Flow cell humidity sensor system
AssigneeAgilent Technologies, Inc.
InventorBill Peck
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Abstract
A system for monitoring water concentration in gaseous sample is disclosed. It is readily applicable in the synthesis of biopolymer arrays/microarrays involving the use of water-sensitive reagents. A flow cell is provided in which a capacitance sensor is placed separate from a production or synthesis environment. Sample and dry gas may be provided to the flow cell via conduits and valves or a manifold system. Dry gas, such as N2, is used to dry the sensor or simply to maintain it in a dried condition. The same gas may be used to drive an optional venturi pump to draw sample for measurement into the cell from the synthesis environment.
Claims21
A capacitance measurement system for determining water content of a gaseous sample comprising:
- a body defining a chamber having first and second ports, said chamber containing a capacitance sensor probe,
- first and second valves, said first valve in communication with said first port and said second valve in communication with said second port, and
- a dry gas source to pass dry gas over said sensor probe to dehydrate it.
A method of capacitance measurement for determining water content of a gaseous sample from a synthesis environment comprising:
- flowing dry gas over a capacitance sensor apart from said synthesis environment so said sensor desorbs water,
- terminating said flowing of dry gas, and
- flowing sample form said synthesis environment over said sensor to measure water content of said sample.
A capacitance measurement system for determining water content of a gaseous sample comprising:
- a body defining a chamber containing a capacitance sensor probe, a dry gas source, and a venturi device,
- wherein said system is configured so said venturi device produces a negative pressure within said chamber in one state, and
- wherein said system is configured so said dry gas source provides a flow of dry gas within said chamber to pass over said sensor probe to dehydrate it in another state.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.