Gas component collector, gas component collecting device, filter producing method, and gas component analyzing apparatus

A gas component collector comprises a filter assembly 3 comprising an adsorbent and an adsorbent holding plate having a first face, a second face and a plurality of holes that are bored through from the first face to the second face and are filled with the adsorbent adsorbing at least one gas component to be analyzed, the filter assembly satisfying (AL−V)2/L3≧0.003 mm3 and V/AL≧0.3, where V is a total volume of the adsorbent, A is a sum of an opening areas of the holes, and L is an average length of the holes, and a holding container 2 housing the filter assembly 3. On at least one of the holding container 2 a first opening portion for introducing gas and a second opening portion for allowing the introduced gas to be discharged are formed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-285645 filed on Oct. 20, 2006, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference into this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to technology for a gas component collector, a gas component collecting device, a filter producing method, and a gas component analyzing apparatus and method that analyzes trace components in gas.

2. Description of the Related Art

The gas components of exhalation include trace metabolites produced inside the body of the person under test, and it is known that the concentrations of the trace metabolites or metabolic products themselves change depending on whether or not the person has a disease. Fundamental studies are in progress so as to help with diagnosing diseases by collecting and analyzing trace metabolite components from exhalation.

As explained above, technology of collecting trace metabolites, an exhalation collecting device has been proposed which collects components of exhalation by a collecting section having a cylindrical vent pipe in which a drying tube filled with a desiccant and an adsorbing tube filled with an adsorbent for carbon dioxide are inserted (refer to, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. H09-210875 (hereinafter called reference 1), claims 1 and 4). The vent pipe of the collecting section of this exhalation collecting device has caps attached to opposite ends thereof to keep the inside of the vent pipe airtight. As for collecting exhalation gas, it is preferable to introduce exhalation at as low speed as possible through the opening of the entrance cap, and in order to adjust the flow speed, air-flow resistance is controlled through the diameter of the vent pipe, the opening diameter of the exit cap, and the grain sizes and filling densities of the desiccant and adsorbent.

Furthermore, a simple method and device for collecting atmospheric material has been proposed where porous bodies of an open structure having an appropriate length are formed inside a bare pipe made of metal, fused silica, or the like so as to fill the inside and where gas in the atmosphere is introduced by diffusion into the porous bodies of an open structure (refer to, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2002-328077 (hereinafter called reference 2), claim 1).

In the reference 1, there is no specific description of the length and diameter of the adsorbing tube to reduce pressure loss. If pressure loss in the collecting section is high, the burden on a person under test breathing out exhalation may be great.

In the reference 2, there is no specific description of the method of reducing pressure loss when applied to the collection from exhalation gas to have exhalation actively introduced thereto. Further, there is no specific description of air-tightness before and after sampling, i.e., contamination before and after sampling.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention was made in view of this background and an object thereof is to prevent contamination when collecting and analyzing gas components to be analyzed.

In order to solve the above problem, the present invention was made. According to the present invention, there is provided a filter comprising an adsorbent and an adsorbent holding plate having a first face, a second face and a plurality of holes that art bored through from the first face to the second face and are filled with the adsorbent adsorbing at least one gas component to be analyzed, the filter for which both (AL−V)2/L3≧0.003 mm3and V/AL≧0.3 apply, where V is a total volume of the adsorbent, A is a sum of opening areas of the holes, and L is an average length of the holes and a holding container that houses the filter, the holding container having a first face side and a second face side, on at least one of which a first opening portion for introducing gas and a second opening portion for allowing the introduced gas to be discharged are formed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The best mode for carrying out the invention (hereinafter called an embodiment) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as needed.

FIG. 1is a schematic sectional view of a gas component collector according to the present embodiment.

A gas component collector1comprises a filter assembly (filter)3, a holding container2, and joints4. The filter assembly3has a function to selectively collect gas components to be analyzed (hereinafter referred to as exhalation components, gas components, or to-be-measured components as needed) from gas (mainly exhalation) introduced in the gas component collector1. The filter assembly3will be described later in detail with reference toFIG. 2. Because gas that is introduced into the gas component collector1is often exhalation, hereinafter the gas that is introduced is referred to as exhalation, and if another gas than that is introduced into the gas component collector1, the other gas is referred to differently as needed.

The holding container2is a container having the filter assembly3housed therein and has two opening portions5. The holding container2has a function to prevent the filter assembly3from being exposed to the atmosphere and collecting gas components from gas other than exhalation (contamination).

The joints4are provided at the opening portions5of the holding container2and function to connect the gas component collector1to a gas component collecting device100ofFIG. 4or a gas component analyzing apparatus301ofFIG. 9when a pipe or the like is joined thereto. A plug (not shown) such as a cap can be attached to the joint4, and by attaching this cap or the like, the opening portion5can be plugged when not in use. By plugging the opening portion5as such, the inside of the holding container2is put in an airtight state, and thus contamination can be prevented during movement or the like.

Furthermore, O-rings7may be provided as sealing means in between the filter assembly3and the holding container2.

As such, if the filter assembly3is housed in the holding container2with sealing means such as the O-rings7sealing the periphery of the filter assembly3to the holding container2so that exhalation components do not escape around the periphery of the filter assembly3, exhalation passes through holes35in an adsorbent holding plate32filled with au adsorbent, without leaking around the periphery of the filter assembly3. Thus, the adsorption rate can be increased. The sealing means may be gaskets instead of the O-rings7.

At least one place of the filter assembly3is preferably in contact with the inside of the holding container2via the O-ring7or the like. With such a configuration, when heating the filter assembly3together with the holding container2to separate exhalation components from an adsorbent31for analysis, the transmission of heat from the holding container2to the adsorbent31is improved. Considering heat transmission, sealing means is preferably made of metal.

FIG. 2is a view showing the configuration of the filter assembly according to this embodiment;FIG. 2Ais a side sectional view of the filter assembly; andFIG. 2Bis a plan view of the filter assembly as seen from above in the page.FIG. 2Ais a sectional view along line A-A ofFIG. 2B.

As shown inFIGS. 2A and 2B, the filter assembly3comprises the adsorbent holding plate32having a large number of holes35, the adsorbent31filling the holes35in the adsorbent holding plate32, meshes33provided on opposite faces of the adsorbent holding plate32, and mesh fixing rings34.

A plurality of the holes35are formed through the adsorbent holding plate32from its one face to the other face and filled with the granular adsorbent31as shown inFIGS. 2A and 2B. Further, the adsorbent holding plate32filled with the adsorbent31is sandwiched closely at its opposite faces by the meshes33. The mesh33is fixed in predetermined position to the adsorbent holding plate32by the mesh fixing ring34fitting thereon.

The mesh fixing rings34are ring-like members that are secured to the periphery of the adsorbent holding plate32with use of screws or the like (not shown). As shown inFIG. 2A, the mesh fixing rings34are separate respectively on one face side and the other face side of the adsorbent holding plate32so as to fix the mesh33located on the one face side of the adsorbent holding plate32and the mesh33located on the other face side. The mesh size of the meshes33is set to be smaller than the grain size of the adsorbent31. By this means, the adsorbent31can be prevented from fling out of the holes35.

Although in the present embodiment the mesh fixing rings34are used to fix the meshes33, the adsorbent holding plate32and the meshes33may be joined by spot welding or crimping.

Materials of members such as the meshes33, the adsorbent holding plate32, and the O-rings7are preferably, for example, metal such as stainless steel, which does not generate gas when heated. The material for the adsorbent31can be selected depending on the components to be measured but TENAX TA (registered trademark) or TENAX GR (registered trademark) of Buchem BV Company is usually used.

A material having antigen-antibody reaction may be used for the adsorbent31. In this case, the holes35of the adsorbent holding plate32are filled with an antibody that shows antigen-antibody reaction to exhalation components to be detected, or the surfaces and the like of the adsorbent holding plate32are coated with the antibody. When exhalation is introduced into the gas component collector1having the filter assembly3of such a configuration, the adsorbent31adsorb exhalation components. Thereafter, the exhalation components are analyzed according to, e.g., a method that detects fluorescence. To be specific, the analysis is performed, e.g., as follows. First, the holes35of the adsorbent holding plate32are filled with antibody molecules (referred to as antibody molecules A) that show antigen-antibody reaction to exhalation components to be detected, or the surfaces or the like are coated with the antibody. When the gas component collector1having the filter assembly3collects from exhalation, the exhalation components are bound to the antibody molecules. Next, antibody molecules of the same type as the above antibody molecules that have a fluorochrome bound thereto (referred to as antibody molecules B) are prepared. Then, when the antibody molecules B are sprayed over the adsorbent31of the filter assembly3trapping the exhalation components, the antibody molecules B bind to the exhalation components bound to the antibody molecules A. Then, by measuring the fluorescence reaction of the antibody molecules B, the exhalation components of interest are detected.

