JP5998940B2 - Elemental analyzer - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an element analyzer for analyzing elements contained in a sample.

  As an example of an elemental analyzer, for example, environmental water such as river water, lake water, marine water, rain water or ground water, as well as total organic carbon (TOC) for measuring total organic carbon (TOC) contained in various samples An airframe carbon measuring device is known (for example, refer to Patent Document 1 below).

  The total organic carbon measuring device includes a total carbon measuring device for measuring total carbon (TC) and an inorganic carbon measuring device for measuring inorganic carbon (IC). It has been. Thereby, based on the total carbon measured by the total carbon measuring device and the inorganic carbon measured by the inorganic carbon measuring device, the total organic carbon contained in the sample can be measured. Yes.

  The total carbon measuring device is provided with a combustion section for burning the sample, and the total carbon contained in the sample is measured by detecting the carbon dioxide generated by the combustion in the combustion section at the detection section. Can do. In addition, the inorganic carbon measuring device is provided with a reaction unit for heating the sample to which the acid solution is added, and by detecting the carbon dioxide generated by the reaction in the reaction unit by the detection unit, The inorganic carbon contained in the can be measured.

  The combustion unit of the total carbon measurement device and the reaction unit of the inorganic carbon measurement device communicate with the detection unit via a gas flow channel for circulating carbon dioxide gas. During the analysis, the carrier gas is continuously supplied into the gas flow path, and the generated carbon dioxide is sent to the detector together with the carrier gas.

  The gas flow path is configured to pass through a drain separator, for example. As a result, the moisture contained in the gas flowing through the gas flow path is separated from the gas in the drain separator and collected in the drain pot. For example, water is stored in the drain pot (liquid storage unit), and an opening formed at the lower end of the drain separator is disposed in the water stored in the drain pot.

  According to such a configuration, the moisture separated from the gas in the drain separator can be collected in the drain pot from the opening at the lower end of the drain separator, and the gas passing through the drain separator can be recovered from the opening. It is possible to prevent leakage from the portion to the outside with water in the drain pot.

JP 7-318553 A

  In the total organic carbon measuring apparatus as described above, the temperature of the combustion section of the total carbon measuring apparatus and the reaction section of the inorganic carbon measuring apparatus drop when the apparatus is turned off after the analysis. It becomes. In such a case, when the internal pressure of the combustion section and the reaction section drops, the water in the drain pot is sucked into the gas flow path through the opening and flows into the combustion section and the reaction section. There is a risk that.

  In order to prevent such a problem from occurring, for example, it is conceivable to provide a water reservoir in the middle of the gas flow path. In this method, when water in the drain pot is sucked into the gas flow path due to a drop in the internal pressure of the combustion part and the reaction part, the water is provided in the middle part of the gas flow path. By storing in the storage unit, it is possible to prevent water from flowing to the combustion unit side and the reaction unit side.

  However, in such a method, it is necessary not only to periodically remove the water stored in the water reservoir, but also to periodically replenish the reduced water in the drain pot. It becomes complicated. In addition, the provision of the water storage unit complicates the configuration and increases the size of the apparatus.

  As another method for preventing the above-described problem from occurring, for example, it may be possible to continue supplying the carrier gas into the gas flow path even after the apparatus is turned off after the analysis. In this method, the water in the drain pot is sucked into the gas flow path by continuing to supply the carrier gas into the gas flow path even when the internal pressure of the combustion section and the reaction section has dropped. Can be prevented. However, in the case of such a method, an increase in cost due to an increase in consumption of the carrier gas becomes a problem.

  The above problems can occur not only in the total organic carbon measuring device but also in other elemental analyzers. That is, an opening for opening the gas flow path is formed in the middle of the gas flow path for flowing gas from the heating section for heating the sample to the detection section, and stored in the liquid storage section. If the opening is disposed in a liquid such as water, the liquid in the liquid storage unit may be sucked into the gas flow path when the heating in the heating unit is finished. is there.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and prevents the liquid in the liquid storage part from being sucked into the gas flow path at a low cost without requiring complicated maintenance work. It is an object of the present invention to provide an elemental analysis apparatus that can perform the above.

