Method and apparatus for determining a total concentration of a component in a mixture of components

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for determining a total concentration of a component in a sample, including a reactor for oxidizing or reducing the sample, a chromatographic column coupled to the reactor for separating the component in the sample, and an electrochemical gas sensor coupled to the chromatographic column for detecting the component. In further embodiments, a filter may be used instead of or in addition to the column. Moreover, multiple sensors may be used instead of or in addition to the column for simultaneously detecting multiple components.

1 . An apparatus for determining a total concentration of a desired component in a sample, comprising:
 a reactor for oxidizing or reducing the sample;   a gas chromatograph column coupled to said reactor for separating the component in the sample;   at least two chemical filters coupled to said reactor, each chemical filter for filtering out a different undesirable component and for permitting the desired component to pass through based upon chemical properties of the undesirable and desirable components; and   a detector directly coupled to each of said at least two filters for detecting the desired component.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said detector is a plurality of electrochemical sensors for detecting multiple components. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a chromatographic column positioned between said reactor and said filter for separating the component in the sample. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least two filters are arranged in parallel to one another. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least two filters permit the desired component to pass through. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said plurality of electrochemical sensors have a mechanism to adjust the sensors. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein said the adjustment mechanism on said electrochemical sensors is selectively adjustable to detect for the presence of a selected one of a plurality of components. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein plurality of electrochemical sensors simultaneously detect for the presence of gas components in the sample. 
     
     
         9 . A method for determining a total concentration of a component in a sample, comprising the steps of:
 oxidizing or reducing the sample in a reactor;   using a first chemical filter for filtering out a first undesirable component and permitting a desirable component to pass through based upon chemical properties of the undesirable and desirable components;   using a second chemical filter for filtering out a second undesirable component and permitting a desirable component to pass through based upon chemical properties of the undesirable and desirable components; and   directly coupling a detector to each filter for detecting the desirable component.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , further comprising the step of separating the sample into its respective components. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 9 , further comprising the step of arranging the at least two filters in parallel with one another. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 9 , further comprising the step of separating the component from the sample using at least one electrochemical gas sensor. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 9 , further comprising the step of coupling a plurality of electrochemical gas sensors to the separating device for detecting multiple components. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 9 , further comprising the step of using a gas chromatograph column for filtering out undesirable components 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus for determining a total concentration of various components in a sample, comprising:
 a reactor for oxidizing or reducing the sample;   a first electrochemical gas sensor coupled to said reactor and having an adjustment mechanism, wherein said adjustment mechanism is selectively adjustable to detect for the presence of a selected one of a plurality of components; and   a second electrochemical gas sensor coupled to said reactor and having an adjustment mechanism, wherein said adjustment mechanism is selectively adjustable to detect for the presence of a selected one of a plurality of components.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein each of said first and second electrochemical gas sensors further comprises a substrate having a surface for depositing electrodes thereon; an ionomer membrane in contact with said surface of said substrate and having a first surface and a second surface; an electrode in contact with said surface of said substrate; an opening extending from said first surface to said second surface in a location proximate to said electrode for defining a passage; and a gas in said opening and simultaneously contacting said electrode and said ionomer membrane for providing a three way contact between said gas, electrode, and ionomer membrane within said opening. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 15 , further comprising a plurality of electrochemical gas sensors coupled to said reactor and each of said plurality of electrochemical gas sensors having a respective adjustment mechanism for detecting each of the various components. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus according to  claim 15 , further comprising a filter coupled to said reactor for filtering out undesirable components and for permitting desirable components to pass through to said first and second electrochemical gas sensors.