In the present embodiment, a side close to a person under test107(seeFIG. 4) is described as an upstream side, and a side far from the person under test107is described as a downstream side. Assuming that the pressure downstream of the filter assembly3is at the atmospheric pressure, the pressure upstream of the filter assembly3is positive by pressure loss when exhalation passes through the filter assembly3, which becomes a resistance to the person under test107breathing out exhalation. That is, the lower the pressure loss is, the lower the pressure upstream of the filter assembly3is. Thus, the person under test107can breathe out exhalation easier.

Next a relationship between the amount of gas flowing through the filter assembly3and pressure loss due to that will be described.

Let A be the sum of the opening areas of the holes35(hereinafter referred to as an opening area), L be the average length of the holes35, and V be the total volume of the adsorbent31filling the holes35, then the volume of the portions through which exhalation can pass in the filter assembly3is expressed as AL−V. Thus, the apparent opening area through which exhalation can pass is expressed as follows:
(AL−V)/L.  (1)

The pressure loss P between upstream and downstream of the filter assembly3is expressed as follows:
P=Q/C,(2)
where Q is the amount of exhalation and C is a conductance.

Assuming that the conductance C is that of a circular tube (for air at 20° C.), the conductance C is given by:
C={1349×d4/L}×{(P1+P2)/2}[m3/S],(3)
where d is the apparent inner diameter of the circular tube=2×((AL−V)/πL)1/2, P1is the pressure upstream of the filter assembly3, and P2is the pressure downstream of the filter assembly3.

By using the above equations, the pressure loss P can be calculated from the total volume V of the adsorbent31, the amount of exhalation Q, etc. The maximum amount of exhalation in usual exhalation is about 4 [1/min], and from the results of experiment by the inventors, it was found that for that amount or less, if the pressure loss P between upstream and downstream of the filter assembly3is at or below 10 [kPa]:
P=Q/C≦10×103,  (4)
the person under test107does not feel a burden.

That is, substituting P1=110×103[Pa], P2=100×103[Pa], and Q=4×10−3×105/60 [Pa·m3/S] into the equations (3) and (4) and then substituting the equation (3) into the equation (4), the following is obtained:
(AL−V)2/L3≧2.9×10−12[m3]=2.9×10−3[mm3].
When it is satisfied that (AL−V)2/L3≧0.003 [mm3], even if the person under test107breathes out at the exhalation amount of 4 [I/min], the pressure loss is at or below 10 [kPa], and thus the person under test107will not feel a burden.

Meanwhile, from the viewpoint of the analysis of exhalation gas, it is preferable that as much of the exhalation components as possible contacts the adsorbent31and is adsorbed by it. That is, if the ratio of the V to the AL (the volume ratio of the adsorbent31in the filter assembly3), V/AL, is too small, most of the exhalation components does not contact the adsorbent31and exits the system. Thus, the concentrations of the components become small for the analysis after the heating of the adsorbent31, and thus, highly sensitive measurement is not possible. According to the results of experiment by the inventors, if V/AL is equal to or more than 80%, the adsorption rate of the exhalation components is equal to or more than 90%; if at 30%, the adsorption rate is about 50%; and if it is 10%, the adsorption ae is as low as about 10%. Hence, it is desirable that V/AL≧30%.

As the grain size of the adsorbent31becomes smaller, the total surface area becomes larger with the same amount of the adsorbent31, thus increasing the capability of adsorbing gas components, but the volume ratio of the adsorbent31in the filter assembly3also increases, thus increasing the pressure loss. Accordingly, with the same grain size, by making the surface indented to increase the surface area, an adsorbing effect can be increased without the increase in the pressure loss. The adsorbent holding plate32is sandwiched in between a couple of meshes33of which mesh size is smaller than the gram size of the adsorbent31.

