Evaporator for a thermogravimetric analyzer
Described is a thermogravimetric analyzer system. The system includes an evaporator having first and second fluidic channels and a thermally controlled heater assembly. The first fluidic channel has a first channel inlet in fluidic communication with a gas supply module, a first channel outlet and an end portion extending from the first channel outlet. The second fluidic channel has a second channel inlet in fluidic communication with a source of liquid and a second channel outlet disposed on the first fluidic channel at a merge location between the first channel inlet and the first channel outlet. The end portion of the first fluidic channel includes a bend to redirect a flow within the first fluidic channel and improve a mixing of the gas and liquid received by the first and second fluidic channels, respectively.
1. A thermogravimetric analyzer system comprising:
a gas supply module;
a source of liquid;
an evaporator that evaporates the source of liquid, the evaporator comprising:
a first fluidic channel having a first channel inlet in fluidic communication with the gas supply module, a first channel outlet, and an end portion extending from the first channel outlet, wherein the end portion of the first fluidic channel includes a bend to redirect a flow of a mixture of the source of fluid and an output from the gas supply module within the first fluidic channel;
a thermally controlled heater assembly in thermal communication with the first fluidic channel; and
a second fluidic channel having a second channel inlet in fluidic communication with the source of liquid and having a second channel outlet disposed on the first fluidic channel at a merge location between the first channel inlet and the first channel outlet, the bend downstream from the merge location, the thermally controlled heater assembly in thermal communication with the merge location;
a furnace having a furnace inlet in fluidic communication with the first channel outlet and a furnace outlet in fluidic communication with a back-pressure regulator that regulates the furnace; and
a processor in communication with the gas supply module, the thermally controlled heater assembly and the back-pressure regulator, the processor configured to control a temperature, pressure and vapor concentration in the furnace.
2. The thermogravimetric system of claim 1 further comprising a gas-liquid separator in fluidic communication with the furnace outlet.
3. The thermogravimetric system of claim 1 further comprising a levitation balance module mechanically coupled to the furnace.
4. The thermogravimetric system of claim 1 wherein the source of liquid comprises a water pump.
5. The thermogravimetric system of claim 1 wherein the furnace comprises a sample holder to support a sample during thermogravimetric analysis measurements.
6. An evaporator comprising:
a first fluidic channel having a first channel inlet configured to receive a flow of gas, a first channel outlet and an end portion extending from the first channel outlet, wherein the end portion includes a bend to redirect a flow of a mixture of the source of fluid and the flow of gas within the first fluidic channel;
a thermally controlled heater assembly in thermal communication with the first fluidic channel; and
a second fluidic channel having a second channel inlet configured to receive a flow of liquid and having a second channel outlet disposed on the first fluidic channel at a merge location between the first channel inlet and the first channel outlet of the first fluidic channel, the bend downstream from the merge location, the thermally controlled heater assembly in thermal communication with the merge location.
7. The evaporator of claim 6 wherein at least a portion of the first fluidic channel is defined in a plane.
8. The evaporator of claim 7 wherein a portion of the first fluidic channel between the bend and the first channel outlet extends out from the plane.
9. The evaporator of claim 8 wherein the end portion of the first fluidic channel includes a plurality of bends and wherein a portion of the first fluidic channel downstream from one of the bends extends out from the plane.
10. The evaporator of claim 6 wherein the liquid is water.
11. The evaporator of claim 7 wherein at least a portion of the first fluidic channel is defined in a plane of a diffusion-bonded body.
12. The evaporator of claim 11 wherein the thermally controlled heater assembly is in thermal contact with a side of the diffusion-bonded body.
13. An evaporator comprising:
a first fluidic channel having a first channel inlet configured to receive a flow of gas, a first channel outlet and an end portion extending from the first channel outlet, wherein the end portion includes a bend to redirect a flow within the first fluidic channel;
a thermally controlled heater assembly in thermal communication with the first fluidic channel; and
a second fluidic channel having a second channel inlet configured to receive a flow of liquid and having a second channel outlet disposed on the first fluidic channel at a merge location between the first channel inlet and the first channel outlet of the first fluidic channel, wherein at least a portion of the first fluidic channel is defined in a plane,
wherein at least a portion of the first fluidic channel is defined in a plane of a diffusion-bonded body, and
wherein the thermally controlled heater assembly is in thermal contact with a side of the diffusion-bonded body.