Thermal desorber assembly for high-volume sampling filters
AssigneesSignature Science, LLC, The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Homeland Security
InventorsJoseph A. DiCicco, Paul M. Flanigan, IV, David Perry, John Brady, Barry Smith
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed is a thermal desorber assembly for desorbing substances collected on a high-volume sampling (HVS) filter. The assembly includes, among other elements, a filter holder for securing a HVS filter within the assembly, a desorber body, and an insulating enclosure. The design of the thermal desorber assembly is such that it can accommodate a variety of different types of HVS filter media. Also described herein is a system comprising the thermal desorber assembly and method of using the assembly.
Claims20
A thermal desorber assembly for a high-volume sampling (HVS) filter, comprising:
- a. a tilter holder having a first portion and a second portion hingedly secured to the first portion, wherein the first and second portions are configured to rotate about a hinged axis from an open position to a closed position,
- wherein the first and second portions each define a respective filter hole, wherein at least one of the first or second portions defines a recess that at least partially surrounds the respective filter hole and is configured to receive a filter therein,
- wherein the filter holes of the first and second portions align when the first and second portions are in the closed position, and wherein the first and second portions cooperate to secure the filter in place within the recess of the at least one of the first and second portions when the first and second portions are in the closed position;
- b. a desorber body defining a cavity configured to receive the filter holder when the first and second portions of the holder are in the closed position,
- the desorber body further defining an inlet configured to connect to a mass flow controller and an outlet configured to connect to a vapor collection system or an analytical detection system,
- wherein the inlet and the outlet at least partially align with the recessed filter holes of the first and second portions of the filter holder when the filter holder is inserted into the cavity;
- and
- c. an insulating enclosure configured to receive the desorber body therein.
A thermal desorber assembly system for a high-volume sampling (HVS) filter, comprising:
- a. a mass flow controller,
- b. a collection/detection apparatus, wherein the collection/detection apparatus comprises a vapor collection apparatus or an analytical detection apparatus;
- c. a filter holder having a first portion and a second portion hingedly secured to the first portion, wherein the first and second portions are configured to rotate about a hinged axis from an open position to a closed position,
- wherein the first and second portions each define a respective filter hole, wherein at least one of the first or second portions defines a recess that at least partially surrounds the respective filter hole and is configured to receive a filter therein,
- wherein the filter holes of the first and second portions align when the first and second portions are in the closed position, and wherein the first and second portions cooperate to secure the filter in place within the recess of the at least one of the first and second portions when the first and second portions are in the closed position;
- d. a desorber body defining a cavity configured to receive the filter holder when the first and second portions of the holder are in the closed position,
- the desorber body further defining an inlet connected to the mass flow controller and an outlet connected to the collection/detection apparatus,
- wherein the inlet and the outlet at least partially align with the recessed filter holes of the first and second portions of the filter holder when the filter holder is inserted into the cavity;
- and
- e. an insulating enclosure configured to receive the desorber body therein.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.