With an example of the filter assembly3shown inFIG. 2where the diameter of the hole35of the adsorbent holding plate32is 3×10−3[m], the average length of the hole35is 4×10−3[m], the number of the holes35is 18, the mesh size of the mesh33is 60, the adsorbent31is TENAX TA (registered trademark; mesh size=20/35) of Buchem BV Company, and where the volume of one grain of the adsorbent31is 308×10−9[m3], the total opening area of the holes35without the adsorbent31of the adsorbent holding plate32is 127×10−6[m2], and thus, the total volume of the holes35is 127×10−6×4×10−3=509×10−9[m3]. Therefore, the volume ratio of the adsorbent31in the filter assembly3becomes 60%. Further, because (AL−V)2/L3=(509×10−9−308×10−9)2/(4×10−3)3=630×10−9[m3]=630 [mm3)], both (AL−V)2/L3≧0.003 mm3and V/AL≧0.3 (30%) are satisfied.

The pressure loss when making gas flow through the filter assembly3at a flow velocity of 4 L/min was at about 1 kPa from the results of experiment, which is sufficiently smaller than 10 kPa at which the person under test107feels a resistance.

Further, a retrieval rate when using heptane as a standard sample was 50 to 70%, which was sufficient for analysis.

If the same amount of the adsorbent31is used, the flow velocity of gas passing through the filter assembly3needs to be reduced in order to reduce the pressure loss. Accordingly, to enlarge the total opening area A is effective, but if the adsorbent31is sandwiched in between the meshes33without the adsorbent holding plate32shown inFIG. 2(to increase the total opening area A to the maximum), when moving the filter assembly3, the grains of the adsorbent31will move and distributed so disproportionately that more grains are on one side than on the other. Thus, hardly contacting the adsorbent31, exhalation gas exits the system when collecting exhalation components. As such, the adsorbent holding plate32has an effect of suppressing the uneven distribution of the adsorbent31.

FIG. 3shows other examples of the gas component collector according to the present embodiment;FIG. 3Ais an example where there is a slope formed on the shape of the holding container; andFIG. 3Bis an example where the holding container covers the filter assembly to a minimum degree.

In the example ofFIG. 3A, a holding container2aof a gas component collector1ais shaped to have slopes extending from the opening portion5that become closer to the filter assembly3. With the holding container in such a shape, exhalation introduced through one opening portion5proceeds along the slope, thus reducing a burden on the person under test107.

In a gas component collector1bof the example shown inFIG. 3B, while opposite ends of the filter assembly3are disposed outside a holding container2b, all the adsorbent31(in the holes35) is covered by the holding container2b. The filter assembly3ofFIG. 3Bdiffers from the filter assembly3ofFIG. 2in that the mesh fixing rings34are not provided. In this case, the meshes33may be fixed by, for example, being sandwiched between the holding container2band the filter assembly3. With the example ofFIG. 3B, because exhalation does not escape around the periphery of the filter assembly3, the O-rings7are not necessary.

As explained, as long as the holding container2is shaped such that at least the holes35filled with the adsorbent31are covered without exposing the adsorbent31to the outside air, the holding container2may have any shape.

The opening area of the opening portion5will be described below. As the opening area of the opening portion5becomes smaller, contamination from the atmosphere is reduced. Hence, usually the smaller opening area of the opening portion5is more preferable. To be more specific, the opening area of the opening portion5is preferably at least smaller than the total opening area of the holes35made in the adsorbent holding plate32(seeFIG. 2).

Next, a gas component collecting device100using the gas component collector1of one ofFIGS. 1 to 3will be described with reference toFIGS. 4 and 5.

As toFIGS. 4 to 21, the O-rings7(seeFIG. 1) are skipped from the figure.

FIG. 4is a schematic diagram of the gas component collecting device according to the present embodiment.

The gas component collecting device100comprises an exhalation introducing section101(a gas introducing section), the gas component collector1, a check valve102, a exhaust gas bag103(a gas amount measuring section), and pipes104to106connecting them.

The exhalation introducing section101and the gas component collector1are connected via the pipe104. The gas component collector1and the check valve102are connected via the pipe105. Further, the check valve102and the exhaust gas bag103are connected via the pipe106.

The exhalation introducing section101is mounted on the mouth and its vicinity of the person under test107, and has a function to send exhalation breathed out by the person under test107to the gas component collector1via the pipe104. The exhalation introducing section101is preferably shaped like a mask to cover the mouth but may be in the form of a pipe which is held in the mouth to introduce exhalation.

