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US3823316A
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Ionizing radiation apparatus and method for analyzing flowing substances
Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
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Filing: 1971-08-03
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Granted: 1974-07-09
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Expires: 1991-08-03
Abstract
Abstract Methods and apparatus are disclosed for analyzing a flowing sample to detect one substance therein having a predetermined half-life, or two (or more) substances having respectively different half-lives. The sample flows past a first location, where it is irradiated with neutrons, and then through a single detecting location or two or more serially arranged detecting locations (according to the number of substances to be detected) where the radiation is detected for subsequent analysis of its spectrum. When detecting one substance, it is proposed to select a flow rate in relation to the particular delay volumes in the system such that the radiation activity is a maximum at which value it is little dependent on small changes in the flow rate. This flow rate would be different for each of two substances to be detected, and, in such a case, it is proposed to use a very high flow rate such that the dependence of the activity of flow rate changes is again small. As an alternative, it is proposed that the respective delay volumes in the system between the irradiating location and each of the two detecting locations be so selected in relation to the respective half-lives of the two substances to be detected that there is a single flow rate which gives maximum activity at both of the two detecting locations.
Inventors
- 👤 C Boswell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 14:05
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N23/00; G01N23/22; G01N23/221; G01N23/222; G01N2223/00; G01N2223/07; G01N2223/074; G01N2223/10; G01N2223/106; G01N2223/60; G01N2223/635
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
In a method of on-line analysis of a flowing sample to detect at least one substance therein, in which the flowing sample is irradiated at a first location in its flow path, and in which the radiation produced is detected at a second location in the flow path, downstream of the first location, the improvement comprising the step of adjusting the flow rate of the sample along the flow path in dependence on the volume of the sample in the part of the flow path between the first and second locations to produce maximum radiation activity for the said substance at the second location, and analyzing the radiation activity detected at the second location.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
In a method of on-line analysis of a flowing sample to detect at least one substance therein, in which the flowing sample is irradiated at a first location in its flow path, and in which the radiation produced is detected at a second location in the flow path, downstream of the first location, the improvement comprising the step of adjusting the flow rate of the sample along the flow path in dependence on the volume of the sample in the part of the flow path between the first and second locations to produce maximum radiation activity for the said substance at the second location, and analyzing the radiation activity detected at the second location.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
135 words
A method according to claim 1 and for simultaneously detecting a second substance having a different half-life from the first-mentioned substance, including the steps of detecting the radiation produced at a third location in the flow path, downstream of the second location, and adjusting the flow rate of the sample along the flow path, in relation to the respective volumes of the sample in the part of the flow path between the first location and the second location and in the part of the flow path between the first location and the third location, and in relation to the respective half-lives of the two substances, until the radiation activity for the first-mentioned substance is a maximum at the second location, and the radiation activity for the second substance is a maximum at the third location.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
196 words
A method according to claim 2, including the steps of establishing a first calibration curve relating activity of the first-mentioned substance and flow rate for different values of the delay volume in between the first and second locations, selecting the said flow rate by reference to the said first calibration curve, so as to give maximum activity for the first-mentioned substance at the second location, deriving a constant of proportionality from the known relationship between flow rate for maximum activity and the half-life of a substance, using the value of the selected flow rate and the known half-life of the first-mentioned substance, deriving a theoretical flow rate required to give maximum activity to the second substance, using the said constant of proportionality and the known half-life of the second substance establishing a second calibration curve relating flow rate for maximum activity and delay volume between irradiating and detecting locations, deriving a required delay volume using the said theoretical flow rate and the said second calibration curve, and adjusting the delay volume between the second and third locations until the total delay volume between the first and third locations is equal to the said required delay volume.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
173 words
A method of on-line analysis of a flowing sample to detect at least two substances therein having different half-lives, comprising the steps of irradiating the sample with neutrons at a first location in the flow path, detecting the radiation emitted by the sample at second and third locations in the flow path one of which two locations is downstream of the other and both of which are downstream of the first location, adjusting the respective volumes of the sample in the part of the flow path between the first location and the second location and in the part of the flow path between the first location and third location in relation to the respective half-lives of the two substances until the flow rate of the sample along the flow path is such that the radiation activity for the first substance is a maximum at the second location, and the radiation activity for the second substance is a maximum at the third location, and analyzing the radiation detected at the second and third locations.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
173 words
A method of on-line analysis of a flowing sample to detect at least two substances therein having different half-lives, comprising the steps of irradiating the sample with neutrons at a first location in the flow path, detecting the radiation emitted by the sample at second and third locations in the flow path one of which two locations is downstream of the other and both of which are downstream of the first location, adjusting the respective volumes of the sample in the part of the flow path between the first location and the second location and in the part of the flow path between the first location and third location in relation to the respective half-lives of the two substances until the flow rate of the sample along the flow path is such that the radiation activity for the first substance is a maximum at the second location, and the radiation activity for the second substance is a maximum at the third location, and analyzing the radiation detected at the second and third locations.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
90 words
In a method of on-line analysis of a flowing sample to detect at least two substances therein having respectively different half-lives, in which the flowing sample is irradiated with neutrons at a first location in its flow path, and in which the radiation from the sample is detected at a second location in the flow path, downstream of the first location, the improvement comprising increasing the flow rate of the sample along the flow path until the radiation activity produced by each substance is substantially independent of the flow rate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
90 words
In a method of on-line analysis of a flowing sample to detect at least two substances therein having respectively different half-lives, in which the flowing sample is irradiated with neutrons at a first location in its flow path, and in which the radiation from the sample is detected at a second location in the flow path, downstream of the first location, the improvement comprising increasing the flow rate of the sample along the flow path until the radiation activity produced by each substance is substantially independent of the flow rate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-07-08 | 1978-01-07 | 1978-07-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-07-08 | 1982-01-07 | 1982-07-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-07-08 | 1986-01-07 | 1986-07-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |