some embodiments, the one or more communication regions are one or more transparent windows provided on the converter body, thereby allowing exposure of the radiation from the one or more electromagnetic radiation sources to the fluid sample in the reaction chamber.
- In some embodiments, the photolytic converter of the present invention comprises a housing enclosing the converter body, and the electromagnetic radiation sources are provided in the housing and in communication with the one or more communication regions provided in the converter body. In some embodiments, the housing has structural components that hold the electromagnetic radiation sources. In some embodiments, the electromagnetic radiation sources are integrated directly into the housing.
- In some embodiments, the one or more electromagnetic radiation sources are integrated in the body or are placed within the body, such that the radiation sources are in direct contact with the fluid sample. In some embodiments, the electromagnetic radiation source is located at one end and/or one side of the body. In some embodiments, the one or more electromagnetic radiation sources are located at opposite ends and/or opposite sides of the converter body.
- In some embodiments, where the electromagnetic radiation source(s) are integrated with the converter body or placed within the converter body, the converter body has one or more open ends/sides to allow contact with the electromagnetic source(s) and/or an independent housing with the electromagnetic source(s) attached to it, and has an air tight seal with the electromagnetic sources and/or the independent housing, such as described in JP 4543186, incorporated herein by reference.
- In some embodiments, the one or more electromagnetic radiation sources are located at two opposite ends of the converter body.
- In some embodiments, the electromagnetic radiation sources are located around the outside of the converter body. In embodiments where the reaction chamber is cylindrical, the electromagnetic radiation sources may be located circumferentially around the converter body.
- In some embodiments, the outlet of the inflow conduit and/or the inlet of the outflow conduit is disposed in close proximity to the portion of the reaction chamber, which is in communication with the one or more electromagnetic radiation sources. In some embodiments, the outlet of the inflow conduit and/or the inlet of the outflow conduit is adjacent the portion of the reaction chamber, which is in communication with the one or more electromagnetic radiation sources.
- The converter body can be made of any material. The material can be reflective, transparent, translucent and/or opaque to electromagnetic radiation.
- The converter body can be created through means of forming the material into the desired converter shape (e.g. welding, glass blowing, machining, carving, extruding), or hollowing/carving out the converter shape from a solid piece of material.
- In some embodiments, the converter body is made from a solid piece of material (metal, plastic, glass, etc.). The space inside of the chamber becomes the space created from the act of hollowing out the piece of material. In some embodiments, the metal is aluminum, and/or steel.
- In some embodiments, the converter body is made of glass (e.g. quartz, borosilicate, etc.). In some embodiments the converter body is made of metal (e.g. aluminum, steel, stainless steel, etc.).
- The reflective properties of the reaction chamber can be derived from the material the converter body is made of, and/or by covering and/or coating the inner surface and/or the outer surface of the converter body with a material having reflective properties and/or electromagnetic radiation reflective properties.
- In some embodiments, the converter body is made of electromagnetic radiation reflective material. In such cases the inner surface and/or the outer surface of the converter body has reflective properties. In some embodiments, the convert body is made of material transparent to electromagnetic radiation. In such cases the inner and/or the outer surface of the converter body can be covered or coated with a material having reflective properties and/or electromagnetic radiation reflective properties, which could be specular and/or diffuse reflective properties. In some embodiments, the converter body can be made of a material translucent and/or opaque to electromagnetic radiation. In such cases the inner surface of the converter body can be covered or coated with a material having reflective properties.
- In some embodiments, the inner surface and/or outer surface of the converter body is coated with a reflective coating having specular or diffusive reflector properties.
- In some embodiments, the inner surface and/or outer surface of the converter body is coated with a reflective coating comprising material having specular reflector properties, such as Krylon® mirror glass spray, Rust-Oleum Specialty® mirror effect spray, and/or thin film UV elliptical coatings
- In some embodiments, the inner surface and/or outer surface of the converter body is coated with a reflective coating comprising material having diffuse reflector properties, such as Teflon™ or barium sulfate (BaSO4). Teflon™ means polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) fluorocarbon polymers available as molding and extrusion powders, aqueous dispersion, film, finishes, and multifilament yarn or fiber, and/or thin film UV diffuse reflective coatings.
- In some embodiments the inner surface and/or outer surface and/or of the converter body is covered with a material having reflective properties, such as aluminum foil.
- In some embodiments the converter body is made of glass, which is covered or coated with a reflective material, while leaving certain portions uncovered or uncoated to provide one more transparent windows to allow transmission of electromagnetic radiations. In some embodiments the converter body is made of quartz.
