Method and apparatus for the determination of isotopic composition
US4866270A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 31, 1988 |
| Grant date | Sep 12, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 31, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T436/24
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The invention comprises methods and apparatus for the mass spectrometric determination of the isotopic composition of an element comprised in an analysis gas (that is, a gas comprising the element in elemental form or in the form of a simple compound, e.g., nitrogen or carbon dioxide). First and second flows of a carrier gas (e.g., helium) are simultaneously passed into the mass spectrometer, and samples of analysis gas and a reference gas are respectively introduced into the first and second flows during selected time intervals. The time intervals are selected so that mass spectrometric measurements are made on the analysis gas samples in the absence of any signal from the reference gas samples, and v.v. A preferred embodiment comprises a gas chroatograph through which a sample containing the element is passed, and conversion means to convert the eluting sample into the analysis gas.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.