Patent ID: 7690241
Filing Date: 2010-04-06
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A pre-concentrator for analysis of a trace gas, the pre-concentrator comprising: a flow channel having an inlet and an outlet and configured to receive at the inlet a gas sample containing the trace gas and a carrier gas, the flow channel having a width that decreases from the inlet to the outlet in such a way that the gas sample maintains a substantially constant flow speed through the flow channel; and at least one separation membrane defining a portion of a side wall of the flow channel between the inlet and the outlet, the separation membrane configured to allow preferential removal of molecules of the carrier gas from the flow channel so as to increase concentration of the trace gas as the gas sample flows from the inlet to the outlet, the separation membrane including a substantially non-adsorbing material that allows the gas sample to flow substantially continuously through the flow channel without being stopped by adsorption so as to enable a variation in concentration of the trace gas within the gas sample to be detected in substantial real time.