- In some embodiments, the inner surface and/or outer surface of the converter body or material that is covering the converter body has specular and/or diffusive reflective properties. Specular reflector means a reflecting surface (polished metal or silvered glass) that gives a direct image of the source, with the angle of reflection equal to the angle of incidence. A specular reflector is also known as regular reflector or specular surface and it produces a direct reflection, mirror reflection or regular reflection. Diffuse reflector means any surface whose irregularities are so large compared to the wavelength of the incident radiation that the reflected rays are sent back in a multiplicity of directions.
- The converter body can be elongated, square, rectangular, circular, oblong, elliptical or partially elliptical, etc.
- In some embodiments, the photolytic converter of the present invention comprises an elongated body, which defines a sealed reaction chamber having a first end and a second end, an inner surface and an outer surface, and one or more windows at the first end and/or the second end, which are transparent to electromagnetic radiation. The transparent windows of the chamber are placed in communication with one or more electromagnetic sources for transmitting electromagnetic radiation into the reaction chamber. In an aspect of these embodiments, at least one of the conduits is bent or is substantially L-shaped having a first portion extending longitudinally within the reaction chamber and a second portion extending transversely within the reaction chamber. The length of the first portion is at least 60% of the length of the reaction chamber, and the length of the second portion is less than 60% of the width of the reaction chamber.
- In one embodiment, only one of the inflow conduit and the outflow conduit extends into the reaction chamber. In another embodiment, both of the inflow and outflow conduits extend into the reaction chamber and each conduit has a portion extending longitudinally between the first and the second end of the reaction chamber, and a portion extending transversely with the reaction chamber.
- In another embodiment, the outlet of the inflow conduit and the inlet of the outflow conduit are disposed towards opposite ends of the reaction chamber.
- In another embodiment, the converter further comprises a third conduit disposed between the inflow and the outflow conduit and having an inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the inflow conduit and an outlet in fluid communication with the outflow conduit. In some embodiments of this aspect the outlet of the inflow conduit and the outlet of the third conduit are disposed towards opposite ends of the reaction chamber.
- In another embodiment, the converter body is made of glass (such as quartz), which is covered or coated with a reflective material, while leaving certain portions uncovered or uncoated to provide one more transparent windows to allow transmission of electromagnetic radiations. In some embodiments the converter body is covered with aluminum and/or aluminum foil.
- The conduits of the photolytic converter of the present invention can be configured to convey the unprocessed fluid sample and the processed fluid sample into and from the reaction chamber, respectively, at a desired pressure.
- In some embodiments, the inflow conduit is connected to a pressure regulator to convey the unprocessed fluid sample at a pressure lower than the pressure of the reaction chamber, and the outflow conduit is connected to a pressure regulator to convey the processed fluid sample at a pressure higher than the pressure of the reaction chamber.
- In one embodiment, the inflow conduit is connected to a pressure regulator to convey the unprocessed fluid sample at a pressure higher than the pressure of the reaction chamber, and the outflow conduit is connected to a pressure regulator to convey the processed fluid sample at a pressure lower than the pressure of the reaction chamber.
- In one embodiment, the inflow conduit is connected to a pressure regulator to convey the unprocessed fluid sample at a pressure higher than the pressure of the reaction chamber and the outflow conduit is connected to a pressure regulator to convey the processed fluid sample at a pressure higher than the pressure of the reaction chamber.
- In one embodiment, the inflow conduit is connected to a pressure regulator to convey the unprocessed fluid sample at a pressure lower than the pressure of the reaction chamber, and the outflow conduit is connected to a pressure regulator to convey the processed fluid sample at a pressure lower than the pressure of the reaction chamber.
- In one embodiment, the reaction chamber of the converter of the present invention is able to withstand pressure in the range of 170 mmHg (abs) to 1000 mmHg (abs).
- In one embodiment of the photolytic converter of the present invention, the residence time of the fluid sample in the photolytic converter can be up to 10 seconds by modifying the volume of the reaction chamber and/or the shape of the reaction chamber. In one embodiment, the resident time of up to 10 seconds is achieved by using a pressure regulator and/or a flow controller.
- The photolytic converter of the present invention can be used with any electromagnetic radiation source, such as light-emitting diode (LED), LASER, xenon arc lamp, etc.
- In some embodiments, the electromagnetic radiation source is configured to produce UV and near UV wavelength radiation in the range of 351-415 nm
- In some embodiments, the electromagnetic radiation source is a source of radio waves, microwaves, infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, X-rays or gamma rays.