The elemental analysis apparatus according to the present invention is an elemental analysis apparatus for analyzing elements contained in a sample, and detects a gas generated from the sample at the time of heating in the heating unit for heating the sample and the heating unit The gas flow path through a detection section for opening a gas flow path for flowing gas from the heating section to the detection section, and an opening formed to open a middle portion of the gas flow path. A drain pot that is capable of disposing the opening in the stored liquid, and opening and closing a vent for opening the upstream side of the drain pot to the outside, thereby opening the drain pot upstream of the drain pot. And a pressure adjusting mechanism capable of adjusting the pressure.

According to such a configuration, the vent for opening the upstream side of the drain pot to the outside is opened, and the pressure in the upstream side of the drain pot is increased, so that the liquid in the drain pot is in the gas flow path. Can be prevented. Since the pressure adjustment mechanism has a simple configuration that simply opens and closes the vent, it can be realized at a low cost and does not require complicated maintenance work. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the liquid in the drain pot from being sucked into the gas flow path at a low cost without requiring complicated maintenance work.

The elemental analysis apparatus may further include a pressure adjustment processing unit that performs a process for adjusting the pressure upstream of the drain pot by controlling the pressure adjustment mechanism.

According to such a configuration, the pressure adjustment mechanism can be controlled by the pressure adjustment processing unit to automatically adjust the pressure upstream of the drain pot . Therefore, unlike the configuration in which the pressure adjustment mechanism is manually opened and closed, it is possible to save time and labor for opening and closing the vent and to prevent the vent from being forgotten to open after analysis or the like. . Thereby, the liquid in the drain pot can be easily and reliably prevented from being sucked into the gas flow path.

The pressure adjustment processing unit may perform a process for adjusting the pressure on the upstream side of the drain pot based on the fact that the power source of the elemental analyzer is turned off.

According to such a configuration, the pressure on the upstream side of the drain pot can be automatically adjusted when the power supply of the elemental analyzer is turned off. When the power supply of the elemental analyzer is turned off, the temperature of the heating unit subsequently decreases, and the internal pressure of the heating unit decreases, so that the liquid in the drain pot is easily sucked into the gas flow path. . Therefore, when the power of the elemental analyzer is turned off, by performing the processing for adjusting the pressure of the upstream side of the drain pot automatically, the liquid in the drain pot is sucked into the gas passage Can be effectively prevented.

The elemental analyzer may further include a state detection unit for detecting a state upstream of the drain pot . In this case, the pressure adjustment processing unit may perform a process for adjusting the pressure upstream of the drain pot based on a detection signal from the state detection unit.

According to such a configuration, it is possible on the basis of a detection signal from the state detection unit for detecting the state of the upstream side of the drain pot, automatically adjust the pressure on the upstream side of the drain pot. If the state detection unit detects a state in which the liquid in the drain pot is easily sucked into the gas flow path or a state in which the liquid starts to be sucked into the gas flow path, the state detection unit detects that the upstream of the drain pot based on the detection signal. By automatically performing the process for adjusting the pressure on the side, the liquid in the drain pot can be effectively prevented from being sucked into the gas flow path.

The state detection unit may detect a temperature or pressure upstream of the drain pot . In this case, the state detection unit detects a state in which the liquid in the drain pot is easily sucked into the gas flow path, and automatically performs a process for adjusting the pressure upstream of the drain pot based on the detection signal. It can be carried out.

Furthermore, the state detection unit may be configured to detect that from the drain pot and the liquid flows into the upstream side of the drain pot through said opening. In this case, the state detection unit detects a state in which the liquid in the drain pot starts to be sucked into the gas flow path, and automatically performs a process for adjusting the pressure upstream of the drain pot based on the detection signal. Can be done.

