WO2024070023A1

WO2024070023A1 - Gas analysis system and gas analysis method

Info

Publication number: WO2024070023A1
Application number: PCT/JP2023/015398
Authority: WO
Inventors: 洋宮本; 邦人川村; 直弘高武; 誠伊藤; 幹夫山本; 知哉齊藤; 良幸山梨; 一浩土橋; 陽介亀井
Original assignee: 日立グローバルライフソリューションズ株式会社
Priority date: 2022-09-27
Filing date: 2023-04-18
Publication date: 2024-04-04
Also published as: JP2024047826A

Abstract

The present invention facilitates, for a gas sensor capable of detecting multiple types of gas, the setting of a measurement condition and an analysis condition that are suited for the objective of analysis. A gas analysis system is provided with a gas sensor 2 that is placed in a measurement space 10, and a gas database 55 for collecting at least an analysis objective, a measurement condition, and an analysis condition, with regard to cases of gas analysis performed with the gas analysis system. The gas analysis system: searches for a similar case from the gas database on the basis of an analysis objective for a gas in the measurement space; sets in the gas sensor a parameter for a measurement condition in a similar case; receives a measurement result of the gas sensor; and performs analysis of the gas in the measurement space on the basis of a parameter and an algorithm for the analysis condition in the similar case.

Description

Gas analysis system and gas analysis method

The present invention relates to a gas analysis system and a gas analysis method.

Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for detecting substances using an odor sensor capable of detecting substances in the atmosphere. In this patent document, a membrane-type surface stress sensor (MSS) is used as the odor sensor. The MSS is equipped with multiple MSS elements with sensitive membranes made of different materials, and enables the detection of many types of substances based on the pattern of output data of the entire MSS obtained by synthesizing output data generated when substances are adsorbed to the MSS elements. For this reason, an analyzer according to the environmental conditions is required because the behavior of the sensor data changes depending on the substance to be analyzed and also on the environmental conditions, and it is pointed out that the implementation of many analyzers is a challenge in order to detect many types of substances with an MSS.

Patent Document 2 discloses a gas sensor (photoacoustic sensor) that utilizes the photoacoustic effect to identify gas components by sealing a measurement gas in a case that forms a closed space called a cell, irradiating it with pulsed light to generate acoustic waves, and identifying the gas components from the peak frequency of these acoustic waves (the frequency at which the intensity is maximum).

International Publication No. 2019/069959 JP 2022-26652 A

Metal oxides and organic semiconductor thin films, which have been widely used as sensor elements in conventional gas sensors, detect specific chemical substances by detecting changes in their characteristics caused by their adhesion to the material. This has resulted in a lack of versatility. The MSS disclosed in Patent Document 1 is capable of detecting multiple types of substances by mounting multiple analyzers, but since it utilizes the phenomenon of adsorption to the sensitive film, it must be said that there are limitations to the substances that can be detected by the MSS.

In contrast, the photoacoustic sensor disclosed in Patent Document 2 utilizes the photoacoustic effect, in which light of a specific wavelength is intermittently (pulsed) irradiated, causing molecules that absorb the light to thermally expand and contract, generating acoustic waves, making it possible to obtain information about the many different components (substances) contained in the gas.

In this way, photoacoustic sensors are able to detect a much wider variety of substances than conventional gas sensors. This is because, as long as the photoacoustic effect occurs, the presence of a substance is reflected in the output signal of the photoacoustic sensor. This is why it is expected that photoacoustic sensors will be used in a wide range of applications where conventional gas sensors have not been used.

If the substance to be detected is known, it is possible to set the photoacoustic sensor with suitable measurement and analysis conditions for that substance. However, there are needs that utilize the photoacoustic sensor's ability to detect a wide variety of substances, such as when the substance in the gas is unknown, but is detected by humans as an odor, or when it is desired to detect some gas component that is a sign of spoilage or deterioration. Even in such cases, it is necessary to be able to set measurement and analysis conditions according to the usage scenario.

The gas analysis system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a gas sensor disposed within a measurement space, a gas database that stores at least the analysis purpose, measurement conditions, and analysis conditions for gas analysis cases carried out by the gas analysis system, an analysis method determination unit that searches for similar cases from the gas database based on the analysis purpose of the gas in the measurement space, and an analysis calculation unit that sets the parameters of the measurement conditions in the similar cases in the gas sensor, receives the measurement results of the gas sensor, and analyzes the gas in the measurement space based on the parameters and algorithms of the analysis conditions in the similar cases.