- In some embodiments, the receptacle comprises a detector member in communication with the outlet of the outflow conduit for generating a signal indicative of a concentration of product molecules(s) in the processed gas sample.
- In some embodiments, the photolytic converter of the present invention is for converting NO2 present in the gas sample into NO. In one embodiment, the receptacle comprises a NO detector means in communication with the reaction chamber outlet for generating a signal indicative of a concentration of NO in the processed gas sample.
- In one embodiment, the conversion of the NO2 to NO can be used as a zeroing scheme for existing NO2 analyzers employing direct measurement technologies. This embodiment uses the converter to “remove” NO2 from the sample, creating a zero background that can be used to calibrate and zero the instrument.
- In some embodiments, an insulating covering is provided over the body of the photolytic converter to maintain a constant fluid sample temperature, preferably at the same measurement conditions within the measurement system.
- In some embodiments, the photolytic converter is provided with one or more heat dissipating devices. Examples of such devices include heat sinks, thermoelectric cooling devices (such as Peltier coolers), fans, heat pipe systems, or water cooling systems.
- In some embodiments, heat dissipating device(s) are connected or attached to the electromagnetic radiation source.
- In some embodiments, wherein the converter body is housed in a housing, the housing comprises structural components to hold one or more heat dissipating devices. In some embodiments, the heat dissipation devices are integrated directly into the housing.
- In some embodiments, at least one heat sink is mounted to the housing and located substantially close to the at least one electromagnetic radiation source.
- In some embodiments, a heat sink and active cooling device are used in tandem.
- The heat dissipation devices(s) can be attached to the housing by screws, or alternatively by other fasteners such as bolts, clamps, couplings or pins.
- The heat sinks and housing can be comprised of a material with good heat transfer properties, such as aluminum.
- In some embodiments, the heat dissipation device(s) is provided to maintain the electromagnetic source temperature at a temperature low enough such that the fluid sample does not thermally decompose other species in the gas sample (e.g. Peroxyacetal nitrate (PANS)), and/or low enough to extend the operational life of the electromagnetic sources based off of manufacturer recommended operating parameters, by dissipating the heat orthogonally to the heat transfer device, such as a heat sink with fan and/or water cooling, or through other means such as thermoelectrically with a Peltier cooler.
- In some embodiments, there are additional cooling devices placed sufficiently close to and/or attached to the housing and/or to provide additional cooling for the converter body and/or the internals of the housing of the photolytic converter.
- In some embodiments, the housing provides axial alignment of the center of the converter body, the electromagnetic light sources, and the heat dissipation device(s).
- In some embodiments, the photolytic converter (with or without the housing) is placed within a chassis to provide an overall photolytic converter system.
- The photolytic converter of the present invention can be configured to be used in conjunction, internally or externally, with an existing chemiluminescent analyzer.
- In one embodiment, the photolytic converter of the present invention can be used as an alternative to existing thermal catalytic converters in current chemiluminescent analyzers to provide consumers with the added benefits of a photolysis converter without purchasing a new analyzer. The existing thermal converter can be disconnected, and the photolytic device can be connected in its stead to convert NO2 to NO for measurement by the chemiluminescent analyzer. The converter of the present application can be provided with connection members configured to connect with the inlets and outlets of the existing thermal converter.
- In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of photolytically converting reactant molecule present in an unprocessed fluid sample into product molecules in a processed fluid sample: providing a converted body defining a reaction chamber in communication with one or more electromagnetic sources, said converter body having: an inlet for conveying the unprocessed fluid sample into the chamber for converting the reactant molecules of the unprocessed fluid sample into the product molecules in the processed fluid sample by photolytic dissociation with electromagnetic radiation; an outlet in communication with a receptacle for conveying the processed gas sample out from the reaction chamber; passing the unprocessed fluid sample into the reaction chamber via a confined path and/or passing the processed fluid sample out of the reaction chamber via a confined path.
- The confined path can be obtained by providing the reaction chamber with one or more inflow conduits and/or one or more outflow conduits as described above, wherein at let one of said conduits extents into the reaction chamber.