  The heating unit may be a combustion unit for burning the sample. In this case, the elemental analyzer may be capable of measuring the total carbon contained in the sample by detecting the carbon dioxide generated by the combustion in the combustion unit with the detection unit.

According to such a configuration, in the elemental analyzer that can measure the total carbon contained in the sample, the liquid in the drain pot can be moved into the gas flow path (combustion unit side) without requiring complicated maintenance work. ) Can be prevented at a low cost by a simple configuration.

  The heating unit may be a reaction unit for heating the sample to which the acid solution is added. In this case, the elemental analyzer may be capable of measuring inorganic carbon contained in the sample by detecting carbon dioxide generated by the reaction in the reaction unit with the detection unit.

According to such a configuration, in the elemental analyzer that can measure the inorganic carbon contained in the sample, the liquid in the drain pot does not require complicated maintenance work, and the liquid in the gas channel (reaction unit) Can be prevented at a low cost by a simple configuration.

According to the present invention, it is necessary to perform complicated maintenance work by opening the air vent using a simple configuration that simply opens and closes the air vent with the pressure adjusting mechanism and increasing the pressure upstream of the drain pot. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the liquid in the drain pot from being sucked into the gas flow path at a low cost with a simple configuration.

It is the schematic which showed the structural example of the elemental analyzer which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is the block diagram which showed the structural example of the control part which controls operation | movement of the elemental analyzer of FIG. It is the flowchart which showed an example of the process by the control part of FIG. It is the block diagram which showed the structural example of the control part which controls operation | movement of the elemental analyzer which concerns on another embodiment. It is the flowchart which showed an example of the process by the control part of FIG.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of an elemental analyzer according to an embodiment of the present invention. This elemental analyzer is for analyzing an element contained in a sample. In this embodiment, the total organic carbon measurement for measuring total organic carbon (TOC) contained in the sample is performed. An apparatus is shown as an example.

  This total organic carbon measuring device includes a total carbon measuring device 1 and an inorganic carbon measuring device 2, and the total carbon (TC) measured by the total carbon measuring device 1 and the inorganic carbon measuring device. The total organic carbon contained in the sample can be measured based on inorganic carbon (IC: Inorganic Carbon) measured by 2. The TOC can be calculated using a relational expression of TOC = TC-IC.

  The total carbon measuring apparatus 1 includes, for example, a sample setting unit 102 for setting a sample boat 101 on which a sample is placed, and a combustion unit 103 for burning a sample on the sample boat 101 inserted from the sample setting unit 102. Is provided. The sample boat 101 can be formed of, for example, ceramic, but is not limited to this, and can be formed of other various materials having heat resistance.

  The sample installation unit 102 is provided with a cover 121 that can be opened and closed, and the sample boat 101 can be installed in the sample installation unit 102 with the cover 121 opened. The sample boat 101 installed in the sample installation unit 102 can be inserted into the combustion unit 103 by moving a moving rod 122 provided in the sample installation unit 102.

  The combustion unit 103 includes, for example, a cylindrical electric furnace 131 that is disposed sideways, and a hard glass combustion tube 132 that is disposed in the electric furnace 131. The sample boat 101 moved by the moving rod 122 from the sample setting unit 102 is inserted into the combustion tube 132 in the combustion unit 103. The temperature of the electric furnace 131 is set to 900 ° C., for example, so that the sample on the sample boat 101 inserted into the combustion tube 132 can be burned.

  The combustion tube 132 is filled with, for example, an oxidation catalyst 133. The organic matter contained in the sample on the sample boat 101 inserted into the combustion tube 132 is oxidized by the action of the oxidation catalyst 133, and carbon dioxide corresponding to the amount of the organic matter contained in the sample is generated. A carrier gas that also functions as a combustion support gas is supplied into the sample placement unit 102 via a cover 121. The carrier gas is continuously supplied at a flow rate of 500 mL / min, for example. Carbon dioxide generated in the combustion pipe 132 is sent to the cooling pipe 104 together with the carrier gas, cooled in the cooling pipe 104, and then sent to the drain separator 3 through the gas flow path 105.

