IP Library Granted Patent US 7,041,971
Granted Patent B2
US 7,041,971 · App. 10/644,806 · Granted May 9, 2006

Apparatus and method for detecting chemical agents

Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd.; President of National Research of Police Science
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,041,971
App. No.
10/644,806
Granted
May 9, 2006
Kind
B2
Abstract

An object of the present invention is to obtain an apparatus and a method for the detection of chemical agents which are suitable for detecting sulfur mustard and lewisite 1 and are satisfactory from the viewpoint of the speed of detection of chemical agents, the reduction of the rate of wrong information, the specification of the kinds of the chemical agents, and an unmanned continuous-monitoring apparatus. In the present invention, the detecting apparatus comprises a sample introduction section 1 into which a sample is introduced to be heated, an ionization section 2 in which the sample from the sample introduction section is ionized, a mass spectrometry section 3, and a computer 6 for data analysis. When predetermined signals characteristic of sulfur mustard or lewisite 1 are observed, it becomes possible to specify the sample.

Claims (33)

1. An apparatus for detecting chemical agents comprising an ion source into which a test sample is introduced and in which a preset temperature at which the test sample is positively ionized therein by corona discharge is 110° C. to 180° C.; and a mass spectrometry section where the ions produced in said ion source are subjected to mass spectrometry, wherein signals due to a chemical agent to be detected are detected.

2. An apparatus for detecting chemical agents comprising an ion source into which a test sample is introduced and in which a preset temperature at which the test sample is positively ionized therein by corona discharge is 110° C. to 180° C.; a mass spectrometry section where the ions produced in said ion source are subjected to mass spectrometry; and a means for monitoring ionic strength due to a chemical agent to be detected.

3. An apparatus for detecting chemical agents comprising an ion source into which a test sample is introduced and in which a preset temperature at which the test sample is positively ionized therein by corona discharge is 110° C. to 180° C.; a mass spectrometry section where the ions produced in said ion source are subjected to mass spectrometry; and a means for monitoring the ionic strength of ions having mass-to-charge ratio (mass number of ion/valence of ion) values corresponding to a chemical agent to be detected.

4. An apparatus for detecting chemical agents comprising a sample introduction section into which a test sample is introduced and in which a preset temperature at which the test sample is heated therein is 110° C. to 180° C.; an ion source where a preset temperature at which the gas produced by the heating is positively ionized therein by corona discharge is 110° C. to 180° C.; and a mass spectrometry section where the ions produced in said ion source are subjected to mass spectrometry, wherein signals due to a chemical agent to be detected are detected.

5. An apparatus for detecting chemical agents comprising a sample introduction section into which a test sample is introduced and in which a preset temperature at which the test sample is heated therein is 110° C. to 180° C.; an ion source where a preset temperature at which the gas produced by the heating is positively ionized therein by corona discharge is 110° C. to 180° C.; a mass spectrometry section where the ions produced in said ion source are subjected to mass spectrometry; and a means for monitoring ionic strength due to a chemical agent to be detected.

6. An apparatus for detecting chemical agents comprising a sample introduction section into which a test sample is introduced and in which a preset temperature at which the test sample is heated therein is 110° C. to 180° C.; an ion source where a preset temperature at which the gas produced by the heating is positively ionized therein by corona discharge is 110° C. to 180° C.; a mass spectrometry section where the ions produced in said ion source are subjected to mass spectrometry; and a means for monitoring the ionic strength of ions having mass-to-charge ratio (mass number of ion/valence of ion) values corresponding to a chemical agent to be detected.

7. An apparatus for detecting chemical agents according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the aforesaid ion source is constructed so as to employ backflow type atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) in which the sample from the aforesaid sample introduction section flows toward a cat whisker capable of causing corona discharge.

8. An apparatus for detecting chemical agents according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein a drift voltage applied between small-hole-provided electrodes provided on both sides of the differential exhaust portion of the aforesaid mass spectrometry section is set at 50 V to 80 V.

