US3601609A - Ionization detection device using a nickel-63 radioactive source - Google Patents
Ionization detection device using a nickel-63 radioactive source Download PDFInfo
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- US3601609A US3601609A US863672A US3601609DA US3601609A US 3601609 A US3601609 A US 3601609A US 863672 A US863672 A US 863672A US 3601609D A US3601609D A US 3601609DA US 3601609 A US3601609 A US 3601609A
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
- H01J41/00—Discharge tubes for measuring pressure of introduced gas or for detecting presence of gas; Discharge tubes for evacuation by diffusion of ions
- H01J41/02—Discharge tubes for measuring pressure of introduced gas or for detecting presence of gas
- H01J41/08—Discharge tubes for measuring pressure of introduced gas or for detecting presence of gas with ionisation by means of radioactive substances, e.g. alphatrons
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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
- G01N27/64—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 wave or particle radiation to ionise a gas, e.g. in an ionisation chamber
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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
- G01N27/64—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 wave or particle radiation to ionise a gas, e.g. in an ionisation chamber
- G01N27/66—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 wave or particle radiation to ionise a gas, e.g. in an ionisation chamber and measuring current or voltage
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N30/00—Investigating or analysing materials by separation into components using adsorption, absorption or similar phenomena or using ion-exchange, e.g. chromatography or field flow fractionation
- G01N30/02—Column chromatography
- G01N30/62—Detectors specially adapted therefor
- G01N30/64—Electrical detectors
- G01N30/70—Electron capture detectors
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
- H01J47/00—Tubes for determining the presence, intensity, density or energy of radiation or particles
Definitions
- This invention relates to ionization detection in which ionization of gaseous matter within a cell or detector is promoted by emission from a radioactive source. More particularly, this invention pertains to improvements in ionization detectors normally operated at low potentials and functioning, for example, as electron capture detectors (also known as electron affinity detectors), ionization cross section detectors, argon ionization detectors (also referred to as metastable atom detectors), or electron mobility detectors.
- electron capture detectors also known as electron affinity detectors
- ionization cross section detectors also argon ionization detectors (also referred to as metastable atom detectors)
- metastable atom detectors also referred to as metastable atom detectors
- these ionization detectors have been constructed along well-established lines and involve use of the so-called Lovelock geometry (plane parallel electrodes) as do picted, for example, on page 477 of the Lovelock paper first above-cited, or cylindrical geometry (see Shahin et al., Anal. Chem. 35 No.4, Apr. 1963 or pin cup geometry (sec Cook et al., Anal. Chem. 36, No. 12, Nov. 1964
- the detector cell contains a particular radioactive source as the internal B-emitter.
- Attempts have been made to use a radium isotope (Ra for this purpose but its high noise level and its high gamma emission level and consequent shielding problems have rendered these attempts largely futile. Accordingly, it. has been standard practice in the art to employ tritium occluded in a suitable carrier-usually titanium plated on a stain less steel foil-as the internal source of electrons in most com flareal detectors.
- occluded tritium has, however, imposed severe limitations upon the use of these ionization detectors.
- the chief limitation arises by virtue of the fact that the tritium is readily released to the atmosphere if the fi-emitter is subjected to common operating temperatures, e.g., 200 C. (see liahn et al., J. of G.C., Aug. 1965 pp. 287-288).
- tritium detectors must be operated at relatively low temperatures in order to avoid the obvious dire consequences of radiation ex posure.
- licenses from the United States Atomic Energy Commission permitting use of tritium detectors require installation of upper temperature limit safety devices prohibiting operation of the detectors at temperatures in excess of 225 C.
- an object of this invention is to provide a relia ble ionization detector of the type described in which no hazard to operating personnel is presented even when operating at temperatures as high as 300 C.
- Another object is to provide a stable B-emitter of adequate half-life for ionization detectors (electron capture detectors cross section detectors, and the like) in a form which will permit expeditious cleaning particularly in the event of eventual contamination of the detector by substrate oils vaporizing from a chromatographic column.
- ionization detectors electron capture detectors cross section detectors, and the like
- a further object is to provide ionization detectors which are durable and relatively simple to construct, operate and clean.