  The inorganic carbon measuring apparatus 2 includes, for example, a sample setting unit 202 for setting a sample boat 201 on which a sample is placed, and a reaction unit 203 for heating a sample on the sample boat 201 inserted from the sample setting unit 202. And an acid solution addition unit 204 for adding an acid solution to the sample on the sample boat 201. The sample boat 201 can be formed of, for example, ceramic, but is not limited to this, and can be formed of other various materials having heat resistance.

  The sample installation unit 202 is provided with an openable / closable cover 221, and the sample boat 201 can be installed in the sample installation unit 202 with the cover 221 opened. The sample boat 201 installed in the sample installation unit 202 can be inserted into the reaction unit 203 by moving a moving rod 222 provided in the sample installation unit 202.

  The reaction unit 203 includes, for example, a cylindrical electric furnace 231 arranged sideways and a hard glass reaction tube 232 arranged in the electric furnace 231. The sample boat 201 moved by the moving rod 222 from within the sample setting unit 202 is inserted into the reaction tube 232 in the reaction unit 203. The temperature of the electric furnace 231 is set to 200 ° C., for example, and the sample on the sample boat 201 inserted into the reaction tube 232 can be heated.

  The acid solution adding unit 204 includes a dispenser 241 that can discharge an acid solution, for example. The discharge port of the dispenser 241 communicates with the inside of the sample setting unit 202 via the cover 221 of the sample setting unit 202. When the sample boat 201 is installed at a specified position in the sample installation unit 202 and the cover 221 is closed, the dispenser 241 is driven to add (drop) the acid solution to the sample on the sample boat 201. be able to.

  After the acid solution is added to the sample as described above, the sample boat 201 is inserted into the reaction tube 232 of the reaction unit 203. The sample on the sample boat 201 inserted into the reaction tube 232 reacts with the acid solution, and carbon dioxide corresponding to the amount of inorganic carbon contained in the sample is generated. As the acid solution, phosphoric acid which is an example of a nonvolatile acid can be used, but the acid solution is not limited thereto.

  The inorganic carbon measuring device 2 is connected in series to the all-carbon measuring device 1 described above via the drain separator 3 and the gas flow path 205. As a result, the carrier gas supplied to the total carbon measuring device 1 can be supplied to the inorganic carbon measuring device 2 via the drain separator 3 and the gas flow path 205.

  In the inorganic carbon measuring device 2, the carrier gas sent from the total carbon measuring device 1 is supplied into the sample setting unit 202 through the cover 221. The carbon dioxide generated in the reaction tube 232 is sent to the drain separator 3 through the gas flow path 206 together with the carrier gas sent as described above.

  The drain separator 3 is connected to a detection unit 4 for detecting carbon dioxide. Although the detection part 4 can be comprised by the infrared type carbon dioxide detector, for example, it is not restricted to this. When measuring the total carbon, carbon dioxide generated by burning the sample in the combustion tube 132 of the total carbon measuring device 1 is sent to the detection unit 4 together with the carrier gas, and the detection unit 4 detects the carbon dioxide. Thus, the total carbon contained in the sample can be measured. On the other hand, when measuring inorganic carbon, carbon dioxide generated by reacting the sample in the reaction tube 232 of the inorganic carbon measuring apparatus 2 is sent to the detection unit 4 together with the carrier gas, and the detection unit 4 emits carbon dioxide. By detecting carbon, inorganic carbon contained in the sample can be measured.

  In this embodiment, the combustion unit 103 of the total carbon measurement device 1 and the reaction unit 203 of the inorganic carbon measurement device 2 constitute a heating unit for heating the sample. Gas (carbon dioxide) generated from the sample during heating in the heating unit (combustion unit 103 and reaction unit 203) flows to the detection unit 4 through the gas flow paths 105, 205, and 206, and is detected by the detection unit 4. Will be.