The gas component collector1has a function to selectively collect exhalation components to be analyzed from the exhalation sent from the exhalation introducing section101. Because the gas component collector1has been described above with reference toFIGS. 1 to 3, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The check valve102has a function to prevent exhalation breathed out by the person under test107from flowing backward.

The exhalation breathed out by the person under test107is collected in the exhaust gas bag103. The exhaust gas bag103is preferably provided which is capacious enough to accommodate a requisite amount of exhalation for analysis, for example, having a capacity of 0.2 L when fully inflated. The person under test107continues breathing out exhalation until the exhaust gas bag103is fully inflated. By this means, the amount of exhalation that has passed through the filter assembly3of the gas component collector1can be confirmed. Because the amount of exhalation components adsorbed onto the adsorbent31(seeFIG. 2) depends on the amount of exhalation that has passed through, it is important to confirm the amount of exhalation in order to make sampling conditions the same. In the present embodiment, the exhaust gas bag103is used to check the amount of exhalation, but not being limited to this, for example, an integrating flow-meter or a balloon-like article may be used with which the amount of exhalation that has passed through the filter assembly3can be checked.

As mentioned above, the opening portion5of the gas component collector1is shaped such that it can be plugged with a cap or the like. The gas component collector1containing the filter assembly3having exhalation components exhaust adsorbed therein is removed from the gas component collecting device100, and opposite ends of the gas component collector1are capped and sealed if not immediately analyzed. By transferring the gas component collector1in a sealed state to an analyzing place, contamination from the atmosphere can be prevented.

Next, the procedure of collecting exhalation components with use of the gas component collecting device100will be described with reference toFIGS. 2 and 4.

The person under test107mounts the exhalation introducing section101on the mouth and breathes out exhalation. The adsorbent31of the gas component collector1adsorbs exhalation components, thereby collecting the exhalation components. The adsorbent31selectively adsorbs the exhalation components exclusive of the other components in the exhalation. Inert gas such as nitrogen is not adsorbed onto the adsorbent31and flows out downstream of the filter assembly3.

Consider removing the plug from the holding container2, connecting it to the gas component collecting device100, and collecting exhalation. Here, suppose that the amount of exhalation components adsorbed onto the adsorbent31(the adsorbed amount) is at 1 ng. Then, removing the gas component collector1from the gas component collecting device100and capping opposite ends thereof, air is also enclosed in the holding container2, and to-be-measured components present in the enclosed air are also adsorbed in the filter assembly3.

Here, let the volume of the space inside the gas component collector1in a sealed state be at 1000 mm3and the concentration of to-be-measured components present in the atmosphere be at about 1 mg/m3from the result of measurement, then the amount of the to-be-measured components present in the air enclosed in the holding container2becomes 1×10−3×1000×(10−3)3=1×10−9=1 ng and is at the same concentration level as the adsorbed amount of the to-be-measured components contained in exhalation. Thus it is difficult to accurately measure the concentration of the to-be-measured components in exhalation.

If the concentration of the to-be-measured components contained in the atmosphere were always constant, the concentration level of the to-be-measured components in the atmosphere could be inferred. Thus, by subtracting the adsorbed amount of the to-be-measured components calculated based on that concentration level from the adsorbed amount of the to-be-measured components actually adsorbed onto the adsorbent31, the adsorbed amount of the exhalation components in exhalation could be obtained precisely. However, because the gas concentrations of the atmosphere usually vary and cannot be inferred, by setting such that the adsorbed amount of the to-be-measured components from the atmosphere is as small as possible compared with the adsorbed amount of the to-be-measured components (i.e., the exhalation components) from exhalation, the influence of the to-be-measured components from the atmosphere needs to be minimized.

Accordingly, let D be the volume of the space inside the holding container2in a sealed state, B be the amount of the exhalation components adsorbed onto the adsorbent31upon the collection of the exhalation components, and C be the concentration of the to-be-measured components contained in the atmosphere, then B>C×D is desirably satisfied.

FIG. 5is a schematic diagram of the gas component collecting device having two gas component collectors according to the present embodiment.

InFIG. 5, the same or like elements as inFIG. 4are denoted by the same reference numerals with description thereof being omitted.

