Method and apparatus for detecting halogenated hydrocarbons
US5665604A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 18, 1995 |
| Grant date | Sep 9, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 18, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T436/218
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A halogenated hydrocarbon (HHC) detector is formed from a silent discharge (also called a dielectric barrier discharge) plasma generator. A silent discharge plasma device receives a gas sample that may contain one or more HHCs and produces free radicals and excited electrons for oxidizing the HHCs in the gas sample to produce water, carbon dioxide, and an acid including halogens in the HHCs. A detector is used to sensitively detect the presence of the acid. A conductivity cell detector combines the oxidation products with a solvent where dissociation of the acid increases the conductivity of the solvent. The conductivity cell output signal is then functionally related to the presence of HHCs in the gas sample. Other detectors include electrochemical cells, infrared spectrometers, and negative ion mobility spectrometers.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.