  The drain separator 3 has a gas flow from the first separation unit 31 through which the gas sent from the combustion unit 103 of the total carbon measurement device 1 through the gas flow path 105 passes and from the reaction unit 203 of the inorganic carbon measurement device 2. And a second separation unit 32 through which the gas sent through the path 206 passes. In each separation part 31, 32, moisture contained in the gas is separated from the gas, and moisture is recovered into the drain pot 33 from the openings 311, 321 provided at the lower part of each separation part 31, 32. ing.

  The drain pot 33 constitutes a liquid storage part in which a liquid 34 such as water is stored. The drain pot 33 has an opening 311 of the first separation part 31 formed so as to open a middle part of the gas flow path 105 and a second separation formed so as to open a middle part of the gas flow path 206. The gas flow paths 105 and 206 are communicated with each other through the opening 321 of the part 32. In the drain pot 33, the liquid 34 is stored up to a position higher than the openings 311, 321, whereby the openings 311, 321 are arranged in the liquid stored in the drain pot 33. It has become.

  In the case of such a configuration, for example, when the power supply of the elemental analyzer is turned off after analysis, the temperature of the combustion unit 103 and the reaction unit 203 decreases, and the internal pressure thereof decreases, There is a possibility that the liquid 34 in the drain pot 33 is sucked into the gas flow paths 105 and 206 through the openings 311 and 321 and flows into the combustion unit 103 and the reaction unit 203. In order to prevent such a problem from occurring, in the present embodiment, pressure adjusting mechanisms 5 and 6 are provided in the middle of the gas flow paths 105 and 206, respectively.

  Each of the pressure adjusting mechanisms 5 and 6 is provided on the upstream side of the drain pot 33 as a liquid storage unit. Specifically, each pressure adjustment mechanism 5, 6 has vent holes 51, 61 for opening the upstream side of the drain pot 33 to the outside, and a pressure adjustment valve 52 for opening / closing the vent holes 51, 61. , 62. Thus, the pressure upstream of the drain pot 33 can be adjusted by opening and closing the vent holes 51 and 61 using the pressure adjusting valves 52 and 62.

  Therefore, by opening the vent holes 51 and 61 for opening the upstream side of the drain pot 33 to the outside and increasing the pressure on the upstream side of the drain pot 33, the liquid in the drain pot 33 is allowed to flow into the gas flow path 105. , 206 can be prevented. Since the pressure adjusting mechanisms 5 and 6 have a simple configuration that simply opens and closes the vent holes 51 and 61, the pressure adjusting mechanisms 5 and 6 can be realized at low cost and do not require complicated maintenance work. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the liquid in the drain pot 33 from being sucked into the gas flow paths 105 and 206 at a low cost without requiring complicated maintenance work.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the control unit 10 that controls the operation of the elemental analyzer of FIG. The control unit 10 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). When the CPU executes a program, the total carbon measurement processing unit 11, the inorganic carbon measurement processing unit 12, and the total organic carbon calculation processing unit 13 are performed. And function as various functional units such as the pressure adjustment processing unit 14.

  The total carbon measurement processing unit 11 is for controlling the operation of the total carbon measurement device 1 and includes, for example, a combustion processing unit 15. The combustion processing unit 15 moves the moving rod 122 of the sample setting unit 102 to move the sample boat 101 in the sample setting unit 102 into the combustion tube 132 of the combustion unit 103, thereby causing the combustion processing unit 15 to move within the combustion tube 132. The sample on the sample boat 101 is burned.