While the gas component collecting device100inFIG. 4is configured to have one gas component collector1, the gas component collecting device100aofFIG. 5is configured to have two gas component collectors1(1A and1B). The two gas component collectors1A and1B are housed in a container108to form a unit. The two gas component collectors1A and1R may not be housed in the container108but joined by, e.g., adhesive or the like to form a unit.

With such a configuration, a comparison experiment is easily performed.

For example, in the configuration ofFIG. 5, while the gas component collector1A is connected to the exhalation introducing section101and the exhaust gas bag103, the gas component collector1B is connected to nowhere.

When exhalation is collected with such a configuration, the exhalation passes through only the gas component collector1A. The plugs (not shown) that have been plugged in the joints of the gas component collector1B are kept removed for the same time period during the collection of the exhalation by the gas component collector1A, and the adsorbent31inside the gas component collector1B is exposed to the atmosphere.

Then, after the completion of the collection of exhalation, the gas component collector1A is removed from the gas component collecting device100a, ad the opening portions5(seeFIG. 1) of the gas component collectors1A and1B are plugged Then, by transferring the gas component collectors1A and1B in a sealed-by-plug state to an analyzing place, the gas component collectors1A and1B will have a history of the same conditions.

If the container108has a structured to be openable and closable, the gas component collectors1A and1B are removed from the container108in the analyzing place and are each analyzed and compared. Thereby, the comparison experiment for the exhalation components can be performed easily.

A pump203may be connected via a pipe on the downstream side of the gas component collector1B, and the pump203may be operated so that the amounts of gases passing through the gas component collectors1A and1B become the same.

With the type of device that uses a single gas component collector1as shown inFIG. 4, using two separate gas component collectors1where one gas component collector1is provided in the gas component collecting device100with the other gas component collector1being not provided in the gas component collecting device100, the same effect as with the device inFIG. 5can be obtained by performing the collection of exhalation in a similar manner to the one described with reference toFIG. 5.

<Method of Producing Gas Component Collector>

Next, the method of producing the gas component collector1according to the present embodiment will be described with reference toFIGS. 6 to 8.

The filter assembly3aofFIGS. 6 to 8differs from the filter assembly3ofFIG. 2in that the mesh33and mesh fixing ring34on one side are skippedFIG. 6is a schematic diagram of a filter assembly producing apparatus according to the present embodiment;FIG. 6Ais a schematic side sectional view of the filter assembly producing apparatus; andFIG. 6Bis a view of the filter assembly in production as seen from above in the page.

As shown inFIG. 6A, the filter assembly producing apparatus201is configured to have a filter table202, a pump203, and pipes204,205.

The filter table202has a filter assembly3amounted thereon and has an opening in its middle portion to which the pipe204connecting to the pump203is connected. The filter table202and the pump203are connected by the pipe204.

The pump203is connected to one end of the pipe204connecting to the filter table202and has a function to suck air above the filter table202.

The pipe205is connected to the pump203and has a function to lead the air sucked out by the pump203to the outside.

The filter assembly3ahaving a mesh33fixed to only one face thereof is mounted on the filter table202with the face having the mesh33fixed thereto underneath. The adsorbent holding plate32of the mounted filter assembly3ais covered with grains of the adsorbent31. When the pump203operates, air above the filter table202is sucked. At this time, as shown inFIG. 6B, air above the filter assembly3ais sucked out through the holes35of the adsorbent holding plate32. Thereby, the adsorbent31on the adsorbent holding plate32is drawn into the holes35. Because the mesh33is installed on the lower ends of the holes35, grains of the adsorbent31drawn in do not reach the filter table202but fill the holes35. The grains of the adsorbent31which could not enter the holes35are removed with a plate-like adsorbent removing tool (not shown).

Next, the procedure of producing the gas component collector1will be described in detail usingFIG. 7with reference toFIG. 6.

FIG. 7is a flow chart showing the procedure of producing the gas component collector.

First, the mesh33is fixed to the adsorbent holding plate32at one face by the mesh fixing ring34(S101).

Next, the filter assembly3aon whose one face there is a mesh33fixed is mounted on the filter table202with the mesh33placed underneath (S102), and the adsorbent holding plate32is covered with the adsorbent31(S103).