- To gain a better understanding of the invention described herein, the following examples are set forth. It will be understood that these examples are intended to describe illustrative embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
-
FIG. 1 illustratesconverter body 11 definingreaction chamber 12 having first end 12 a andsecond end 12 b. In this embodiment, UVtransparent windows UV sources inlet 16 a configured to communicate with a gas source andoutlet 16 b in communication with reaction chamber 12), and L-shapedoutflow conduit 18 havinginlet 18 a in communication withreaction chamber 12 andoutlet 18 b configured to be in communication with a receptacle for the processed gas sample. In this embodiment,outlet 16 b of the inflow conduit is adjacentfirst window 14 a. Theoutflow conduit 18 has aportion 18 d which extends longitudinally between the two ends such that itsinlet 18 a is adjacentsecond window 14 b, and has aportion 18 c which extends transversely in the reaction chamber. -
FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of theconverter body 21 definingreaction chamber 22 having first end 22 a andsecond end 22 b having UVtransparent windows UV sources inflow conduit 26 extends into the reaction chamber, and has aportion 26 c which extends transversely in the reaction chamber and aportion 26 d which extends longitudinally within the reaction chamber. Theinlet 26 a of theinflow conduit 26 is configured to communicate with a gas source and theoutlet 26 b is in communication withreaction chamber 22, and is in close proximity to thefirst window 24 a. Theoutflow conduit 28 hasinlet 28 a in communication withreaction chamber 22 andoutlet 28 b configured to be in communication with a receptacle for the processed gas sample. -
FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a partially elliptical-shaped converter body (111 or 211), wherein the UV transparent window is provided on one end only. - In the embodiment of
FIG. 3 ,converter body 111 hasinflow conduit 116 havinginlet 116 a andoutlet 116 b, which is adjacent the UV transparent window 114 provided atend 112 a to receive the UV radiation fromUV source 120. Theoutflow conduit 118 having aportion 118 c which extends transversely and aportion 118 d which extends longitudinally in thereaction chamber 112 such thatinlet 118 a is located towardsend 112 b away from the window. Configuration of this embodiment can be reversed such that theconduit 118 acts as the inflow conduit to convey the fluid sample into the reaction chamber and theconduit 116 acts as the outflow conduit. - In the embodiment of
FIG. 4 , theconverter body 211 hasinflow conduit 218 having aportion 218 c which extends transversely and aportion 218 d which extends longitudinally in thereaction chamber 212 such that itsinlet 218 a is towardsend 212 a adjacent the UVtransparent window 214 provided atend 212 a, to receive the UV radiation fromUV source 220. Theoutflow conduit 216 hasinlet 216 a closer to theend 212 b away from the window. The configuration of this embodiment can be reversed such that theconduit 216 acts as the inflow conduit to convey the fluid sample into the reaction chamber and theconduit 218 acts as the outflow conduit. -
FIG. 5 illustratescylindrical converter body 311 definingreaction chamber 312 having ends 312 a and 312 b. In this embodiment, UVtransparent windows outflow conduits reaction chamber 312, such thatoutlet 316 b of the inflow conduit is adjacentsecond window 314 b andinlet 318 a of the outflow conduit is adjacentfirst window 314 a.Inlet 316 a of theinflow conduit 316 is configured to communicate with a gas source, andoutlet 318 b of theoutflow conduit 318 is configured to be in communication with a receptacle for the processed gas sample. In this embodiment the chamber further comprises aradial diaphragm 322 with holes to accommodate the longitudinally extension of the inflow and the outflow conduits within the reaction chamber. -
FIG. 6 illustratescylindrical converter body 411 definingreaction chamber 412 having ends 412 a and 412 b. In this embodiment, both ends are provided with UVtransparent windows embodiment outflow conduit 418 has aportion 418 c that extends transversely and aportion 418 d that extends longitudinally between the first and second ends ofreaction chamber 412, such that itsinlet 418 a is adjacentsecond window 414 a The inflow conduit 416 is disposed such that itsoutlet 416 b is relatively more towards thefirst window 414 b. This embodiment further comprises third conduit 422 (havinginlet 422 a andoutlet 422 b), extending longitudinally between the first and second ends, and disposed between the inflow and outflow conduits, such that theoutlet 416 b of the inflow conduit 416 is in fluid communication with theinlet 422 a, and theoutlet 422 b is in fluid communication with theinlet 418 a of the outflow conduit to allow a flow of the gas sample from the outlet of the inflow conduit into the reaction chamber and towards the inlet of the outflow conduit, and out through the outlet of the outflow conduit.Inlet 416 a of the inflow conduit 416 is configured to communicate with a gas source, andoutlet 418 b of theoutflow conduit 418 is configured to be in communication with a receptacle for the processed gas sample. The reaction chamber further comprises aradial diaphragm 424 with holes to accommodate the axial extension of the third conduit and the outflow conduits within the reaction chamber, while separating the conduits from each other. -