  The inorganic carbon measurement processing unit 12 is for controlling the operation of the inorganic carbon measurement device 2, and includes, for example, an addition processing unit 16 and a heat processing unit 17. The addition processing unit 16 controls the operation of the acid solution addition unit 204 to discharge the acid solution from the dispenser 241, thereby causing the acid solution to be applied to the sample on the sample boat 201 installed in the sample installation unit 202. Add. The heat processing unit 17 moves the moving rod 222 of the sample setting unit 202 to move the sample boat 201 in the sample setting unit 202 into the reaction tube 232 of the reaction unit 203, thereby causing the reaction tube 232 to move inside the reaction tube 232. The sample on the sample boat 101 is heated.

  The total organic carbon calculation processing unit 13 performs processing for calculating total organic carbon (TOC) contained in the sample based on the detection result in the detection unit 4. That is, based on the total carbon (TC) detected by the detection unit 4 at the time of measurement by the total carbon measurement device 1 and the inorganic carbon (IC) detected by the detection unit 4 at the time of measurement by the inorganic carbon measurement device 2. The total organic carbon (TOC) contained in the sample is calculated by the relational expression of TOC = TC-IC.

  The pressure adjustment processing unit 14 performs processing for adjusting the pressure on the upstream side of the drain pot 33 by controlling the pressure adjustment mechanisms 5 and 6. In the present embodiment, since the pressure upstream of the drain pot 33 can be automatically adjusted, the vents 51 and 61 are opened and closed unlike the configuration in which the pressure adjusting mechanisms 5 and 6 are manually opened and closed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user from forgetting to open the vent holes 51 and 61 after analysis. Thereby, it is possible to easily and reliably prevent the liquid in the drain pot 33 from being sucked into the gas flow paths 105 and 206.

  A signal is input to the pressure adjustment processing unit 14 from a power switch 7 for switching the power supply of the elemental analyzer between an on state and an off state, and based on the input signal from the power switch 7. The pressure adjustment mechanisms 5 and 6 are controlled. Specifically, the pressure adjustment valves 52 and 62 are opened based on the power supply of the elemental analyzer being turned off, so that the pressure upstream of the drain pot 33 can be adjusted. Processing is performed.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the control unit 10 of FIG. In this example, when the power of the elemental analyzer is turned off by the power switch 7 after analysis or the like (Yes in step S101), the pressure regulating valves 52 and 62 of the pressure regulating mechanisms 5 and 6 are opened. (Step S102).

  When the power of the elemental analyzer is turned off, the temperature of the heating unit (combustion unit 103 and reaction unit 203) is subsequently lowered, and the internal pressure of the heating unit is reduced, so that the liquid in the drain pot 33 is reduced. Is easily sucked into the gas flow paths 105 and 206. Therefore, when the elemental analyzer is turned off, the process for adjusting the pressure upstream of the drain pot 33 is automatically performed, so that the liquid in the drain pot 33 flows into the gas channel 105, It is possible to effectively prevent suction into 206.

  Thereafter, when the power of the elemental analyzer is turned on by the power switch 7 when analysis is started again (Yes in step S103), the pressure adjustment valves 52 and 62 of the pressure adjustment mechanisms 5 and 6 are used. Is closed (step S104). However, the timing for closing the pressure regulating valves 52 and 62 is not limited to when the power supply of the elemental analyzer is turned on. For example, a predetermined time has elapsed since the pressure regulating valves 52 and 62 were opened. It can be set at any other timing, such as when.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the control unit 10 that controls the operation of the elemental analyzer according to another embodiment. The elemental analyzer according to the present embodiment includes a sensor 8 as a state detection unit for detecting a state upstream of the drain pot 33. In the present embodiment, since the configuration other than the configuration related to the sensor 8 is the same as the above-described embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same configuration and the detailed description is omitted.

  As the sensor 8, for example, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a moisture sensor, or the like can be used. The sensor 8 includes, for example, a region upstream of the drain pot 33 in the total carbon measurement device 1 such as in the gas flow channel 105 and the sample setting unit 102, and a non-existence in the gas flow channel 206 and the sample setting unit 202. It is provided in a region upstream of the drain pot 33 in the body carbon measuring device 2.

