US3545936A - Flame ionization detector - Google Patents

Flame ionization detector Download PDF

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Publication number
US3545936A
US3545936A US666898A US3545936DA US3545936A US 3545936 A US3545936 A US 3545936A US 666898 A US666898 A US 666898A US 3545936D A US3545936D A US 3545936DA US 3545936 A US3545936 A US 3545936A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
detector
burner nozzle
air guide
nozzle
guide member
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US666898A
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English (en)
Inventor
Dietrich Jentzsch
Helmut Kruger
Horst Rohl
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
PE Manufacturing GmbH
Original Assignee
Bodenseewerk Perkin Elmer and Co GmbH
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
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Publication of US3545936A publication Critical patent/US3545936A/en
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Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N27/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means
    • G01N27/62—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating the ionisation of gases, e.g. aerosols; by investigating electric discharges, e.g. emission of cathode
    • G01N27/626—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating the ionisation of gases, e.g. aerosols; by investigating electric discharges, e.g. emission of cathode using heat to ionise a gas
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
    • F23N—REGULATING OR CONTROLLING COMBUSTION
    • F23N5/00—Systems for controlling combustion
    • F23N5/02—Systems for controlling combustion using devices responsive to thermal changes or to thermal expansion of a medium
    • F23N5/12—Systems for controlling combustion using devices responsive to thermal changes or to thermal expansion of a medium using ionisation-sensitive elements, i.e. flame rods