FIG. 7 illustrates converter body similar to the one as described inFIG. 1 , with the difference that theconverter body 511 has open ends andUV sources reaction chamber 512. TheUV light sources inlet 516 a configured to communicate with a gas source andoutlet 516 b in communication with reaction chamber 512) and L-shaped outflow conduit 518 (havinginlet 518 a in communication withreaction chamber 512 andoutlet 518 b configured to be in communication with a receptacle for the processed gas sample). Theoutflow conduit 518 has aportion 518 d which extends longitudinally between the two ends and has aportion 518 c which extends transversely in the reaction chamber. -
FIG. 8 illustrates converter body similar to the one as described inFIG. 1 , with the difference that the portion of the conduit that extends longitudinally within the reaction chamber has a spiral configuration. Specifically, theconverter body 611 definesreaction chamber 612 havingfirst end 612 a andsecond end 612 b. UVtransparent windows UV sources inlet 616 a configured to communicate with a gas source andoutlet 616 b in communication with reaction chamber 612) and L-shaped outflow conduit 618 (havinginlet 618 a in communication withreaction chamber 612 andoutlet 618 b configured to be in communication with a receptacle for the processed gas sample). In this embodiment,outlet 616 b of the inflow conduit is adjacentfirst window 614 a. Theoutflow conduit 618 has aportion 618 d which extends longitudinally between the two ends such that itsinlet 618 a is adjacentsecond window 614 b, and has aportion 618 c which extends transversely in the reaction chamber. - The Applicant has surprisingly found and established that the design of the photolytic converter of the present invention provides an efficient photolytic dissociation of target molecules in a fluid sample into product molecules. In particular, it has been established that the conversion of reactant molecules in a fluid sample (such as conversion of NO2 to NO in a gas sample) can be achieved with minimal or no interferences/side reactions illustrated earlier, which results in more selective and precise measurement of reactant molecules in the fluid sample (such as NO2 in a gas sample) over a wide range of operating conditions, and at pressures at or below ambient conditions (≤1 atm abs).
- Without being bound by theory, it is believed that the design of the photolytic converter of the present invention provides a confined path for the movement of the fluid sample into and/or out of the reaction chamber, thereby providing an ordered flow into and out of the reaction chamber and, in some cases, within the reaction chamber itself. This ordered flow has been proven through smoke testing and fluid modeling. It is believed that the confined movement of the fluid into and/or out of the reaction chamber decreases the average velocity of the randomly moving molecules within the reaction chamber, and/or increases the effective volume of target molecules swept in unit time, which in turn reduces possibility/probability of recombination reactions between the photolysis products, along with providing uniform exposure of the fluid sample to the radiation source, thereby providing more selective and precise measurements of target molecules in a fluid sample. In addition to the ordered flow, it has been established through fluid modeling that the photolytic converter of the present invention can impart a non-turbulent whirlwind-swirling motion to the fluid as it passes through the chamber. It is believed that this non-turbulent swirling also provides order in the flow of the fluid sample and stratification of the photolyzed molecules (such that fluid exits the chamber in substantially the same order that it entered in), which again reduces the possibility/probability of recombination reactions occurring between the photolysis products.
- It is also believed that, as shown in
FIG. 1 , when a gas sample is drawn intoreaction chamber 12 throughoutlet 16 b ofinflow conduit 16 at flow rate F1, upon entry intoreaction chamber 12, a pressure drop results in zone Z2, but the flowrate F1 is substantially maintained. - The sample gas is drawn towards
inlet 18 a ofconduit 18 where another pressure change occurs in zone Z3, with similar flowrate F1. In this embodiment, the sample flow direction intersects the light path initially upon entry intoreaction chamber 12 before being drawn into the same axis of propagation of the light sources. The dual stage pressure fluctuations within the reaction chamber provides the sample flow with an ordered flow pattern where the mean free path between the target/reactant molecules are greatly reduced inconduit 18, and the molecules per unit volume are greatly increased. As a result, the light flux withinconduit 18 is greatly increased, resulting in efficient photolysis of the target molecules. It is also believed that due to the design of the reaction chamber, the average relative velocity of the randomly moving target/reactant molecules are decreased. - It has been observed that the residence time within
conduit 18 to a detector at a sample flow of 0.7 litres per minute (lpm) is less than 1 second even at total length of 0.5 m. The implication of the novel design is thatconduit 18 ensures that the effective volume of target molecules swept in unit time is increased, which significantly reduces recombination reactions between photolysis products, overcoming prior art claims that increased molecules per unit volume should have rather enhanced recombination reactions. - It has been established that a selective wavelength photolysis of NO2 using the photolytic converter of the present invention can be achieved at >90% and up to 100% efficiency. The photolytic converter of the present invention can photolyze NO2 from a range of 10 ppb to 37 ppm during preliminary testing. Sample data are presented here.