9. An apparatus for detecting chemical agents according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the aforesaid chemical agent to be detected is 2,2′-dichloroethyl sulphide.

10. An apparatus for detecting chemical agents according to claim 3 or 6 , wherein the aforesaid monitoring means monitors the ionic strength of ions having mass-to-charge ratio (mass number of ion/valence of ion) values of 123 and 158, to detect 2,2′-dichloroethyl sulphide.

11. A method for detecting chemical agents which comprises introducing a test sample, heating the test sample at 110° C. to 180° C., positively ionizing the resulting gas by corona discharge, subjecting the resulting ions to mass spectrometry, and detecting signals due to a chemical agent to be detected.

12. An apparatus for detecting chemical agents comprising an ion source into which a test sample is introduced and in which a preset temperature at which the test sample is negatively ionized therein by corona discharge is 110° C. to 180° C.; and a mass spectrometry section where the ions produced in said ion source are subjected to mass spectrometry, wherein signals due to a chemical agent to be detected are detected.

13. An apparatus for detecting chemical agents comprising an ion source into which a test sample is introduced and in which a preset temperature at which the test sample is negatively ionized therein by corona discharge is 110° C. to 180° C.; a mass spectrometry section where the ions produced in said ion source are subjected to mass spectrometry; and a means for monitoring ionic strength due to a chemical agent to be detected.

14. An apparatus for detecting chemical agents comprising an ion source into which a test sample is introduced and in which a preset temperature at which the test sample is negatively ionized therein by corona discharge is 110° C. to 180° C.; a mass spectrometry section where the ions produced in said ion source are subjected to mass spectrometry; and a means for monitoring the ionic strength of ions haying mass-to-charge ratio (mass number of ion/valence of ion) values corresponding to a chemical agent to be detected.

15. An apparatus for detecting chemical agents comprising a sample introduction section into which a test sample is introduced and in which a preset temperature at which the test sample is heated therein is 110° C. to 180° C.; an ion source where a preset temperature at which the gas produced by the heating is negatively ionized therein by corona discharge is 110° C. to 180° C.; and a mass spectrometry section where the ions produced in said ion source are subjected to mass spectrometry, wherein signals due to a chemical agent to be detected are detected.

16. An apparatus for detecting chemical agents comprising a sample introduction section into which a test sample is introduced and in which a preset temperature at which the test sample is heated therein is 110° C. to 180° C.; an ion source where a preset temperature at which the gas produced by the heating is negatively ionized therein by corona discharge is 110° C. to 180° C.; a mass spectrometry section where the ions produced in said ion source are subjected to mass spectrometry; and a means for monitoring ionic strength due to a chemical agent to be detected.

17. An apparatus for detecting chemical agents comprising a sample introduction section into which a test sample is introduced and in which a preset temperature at which the test sample is heated therein is 110° C. to 180° C.; an ion source where a preset temperature at which the gas produced by the heating is negatively ionized therein by corona discharge is 110° C. to 180° C.; a mass spectrometry section where the ions produced in said ion source are subjected to mass spectrometry; and a means for monitoring the ionic strength of ions having mass-to-charge ratio (mass number of ion/valence of ion) values corresponding to a chemical agent to be detected.

18. An apparatus for detecting chemical agents according to any one of claims 12 to 17 , wherein the aforesaid ion source is constructed so as to employ backflow type atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) in which the sample from the aforesaid sample introduction section flows toward a cat whisker capable of causing corona discharge.

19. An apparatus for detecting chemical agents according to any one of claims 12 to 17 , wherein a drift voltage applied between small-hole-provided electrodes provided on both sides of the differential exhaust portion of the aforesaid mass spectrometry section is set at −30 V to −60 V.

20. An apparatus for detecting chemical agents according to any one of claims 12 to 17 , wherein the aforesaid chemical agent to be detected is 2-chlorovinyldichloroarsine.