Definitions

  • a flame ionization detector includes an air guide member and a burner nozzle which are maintained at a same electrical potential and which are supported on, and insulated from a detector support means.
  • the air guide member defines an internal frusto-conically shaped passageway.
  • An orifice of the burner nozzle is positioned in the passageway in a manner for causing air to flow toward and converge near the orifice.
  • Means are provided for conveying a combustion and a carrier gas to the burner nozzle and for introducing air for combustion between the air guide member and burner nozzle.
  • the present invention relates to detectors for use with analytical instruments.
  • the invention relates more particularly to an improved form of flame ionization detector.
  • the passage flares out in opposite directions from a relatively narrow constrictive area.
  • the burner nozzle extends into the passage from below and an orifice of the nozzle is positioned beyond this narrow constriction in a manner for providing that the flame itself burns upwardly of the lower portion of the air guide member.
  • the air guide member is then effective to concentrate an air current on the flame and thereby reduces the consumption of air and provides improved combustion.
  • the cup-shaped configuration of the air guide member shields the flame from the remaining volume of the detector chamber and it is found that detector sensitivity increases while interfering influences are reduced.
  • both the air guide member and the burner nozzle are maintained at the same electrical potential.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a detector adapted for maintaining a relatively constant detector sensitivity within a range of flow rates of these gases.
  • a further object of the invention is to provide a flame ionization detector of relatively small dimensions having desired sensitivity and linearity and which exhibits sensitivity relatively independent of flow rates over a range of flow rates.
  • a flame ionization detector includes a burner nozzle cham ber defined by an arrangement including an electrically conductive base support member, a generally tubularshaped electrically conductive side wall member, an electrical insulating means supporting said side wall member on, and, insulating said side-wall member from said support member, and an air guide member.
  • the air guide member includes an internal passageway having a convergent segment and terminates in an outlet aperture.
  • a burner nozzle is supported on and electrically insulated from the base member within the chamber in a manner for providing that an orifice of the nozzle is positioned in the passageway of the air guide member.
  • the nozzle comprises a first electrode of the detector and a second electrode thereof is spaced without the burner nozzle chamber relative to the aperture.
  • Means are provided for establishing a low impedance conductive coupling between the air guide and nozzle members for maintaining these members at a same potential.
  • the restriction is formed as a frustoconically shaped passageway.
  • the burner nozzle orifice is positioned within the frusto-conically shaped segment.
  • An extension of the linear range of measurement can be obtained when the burner nozzle also has a frusto-conical shape and forms a relatively narrow annular gap with the guide body in the area of the nozzle orifice.
  • With an arrangement including a frusto-conical burner nozzle there has been obtained a linear indication for currents ;12.5 10-' amperes.
  • a calibration characteristic for a known detector shows a substantial deviation at about half of this value.
  • the conical angle of the burner nozzle is less than the enclosed conical angle of the portion of the air guide member.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram in sectional form illustrating a flame ionization detector constructed in accordance with features of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a diagram in sectional form of a portion of another flame ionization detector presented for comparison with the detector of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a diagram of the characteristics of the detector of FIG. 1 illustrating the relationship between the detector output signal amplitude plotted versus combustion gas flow rate for different carrier gas flow rates;
  • FIG. 4 is a diagram of the characteristics of the detector of FIG. 2 illustrating the relative dependence of the detector output signal amplitude on combustion gas flow rate for different carrier gas flow rates;
  • FIG. is a diagram of the characteristics of the detector of FIG. 1 illustrating the relationship between the detector output signal amplitude and the air supply flow rate;
  • FIG. 6 is a diagram of the characteristics of the detector of FIG. 2 illustrating the dependence of the output signal amplitude on the air flow rates.
  • a metallic burner nozzle 10 including an orifice 11 is shown to have a frustro-conical shape.
  • the burner nozzle 10 is connected with a threaded connecting piece 14 via an insulating member 12, which is formed of a material such as refractory material exhibiting a relatively high electrical resistance at the high operating temperatures encountered.
  • the connecting piece 14 is screwed into a bore in an enlargement of a combustion gas and carrier gas channel 16 located in a metallic detector support member 18.
  • the channel 16 is supplied by a source represented as 17 with hydrogen, as a combustion gas, and a carrier gas which conveys a sample from the outlet of a chromatographic separating column.
  • This gas mixture passes through a central bore of the connecting piece 14 and of the insulating member 12 and is burned at the nozzle 10.
  • the air required for combustion is supplied from a source 19 via a line 20 which terminates in a channel 22 in the detector base.
  • the channel 22 terminates adjacent the connecting piece 14 on the top of the detector base.
  • a hollow-cylindrical metal body 24 forming a side wall of the detector is supported on and spaced from the detector base 18 by a ring of insulating material 26.
  • the body 24 and ring 26 are secured to the detector base by means of screws 28 which extend for a distance through bores of the body 24.
  • the heads of the screws are supported by rings of insulating material 32.
  • a bi-metallic spring 34 is arranged in a circumferential groove of the body 24 in a circular configuration and includes leg segments extending inwardly for engaging both sides of the nozzle 10.
  • the nozzle 10 and the body 24 are thus conductively coupled and are maintained at a same electric potential. This potential is applied to the body 24 via a terminal 35 and a body 36 referred to hereinafter.
  • An arrangement of this general type for providing the conductive coupling is disclosed in greater detail and claimed in the referred-to copending patent application.
  • An air guide member 36 having an internal passage- !way including a frusto-conically shaped segment and a constrictive throat segment 38 terminating in an outlet aperture 39 is threaded on an outer surface thereof and is screwed into the hollow-cylindrical body 24.
  • the burner nozzle 10 extends into the frusto-conically shaped segment 40 in a manner for providing that an orifice 11 thereof is positioned within the convergent segment 40.
  • the nozzle is therefore positioned in a burner chamber which is defined by the members 18, 26, 24, and 36.
  • the cone angle of the nozzle 10, i.e., that cone formed by the outer surface of the nozzle 10, is smaller than the enclosed angle of the segment 40.
  • an air supply channel of constantly reducing cross sectional area, in the form of a cone-shaped shell, is formed between the air guiding body 36 and the conical nozzle 10.
  • This channel includes a narrowest portion in the area of the flame feather. Adjustment of the channel is effected by altering the position of the threaded air guide member. The air guide member is then locked in the adjusted position by a screw 41.
  • a second conductive hollow-cylindrical member 42 is mounted on the member 24. This member 42 is closed at the top thereof by a coverplate 44. The members 42 and 44 form with the air guide member 36 a second chamber for the detector. A flame at the burner nozzle 10 burns substantially internally of the restrictor 38. An electrode 46 is positioned above the flame and burner nozzle 10. This electrode is mounted by means of an insulating member 48 and extends out of the hollowcylindrical body 42. The body is thus electrically insulated from the surrounding detector member. In order to maintain the insulating member 48 relatively cool, and the corresponding electrical resistance at a relatively high value, the insulating member is mounted in a tubular projection 50. An electrical potential is applied to the electrode 46 from a source 51 via an impedance 53. A flame ignition device, designated by the reference number 52 is also provided.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates a detector arrangement wherein an air guide member 54 is formed with a restrictive internal passageway 56 flaring out from a narrow throat portion both upwardly and downwardly in a frusto-conically shaped arrangement.
  • the burner nozzle 10 extends through the throat so that the flame burns freely in space upwardly of the throat portion.
  • Output signal amplitude is plotted versus a hydrogen combustion gas flow rate to the burner nozzle with nitrogen carrier gas flow rate as a parameter. It is seen that the output signal amplitude for a predetermined carrier gas stream exhibits a relatively large change with a change in the hydrogen stream flow rate. It can also be seen that a relatively large change in the signal amplitude occurs when the carrier gas stream N is varied.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates the corresponding characteristics obtained with the detector of the present invention.
  • the signal is substantially independent of these flow rates.
  • the signal variations are relatively small outside of this range.
  • FIGS. 5 and 6 are plots of the characteristics of the output signal amplitude versus the air supply for the detectors of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, respectively. It is seen that with increasing air supply the signal increases and tends toward a saturation value. However, this saturation value with the arrangement of the invention according to FIG. 1 is attained for a smaller air flow than with the detector arrangement of FIG. 2. Therefore, in obtaining an optimum signal, smaller amounts of air can be operated with the detector of FIG. 1.
  • a flame ionization detector has also been operated wherein the burner nozzle is cylindrical, rather than conical as in FIGS. 1 and 2.
  • the restrictive air guide passage was formed by a disk with an aperture which, similar to 56 in FIG. 2, flares out in funnel-shaped manner upwardly and downwardly from a throat portion thereof.
  • the orifice of the burner nozzle, in accordance with the invention was positioned beneath this restrictor so that the flame itself burned substantially internally of this restrictor.
  • a relatively constant output signal amplitude was obtained for variable carrier gas and hydrogen streams. Above a flow rate of about 200 ml./min. air current, the signal was substantially independent of the air supply. Thus, very favorable conditions were obtained with respect to the independence of the signal of the gas streams. Above this, the range of linearity was more strongly limited than with the arrangement according to FIG. 1.
  • a flame ionization detector comprising:
  • a body of electrical insulating material for supporting said side body on, and, insulating said side body member from said support member;
  • said air guide member supported by said side body member, said air guide member including an internal convergent passageway having an outlet aperture;
  • the apparatus of claim 2 including means for applying an electrical potential between said electrode and said burner nozzle.
  • the apparatus of claim 2 including means for varying the relative position of said air guide member with respect to said burner nozzle.
  • said means for varying the relative position of said air guide member and burner nozzle comprises a first threaded surface formed on a surface of said side body member and a second threaded surface formed on a surface of said air guide and engaging said first threaded surface.
  • a flame ionization detector comprising:
  • a side body member having a cylindrically shaped bore
  • a cylindrically-shaped air guide member supported by said side body member and including an internal passageway having a frusto-conically shaped segment and an outlet aperture;
  • said metallic support member, side body member, air guide member and said insulating body relatively positioned for forming a burner nozzle chamber and for providing electrical connection between said air guide and side body members;
  • a frusto-conically shaped burner nozzle having an outlet orifice