  Thereby, if it is a temperature sensor, the temperature upstream from the drain pot 33 can be detected, and if it is a pressure sensor, the pressure upstream from the drain pot 33 can be detected. In the case of a moisture sensor, it can be detected that liquid has flowed from the drain pot 33 to the upstream side of the drain pot 33 through the openings 311 and 321. The moisture sensor is preferably provided between the drain pot 33 and the pressure adjustment mechanisms 5 and 6 in the gas flow paths 105 and 206.

  In the present embodiment, the pressure adjustment processing unit 14 controls the pressure adjustment mechanisms 5 and 6 based on a detection signal from the sensor 8 instead of an input signal from the power switch 7. Specifically, the pressure adjusting valves 52 and 62 are opened based on the detection signal from the sensor 8 so that the process for adjusting the pressure upstream of the drain pot 33 is performed. It has become.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the control unit 10 of FIG. In this example, a case where a temperature sensor is used as the sensor 8 is shown, and when the temperature upstream from the drain pot 33 becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature after analysis or the like (Yes in step S201), the pressure The pressure adjustment valves 52 and 62 of the adjustment mechanisms 5 and 6 are opened (step S202).

  When the temperature of the heating unit (combustion unit 103 and reaction unit 203) drops after analysis or the like and the temperature on the upstream side of the drain pot 33 becomes a predetermined temperature or lower, the liquid in the drain pot 33 is transferred to the gas flow path. 105 and 206 are easily sucked into the interior. Therefore, when the temperature on the upstream side of the drain pot 33 becomes equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature, the liquid in the drain pot 33 is made by automatically performing a process for adjusting the pressure on the upstream side of the drain pot 33. Suction into the gas flow paths 105 and 206 can be effectively prevented.

  Thereafter, when a predetermined time has elapsed (Yes in step S203), the pressure adjustment valves 52 and 62 of the pressure adjustment mechanisms 5 and 6 are closed (step S204). However, the timing when the pressure regulating valves 52 and 62 are closed is not limited to when a predetermined time has elapsed since the pressure regulating valves 52 and 62 are opened, but when the power supply of the elemental analyzer is turned on. For example, it can be set at any other timing.

  In this example, the case where a temperature sensor is used as the sensor 8 has been described. However, even when a pressure sensor provided upstream of the drain pot 33 is used, the liquid in the drain pot 33 is gas by the pressure sensor. It is possible to automatically perform a process for detecting a state that is easily sucked into the flow paths 105 and 206 and adjusting the pressure on the upstream side of the drain pot 33 based on the detection signal.

  Further, when a moisture sensor provided upstream of the drain pot 33 is used as the sensor 8, a state in which the liquid in the drain pot 33 starts to be sucked into the gas flow paths 105 and 206 by the moisture sensor. And a process for adjusting the pressure on the upstream side of the drain pot 33 based on the detection signal can be automatically performed.

  However, the timing for opening the pressure regulating valves 52 and 62 is not limited to the timing based on the input signal from the power switch 7 or the sensor 8, but can be set to any other timing. For example, the pressure adjustment valves 52 and 62 may be opened for a certain period of time after the end of analysis based on an input signal from a timer.

  In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the pressure regulating mechanisms 5 and 6 are provided with the pressure regulating valves 52 and 62, respectively, has been described. However, the configuration is not limited to such a configuration, and a configuration other than the pressure regulating valves 52 and 62 is used. The pressure on the upstream side of the drain pot 33 may be adjusted. Moreover, the structure which adjusts a pressure manually instead of automatically may be sufficient.

  The pressure adjusting mechanisms 5 and 6 are not limited to the configurations provided in the gas flow paths 105 and 206, respectively, and are further upstream of the drain pot 33, for example, the upstream side of the cooling pipe 104, the heating unit (combustion unit 103 and It may be provided in the reaction unit 203), the sample installation unit 102, 202 or the like.