- Still another object is to provide a B-emitter which is rela tively free of electrical noise in operation and can be readily used in ionization detectors employing any of a variety of cell geometries and modes of operation, e.g., for measuring electron capture, cross section behavior, and the like.
- a still further object is to provide a. B-emitter of high off ciency to produce maximum ion current for the least amount of radioactive material present.
- Yet another object is to provide an ionization detector em bodying in its construction an electrical insulation material contributing, by virtue of its properties to the durability and usefulness of the entire unit.
- the nickel isotope Ni is employed as the ,B-emitter in the ionization detector.
- the detector cells of this invention are composed, in essence, of electrodes in spaced-apart ionization detection relationship, means for confining a flow of gas about the electrodes, and a Ni ,B-source positioned so that it will emit ,8- particles into the gas when the gas is in ionization detection proximity to the electrodes.
- Ni is a metal which can be readily formed into a thin film by various techniques, such as electroplating and the like, thereby providing a highly efficient surface emitter.
- tritium is a gas which can be maintained in the detector cell only by occluding it below or within the surface of a solid metal foil or other solid carrier. This gives rise to reabsorption of ,B-particles within the body of the carrier and for this reason tritiated sources are not highly efficient and do not give uniform emission.
- Ni has been found to be superior to other radioactive metal Bemitters such as Pm, Sr, and Tc, and B-emitters such as Ra and Am Still other radioactive metals have failed entirely as B-emitters for use in ionization detectors.
- Ni detectors of this invention can be operated at temperatures as high as 500 C. without encountering undue radiation hazards and as a result of scientific investigations conducted to date, the United States Atomic Energy Commission has sanctioned the operation of a particular type of Ni detector cell of this invention at temperatures as high as 300 C. This invention has thus obviated the temperature limitation imposed on tritium detectors and thereby expanded the applicability of ionization detection in chromatographic analysis.
- FIG. I is a schematic view in longitudinal cross section of an ionization detector embodying the plane parallel electrode (Lovelock) geometry and in which a discrete Ni radioactive source is positioned within the cell;
- P10. 2 is another schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of an ionization detector involving the Lovelock geometry, in this instance a Ni electron source being laminated or plated upon the interior surface of one of the electrodes;
- FIG. 3 represents a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of an ionization detector embodying cylindrical geometry
- FIG. 4 depicts in schematic longitudinal cross section an ionization detector having pin cup geometry
- FIG. 5 depictsin longitudinal cross section a preferred detector of this invention involving, inter alia, features of cylindrical and pin cup geometries;
- FIG. 6 is a graphic presentation of comparative data demonstrating the marked superiority of a Ni B-emitter over an occluded tritium source.
- FIG. 7 is a chromatogram of a complex mixture of organo halide pesticides obtained in a gas chromatograph equipped with a preferred ionization detector of this invention.
- the gas-confining chambers depicted therein are composed of planar electrodes 10 and 12, cell wall 14, gas inlet tube 16 and gas outlet tube 18.
- the overall chamber may have any suitable configuratione.g., it may be square, rectangular, cylindrical, elliptical, polygonal, or the like.
- a screen or frit member 20 Positioned across the inner end of inlet tube 16 is a screen or frit member 20 (e.g., 100- mesh screen having a thickness of 0.010 inch) to assist in distributing the incoming gaseous material substantially uniformly across the cell.
- the overall chamber will be encased within a housing (not shown) fitted with heating means (not shown), such as a I00 watt cartridge heater so that the ionization chamber may be maintained at a selected elevated operating temperature.
- the Ni B-emitter is in the form of a foil or disc 22 which is positioned as a discrete member in proximity to the inner face of electrode 10.
- the entire foil or disc 22 may be composed of Ni, it is preferable to use a laminated foil wherein a metal backing foil (e.g., 0.0l0 to 0.020 inch thick gold, nickel, platinum, stainless steel, or the like) is plated with a thin layer (e.g., 0.000l to 0.0l0 inch) of Ni.
- a metal backing foil e.g., 0.0l0 to 0.020 inch thick gold, nickel, platinum, stainless steel, or the like
- a thin layer e.g., 0.000l to 0.0l0 inch
- the use of a thin plate of Ni on a backing foil provides a most efficicnt ,8- source wherein emission emanates from virtually the entire thin plate of Ni and reabsorption of B-particles within the plate is kept to a minimum.
- the Ni B-emitter is in the fonn of a layer 24 plated directly upon the interior face of electrode 10 and, for the reasons just presented, it is preferable to use a thin plate of Ni.
- the Ni faces the gap between the electrodes and is thereby positioned so as to emit B-particles into the gaseous material (e.g., effluent gases from a chromatographic column) as it passes across the electrode gap on its way through the cell.
- gaseous material e.g., effluent gases from a chromatographic column
- electrode l0-the one with which. the B-emitter is more closely associated-is the cathode, electrode 12 serving as the anode, with either a DC or a pulsating DC potential applied between the two electrodes.
- the spacing between the electrodes 10 and I2 is generally in the order of about 1 cm., and the polarizing voltage is between zero and about 50 volts (DC or pulse).
- DC or pulse For use in measuring cross section behavior these detectors will have an electrode spacing in the vicinity of about 1 mm., and the polarizing voltage will range from about 50 to about 150 volts.
- the spaced-apart electrodes 10 and 12 are made from stainless steel, brass, bronze, or any other suitable electrically conductive, gas-impermeable substance capable of maintaining structural strength and exhibiting relative inertness when exposed to the usual gaseous substances at elevated temperatures of 300 C. or above.
- Cell wall 14 is made from an electrically nonconductive substance which is gas-impermeable and which has chemical inertness and structural strength under these same conditions, polytetrafluoroethylene compounded with fillers (e.g., powdered glass, carbon, refractories, etc.) being typical.
- fillers e.g., powdered glass, carbon, refractories, etc.
- a highly preferred material of construction for use in making the cell walls and other electrically insulated parts of the detector cells of this invention is boron nitride.
- Boron nitride is a machinable ceramic having good structural and chemical inertness properties at temperatures far in excess of 300 C. It is a good thermal conductor and an outstanding electrical insulator. Moreover, it makes a very tight seal against metals, even against the polished metal surfaces of the electrodes and thus renders the cells leakproof. Consequently, the use of boron nitride in the construction of ionization detector cells constitutes a preferred embodiment of this invention-its combination of properties contributes materially to the durability and usefulness of the entire unit.
- the ionization detector cell of FIG. 3 utilizes cylindrical geometry.
- the cell involves cylindrical electrode 30 supported within and concentrically aligned with cup-shaped electrode 32 thereby forming an annular gap 34 therebetween.
- a thin Ni B-source 36 is supported on the outer cylindrical surface of electrode 30 and another thin Ni B-source 38 is supported on the inner cylindrical surface of electrode 32, B-sources 36 and 38 preferably being plated directly upon the respectiveelectrode surfaces.
- Electrode 30 is supported axially within the cell by means of threaded stud support 40 which extends outwardly through an insulating flange 42 enclosing the end of the cell,.Stud 40 passes through the center of flange 42 and thereby provides an external electrical connectionfor electrode 30.
- electrodes 30 and 32 are in spaced-apart ionization detection relationship and are physically joined only by flange 42 which, of course, is made from a suitable electrical nonconductor, such as those referred to hereinabovc.
- Gas inlet tube 46 and gas outlet tube 48 transport gas into and out of the cell through the annular gap 34.
- Threads on stud 40 provide a convenient means of securing electrode 30 to flange 42 by means of a threaded nut
- Electrodes 30 and 32 are maintained at opposite polarities, electrode 30 preferably, but not necessarily, serving as the anode.
- gap 34 will be in the order of about 1 mm., and the polarizing potential will range from about 50 to about I50 volts either DC or pulsating DC.
- gap 34 will be approximately 1 cm., the polarizing potential being from between about zero and about 50 volts, either DC or pulsating DC.
- Pin cup geometry is depicted in FIG. 4.
- the cell is composed of cathode 60, anode 62, flange 64, gas inlet tube 66, gas outlet tube 68 and B-emitter 70.
- Flange 64 establishes a gas-impermeable union between the electrodes and therefore is made from a suitable electrically nonconductive material (e.g., polytetrafluoroethylene or, preferably, boron nitride).
- Anode 62 is preferably provided with threads 72 so as to enable precise adjustments in the extent to which anode 62 penetrates into the cell.
- B-emitter 70 is in the form of a thin cylindrical foil of Ni (preferably plated on a thin backing foil as described hereinabove) mounted against the interior surfaces of cathode 60, the length of the cylindrical foil being such as to extend from about the inlet end of the cell to somewhere near its midpoint.
- the dimensions and positioning of the cell elements may be varied depending, for example, on whether the cell is to measure cross section behavior or electron capture.
- the gap between anode 62 and cathode 60 will range from about 0.5 mm. to about 2 mm. with potentials of from about 50 to about 300 volts. When used for electron capture operation this gap will be from about 0.5 cm. to about 2 cm., at potentials of from between zero and about I50 volts.
- the referred embodiment of this invention depicted in FIG. 5 possesses attributes and features of cylindrical geometry and pin cup geometry.
- the cell is composed of a cup-shaped cathode 80, an adjustable anode 81 axially aligned therewith and penetrating through threaded orifice 82 into the cylindrical chamber 83.
- Chamber 83 is defined in its upper portion by the walls of cathode and in its lower portion by spacer 84 and wafer 85 through which anode 8] passes.
- the ionization source 86 is composed of a Ni foil (preferably 10 millicuries of Ni plated onto a 0.02- inch gold foil) wrapped around the inner circumference of cathode 80 so that the thin film or plate of Ni directs its B- emissions into chamber 83.
- the film of Ni may be plated on the interior cylindrical surface of cathode 80 V which has previously been given an undercoating film of gold plating.
- the foil is held in place by means of spacer 84 whose internal diameter is slightly less than the internal diameter of cathode 00. Gas is introduced into chamber 83 via conduit 87 and leaves the cell via orifice tlti, chamber 39 and conduit 90.
- Cathode 80, spacer FM and wafer 05 are enca ted by insulators 9i and 92 which in turn are encased by cylindrical body members 93, 94 and 95.
- Electrical connection to cathode 80 is accomplished via rod 96 which is threaded on its inner and so as to fit into a threaded recess in the cathode and which is provided at its outer end with connector means indicated generally by the numeral 97.
- electrical connection to anode Bl is effected via wafer 85 and rod 98 which is similarly threaded at its inner end and equipped at its outer end with connector means indicated generally by the numeral 99.
- all of the members of the cell serving at least in part as electrical insulators are made from ceramic materialmost preferably boron nitride for reasons noted her inabove-whereas all of the metallic members (except ionization source 86) are made from stainless steel, 303 SS being particularly suitable.
- a 50 or I watt cylindrical heater cartridge 1101 is inserted into a cylindrical recess ll02 extending upwardly from the bottom of body member 95 near its periphery.
- a temperature limit switch 103 to cut off the heater if temperatures become excessive is also provided and similarly positioned.
- the device of FIG. 5 When used as a higlrternperature electron capture detector, the device of FIG. 5 is operated at a potential of from between zero to about I50 volts (DC or pulse).
- usage chamber 83 has an inner diameter, d. of 0.5 inch and a length, L, of 0.75 inch, the height h, of ionization source 06 being 0.5 inch and the diameter of the upper end of anode 81 being from 1/32 to A inch.
- anode 81 For optimum performance it is desirable to adjust anode 81 so that its upper end is slightly below the horizontal plane defined by the lower edge of ionization source 86. Nevertheless, excellent results have been achieved when the top of anode 81 is from %-ll'lCI'l above to %-inch below said plane.
- body member 95 is readily removed from the unit so as to provide ready access to the threaded adjustable anode for making adjustments to optimize performance under varying conditions of operation.
- the device of FIG. 5 When designed for use as a cross section detector, the device of FIG. 5 is operated at a potential of from about 50 to about 300 volts, d is about 0.5 inch, L is about 0.75 inch, h is about 1 1/16 inch, and the diameter of the upper end of anode 81 is from about l5/32 to it; inch.
- Ni' sources when contaminated with such materials as substrate oils or high-boiling samples, can be safely cleaned and restored to peak efficiency by washing with any of a wide variety of suitable nonacid solvents (e.g. alcoholic KOH) without loss of radioactivity.
- suitable nonacid solvents e.g. alcoholic KOH
- Ni is relatively free of stochastic electrical noise-i.e., it has a high degree of con stancy in its emission of Bparticles. It has been found that plated Ni sources are consistently as good as or better in this respect than the best tritiated sources.
- FIG. 7 is a high quality chromatogram obtained from routine operation of a laboratory gas chromatograph equipped with the preferred detector depicted in FIG. 5.
- the operating conditions and materials used were:
- Ni is readily plated upon a variety of metallic substrates and this enhances its utility as a B-emitter for use in the cells of this invention. It is especially preferred however to plate the Ni upon a noble metal substrate (e.g., platinum or gold) as this simplifies recovery or reclamation of the nickel isotope. This is readily accomplished by simply dissolving the Ni away from the noble metal substrate in a suitable mineral acid such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, or the like.
- a noble metal substrate e.g., platinum or gold
- the deposition of a thin plate of Ni upon one or more electrodes of the cell is of particular advantage as compared to the use of radioactive foils.
- foils are flimsy and are difficult to keep in place, especially when the apparatus is subjected to mechanical vibration or physical shock as may be encountered for example during shipment of the apparatus or during its use under severe environmental conditions. Such conditions present the possibility of the :foil causing a short circuit within the cell.
- a thin film of Ni upon a rigid or at least nontlimsy substrate affords considerably greater mechanical stability.
- the plating of Ni onto the electrode enables the formation of a highly uniform, smooth coating which contributes appreciably to the uniformity of emission from all surfaces so plated. Furthermore, this procedure permits very accurate control of the gap in cross section operation where the gap is inherently quite small and where nonuniformity of the gap can be a serious problem.
- the amount of Ni employed in a cell of I emitters pursuant to this invention is not restricted to the particular cell geometries referred to above.
- the principles of this invention extend to, and the advantages of this invention are realized by the utilization of a Ni B-emitter in any suitable type of cell construction although to date the best mode contemplated for the practice of the invention is that presented with reference to FIG. 5.
- ionization within the gas contained in the present detector cells may be enhanced by the presence therein of gaseous elements contributing metastable energy transfers, e.g., argon.
- I. Ionization detection analysis apparatus comprising:
- heating means for maintaining said gaseous matter within said chamber at a temperature of at least about 225 C;
- a nickel-63 radioactive source positioned in said chamber to emit B particles into the gaseous matter when such matter is in ionization detection proximity-to said electrodes.
- the apparatus of claim 1 having two electrodes arranged in an electron capture mode wherein said electrodes are spaced apart by a distance of about 0.5 cm., to about 2 cms. and including means to impress a polarizing potential of up to about l50 volts'across said electrodes.
- the apparatus of claim 1 having two electrodes arranged in a cross section detector mode wherein said electrodes are spaced apart by a distance of from about ()5 mm. to about 2 mms. and including means to impress a polarizing potential of from about 50 to about 300 volts across said electrodes.
- said means defining said chamber includes a detector body at least a portion of which is composed of boron nitride.
- said electrode means comprises a pair of electrodes and wherein said nickel-63 source is disposed over a portion of one of said electrodes.
- An electron capture ionization detection apparatus comprising:
- a detector body having a chamber defining in part a cylindrically shaped cathode member, said detector body having entrance and exit port means communicating with said chamber for directing gaseous matter through said chamber;
- heating means for maintaining said gaseous matter within said chamber at a temperature of at least about 225 C;
- a nickel-63 radioactive source disposed about the inner circumference of said cathode member and positioned to emit [3 particles into said chamber;
- anode member disposed within said chamber which anode member does not penetrate the plane defined by the edge of said nickel-63 source.
- the detection apparatus of claim 7 including a spacer of electrically insulating material defining the wall of said chamber adjacent said cathode, said spacer having an internal passage with an internal diameter less than the internal diameter of said cathode.
- An electron capture ionization detection apparatus comprising:
- a hollow cylindrical chamber defined at one endby-a cupshaped stainless steel cathode and in part by a cylindrical boron nitride cell wall of lesser diameter than said cathode abutting the open edge of said cup-shaped cathode;
- entrance and exit port means permitting gaseous matter to enter and to leave said chamber
- f. means for impressing a polarizing voltage across said cathode and anode.
- an electron capture ionization detector capable of analysis of said chromatograph effluent at temperatures above 225 C. which comprises:
- a detector body defining a chamber
- e. means to maintain an elevated temperature above 225 C.