-
FIG. 9 illustrates results of an experiment demonstrating linear conversion of NO2 to NO using the photolytic converter of the present invention. Experiments were conducted at 0.5-0.7 lpm, 190-250 mmHg pressure, using a Thermo Fisher Scientific (Thermo) 42C that was integrated with the photolytic converter of the present invention, and a Thermo Fisher Scientific (Thermo) 42i analyzer that was equipped with a thermal molybdenum converter. Calibrations were done using a certified 37.3 ppm NO2 protocol gas from Praxair. An API dilution calibrator was used to create various mixing ratios of NO2 from the 37.3 ppm certified NO2 protocol gas to form concentrations of NO2 from 200-1000 ppbv (shown inFIG. 9 as the Expected NO2 trace, and confirmed by the use of the calibrated Thermo 42i analyzer equipped with a molybdenum catalytic thermal converter). Various mixing ratios resulting from the dilution of the 37.3 ppm certified protocol NO2 gas with various ratios of zero air (a volume of air having no detectable amount of NO2 or NO) is shown inFIG. 9 as stages A to G. These mixing ratios in steps A to G were sampled by both Thermo 42C and 42i analyzers. The trace inFIG. 9 , “Measured NO2”, is the result from the Thermo 42C analyzer with the photolytic converter. During stage G, the light source was turned off, and as expected, the 42C analyzer returned to ‘zero’ readings on the NO2 and NOx channels although 973.0 ppbv of NO2 (measured by the Thermo 42i) was flowing through the photolytic converter, proving that the photolytic converter works as expected when the lights are on. -
FIG. 10 a andFIG. 10 b illustrate correlation plots of NO2 measured using exemplary embodiments of the present invention vs NO2 measured with know techniques in a laboratory setting. The results shown inFIG. 10 a were obtained by using a laboratory grade photolytic device coupled with a Thermo 42i analyzer, and compared to a Thermo 42C analyzer using a molybdenum converter during a side-by-side experiment using diluted NO2 gas from a certified 37.3 ppm NO2 bottle. The results proved that 100% photolysis can be achieved with the photolytic converter of the present invention. The results presented inFIG. 9 b were obtained using a pre-production prototype with a modified mechanical design and new components (e.g. light sources, housing design) from the previous tests. This photolytic device was coupled with a Thermo 42i analyzer and compared to a laboratory grade direct NO2 measurement device (CRDS). The results proved 92.7% photolysis was achieved with the pre-production model. - The pre-production prototype was then tested at a high concentration of NO2 to determine its linearity. The certified NO2 gas was delivered directly to the analyzer, and the results showed that the photolytic converter system converted 91.2% of the undiluted certified protocol NO2 gas (37.3 ppm). These results confirm the wide linear dynamic range of the photolytic converter (within acceptable instrumental errors of ±5%), and the range of testing was limited only by the availability of a certified NO2 gas.
-
FIG. 11 illustrates results from a field trial. The data presented is a plot showing raw NO2 data from a field trial conducted with the photolytic device integrated with a Thermo 42i chemiluminescent analyzer and plotted against the NO2 measured by a pre-existing Thermo 17i chemiluminescent analyzer with a thermal converter that was operating at an ambient monitoring station. There was a strong correlation between the NO2 measurements obtained from each of the devices during the field trial. -
FIG. 12 a illustrates a top view of an embodiment of the photolytic converter placed inside achassis 711.FIG. 12 b illustrates a cut away view of the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 12 a . The photolytic converter comprises a housing 712 enclosingconverter body 714 definingreaction chamber 716, an inflowconduit having inlet 718 a, and anoutflow conduit 720 having aninlet 720 a andoutlet 720 b. TheLED modules LED modules LED modules heatsinks - The housing in this embodiment is made of metal, and has cut away window portions in the housing walls wherein the LEDs are located. The reaction chamber is aligned with structural elements of the housing such that the center of the reaction chamber is in line with the center of the LEDs. The LED light passes through the windows of the reaction chamber and interacts with the sample gas flowing through the chamber.
