Patent ID: 6440297
Filing Date: 2002-08-27
Classification: G01N,G21C,Y02E

Abstract:
A system for determining a noble metal concentration in a collection sample, said collection sample having a surface and at least one noble metal disposed thereon, said noble metal concentration being representative of a first concentration of said noble metal in one of a volume of water and a surface of a solid component exposed to said volume of water, said system comprising:a) at least one standard having a standard surface and a predetermined concentration of said noble metal disposed thereon; b) an electrolyte bath for immersing one of said collection sample and said standard therein; c) an auxiliary electrode electrically connectable to one of said standard and said collection sample, said auxiliary electrode being immersible in said electrolyte bath; d) a power source electrically connectable to a reference electrode and one of said standard and said collection sample, said reference electrode being immersible in said electrolyte bath; wherein said power source is capable of providing a potential across said reference electrode and one of said collection sample and said standard, and e) a current measurement device capable of measuring a current passing between said auxiliary electrode and one of said collection sample and said standard, wherein said noble metal concentration in said collection sample is determined relative to said predetermined concentration in said standard by comparing a sample current passing through said collection sample to a standard current passing through said standard.