- a method for analyzing the effluent of a gas chromatograph at elevated temperatures which comprises:
Abstract
Description
Claims (11)
- 2. The apparatus of claim 1 having two electrodes arranged in an electron capture mode wherein said electrodes are spaced apart by a distance of about 0.5 cm., to about 2 cms. and including means to impress a polarizing potential of up to about 150 volts across said electrodes.
- 3. The apparatus of claim 1 having two electrodes arranged in a cross section detector mode wherein said electrodes are spaced apart by a distance of from about 0.5 mm. to about 2 mms. and including means to impress a polarizing potential of from about 50 to about 300 volts across said electrodes.
- 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means defining said chamber includes a detector body at least a portion of which is composed of boron nitride.
- 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said electrode means comprises a pair of electrodes and wherein said nickel-63 source is disposed over a portion of one of said electrodes.
- 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said nickel-63 is plated over a noble metal.
- 7. An electron capture ionization detection apparatus comprising: a. a detector body having a chamber defining in part a cylindrically shaped cathode member, said detector body having entrance and exit port means communicating with said chamber for directing gaseous matter through said chamber; b. heating means for maintaining said gaseous matter within said chamber at a temperature of at least about 225* C; c. a nickel-63 radioactive source disposed about the inner circumference of said cathode member and positioned to emit Beta particles into said chamber; and d. an anode member disposed within said chamber which anode member does not penetrate the plane defined by the edge of said nickel-63 source.
- 8. The detection apparatus of claim 7 including a spacer of electrically insulating material defining the wall of said chamber adjacent said cathode, said spacer having an internal passage with an internal diameter less than the internal diameter of said cathode.
- 9. The detection apparatus of claim 8 wherein said spacer is composed of boron nitride.
- 10. An electron capture ionization detection apparatus comprising: a. a hollow cylindrical chamber defined at one end by a cup-shaped stainless steel cathode and in part by a cylindrical boron nitride cell wall of lesser diameter than said cathode abutting the open edge of said cup-shaped cathode; b. an anode at the opposite end of said cylinder from said cathode and which anode does not penetrate the plane formed by said edge of said cathode; c. from about 5 to about 50 millicuries of nickel-63 disposed around the inner circumference of said cathode, the nickel-63 being thereby positioned so as to emit Beta particles into said chamber; d. entrance and exit port means permitting gaseous matter to enter and to leave said chamber; e. means for maintaining the temperature within said chamber at a selected elevated temperature of at least 225* C; and f. means for impressing a polarizing voltage across said cathode and anode.
- 11. In combination with a gas chromatograph wherein gaseous sample components are eluted from a chromatographic column with a carrier gas, an electron capture ionization detector capable of analysis of said chromatograph effluent at temperatures above 225* C. which comprises: a. a detector body defining a chamber; b. a pair of electrodes in spaced-apart ion detection relationship in said chamber; c. means for conducting the gas sample components from said chromatographic column to said chamber; d. a nickel-63 radioactive source positioned to emit Beta particles into said gas sample components eluting into said chamber; and e. means to maintain an elevated temperature above 225* C. in said chamber.