Fans heat sinks -
FIG. 13 is a schematic illustration of the integration of aphotolytic converter system 811 comprising aconverter body 714 and electromagnetic sources enclosed by a housing 712 and placed inside achassis 711, with achemiluminescent analyzer 812, showing the disconnection points 814 from the thermal converter inside of thechemiluminescent analyzer 812. Thesample inlet 820 of theanalyzer 812 is in fluid communication withinlet port 816 of thephotolytic converter system 811, andoutlet port 818 of thephotolytic converter system 811 is in fluid communication with thedetection cell 822 of theanalyzer 812. - Upon entry into the
photolytic converter chassis 711, an unprocessed fluid sample (such as a gas sample comprising NO2) passes through the housing 712, enters thereaction chamber 714, interacts with the LED light, and is photolyzed into a processed fluid sample (i.e. gas sample comprising NO). The processed fluid sample then exits the reaction chamber, the housing, and the photolytic converter chassis, and is passed back into the existingchemiluminescent analyzer 812. The processed fluid sample re-enters the chemiluminescent analyzer plumbing system and is transported to thedetection cell 822 inanalyzer 812. - It is obvious that the foregoing embodiments of the invention are examples and can be varied in many ways. Such present or future variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.
- The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth in the description, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.
Claims (13)
1.-31. (canceled)
32. A photolytic converter for converting NO2 molecules in a gas sample into NO molecules by photolytic dissociation with electromagnetic radiation, the converter comprising:
a converter body defining a sealed reaction chamber, and having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface of the reaction chamber has electromagnetic radiation reflective properties;
a housing enclosing the converter body,
one or more electromagnetic radiation sources provided outside the converter body, and in communication with one or more corresponding windows provided in the converter body to allow electromagnetic radiation into the reaction chamber for photolytically dissociating the NO2 molecules in the gas sample to form the NO molecules;
an inflow conduit for conveying the gas sample into the reaction chamber, the inflow conduit having an inlet opening configured to be in fluid communication with a source of the gas sample and an outlet opening in communication with the reaction chamber, wherein the gas sample enters the inlet of the inflow conduit as an unprocessed gas sample; and
an outflow conduit for conveying the gas sample out of the reaction chamber, the outflow conduit having an inlet opening in fluid communication with the reaction chamber and an outlet opening configured to be in fluid communication with a receptacle for receiving the gas sample, wherein the gas sample exits the outflow conduit as a processed gas sample;
wherein at least one of the inflow conduit and the outflow conduit have a length, so that the outlet opening of the inflow conduit and/or the inlet opening of the outflow conduit extends into the reaction chamber, the length is sufficient to provide a confined path for the unprocessed gas sample being conveyed into the reaction chamber via the inflow conduit, and/or the processed gas sample being conveyed out of the reaction chamber via the outflow conduit.
33. The photolytic converter of claim 32 , wherein the length of the inflow conduit and/or the outflow conduits within the reaction chamber is from about 30% to about 99.5% of the length of the reaction chamber.
34. The photolytic converter of claim 32 , further comprising: a pressure regulator or flow control device for controlling flow rate of the fluid sample into to the reaction chamber, and a pressure regulator or flow control device for controlling flow rate of the fluid sample out of the reaction chamber, and/or a volume sized to achieve a residence time of the fluid sample in the photolytic converter up to 10 s.
35. The photolytic converter of claim 32 , wherein said converter body is made of metal or glass, and has transparent windows to allow exposure of the radiation from said one or more electromagnetic radiation sources to the gas sample in the reaction chamber, said housing optionally comprising a heat dissipating device.
36. The photolytic converter of claim 35 , wherein said converter body is made of glass, wherein the inner surface of the converter body has a reflective coating and/or the outer surface of the converter body has a reflective coating or a reflective covering.
37. The photolytic converter of claim 32 , wherein the inflow conduit and/or the outflow conduit extends in a direction parallel to or orthogonal to propagation of said electromagnetic radiation within said chamber, or the inflow conduit has a first portion extending in a direction parallel to the propagation of said electromagnetic radiation within said chamber and a second portion extending in a direction orthogonal to the propagation of said electromagnetic radiation within said chamber.
38. The photolytic converter of claim 32 , wherein said body has a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, wherein the inflow conduit and/or the outflow conduit has a first portion extending parallel to the longitudinal axis and a second portion extending parallel to the transverse axis.
39. The photolytic converter of claim 38 , wherein the first portion has a length at least 60% of the length of the reaction chamber, and the second portion has a length less than 60% of a width of the reaction chamber.
40. The photolytic converter of claim 32 , further comprising one or more additional conduits within the reaction chamber, each having an inlet and an outlet, wherein the outlet of an inflow conduit of said one or more additional conduits is in fluid communication with the inlet of a next conduit of said one or more additional conduits and so on, and wherein the inlet of a first additional conduit is in fluid communication with the outlet of the inflow conduit and the outlet of the last conduit of said one of more additional conduits is in fluid communication with the inlet of the outflow conduit.
41. The photolytic converter of claim 32 , wherein the outlet of the inflow conduit and/or the inlet of the outflow conduit is adjacent the converter body, which is in communication with the one or more electromagnetic radiation sources.
42. The photolytic converter of claim 32 , wherein said reflective covering has specular and/or diffuse reflective properties specific to a UV light spectrum.
43. The photolytic converter of claim 32 , wherein the electromagnetic source is a light-emitting diode (LED), LASER, and/or a gas discharge lamp.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US17/897,874 US20220412893A1 (en) | 2016-04-07 | 2022-08-29 | Photolytic converter |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US201662319635P | 2016-04-07 | 2016-04-07 | |
PCT/CA2017/050429 WO2017173552A1 (en) | 2016-04-07 | 2017-04-07 | Photolytic converter |
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US11435291B2 (en) | 2016-04-07 | 2022-09-06 | Global Analyzer Systems Limited | Photolytic converter |
EP3634621B1 (en) | 2017-05-11 | 2023-12-13 | Global Analyzer Systems Limited | Method of controlling recombination or back reactions of products and byproducts in a dissociation reaction |
CN113189089B (en) * | 2021-03-19 | 2022-05-17 | 四川轻化工大学 | Ozone detection reagent and preparation device and preparation method thereof |
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FR2127235A5 (en) * | 1971-03-01 | 1972-10-13 | Aquitaine Petrole | |
US3840342A (en) | 1971-07-02 | 1974-10-08 | Beckman Instruments Inc | Nitrogen dioxide conversion |
US6051436A (en) | 1994-08-03 | 2000-04-18 | Lockheed Idaho Technologies Company | Method for the detection of nitro-containing compositions using ultraviolet photolysis |
JPH09145622A (en) | 1995-11-29 | 1997-06-06 | Shimadzu Corp | Chemiluminescence-type nitrogen oxide meter |
JPH1045401A (en) * | 1996-07-27 | 1998-02-17 | Horiba Ltd | Ozone generator |
US5906946A (en) | 1996-08-05 | 1999-05-25 | United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army | Device and process for detecting and discriminating NO and NO2 from other nitrocompounds in real-time and in situ |
US6346419B1 (en) * | 2000-06-26 | 2002-02-12 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Department Of Commerce | Photolysis system for fast-response NO2 measurements and method therefor |
EP1243917A1 (en) | 2001-03-23 | 2002-09-25 | Instrumentarium Corporation | Nitric oxide analyzer |
EP1243918A3 (en) | 2001-03-23 | 2004-10-06 | Instrumentarium Corporation | An improved chemiluminescent gas analyzer |
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US7238328B2 (en) | 2002-12-06 | 2007-07-03 | Sonoma Technology, Inc. | Solid-state light source photolytic nitrogen dioxide converter |
JP4355315B2 (en) * | 2005-12-26 | 2009-10-28 | 東洋バルヴ株式会社 | Fluid purification device |
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CN100588759C (en) | 2007-03-20 | 2010-02-10 | 苏州纳米技术与纳米仿生研究所 | Method for preparing compound chip by in situ synthesis, prepared carrier and luminous substrate |
JP4543186B1 (en) | 2009-03-13 | 2010-09-15 | 国立大学法人茨城大学 | Nitrogen dioxide photolysis converter and nitrogen oxide concentration measuring apparatus equipped with nitrogen dioxide photolysis converter |
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WO2011160186A1 (en) * | 2010-06-24 | 2011-12-29 | Viva Blu Pty Ltd | Method and apparatus for effecting a chemical reaction |
CN102445415B (en) | 2011-10-14 | 2013-07-24 | 北京大学 | Nitrogen dioxide photolysis device |
CN104071934A (en) | 2013-04-25 | 2014-10-01 | 宁波大学 | Large-throughput photocatalytic wastewater biodegradation reactor using electrodeless ultraviolet light source |
US11435291B2 (en) | 2016-04-07 | 2022-09-06 | Global Analyzer Systems Limited | Photolytic converter |
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US20190086337A1 (en) | 2019-03-21 |
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