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US 6,183,695 B2Granted
Reagentless oxidation reactor and methods for using same
AssigneeSievers Instruments, Inc.
InventorsRichard D. Godec, Paul P. Kosenka, Richard S. Hutte
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An improved apparatus and method is disclosed utilizing hydrogen absorption in combination with photolysis and/or electrolysis for in situ generation, i.e., without the need for adding chemical oxidizing agents, or enhancement of oxidizing conditions used to promote oxidation of organic compounds to form carbon dioxide, and the use of the same in connection with high-accuracy determination of even extremely low levels of organic and/or inorganic carbon compounds both in flowing aqueous streams and in bulk solutions.
Claims21
An apparatus for the measurement of carbon compounds in an aqueous sample, comprising:
- (a) an oxidation reactor for the conversion of organic compounds in an aqueous sample to carbon dioxide, said reactor comprising:
- (i) means for containing said aqueous sample in said reactor for a controlled period of time such that a portion of said sample is in contact with a surface of a hydrogen absorbing member;
- (ii) means for providing energy to said sample while contained in said reactor;
- (iii) means for surface regeneration of said surface of a hydrogen absorbing member to restore said surface for further hydrogen absorption;
- and
- (b) a carbon dioxide sensor in communication with said oxidation reactor to determine the carbon concentration in the aqueous sample coming from said reactor.
3 more elements
An apparatus for the measurement of carbon compounds in an aqueous sample comprising:
- (a) an oxidation reactor for the conversion of organic compounds in aqueous sample to carbon dioxide, said reactor comprising:
- (i) means for containing said aqueous sample in said reactor for a controlled period of time such that at least a portion of said sample is in contact with a surface of a hydrogen absorbing member comprising an electrically conductive material;
- and
- (ii) means for providing energy to said sample while contained ins said reactor;
- and
- (b) a carbon dioxide sensor in communication with said oxidation reactor to determine the carbon concentration in the aqueous sample coming from said reactor
- said apparatus further comprising a second electrically conductive member spaced apart from said hydrogen absorbing member and separated therefrom by said sample contained in said reactor, and
- further comprising means for establishing a first electrical potential across the sample whereby said hydrogen absorbing member functions as a cathode and said second electrically conductive member functions as an anode and also for periodically reversing the electrical polarity between said two members to establish a second reverse electrical potential whereby said hydrogen absorbing member functions as an anode relative to said second electrically conductive member.
5 more elements
An apparatus for converting organic compounds in an aqueous sample to oxides, said apparatus comprising:
- (a) a chamber for containing said aqueous sample during the conversion of said compounds into oxides, said chamber comprising at least in part, a hydrogen absorbing member wherein hydrogen is absorbed by or diffuses into said member;
- (b) an ultraviolet light source to irradiate said chamber with ultraviolet light;
- and,
- (c) means for periodically flushing said chamber with a cleansing fluid to remove hydrogen from said hydrogen-absorbing member.
1 more element
An apparatus for converting organic compounds in an aqueous sample to their respective oxides, said apparatus comprising:
- (a) a chamber for containing said aqueous sample during the conversion of said organic compounds into their respective oxides, said chamber comprising at least in part an inorganic, hydrogen absorbing, electrically-conductive member wherein hydrogen is absorbed by or diffuses into said member;
- (b) an ultraviolet light source to irradiate said chamber with ultraviolet light;
- (c) an electrolysis cell comprising a second electrically-conductive member, spaced apart from said hydrogen-absorbing member and positioned between the sample in the chamber and the ultraviolet light source, said second electrically-conductive member being able to transmit at least some ultraviolet light;
- and,
- (d) means for electrically connecting said hydrogen absorbing member and said second electrically-conductive member to a power supply so as to establish a first electrical potential across said chamber between said hydrogen absorbing member and said second electrically-conductive member, whereby said hydrogen absorbing member functions as a cathode and said second electrically-conductive member functions as an anode, and also for periodically reversing the electrical polarity between said two members to establish a second, reverse electrical potential, whereby said hydrogen absorbing member functions as an anode relative to said second electrically-conductive member.
2 more elements
A reactor comprising:
- (a) a chamber defining a liquid flow path extending from an input port to an output port, said chamber including an electrically-conductive, hydrogen-absorbing sheet member defining a lateral boundary of said flow path, and
- wherein said chamber includes second electrically-conductive element at or adjacent to a lateral boundary of said flow path opposite to said sheet member, said second element being electrically isolated from said sheet member and able to transmit at least some ultraviolet light;
- (b) means for coupling a power source between said second element and said sheet member for establishing said second element as an anode relative to said sheet member;
- (c) means for alternately coupling said power source between said sheet member and second element for establishing said second element as a cathode relative to said sheet member;
- and
- (d) an ultraviolet light source positioned outside said chamber and adjacent to said second element whereby ultraviolet light is coupled into said chamber.
3 more elements
A reactor apparatus for substantially completely converting the organic compounds in a portion of an aqueous sample to carbon dioxide, said apparatus comprising:
- (a) an electrolysis cell comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, and a liquid flow path for flowing a substantial portion therebetween;
- (b) an ultraviolet light source to irradiate said electrolysis cell with ultraviolet light to promote the conversion of organic compounds to carbon dioxide, further wherein one of said first and second electrodes is located between said ultraviolet light source and said aqueous sample in said electrolysis cell and is able to transmit at least some ultraviolet light and the other of said electrodes comprises an inorganic, hydrogen-absorbing material;
- and,
- (c) means for electrically connecting said first and second electrodes to a power supply so as to alternately establish a first electrical potential across said electrolysis cell whereby said hydrogen-absorbing electrode functions as a cathode, or so as to establish a second electrical potential across said electrolysis cell whereby said hydrogen-absorbing electrode functions as an anode.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.