21. An apparatus for detecting chemical agents according to claim 14 or 17 , wherein the aforesaid monitoring means monitors the ionic strength of ions having mass-to-charge ratio (mass number of ion/valence of ion) values of 187 and 205, to detect 2-chlorovinyldichloroarsine.

22. A method for detecting chemical agents which comprises introducing a test sample, heating the test sample at 110° C. to 180° C., negatively ionizing the resulting gas by corona discharge, subjecting the resulting ions to mass spectrometry, and detecting signals due to a chemical agent to be detected.

23. An apparatus for detecting chemical agents according to claim 7 , wherein a drift voltage applied between small-hole-provided electrodes provided on both sides of differential exhaust portion of the aforesaid mass spectrometry section is set at 50 V to 80 V.

24. An apparatus for detecting chemical agents according to claim 7 , wherein the aforesaid chemical agent to be detected is 2,2′-dichloroethyl sulphide.

25. An apparatus for detecting chemical agents according to claim 23 , wherein the aforesaid chemical agent to be detected is 2,2′-dichloroethyl sulphide.

26. An apparatus for detecting chemical agents according to claim 7 , wherein the aforesaid monitoring means monitors the ionic strength of ions having mass-to-charge ratio (mass number of ion/valence of ion) values of 123 and 158 , to detect 2,2′-dichloroethyl sulphide.

27. An apparatus for detecting chemical agents according to claima 8 ; wherein the aforesaid monitoring means monitors the ionic strength of ions having mass-to-charge ratio (mass number of ion/valence of ion) of 123 and 158 , to detect 2, 2′-dichloroethyl sulphide.

28. An apparatus for detecting chemical agents according to claim 9 , wherein the aforesaid monitoring means monitors the ionic strength of ions having mass-to-charge ratio (mass number of ion/valence of ion) values of 123 to 158 , to detect 2, 2′-dichloroethyl sulphide.

29. An apparatus for detecting chemical agents accordint to claim 18 , wherein a drift voltage applied between small-hole-provided electrodes provided on both sides of the differential exhaust portion of the aforesaid mass spectrometry section is set −30 V to −60 V.

30. An apparatus for detecting chemical agents according to claim 18 , wherein the aforesaid chemical agent to be detected is 2 -chlorovinyldichloroarsine.

31. An apparatus for detecting chemical agents according to claim 18 , wherein the aforesaid monitoring means monitors the ionic strength of ions having mass-to-charge ratio (mass number of ion/valence of ion) values of 187 to 205 , to detect 2 -chlorovinyldichloroarsine.

32. An apparatus for detecting chemical agents according to claim 19 , wherein the aforesaid monitoring means monitors the ionic strength of ions having mass-to-charge ratio (mass number of ion/valence of ion) values of 187 and 205 , to detect 2 -chlorovinyldichloroarsine.

33. An apparatus for detecting chemical agents according to claim 20 , wherein the aforesaid monitoring means the ionic strength of ions having mass-to-charge ratio (mass number of ion/valence of ion) values of 187 and 205 , to detect 2 -chlorovinyldichloroarsine.

Assignments (4)
MERGER Recorded Feb 12, 2014
From: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CONTROL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
To: HITACHI HIGH-TECH MANUFACTURING & SERVICE CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 032205/0422 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 12, 2014
From: HITACHI HIGH-TECH MANUFACTURING & SERVICE CORPORATION
To: HITACHI HIGH-TECH SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 032205/0459 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 14, 2008
From: HITACHI, LTD.
To: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CONTROL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 020794/0152 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 20, 2004
From: FUKANO, MASUMI; HONJO, SHIGERU; NAGANO, HISASHI; TAKADA, YASUAKI; SETO, YASUO; IURA, KAZUMITSU; ITOI, TERUO
To: HITACHI, LTD.; PRESIDENT OF NATIONAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF POLICE SCIENCE
Reel/Frame 014905/0893 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2003-080380 · Mar 24, 2003 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20050092915A1 · May 5, 2005