Patent US3589169A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3589169A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and device for the analysis of gas
Assignee: US Philips Corp
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Filing: 1969-05-20
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Granted: 1971-06-29
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Expires: 1989-05-20
Abstract
Abstract A method and an apparatus for analyzing a gaseous mixture by flowing the mixture along a refrigerated tube having a temperature gradient along its length, with the component gases of the mixture condensing at different axial locations on the tube and means provided for determining the condensing temperature at each location. The temperature gradient is then shifted axially, with the cold end slightly warmed, such that the component which condensed at the lowest temperature is evaporated, carried to a freezer where it is independently recondensed, and finally evaporated to determine its vaporization temperature, leading to an identification of the component gas and its proportion in the mixture.
Inventors
- 👤 Rene Lafitte
- 👤 Paul Lecarpentier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 01:24
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N25/00; G01N25/14; G01N25/142
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
50 words
A method according to claim 1 comprising the further steps of successively translating said temperature gradient, and with each of said translations, displacing said condensate deposits toward the colder end of the exchanger, and transferring off the exchanger only the deposit having the lowest condensation temperature of the remaining deposits.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein establishing said temperature gradient comprises circulating a coolant along the heat exchanger in a direction opposite the flow of the gas mixture to be analyzed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein translating the temperature gradient comprises reducing the cooling effect of the coolant, to raise at least the lower temperature of the temperature gradient temperature range.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method according to claim 2 comprising the further step of concentrating at least one of said components of the mixture prior to said deposition and transfer of the condensate, said concentration established by, a. condensing and subsequently evaporating the component gas, or b. absorbing and subsequently desorbing said component gas.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein said coolant is a gas such as liquid nitrogen.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein said temperature gradient extends from above the dew point of a water vapor component of the gas mixture to above the condensation temperatures of the gas mixture.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein transferring a condensate deposit off the exchanger comprises flowing said gas mixture along the exchanger as the temperature gradient is translated and said condensate deposit is evaporated into the mixture.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 1 comprising the further step of tentatively identifying each component by determining its melting temperature and confirming said identification by determining the condensation temperature of each component.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
139 words
A method of analyzing a gaseous mixture comprising the steps: a. establishing on an elongate heat exchanger a temperature gradient spanning the condensation temperatures of components of the mixture to be analyzed, b. flowing the mixture along the heat exchanger in a direction of decreasing temperature and thereby forming condensate deposits of the components at different positions along the length of the heat exchanger, and measuring the temperatures at said positions, c. successively raising the temperature of the lower part of the temperature gradient to above the temperature of the condensate deposit having the lowest condensation temperature, and thereby translating said temperature gradient along the heat exchanger, and displacing said condensate deposits toward the colder end, transferring the deposit having the lowest condensation temperature off the exchanger, and determining the melting temperature of said transferred deposit for identification thereof.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
172 words
A device for analyzing a gaseous mixture of component gases having different condensation temperatures, comprising: a. inner and outer, substantially concentric tubes with adjacent surfaces defining between them an annular space traversable by the mixture to be analyzed, b. means for passing a coolant through said inner tube and thereby establishing a temperature gradient along said tube, increasing in temperature in the direction of coolant flow, c. means for flowing the gaseous mixture in said annular space in a direction of decreasing temperature, whereby condensate deposits of the component gases form on the surface of the inner tube at successively lower temPeratures, d. means for measuring the temperatures axially along said inner tube surface where said deposits form, e. means for successively translating said temperature gradient axially along the inner tube and for transferring the deposit having the coldest condensation temperature off the inner tube by raising the temperature at the coldest deposit to its vaporization temperature, and f. means for measuring the melting temperature of each of said transferred deposits separately.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device according to claim 11 wherein the inner tube has a polished surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device according to claim 10 wherein the inner tube is made of nickel-plated or chromium-plated copper and the outer tube of glass.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device according to claim 10 further comprising a plurality of baffle elements extending transversely in said annular space for inducing turbulent flow of the mixture in said annular space.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device according to claim 10 wherein the means for measuring the temperatures comprise thermoelements disposed on the inner tube and an indicator to which the thermoelements are connected.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device according to claim 10 further comprising means for concentrating the component gases prior to flowing the mixture through the inner tube.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
