Infrared trace element detection system

An infrared trace element detector for an optical cell containing a sample fluid to be examined comprising:

• means for introducing to the optical cell a sample beam of infrared radiation including a first wavelength band which is significantly absorbed by the trace element and a second wavelength band which is not significantly absorbed by the trace element for passage through said optical cell through the sample fluid;
• a detector means for selectively detecting in said first and second wavelength bands the output intensities of said sample beam of radiation from said optical cell and the intensities of a reference beam of said radiation;
• means, responsive to said means for selectively detecting, for normalizing the sensed output intensity of the sample beam in one of said first and second wavelength bands with respect to the other;
• means, responsive to said means for detecting, for normalizing the sensed intensity of the reference beam in one of said first and second wavelength bands with respect to the other;
• means for comparing the normalized sample beam intensity and the normalized reference beam intensities;
• and
• means, responsive to said means for comparing, for determining the amount of trace element in the sample fluid.

An infrared trace element detection system comprising:

• an optical cell;
• means for introducing to and removing from said optical cell a sample fluid to be examined including a plurality of substantially confronting orifices arranged in opposite sides of said optical cell;
• means for introducing to said optical cell a sample beam of infrared radiation including a first wavelength band which is significantly absorbed by the trace element and a second wavelength band which is not significantly absorbed by the trace element for passage through said optical cell through the sample fluid;
• a detector for selectively detecting in said first and second wavelength bands the output intensities of said sample beam of radiation from said optical cell and the intensities of a reference beam of said infrared radiation;
• means responsive to said detector for normalizing the sensed output intensity of the sample beam in one of said first and second wavelength bands with respect to the other;
• means responsive to said detector for normalizing the sensed intensity of the reference beam in one of said first and second wavelength bands with respect to the other;
• means for comparing the normalized sample beam intensity and the normalized reference beam intensity;
• and
• means responsive to said means for comparing for determining the amount of trace element in the sample fluid.