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Immunology (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Other Investigation Or Analysis Of Materials By Electrical Means (AREA)
US666898A 1966-10-01 1967-09-11 Flame ionization detector Expired - Lifetime US3545936A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DEB0089172 1966-10-01

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US3545936A true US3545936A (en) 1970-12-08

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US666898A Expired - Lifetime US3545936A (en) 1966-10-01 1967-09-11 Flame ionization detector

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US (1) US3545936A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB (1) GB1193976A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
NL (1) NL6711839A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5576626A (en) * 1995-01-17 1996-11-19 Microsensor Technology, Inc. Compact and low fuel consumption flame ionization detector with flame tip on diffuser
US7096982B2 (en) 2003-02-27 2006-08-29 Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. Drill shoe
US20150285770A1 (en) * 2010-02-26 2015-10-08 Rosario Mannino Jet assembly for use in detectors and other devices
US20220276208A1 (en) * 2019-01-14 2022-09-01 Agilent Technologies, Inc. Versatile tube-free jet for gas chromatography detector

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3027863A1 (de) * 1980-07-23 1982-03-04 Hartmann & Braun Ag, 6000 Frankfurt Flammenionisationsdetektor
AU710622B2 (en) * 1995-11-13 1999-09-23 Gas Research Institute, Inc. Flame ionization control apparatus and method
US6299433B1 (en) 1999-11-05 2001-10-09 Gas Research Institute Burner control
US7241135B2 (en) 2004-11-18 2007-07-10 Honeywell International Inc. Feedback control for modulating gas burner

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3086848A (en) * 1960-05-23 1963-04-23 Phillips Petroleum Co Gas analyzer
US3330960A (en) * 1963-10-08 1967-07-11 Gen Electric Flame spectrophotometer using ionization current detection
US3372000A (en) * 1964-02-27 1968-03-05 Beckman Instruments Inc Flame ionization detector

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3086848A (en) * 1960-05-23 1963-04-23 Phillips Petroleum Co Gas analyzer
US3330960A (en) * 1963-10-08 1967-07-11 Gen Electric Flame spectrophotometer using ionization current detection
US3372000A (en) * 1964-02-27 1968-03-05 Beckman Instruments Inc Flame ionization detector

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5576626A (en) * 1995-01-17 1996-11-19 Microsensor Technology, Inc. Compact and low fuel consumption flame ionization detector with flame tip on diffuser
EP0723154A3 (en) * 1995-01-17 1998-04-15 Microsensor Technology, Inc. Flame ionization detector with flame tip on diffuser
US7096982B2 (en) 2003-02-27 2006-08-29 Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. Drill shoe
US20150285770A1 (en) * 2010-02-26 2015-10-08 Rosario Mannino Jet assembly for use in detectors and other devices
US20220276208A1 (en) * 2019-01-14 2022-09-01 Agilent Technologies, Inc. Versatile tube-free jet for gas chromatography detector
US12117424B2 (en) 2019-01-14 2024-10-15 Agilent Technologies, Inc. Versatile tube-free jet for gas chromatography detector having a conical inlet skirt
US12130266B2 (en) * 2019-01-14 2024-10-29 Agilent Technologies, Inc Versatile tube-free jet for gas chromatography detector having a conical inlet skirt

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Publication number Publication date
NL6711839A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1968-04-02
GB1193976A (en) 1970-06-03

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