147 words
A device for analyzing a gaseous mixture of component gases having different condensation temperatures comprising: a. an elongate member having a duct for receiving a flow of said gaseous mixture, b. means for flowing said mixture along said duct, c. means for establishing a temperature gradient along said duct decreasing in temperature in the direction of mixture flow, whereby condensate deposits of the component gases form on a surface of the duct at successively lower temperatures, d. means for measuring axially along the duct where said deposits form, e. means for successively translating said temperature gradient axially along the duct and for transferring the deposit having the coldest condensation temperature off the duct by raising the temperature at the coldest deposit to its vaporization temperature, and flowing said mixture through said duct, and f. means for measuring the melting temperature of each of said transferred deposits separately.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
259 words
Process of analyzing a gaseous mixture with apparatus including a heat exchanger having an at least partially transparent outer tube and an inner tube with a cooled polished outer wall, comprising the steps of, a. establishing along said cooled, polished outer wall a temperature gradient spanning the high and low condensation temperatures of the components to be analyzed in said gaseous mixtures; b. passing a flow of said gaseous mixture together with a carrier gas along said polished outer wall, said gaseous mixture proceeding between said high and low condensation temperatures, whereby the components to be analyzed of said gaseous mixture are separated by condensation on different sites dispersed along said polished wall, and each accumulation of condensate ends on the high temperature side of the corresponding site by a sharp boundary; c. locating said sites of said condensates by optical means through the outer tube of said heat exchanger; d. measuring the temperature at the site of said sharp boundary of each condensate; e. shifting said temperature gradient slowly upwards step by step with time, thus evaporating each condensate one after the other, and thus separating each component of said mixture from the others; f. transferring each separated and evaporated component by flowing the carrier gas to an identifying device and identifying said component; and computing the percentage of said identified component in said gaseous mixture from the measured temperature of said sharp boundary of the corresponding condensate of said component and from the phase diagram of said identified component linking the partial pressure to the condensation temperature.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
75 words
Process of analyzing a gaseous mixTure according to claim 18 wherein identifying each component comprises transferring each separated component by said carrier gas to a closed chamber wherein said component is frozen and transformed into solid state; raising the temperature of said polished surface until melting of said solid matter is observed; measuring at that moment the temperature of said polished surface; and identifying said component from the temperature thus measured as a melting point.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
56 words
A process according to claim 17 wherein the temperature gradient established along the cooled polished outer wall of the inner tube of the heat exchanger extends from an upper temperature which is above the dew point of the water vapor contained in the gaseous mixture to be analyzed to a lower temperature of the carrier gas.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
107 words
Process of analyzing a gaseous mixture according to claim 17 further comprising, passing a certain amount of said gaseous mixture through a container filled with a sorbent whereby the components to be analyzed of the gaseous mixture are trapped and thus concentrated; heating said container up to the desorption temperature of said sorbents whereby the trapped components are liberated; transferring said liberated components to a heat exchanger with a certain and relatively small amount of a carrier gas so that a gas mixture is formed in which the components to be analyzed are present in concentrations higher than those of these components in the original gaseous mixture.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
117 words
Process of analyzing a gaseous mixture according to claim 17 further comprising (prior to establishing said temperature gradient) passing a certain amount of said gaseous mixture through at least one cold trap; cooling said trap down to a temperature at which the components in the gaseous mixture to be analyzed are trapped and concentrated; heating said trap up to a temperature at which said trapped components are liberated; and transferring said liberated components to a heat exchanger with a certain and relatively small amount of a carrier gas so that a gas mixture is formed in which the components to be analyzed are present in concentrations higher than those of these components in the original gaseous mixture.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
A process according to claim 17 wherein said flow of said gaseous mixture is driven repeatedly against said cooled polished wall by deflecting means whereby a turbulent flow is insured.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
59 words
A process as according to claim 17 wherein the temperature gradient along the cooled polished outer wall of the inner tube of the heat exchanger is established by passing through said inner tube a coolant flowing in the direction opposite to the direction of the gaseous mixture and the temperatures being regulated by adjusting the flow of the coolant.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-06-28 | 1974-12-28 | 1975-06-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-06-28 | 1978-12-28 | 1979-06-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-06-28 | 1982-12-28 | 1983-06-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |