CN212301316U - Optical analyzer with dehumidifier - Google Patents
Optical analyzer with dehumidifier Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CN212301316U CN212301316U CN201790001717.5U CN201790001717U CN212301316U CN 212301316 U CN212301316 U CN 212301316U CN 201790001717 U CN201790001717 U CN 201790001717U CN 212301316 U CN212301316 U CN 212301316U
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- CN
- China
- Prior art keywords
- dehumidifier
- housing
- interior space
- cooling surface
- wicking element
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 33
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 25
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 17
- 230000005679 Peltier effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Chemical compound O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 18
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 description 9
- 239000002274 desiccant Substances 0.000 description 7
- 238000001228 spectrum Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229920006395 saturated elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 2
- VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicium dioxide Chemical compound O=[Si]=O VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000009833 condensation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005494 condensation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002939 deleterious effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003365 glass fiber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005286 illumination Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000012774 insulation material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000012212 insulator Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000002955 isolation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000737 periodic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008929 regeneration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011069 regeneration method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004904 shortening Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
- G01N21/01—Arrangements or apparatus for facilitating the optical investigation
- G01N21/03—Cuvette constructions
- G01N21/0332—Cuvette constructions with temperature control
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
- G01N21/01—Arrangements or apparatus for facilitating the optical investigation
- G01N21/15—Preventing contamination of the components of the optical system or obstruction of the light path
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
- G01N21/17—Systems in which incident light is modified in accordance with the properties of the material investigated
- G01N21/25—Colour; Spectral properties, i.e. comparison of effect of material on the light at two or more different wavelengths or wavelength bands
- G01N21/31—Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry
- G01N21/35—Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry using infrared light
- G01N21/3504—Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry using infrared light for analysing gases, e.g. multi-gas analysis
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
- G01N21/01—Arrangements or apparatus for facilitating the optical investigation
- G01N21/15—Preventing contamination of the components of the optical system or obstruction of the light path
- G01N2021/158—Eliminating condensation
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
- Biochemistry (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Immunology (AREA)
- Pathology (AREA)
- Spectroscopy & Molecular Physics (AREA)
- Investigating Or Analysing Materials By Optical Means (AREA)
- Drying Of Gases (AREA)
Abstract
An optical analyser (2) comprising a housing (4), the housing (4) being formed with peripheral walls (4a, b, c, d) arranged to define an internal space (6); a spectrometer (8) located in the interior space (6); and a dehumidifier (30); wherein the dehumidifier (30) comprises a Peltier effect device (32,38) having a cooling surface (44) and a heating surface (40), the Peltier effect device (32,38) being mounted such that the cooling surface (44) is positioned in thermal communication with the gas in the interior space (6); the dehumidifier (30) further comprises a wicking element (42), the wicking element (42) extending between the interior and the exterior of the interior space (6) and having a first portion (42a) in contact with the cooling surface (44).
Description
Technical Field
The present invention relates to an optical analyzer with a dehumidifier.
Background
In this context, an optical analyzer is an instrument adapted to measure optical radiation intensity values dependent on discrete wavelengths (or frequencies) over a specific portion of the electromagnetic spectrum after it has interacted with a sample. The characteristics of the sample can then be determined in the data processor from these measurements.
Generally, known optical analyzers include a housing formed with walls to define an interior space and a spectrometer housed within the interior space. The spectrometer unit is in optical communication with a light source and a corresponding detector. It is also possible to accommodate either one of them in the internal space of the housing or in gas communication with the internal space of the housing, none of them, or both of them in the internal space of the housing or in gas communication with the internal space of the housing.
In the optical analyzer's light path from the light source to the detector, the presence of water vapor often has a deleterious effect on the performance of the analyzer, and the spectrometer is located along the light path. This is particularly true for optical analyzers that operate in the infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum, particularly the mid-infrared region, because water absorbs energy extensively in this region. Thus, a change in the amount of water vapor will result in a change in the intensity of the radiation passing through the optical analyzer light path, which change is independent of any sample.
To mitigate the effects of water vapor in the air, known optical analyzers also include a dehumidifier. The dehumidifier includes a body filled with a desiccant (e.g., silica particles) and is removably positionable in the enclosure to provide contact between the water vapor inside the enclosure and the desiccant. However, there is a disadvantage that water vapor cannot be removed from the air when the desiccant is saturated. In fact, the performance of the dehumidifier is greatly reduced before the desiccant is fully saturated. This requires periodic replacement of the desiccant, thereby shortening the maintenance intervals, particularly in geographical locations where atmospheric humidity is high or fluctuates dramatically. The corresponding optical analyzer is unable to perform analysis during maintenance, and such "down time" would increase ownership costs. Moreover, external regeneration of the desiccant or the use of new desiccant will further increase the cost of ownership.
Summary of The Invention
According to the present invention, there is provided an optical analyzer including a housing formed with a peripheral wall to define an internal space; a spectrometer located in the interior space; and a dehumidifier; wherein the dehumidifier comprises a peltier effect device having a cooling surface and a heating surface, the peltier effect device being mounted such that the cooling surface is located in thermal communication with a gas (typically air) in the interior space; the dehumidifier also includes a wicking element extending between the interior and the exterior of the interior space and having a first portion in contact with the cooling surface.
In this way, water vapour in the air inside the housing may preferably condense at the cooled surface of the peltier effect device for transport to the first portion by capillary action of the wicking element.
In some embodiments, the wicking element has a second portion mounted on the heated surface outside of the interior space. The heated surface of the peltier effect device warms the second portion of the wicking element, helping to remove condensed water from the wicking element and helping to automatically regenerate the dehumidifier.
Usefully, the first portion of the wicking element is mounted only around the periphery of the cooling surface. This leaves a portion, preferably a majority, of the cooling surface exposed except around its periphery, thereby improving thermal communication between the cooling surface and the interior space and hence improving condensation of water vapour from the air in the interior space.
In one embodiment, the peltier effect device further comprises a heat sink in thermal contact with the heating surface, usefully forming the heating surface, and in some embodiments exposed to the exterior of the housing.
Usefully, the cooling surface and the heating surface are opposite each other on opposite sides of the wall portion of the housing. The water partially condensed at the cooled surface, usually in the form of droplets, can then be conveniently transported from the interior space of the housing through the wicking element to the heated surface, where the heat can vaporize the water so transported.
Drawings
The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings of exemplary embodiments thereof:
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of an optical analyzer according to the present invention; and is
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a dehumidifier that may be used in the analyzer of FIG. 1.
Detailed Description
An exemplary embodiment of an optical analyzer 2 is shown in fig. 1. The analyser 2 comprises a housing 4 having four side walls 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, a bottom 4e and a top (not shown), the four side walls 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, the bottom 4e and the top together defining an interior space 6. The housing 4 may be formed of a thermally conductive material such as aluminum. The spectrometer 8, and in this embodiment the motor driver 10 and the circuit board 12, are located within the interior space 6. The spectrometer 8 is shown as a conventional fourier transform spectrometer and as shown has a fixed mirror 8a and a movable mirror 8b perpendicular to the fixed mirror 8a and operatively connected to a motor drive 10 for reciprocating movement. It will be appreciated that other optical spectrometers, such as a conventional monochromator with fixed or movable optical dispersive elements, may be located in the interior space 6 instead of the fourier transform spectrometer 8 without departing from the claimed invention.
The illumination unit 14 is attached to a side wall, here the side wall 4c, and in this embodiment comprises a light source 14a and a reflector 14b, the reflector 14b being arranged to reflect optical radiation, preferably a collimated beam, emitted by the light source 14a towards an inlet (not shown) of the spectrometer 8. Suitably, the light source 14a emits optical radiation from the infrared, particularly mid-infrared, radiation region of the electromagnetic spectrum. In this embodiment, a through hole 16 is provided in the sidewall 14c to allow optical radiation to pass from the light source 14a to the spectrometer 8. Although in some embodiments it may be advantageous to provide a window to seal the through hole 16 and provide a gas isolation between the interior space 6 of the housing 4 and the interior of the lighting unit, as described below, this is advantageous in that the through hole 16 is not sealed, thereby providing a gas communication between the interior space 6 and the interior of the lighting unit.
Here, the detector 18 is located outside the housing 4 to receive optical radiation emitted by the light source 14a after it has traversed the optical path from the light source 14a, passed through the spectrometer 8 and the sample 20 in the sample holder 22, and reached the detector 18. It should be understood that the invention according to the present invention is not limited by the relative spatial configuration of the components of the optical analyzer 2, and that other known configurations may be made. For example, in an alternative embodiment of the optical analyzer 2, the sample 20 and the sample holder 22 may be located in the optical path between the light source 14a and the spectrometer 8. In yet another embodiment, the detector 18 may be arranged relative to the sample holder 22 so as to detect optical radiation reflected from the sample 20.
It may be useful to be able to maintain the analyzer at a temperature at or below ambient temperature, and therefore, in some embodiments, the analyzer 2 may be provided with a temperature regulator 24 in thermal contact with the thermally conductive material of the housing 4 (here the side wall 4 c). A suitable temperature regulator may comprise a peltier element arranged with its cold face in thermal contact with the interior space 6 of the housing 4 and its opposite warm face in thermal contact with a heat sink 26 thermally isolated from the housing 4. To help maintain temperature regulation, insulation material 28 may be placed in thermal contact with some or all of the outer surface of the housing 4.
Essentially, the analyzer 2 further comprises a dehumidifier 30, the dehumidifier 30 being adapted to remove water vapour from the interior space 6 at least along a part, preferably mostly, of the optical path of the optical radiation through the housing 4. Usefully, the through-hole 16 remains unsealed to allow the dehumidifier 30 to remove water vapour from the air within the lighting unit 14.
In accordance with the present invention and referring to fig. 2, the dehumidifier 30 comprises a peltier effect device having one or more (here one) peltier elements 32 arranged to provide a cold side 34 and a warm side 36, and a heat sink 38 thermally coupled to the warm side 36 of the peltier elements 32 to provide a heating surface 40 at the end of the heat sink 38. The dehumidifier 30 also includes a wicking element 42, which may be provided, for example, in the form of: fibrous cloth, porous plastic or glass fiber material. A wicking element 42 extends from the cold side 34 of the peltier element 32 to the outside of the interior space 6, in this embodiment to the heating surface 40 of the heat sink 38. The wicking element 42 is provided with a first portion 42a around the periphery of the upper surface 44 of the cold side 34 of the peltier element 32, which first portion 42a is in contact with only the periphery of the upper surface 44 of the cold side 34 of the peltier element 32, which upper surface 44 serves as a cooling surface for the peltier device, and with a second portion 42b in thermal contact with the heating surface 40 located outside the inner space 6. In this embodiment, fasteners such as screws 46 are employed to secure the second portion 42b of the wicking element 42 in thermal contact with the heating surface 40.
As an element of the dehumidifier 30, a housing 48 may usefully be provided to house the Peltier device and the wicking element 42. In this embodiment, the housing 48 includes a body portion 50 and a removable cover portion 52. The peltier element 32 is housed within the cover 52 with the cold side 42 facing a through hole 54 in the upper surface 56 of the cover 52. The through holes 54 cover at least a portion of the exposed portion of the cooling surface 44 that is not covered by the first portion 42a of the wicking element 42. An insulator 58 may also be advantageously disposed within the cover 52 and arranged to expose the cooling surface 44 to the through-holes 54. The heat sink 38 extends into the main body portion 50 such that the heating surface 40 terminates inside or outside the main body portion 50, as shown in fig. 2, at an open end 60. As also shown in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the housing 48 may have an outer surface, here a threaded region 62 of the body 50, adapted to cooperate with corresponding portions of the enclosure 4 to facilitate the desired juxtaposition of the dehumidifier 30 and the enclosure 4 to position the cooling surface 44 on one side of the wall (here 4d) and within the interior space 6, and to position the heating surface 40 on an opposite side of the wall (here 4d) outside the interior space 6.
As shown in FIG. 1, the dehumidifier 30 is juxtaposed with the enclosure 4 to ensure that the cooling surface 44 is placed in thermal communication with the interior space 6 of the enclosure 4 by ensuring that the lid 52 passes through the side wall 4 d. In use, when an electrical current is applied to the peltier element 32, the cold side 34 will begin to cool. When the temperature on the cooling surface 44 falls below the dew point, water vapour from the air entering the through holes 54 within the interior space 6 will condense as droplets on the part of the cooling surface 44 of the peltier device not covered by the wicking element 42. The condensed water droplets will move under the force of gravity to the first portion 42a of the wicking element 42, which covers the periphery of the cooling surface 44. Water entering the first portion 42a of the wicking element 42 will in turn move through the wicking element 42 toward the second portion 42b of the wicking element 42, which is preferably in thermal contact with the heating surface 40 of the heat sink 38, the heating surface 40 of the heat sink 38 being thermally coupled to the warm side 36 of the peltier element 32. The water moving through the wicking element 42 that reaches the second portion 42b is in turn evaporated by the heat provided by the heated surface 40. In this way, water vapour is removed from the inner space 6.
Claims (4)
1. An optical analyser (2) comprising a housing (4), the housing (4) being formed with peripheral walls (4a, b, c, d) arranged to define an internal space (6); a spectrometer (8) located in the interior space (6); and a dehumidifier (30); wherein the dehumidifier (30) comprises a Peltier effect device (32,38) having a cooling surface (44) and a heating surface (40), the Peltier effect device (32,38) being mounted with the cooling surface (44) positioned in thermal communication with the interior space (6) and with the heating surface (40) located outside the interior space (6); the dehumidifier (30) further comprises a wicking element (42) extending between the interior and the exterior of the interior space (6), the wicking element having a first portion (42a) in contact with a peripheral portion of the cooling surface (44) so as to leave an area of the cooling surface (44) uncovered by the wicking element (42), and having a second portion (42b) mounted on the heating surface (40).
2. The optical analysis instrument (2) of claim 1, wherein the peltier effect device (32,38) comprises a heat sink (38) arranged to provide a heated surface (40) exposed to the exterior of the housing (4).
3. The optical analysis instrument (2) of claim 1, wherein the cooling surface (44) and the heating surface (40) are arranged substantially opposite each other on either side of a portion of a wall (4d) of the housing (4).
4. The optical analysis instrument (2) of claim 3, wherein the dehumidifier (30) further comprises a housing (48) comprising a main body portion (50) and a detachable cover portion (52), the Peltier device (32) being housed in the cover portion and the cover portion passing through the side wall (4d), the cover portion (52) having a surface (56) exposed to the interior space (6) and facing the cooling surface (44), in which surface (56) a through hole (54) is located, the through hole being located to cover at least part of an area of the cooling surface (44) not covered by the first portion (42a) of the wicking element (42).
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IB2017/054232 WO2019012313A1 (en) | 2017-07-13 | 2017-07-13 | Optical analyzer with dehumidifier |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CN212301316U true CN212301316U (en) | 2021-01-05 |
Family
ID=59631831
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN201790001717.5U Active CN212301316U (en) | 2017-07-13 | 2017-07-13 | Optical analyzer with dehumidifier |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CN (1) | CN212301316U (en) |
| DE (1) | DE212017000333U1 (en) |
| ES (1) | ES1244584Y (en) |
| RU (1) | RU200518U1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2019012313A1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SU546812A1 (en) * | 1974-08-23 | 1977-02-15 | Предприятие П/Я Р-6900 | Aerosol-optical gas analyzer |
| JP2578032B2 (en) * | 1991-07-27 | 1997-02-05 | 株式会社堀場製作所 | Check method of dehumidifier in gas analyzer |
| JPH10332656A (en) * | 1997-05-30 | 1998-12-18 | Nkk Corp | Analyzer for chlorobenzenes |
| DE102008050092A1 (en) * | 2008-10-06 | 2010-04-08 | Hach Lange Gmbh | Mobile water analysis arrangement |
| JP2012202746A (en) * | 2011-03-24 | 2012-10-22 | Toshiba Corp | Radiation detection device |
| DE102014102050B4 (en) * | 2014-02-18 | 2020-08-13 | Avl Emission Test Systems Gmbh | Device and method for determining the concentration of at least one gas in a sample gas stream by means of infrared absorption spectroscopy |
| JP6154774B2 (en) * | 2014-04-10 | 2017-06-28 | 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 | Optical scanning apparatus and image forming apparatus |
-
2017
- 2017-07-13 CN CN201790001717.5U patent/CN212301316U/en active Active
- 2017-07-13 RU RU2019137729U patent/RU200518U1/en active
- 2017-07-13 ES ES201990020U patent/ES1244584Y/en active Active
- 2017-07-13 DE DE212017000333.2U patent/DE212017000333U1/en active Active
- 2017-07-13 WO PCT/IB2017/054232 patent/WO2019012313A1/en active Application Filing
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| ES1244584Y (en) | 2020-08-21 |
| RU200518U1 (en) | 2020-10-28 |
| DE212017000333U1 (en) | 2020-01-17 |
| ES1244584U (en) | 2020-03-23 |
| WO2019012313A1 (en) | 2019-01-17 |
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