  However, the pressure adjusting mechanisms 5 and 6 are preferably provided in the vicinity of the drain pot 33. Thereby, the liquid once sucked from the drain pot 33 remains in the upstream side of the drain pot 33 due to the difference in height between the drain pot 33 and the pressure adjusting mechanisms 5 and 6. Can be prevented.

  The cooling pipe 104 may not be provided between the combustion unit 103 and the drain pot 33. Moreover, the structure provided with the cooling pipe between the reaction part 203 and the drain pot 33 may be sufficient.

  In the above embodiment, the pressure adjusting mechanisms 5 and 6 are provided in both the gas flow path 105 between the combustion unit 103 and the drain pot 33 and the gas flow path 206 between the reaction unit 203 and the drain pot 33. The provided configuration has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the pressure adjustment mechanisms 5 and 6 may be provided only in one of the gas flow paths 105 and 206.

  The present invention is not limited to a total organic carbon measuring device, but is a device in which the total carbon measuring device 1 or the inorganic carbon measuring device 2 is independently configured, and atoms other than carbon (for example, nitrogen atoms and sulfur atoms). The present invention can be applied to other various element analysis apparatuses such as an apparatus for performing analysis.

  In this case, the liquid storage unit is not limited to the drain pot 33, and stores liquids used for other purposes, such as those storing liquids for allowing the gas to pass therethrough in order to remove substances contained in the gas. It may be. The present invention is also applicable to a configuration in which the liquid stored in the liquid storage section is sucked as water vapor instead of being sucked into the gas flow path when the temperature of the heating section drops. It is possible to apply.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Total carbon measuring device 2 Inorganic carbon measuring device 3 Drain separator 4 Detection part 5 Pressure adjustment mechanism 6 Pressure adjustment mechanism 7 Power switch 8 Sensor 10 Control part 11 Total carbon measurement processing part 12 Inorganic carbon measurement processing part 13 Total organic substance Carbon calculation processing unit 14 Pressure adjustment processing unit 15 Combustion processing unit 16 Addition processing unit 17 Heat processing unit 31 Separation unit 32 Separation unit 33 Drain pot 34 Liquid 51 Vent 52 Pressure regulating valve 101 Sample boat 102 Sample installation unit 103 Combustion unit 104 Cooling pipe 105 Gas channel 201 Sample boat 202 Sample installation unit 203 Reaction unit 204 Acid solution addition unit 205 Gas channel 206 Gas channel 311 Opening 321 Opening

Claims (6)

An element analyzer for analyzing elements contained in a sample,
A heating unit for heating the sample;
A detection unit for detecting gas generated from the sample during heating in the heating unit;
A gas flow path for flowing gas from the heating unit to the detection unit;
A drain pot that communicates with the gas flow path through an opening formed so as to open a middle portion of the gas flow path, and can arrange the opening in the stored liquid;
An element analyzer comprising: a pressure adjusting mechanism capable of adjusting the pressure upstream of the drain pot by opening and closing a vent for opening the upstream side of the drain pot to the outside. . The elemental analysis apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a pressure adjustment processing unit that performs a process for adjusting a pressure upstream of the drain pot by controlling the pressure adjustment mechanism. The said pressure adjustment process part performs the process for adjusting the pressure of the upstream from the said drain pot based on the power supply of the said element analyzer having turned off. The described elemental analyzer. A state detection unit for detecting a state upstream of the drain pot ;
The element analysis apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the pressure adjustment processing unit performs a process for adjusting a pressure upstream of the drain pot based on a detection signal from the state detection unit. . The heating unit is a combustion unit for burning a sample,
5. The elemental analyzer according to claim 1, wherein total carbon contained in the sample can be measured by detecting carbon dioxide generated by combustion in the combustion unit with the detection unit. . The heating unit is a reaction unit for heating the sample to which the acid solution is added,
The elemental analysis according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein inorganic carbon contained in the sample can be measured by detecting carbon dioxide generated by the reaction in the reaction unit with the detection unit. apparatus.

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