Patent · US Expired

Spectroscopic plasma torch for microwave induced plasmas

US5083004A · kind A · utility

25Cited by
16References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 9, 1989
Grant dateJan 21, 1992
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 9, 2009

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH05H1/30
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A spectroscopic plasma torch suitable for use at atmospheric pressure is disclosed. The torch utilizes a microwave induced helium plasma confined in a plasma discharge tube. The plasma is suspended and stabilized by a vortex flow of helium. The torch includes a high velocity gas jet for introducing sample materials into the plasma. The design avoids the formation of carbon deposits in the plasma discharge tube caused by the premature pyrolysis of organic materials outside the plasma and prevents other sample materials from being adsorbed on the surface of the plasma tube. Because of these characteristics, the torch is particularly well suited for use as a component in a gas chromatography detector which employs helium as the plasma support gas.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.