For gas sensors capable of detecting multiple gas species, it makes it easy to set measurement and analysis conditions suited to the analytical purpose. Other objects and novel features will become apparent from the description in this specification and the accompanying drawings.

1 is a first example of a gas analysis system. 2 is a second example of a gas analysis system. This is the basic configuration of a gas sensor. 2 is an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing device. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the gas analyzer. 1 is an example of a data structure of a gas database. 4 is a flowchart of a gas analysis process. 1 is an example of a photoacoustic signal spectrum. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a first analysis example. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a second analysis example. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a third analysis example.

Below, an embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1A shows a first example of a gas analysis system. The space in which the gas to be measured exists is called the measurement space. The gas analysis system 1a includes a gas analysis device 4, a user terminal 5 accessed by a user, and an administrator terminal 6 accessed by a service provider, all of which are connected to each other via a network 7a so that they can communicate with each other. Here, a user is someone who has a need to solve some kind of problem through gas analysis, and a service provider is someone who provides gas analysis using the gas analysis device 4 as a service.

The measurement output of the gas sensor 2 is affected by the temperature and humidity of the measurement space 10. Therefore, in order to simultaneously measure the environment of the measurement space 10, which affects the measurement output, an environmental sensor 3 that measures temperature, humidity, etc. is provided in the measurement space 10. These are connected to the gas analyzer 4 via the network 7b so that they can communicate with each other.

There are no limitations on the type of gas to be measured or the measurement format. For example, gas analysis may be performed by placing gas sensors in a large space such as a factory or warehouse for the purpose of environmental conservation or anomaly detection. Alternatively, gas analysis may be performed by placing the food or cosmetic to be measured in an enclosed space for the purpose of food or cosmetic development or quality assurance. In this way, the environment of the measurement space may be either a strictly controlled environment or the natural environment, depending on the purpose of the measurement.

The measurement output of the gas sensor 2 and the measurement output of the environmental sensor 3 are transmitted to the gas analyzer 4, which measures the gas in the measurement space 10. The analysis results by the gas analyzer 4 are displayed on the user terminal 5.

Figure 1B shows a second example of a gas analysis system. Gas analysis system 1a is configured to be suitable for applications such as monitoring measurement results, while gas analysis system 1b is configured to control equipment based on the measurement results. Control device 8 receives the measurement results from gas analysis device 4 and controls drive device 9. Examples of applications include air conditioning control, production line control, plant control, and issuance of mechanical equipment alarms.

Gas sensor 2 is a photoacoustic sensor as disclosed in Patent Document 2. The basic configuration of gas sensor 2 will be explained using Figure 2.

The gas sensor 2 includes at least a gas cell 13 that forms an internal space and stores the gas to be measured, light sources A 12a to N 12n that irradiate light onto the gas in the gas cell 13, and a microphone 15 that detects the acoustic waves of the gas in the gas cell 13. The gas cell 13 is provided with at least two connection holes 14 that connect the internal space in the gas cell 13 to the external space in order to circulate gas within the gas cell 13.

The light from light sources A12a to N12n is irradiated from a light entrance portion formed in the gas cell 13 toward the internal space. Various light sources can be used for the light sources A12a to N12n, such as semiconductor lasers, gas lasers, and LEDs. The light sources A12a to N12n emit light intermittently (in pulses) to provide light energy to the gas stored in the gas cell 13. This causes specific gas components in the gas cell 13 to repeatedly expand and contract due to heat, generating acoustic waves.

The measurable gas components are determined by the wavelength of the light irradiated from light sources A 12a to N 12n. One gas component may be detected by a feature based on the acoustic wave characteristics of light from one light source 12, or one gas component may be detected by a feature based on multiple acoustic wave characteristics of light from multiple light sources 12. When an LED is used as the light source 12, the desired wavelength can be obtained by using an optical filter that transmits a specified wavelength.

The light sources A12a to N12n are controlled to emit light in a pulsed manner by the drive circuits A11a to N11n, respectively. The drive circuits A11a to N11n shift the emission timing so that one of the light sources A12a to N12n emits light, and sweep the emission frequency to search for the peak frequency at which the intensity of the acoustic wave detected by the microphone 15 is maximized. For this reason, the drive circuits A11a to N11n are driven at a timing and frequency determined by the control circuit unit 18. The control circuit unit 18 is composed of a microcomputer, an input/output circuit, etc., and executes a predetermined function by control software stored in a ROM built into the microcomputer. The control circuit unit 18 has, for example, a function (light source drive function) to change the frequency of the drive circuits A11a to N11n. In addition, it may have a function (gas estimation function) to determine the type and concentration of gas components from the acoustic wave.

The operation of drive circuit A11a and light source A12a will be described below, but the other drive circuits B11b to N11n and light sources B12b to N12n also operate in a similar manner. The acoustic waves generated by the intermittent emission of light from light source A12a and detected by microphone 15 are converted into an electrical signal by detection circuit unit 16, and furthermore noise is removed by signal processing unit 17, and the signal is amplified and sent to control circuit unit 18. Control circuit unit 18 determines the drive frequency of drive circuit A11a that produces this peak frequency from the peak frequency at which the intensity of the acoustic wave is maximized.

In other words, since the light emission frequency of the light source A12a and the frequency of the acoustic wave are almost the same, the drive frequency of the drive circuit A11a is obtained to obtain a more accurate frequency. This drive frequency is generated by the control circuit unit 18 itself, so this drive frequency can be obtained. The peak frequency at which the intensity of this acoustic wave is at its maximum and the intensity are temporarily stored in the memory 19. These are just examples, and if there are multiple peak frequencies, each peak frequency may be stored, or the dependence of the intensity of the acoustic wave on the light emission frequency (spectrum) may be stored. The data to be stored depends on the algorithm for calculating the feature amount for detecting the gas components. The memory 19 is a rewritable memory, and memories such as battery-backed RAM, flash ROM, and RAM of a microcomputer can be used.

The gas sensor 2 further includes a communication unit 20, and is connected to the gas analyzer 4 via the network 7b. The measurement results stored in the memory 19 are sent to the gas analyzer 4 so that the gas analyzer 4 can perform gas analysis of the measurement space 10. On the other hand, if the control circuit unit 18 is provided with a gas estimation function, the measurement results of the environmental sensor 3 are imported via the gas analyzer 4 to perform gas analysis of the measurement space 10, and the analysis results (gas estimation results) are sent to the gas analyzer 4.

The gas analyzer 4, the user terminal 5, and the administrator terminal 6 are each realized by an information processing device 30 including a processor (CPU) 31, a memory 32, a storage device 33, an input device 34, an output device 35, a communication device 36, and a bus 37 as main components as shown in FIG. 3. The processor 31 functions as a functional unit that provides a specified function by executing processing according to a program loaded in the memory 32. The storage device 33 stores data and programs used in the functional unit. For the storage device 33, a non-volatile storage medium such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive) is used. The input device 34 is a keyboard, a pointing device, etc., and the output device 35 is a display, etc. The communication device 36 enables communication with other information processing devices via a network. These are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other via the bus 37.

In addition, some or all of the functions of the gas analyzer 4 may be realized as an application on the cloud.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the gas analyzer 4. The gas analyzer 4 has functional sections of an analysis unit 41, an analysis improvement unit 45, and a storage unit 50. The analysis unit 41 includes an analysis method determination unit 42 that determines an analysis method using gas analysis cases using a photoacoustic sensor stored in a gas database (gas DB) 55, and an analysis calculation unit 43 that performs gas analysis based on the determined analysis method. For example, the scent DB 56 stores measured features for each substance, and the analysis calculation unit 43 identifies the gas contained in the gas by comparing the measured features with the features stored in the scent DB 56. The analysis improvement unit 45 includes a database update unit 46 that updates the gas DB 55, and an analysis calculation adjustment unit 47 that adjusts the parameters and algorithms of the measurement conditions and analysis conditions for performing the gas analysis.

The storage unit 50 stores setting data 51, which is parameters of the measurement conditions and analysis conditions for performing gas analysis, algorithm data 52, which is an algorithm for performing gas analysis, result data 53, which includes the measurement results performed by the gas sensor 2 and the analysis results based on the measurement results, external data 54 related to gas analysis, a gas DB 55 that accumulates gas analysis cases of the gas analyzer 4, and a scent DB 56 that accumulates scent information. The setting data 51 stores parameters used in the cases registered in the gas DB 55. The algorithm data 52 stores an analysis algorithm according to the analysis content. There are many analysis methods depending on the analysis purpose. For example, the appropriate analysis algorithm differs when it is desired to detect a specific odor, when it is desired to detect a specific odor in an environment with an unknown impurity odor, or when it is desired to detect some abnormal odor. For this reason, multiple analysis algorithms are stored so that an analysis algorithm according to the analysis purpose can be selected. The contents of the result data 53 are reflected in the scent DB 56 at any time and are used for analysis by the gas analyzer 4.

5 shows an example of the data structure of the gas DB 55. In the gas DB 55, gas analysis cases by the gas analysis system are stored as records. In the gas DB 55, for each case (project), the field 61, analysis purpose 62, gas type 63, feature amount 64, measurement conditions 65, analysis conditions 66, analysis results 67, and external evaluation results 68 are registered. In the field 61, the field of the case is registered. The field is classified by the service provider for each case according to the measurement target and analysis task, such as brewing, flavoring, and food. By appropriately classifying the cases, it becomes easy to search for cases similar to the project in which the gas analyzer 4 is going to perform the measurement. Here, an example is shown in which one case is assigned to one classification, but the service provider may define tags indicating the characteristics of the case in advance and assign one or more corresponding tags to the case. In the analysis purpose 62, the analysis purpose of the case is registered. For example, it may be "to detect the generation of gas A in the brewing process" or "to identify characteristic gases contained in the brewed alcohol that have a negative effect on the quality." In the gas type 63, one or more gas species detected in the case are registered. For each gas species registered in the gas type 63, a feature amount 64, a measurement condition 65, an analysis condition 66, and an analysis result 67 are registered. In the example of FIG. 5, one measurement condition and one analysis condition are set for one gas species, but two or more measurement conditions or two or more analysis conditions may be set for one gas species, and in this case, records are added accordingly. In the feature amount 64, a feature amount of the acoustic wave of the detected gas species is registered, and includes, for example, a peak frequency, the intensity of the acoustic wave at that time, and a molecular weight. In the measurement condition 65, a measurement condition when the gas species is detected is registered, and includes, for example, a light source wavelength, an irradiation time, and the like. In the analysis condition 66, an analysis condition for detecting the gas species is registered, and includes, for example, a preprocessing method such as a noise reduction process, an analysis algorithm for identifying the gas species from the output of the gas sensor, and a threshold value for determining whether or not the gas species is the relevant gas species. In the analysis result 67, a result of analysis of the relevant gas species in the case is registered. The external evaluation results 68 register evaluation results related to each case. For example, if the case is the measurement of a fragrance, a human evaluation of the acceptability of the fragrance's scent is registered. Specific examples of the external evaluation results 68 will be described later.

The database may have any format, and data may be written directly into the fields for the feature quantities 64, measurement conditions 65, analysis conditions 66, analysis results 67, and external evaluation results 68, or the addresses of the memory unit 50 in which these contents are stored may be written. In this case, the link for the feature quantities 64 or analysis results 67 is followed to access the contents of the result data 53, the link for the measurement conditions 65 or analysis conditions 66 is followed to access the contents of the setting data 51, and the link for the external evaluation results 68 is followed to access the external data 54.

The process flow of gas analysis by the gas analysis system 1a will be explained using Figure 6. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the user has a specific need to solve some problem by measuring gas, but has no knowledge of what gas species is causing the problem. For this reason, in this embodiment, the measurement conditions and analysis conditions of similar cases are used.

The user's analysis objective is input from the administrator terminal 6 to the gas analyzer 4 (S01). In this embodiment, it is assumed that the gas analysis is performed by the service provider, but it may also be performed by the user. The analysis method determination unit 42 compares the input analysis objective with the analysis objective 62 (see FIG. 5) in the gas DB 55, and searches for similar cases (S02). Note that the search may be narrowed down by using classification and other information. The service provider uses the measurement conditions and analysis conditions of the searched similar cases as the measurement conditions and analysis conditions of this case (S03), and performs the gas analysis (S04).

FIG. 7 shows an example of a photoacoustic signal spectrum obtained by the control circuit section 18 of the gas sensor 2. The horizontal axis is the emission frequency, and the vertical axis is the intensity of the acoustic wave. Different photoacoustic signal spectra are obtained by irradiating light from light sources with different wavelengths. Photoacoustic signal spectra 71 to 73 are photoacoustic signal spectra obtained by emitting light from LEDs 1 to 3 with different wavelengths for the same gas type. For example, the gas type can be identified using the emission frequency and acoustic wave intensity of the peak of the photoacoustic signal spectrum as features. The gas type may be identified using the photoacoustic signal spectrum of an LED of a certain wavelength, or the gas type may be identified using the photoacoustic signal spectrum of LEDs of multiple wavelengths. For example, in the example of FIG. 7, the maximum peak of the photoacoustic signal spectrum is obtained at the same emission frequency, and it is also possible to identify the gas type from the ratio of these photoacoustic signal intensities. It is desirable to use an analysis method that can distinguish the gas type to be measured from other gas types with high sensitivity. In the aroma DB 56, such photoacoustic signal spectra or features extracted from the photoacoustic signal spectra are registered together with the substance name and measurement conditions.

If the analysis objective is not achieved by the gas analysis, the measurement conditions or analysis conditions are reviewed (S03) and the gas analysis is performed again (S04). Alternatively, the gas DB may be searched again (S02), and the measurement and analysis conditions for the gas analysis may be determined again based on another similar case (S03), and the gas analysis may be performed again (S04).

When the analysis objective is achieved, the analysis is completed and the results of the gas analysis are displayed on the user terminal 5 (S06). The analysis calculation adjustment unit 47 also stores the measurement conditions and analysis conditions adjusted based on the conditions set during the gas analysis as setting data 51 for the case in question, making them reusable (S07). The database update unit 46 also updates the database by adding information about the gas analysis performed to the gas DB 55 and adding the results of the gas analysis to the aroma DB 56 (S08).

Below, we explain an example of analysis using Gas DB55.

(Analysis Example 1)
Figure 8 shows a first analysis example. Let us assume that the purpose of the analysis was to "detect abnormalities during brewing early." In the initial measurement and analysis conditions, gas types X, Y, and Z were identified under the measurement and analysis conditions that detect unspecified gas types, and the strongest gas type among them was gas type X. If the results indicate that the presence of gas type X indicates an abnormality during brewing, the measurement and analysis conditions are changed to measurement and analysis conditions that accurately detect gas type X, and measurement is continued.

When gas analysis is performed continuously in this manner, gas type X is added to the gas DB 55 as a case of detection, and the parameters of the measurement conditions and analysis conditions are stored in the setting data 51. This makes it possible to detect anomalies during brewing in similar cases by focusing on gas type X from the beginning. Note that adding a record is just one example of an update method, and the record for the analysis itself may be updated.

(Analysis Example 2)
FIG. 9 shows a second analysis example. The analysis objective is "to evaluate fragrances (A+B)". However, assume that analyses have been carried out in the past for each of the analysis objectives, "to evaluate fragrance A" and "to evaluate fragrance B". From these past analysis results, feature quantities obtained for the analysis objective "to evaluate fragrances (A+B)" can be estimated. In this case, feature quantities are first calculated from existing evaluation results without performing actual measurements. If the feature quantities calculated from existing evaluation results are insufficient for the analysis objective, actual measurements are performed. By utilizing past analysis results in this way, analysis results for the analysis objective can be obtained early.

FIG. 9 also shows an example of an external evaluation result 68. In this case, the results of a sensory test performed on fragrances A and B are registered as the external evaluation results. For example, the user transfers the sensory test results performed on fragrances A and B from the user terminal 5 to the gas analyzer 4, and the storage unit 50 of the gas analyzer 4 stores the sensory test results as external data 54. When displaying the results to the user (S06), the analysis calculation unit 43 displays the sensory test results together with the gas analysis results for the fragrances. In this example, high acceptability was obtained for fragrance A, and particularly high intensity was obtained for gas type L. On the other hand, low acceptability was obtained for fragrance B, and particularly high intensity was obtained for gas type N. From this, it is estimated that gas type L may be related to a high evaluation, and gas type N may be related to a low evaluation, and they can be recognized as gas types of interest in the analysis of fragrances. The external evaluation results are not limited to the evaluation results of the target, and may be any information related to the purpose of the analysis.

(Analysis Example 3)
A third analysis example is shown in FIG. 10. The purpose of the analysis is to "pre-detect spoilage of vegetables stored in a warehouse." In this example, information on whether the vegetables are spoiled or not is registered as an external evaluation result 68. For example, a user checks the status of the vegetables stored in the warehouse in accordance with the timing of measuring the gas in the warehouse, transfers the status from the user terminal 5 to the gas analyzer 4, and stores the status as external data 54 in the memory unit 50 of the gas analyzer 4. It is also assumed that it is known in advance that gas type O is generated during spoilage.

In the first measurement shown in record 81, both gas type O and gas type P were detected, but external evaluation result 68 indicated that spoilage had already begun. On the other hand, in the second measurement shown in record 82, gas type O was not detected, but gas type P was. From this, it can be seen that gas type O is a gas generated by spoilage and is not suitable for advance detection of spoilage, and further examination of changes in gas type P may provide insight that leads to advance detection of spoilage. In this way, analysis calculation unit 43 displays the gas analysis results together with the external evaluation results, allowing the user to continue measurement and analysis while changing the gas type of interest.

In analysis example 3, records may be updated or added in the same way as in analysis example 1. For example, the analysis purpose "to detect spoilage of vegetables in advance" may be updated to "to detect spoilage of vegetables in advance (to detect gas type P)" or a record may be added. This update may be based on an instruction from a user or may be performed automatically by the analysis improvement unit 45. For example, the analysis calculation adjustment unit 47 refers to the external evaluation result 68 and changes the measurement conditions and/or analysis conditions so that the measurement targets are narrowed down to only those gas types detected when the external evaluation result is "not spoiled". In other words, the measurement conditions and analysis conditions are changed to those for measuring the narrowed down gas type. In response to this change, the database update unit 46 updates or adds records to the gas DB 55.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes various modified examples. For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail to clearly explain the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to those having all of the configurations described. Furthermore, it is possible to replace part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, and it is also possible to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. Furthermore, it is possible to add, delete, or replace part of the configuration of each embodiment with other configurations.

For example, in the embodiment, an example was shown in which gas analysis was performed by the gas analyzer 4, but a program that executes the analysis calculation unit 43 of the gas analyzer 4 may be implemented in the user terminal 5 or the control device 8, and the analysis calculation may be performed on the user side. At this time, the setting data 51 and algorithm data 52 required by the analysis calculation unit 43 are also transferred from the gas analyzer 4 to the user side. Also, in the flowchart of FIG. 6, an example was described in which the user's analysis purpose is input to the gas analyzer 4 from the administrator terminal 6 in step S01, but the user himself may input the analysis purpose to the gas analyzer 4 from the user terminal 5. Also, in step S06, an example was described in which the results of the gas analysis are displayed on the user terminal 5, but the results may be displayed on the administrator terminal 6 or on both terminals.

1: Gas analysis system, 2: Gas sensor, 3: Environmental sensor, 4: Gas analyzer, 5: User terminal, 6: Administrator terminal, 7: Network, 8: Control device, 9: Drive device, 10: Measurement space, 11: Drive circuit, 12: Light source, 13: Gas cell, 14: Connection hole, 15: Microphone, 16: Detection circuit section, 17: Signal processing section, 18: Control circuit section, 19: Memory, 20: Communication section, 30: Information processing device, 31: Processor (CPU), 32: Memory, 33: Storage device, 34: Input device, 35: Output device, 36: Communication device, 37: bus, 41: analysis unit, 42: analysis method determination unit, 43: analysis calculation unit, 45: analysis improvement unit, 46: database update unit, 47: analysis calculation adjustment unit, 50: memory unit, 51: setting data, 52: algorithm data, 53: result data, 54: external data, 55: gas database, 56: scent database, 61: field, 62: analysis purpose, 63: gas type, 64: feature amount, 65: measurement conditions, 66: analysis conditions, 67: analysis results, 68: external evaluation results, 71, 72, 73: photoacoustic signal spectrum, 81, 82: records.

Claims

A gas analysis system for analyzing a gas, comprising:
a gas sensor disposed in the measurement space;
A gas database that stores at least the analysis purpose, measurement conditions, and analysis conditions for gas analysis cases performed by the gas analysis system;
an analysis method determination unit that searches the gas database for similar cases based on an analysis purpose of the gas in the measurement space;
and an analysis calculation unit that sets parameters of the measurement conditions in the similar case in the gas sensor, receives the measurement results of the gas sensor, and analyzes the gas in the measurement space based on the parameters and algorithms of the analysis conditions in the similar case.
In claim 1,
The gas sensor is a photoacoustic sensor that identifies a gas type by utilizing a photoacoustic effect that occurs when light is irradiated onto a gas in the measurement space,
A gas analysis system, wherein the parameters of the measurement conditions include at least one of a wavelength of the light and an irradiation time of the light.
In claim 1,
The gas database further stores characteristic quantities of gas species measured in gas analysis cases performed by the gas analysis system,
The analysis calculation unit calculates characteristic quantities of gas species in analysis examples of the gas in the measurement space from characteristic quantities of gas species measured in the examples stored in the gas database.
In claim 1,
a database update unit that registers an analysis example of the gas in the measurement space in the gas database;
and an analysis calculation adjustment unit that registers parameters of measurement conditions and parameters of analysis conditions in an analysis example of the gas in the measurement space.
In claim 4,
The database update unit is a gas analysis system in which an analysis case of a gas in the measurement space is continuously performed and, when the analysis method is changed, updates the measurement conditions and analysis conditions registered for the analysis case of the gas in the measurement space to match the change.
In claim 4,
The analysis calculation adjustment unit is a gas analysis system in which, when a parameter of a measurement condition or a parameter of an analysis condition is changed in an analysis case of a gas in the measurement space, the analysis calculation adjustment unit updates the parameter of a measurement condition or the parameter of an analysis condition registered for the analysis case of the gas in the measurement space to match the change.
In claim 4,
The gas database further accumulates external evaluation results of gas analysis cases performed using the gas analysis system,
The gas analysis system, wherein the analysis calculation adjustment unit changes measurement conditions and/or analysis conditions in response to the external evaluation result.
In claim 1,
The gas database further accumulates external evaluation results of gas analysis cases performed using the gas analysis system,
When an external evaluation result is registered for an analysis case of gas in the measurement space, the analysis calculation unit displays the registered external evaluation result on an output device together with the analysis result of gas in the measurement space based on the characteristic quantities of the gas species measured in the case stored in the gas database.
A gas analysis method using a gas analysis system for analyzing a gas, comprising:
The gas analysis system includes a gas sensor disposed in a measurement space, a gas database that stores at least an analysis purpose, a measurement condition, and an analysis condition for a gas analysis example performed by the gas analysis system, an analysis method determination unit, and an analysis calculation unit;
the analysis method determination unit searches the gas database for similar cases based on an analysis purpose of the gas in the measurement space;
The gas analysis method includes setting parameters of measurement conditions in the similar case in the gas sensor, receiving a measurement result from the gas sensor, and analyzing the gas in the measurement space based on the parameters of the analysis conditions in the similar case and an algorithm.
In claim 9,
The gas sensor is a photoacoustic sensor that identifies a gas type by utilizing a photoacoustic effect that occurs when light is irradiated onto a gas in the measurement space,
The gas analysis method, wherein the parameters of the measurement conditions include at least a wavelength of the light and an irradiation time of the light.
In claim 9,
The gas database further accumulates characteristic quantities of gas species measured in gas analysis cases performed by the gas analysis system,
The gas analysis method, wherein the analysis calculation unit calculates characteristic quantities of gas species in analysis examples of the gas in the measurement space from characteristic quantities of gas species measured in the examples stored in the gas database.
In claim 9,
The gas analysis system further includes a database update unit and an analysis and calculation adjustment unit.
the database update unit registers an analysis example of the gas in the measurement space in the gas database;
The gas analysis method, wherein the analysis calculation adjustment unit registers parameters of measurement conditions and parameters of analysis conditions in an analysis example of the gas in the measurement space.
In claim 12,
The gas analysis method includes a database update unit for updating the measurement conditions and analysis conditions registered for an analysis case of the gas in the measurement space in accordance with a change in the analysis method, the analysis case being an analysis case in which the analysis case of the gas in the measurement space is continuously performed and the analysis method is changed.
In claim 12,
The gas analysis method includes, when a parameter of a measurement condition or a parameter of an analysis condition is changed in an analysis case of the gas in the measurement space, updating the parameter of the measurement condition or the parameter of the analysis condition registered for the analysis case of the gas in the measurement space to match the change.
In claim 9,
The gas database further accumulates external evaluation results of gas analysis cases performed using the gas analysis system,
When an external evaluation result is registered for an analysis case of gas in the measurement space, the analysis calculation unit displays the registered external evaluation result together with the analysis result of gas in the measurement space on an output device based on characteristic quantities of the gas species measured in the case stored in the gas database.