- 12. A method for analyzing the effluent of a gas chromatograph at elevated temperatures which comprises: a. heating the effluent of a chromatographic column to an elevated temperature in excess of 225* C.; b. conducting said heated effluent to a zone of polarized potential maintained at a temperature greater than 225* C.; c. ionizing said effluent with beta particle emissions from a nickel-63 source while said effluent is in said polarized potential zone; and d. measuring the fluctuation in ion current through the region of polarized potential.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US49709965A | 1965-10-18 | 1965-10-18 | |
FR80314A FR1496910A (en) | 1965-10-18 | 1966-10-17 | Ionization detector |
US86367269A | 1969-09-19 | 1969-09-19 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US3601609A true US3601609A (en) | 1971-08-24 |
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Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US863672A Expired - Lifetime US3601609A (en) | 1965-10-18 | 1969-09-19 | Ionization detection device using a nickel-63 radioactive source |
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US (1) | US3601609A (en) |
FR (1) | FR1496910A (en) |
Cited By (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3870888A (en) * | 1971-05-08 | 1975-03-11 | James Ephraim Lovelock | Electron capture detectors |
US3997466A (en) * | 1972-03-06 | 1976-12-14 | Varian Associates | Metallic foil coated with scandium tritide for use as a beta particle source in an ionization detector at high temperatures and method of manufacture |
US4025794A (en) * | 1974-10-22 | 1977-05-24 | James Ephraim Lovelock | Ionization detectors with iron-55 as a radioactive source |
US4101278A (en) * | 1972-03-06 | 1978-07-18 | Varian Associates, Inc. | Ionization detector utilizing tritiated scandium with an acceptable tritium emanation rate at high temperature |
US4137453A (en) * | 1976-08-31 | 1979-01-30 | Extranuclear Laboratories, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for improving electron capture detectors by collection of ions |
US4721858A (en) * | 1986-04-21 | 1988-01-26 | The United States Of America As Represented By The United States Department Of Energy | Variable pressure ionization detector for gas chromatography |
US5114677A (en) * | 1989-04-03 | 1992-05-19 | Brunswick Corporation | Gas detection apparatus and related method |
US5804828A (en) * | 1996-09-30 | 1998-09-08 | Hewlett-Packard Company | Method and apparatus for optimizing the sensitivity and linearity of an electron capture detector |
EP1170587A1 (en) * | 2000-07-07 | 2002-01-09 | Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. | Total impurity monitor for gases |
US6437513B1 (en) * | 1999-02-19 | 2002-08-20 | Gesellschaft Fuer Schwerionenforschung Mbh | Ionization chamber for ion beams and method for monitoring the intensity of an ion beam |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
IT1262897B (en) * | 1992-03-11 | 1996-07-22 | Proel Tecnologie Spa | PERFECTED PLASMA GENERATOR AND RELATED IONIZATION METHOD |
NL1035591C2 (en) * | 2008-06-17 | 2009-12-18 | Concept To Volume B V | Improved method and apparatus for gas chromatography. |
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US2968730A (en) * | 1957-12-05 | 1961-01-17 | Mine Safety Appliances Co | Method and apparatus for detecting minute concentrations of gases and vapors |
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US3104320A (en) * | 1958-07-29 | 1963-09-17 | Pye Ltd | Apparatus for gas analysis |
US3176135A (en) * | 1960-01-26 | 1965-03-30 | Nat Res Dev | Apparatus for detecting and analysing low gaseous concentrations |
US3361908A (en) * | 1964-01-03 | 1968-01-02 | Barber Colman Co | Method and apparatus for electron attachment detection |
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- 1966-10-17 FR FR80314A patent/FR1496910A/en not_active Expired
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Cited By (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3870888A (en) * | 1971-05-08 | 1975-03-11 | James Ephraim Lovelock | Electron capture detectors |
US3997466A (en) * | 1972-03-06 | 1976-12-14 | Varian Associates | Metallic foil coated with scandium tritide for use as a beta particle source in an ionization detector at high temperatures and method of manufacture |
US4101278A (en) * | 1972-03-06 | 1978-07-18 | Varian Associates, Inc. | Ionization detector utilizing tritiated scandium with an acceptable tritium emanation rate at high temperature |
US4025794A (en) * | 1974-10-22 | 1977-05-24 | James Ephraim Lovelock | Ionization detectors with iron-55 as a radioactive source |
US4137453A (en) * | 1976-08-31 | 1979-01-30 | Extranuclear Laboratories, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for improving electron capture detectors by collection of ions |
US4721858A (en) * | 1986-04-21 | 1988-01-26 | The United States Of America As Represented By The United States Department Of Energy | Variable pressure ionization detector for gas chromatography |
US5114677A (en) * | 1989-04-03 | 1992-05-19 | Brunswick Corporation | Gas detection apparatus and related method |
US5804828A (en) * | 1996-09-30 | 1998-09-08 | Hewlett-Packard Company | Method and apparatus for optimizing the sensitivity and linearity of an electron capture detector |
US6437513B1 (en) * | 1999-02-19 | 2002-08-20 | Gesellschaft Fuer Schwerionenforschung Mbh | Ionization chamber for ion beams and method for monitoring the intensity of an ion beam |
EP1170587A1 (en) * | 2000-07-07 | 2002-01-09 | Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. | Total impurity monitor for gases |
US6606899B1 (en) | 2000-07-07 | 2003-08-19 | Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. | Total impurity monitor for gases |
Also Published As
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