Then, by operating the pump203, the adsorbent31fills the holes35of the adsorbent holding plate32(S104). If the adsorbent31fills the holes35to the same level, or higher, as the upper face of the adsorbent holding plate32, the upper side of the adsorbent holding plate32is leveled with a plate-like adsorbent removing tool, and thereby the excess grains of the adsorbent31left outside the holes35or not fully contained in the holes35are removed (S105).

Thereafter, a mesh33is mounted on the face of the adsorbent holding plate32to which a mesh33has not been fixed, and the mesh33is fixed by the mesh fixing ring34(S106). Tis completes the filter assembly3a.

Next, the holding container2is provided with the O-rings7(seeFIG. 1) (S107).

Then, the filter assembly3ais housed in the holding container2, and the filter assembly3aand the O-rings7of the holding container2(seeFIG. 1) are fixed to each other by screws (not shown) (S108). This completes the gas component collector1.

Conventionally, when filling with the adsorbent31is done, grains of the adsorbent31are put into the holes35one by one with use of a pair of tweezers or the like, which takes a lot of work hours. Further, there is the problem that during the filling, grains of the adsorbent31are flipped by the tweezers to be dispersed.

In the present embodiment, the holes35are filled with the adsorbent31by the suction of the pump203, which prevents the adsorbent31from being dispersed, thus enabling efficient filling. The work conducted for comparison by the inventors showed that while work time required for filling with the adsorbent31according to the conventional method was about 60 minutes per plate, work time required for filling with the adsorbent31according to the present embodiment is about 5 minutes per plate, thus accomplishing a great improvement.

In the present embodiment, as shown inFIG. 6A, by covering the filter assembly3amounted on the filter table202with the adsorbent31and then the pump203sucking air downward from above the filter assembly3a, the holes35are filled with the adsorbent31, but not being limited to this, the configuration ofFIG. 6Amay be turned upside down. That is, by the pump203sucking air upward from under the filter assembly3a, the adsorbent31put under the filter assembly3amay be drawn upward to fill the holes35.

FIG. 8is a schematic diagram of a filter assembly producing apparatus that produces a plurality of filter assemblies simultaneously.

InFIG. 8, the same or like elements as inFIG. 6are denoted by the same reference numerals with description thereof being omitted.

In a filter assembly producing apparatus201aofFIG. 8, a plurality of filter tables202are provided. Each filter table202is connected with a pipe204aconnecting to a pump203. With such a configuration, by operating the pump203, air above the plurality of filter tables202is sucked out, and thus, filling with the adsorbent31can be performed simultaneously for the filter assembly3amounted on each filter table202. Because the procedure of producing the filter assembly3aon each filter table202and placing the produced filter assembly3ainto the holding container2to produce the gas component collector1is the same as forFIG. 7, detailed description is omitted

<Gas Component Analyzing Apparatus Using Inert Gas>

Next, gas component analyzing apparatuses301,401and gas component analyzing methods will be described with reference toFIGS. 9 to 19. In the present embodiment, gas chromatography is abbreviated to GC; high performance liquid chromatography to HPLC; a mass spectrometer to MS; and a combined device of gas chromatography and a mass spectrometer to GC/MS.

FIGS. 9 to 14illustrate the gas component analyzing apparatus301and the gas component analyzing method, which use an inert gas in extracting exhalation components.FIGS. 15 to 19illustrate the gas component analyzing apparatus401and the gas component analyzing method, which use a solvent for extracting exhalation components.

InFIGS. 9 to 14, the same or like elements as inFIGS. 1 and 2are denoted by the same reference numerals with description thereof being omitted.

FIG. 9is a schematic diagram of a gas component analyzing apparatus using an inert gas according to the present embodiment.

The gas component analyzing apparatus301comprises an inert gas generating device302(a carrier gas introducing section), a heating device303(a heater), the gas component collector1, a purge valve304, a concentrator305, GC306(a component separator), an analyzer307, and pipes308to311connecting them.

The inert gas generating device302has a function to generate an inert gas for expelling air from the pipes308,309and the gas component collector1and sending exhalation components desorbed from the adsorbent31to the concentrator305. The inert gas generated by the inert gas generating device302is sent to the gas component collector1via the pipe308.

The heating device303houses the gas component collector1and has a function to heat the filter assembly3together with the gas component collector1(seeFIG. 1). The heating device303is embodied by, for example, an electric heater or an infrared heater. The heating device303heats the adsorbent31together with the gas component collector1, and gas containing desorbed exhalation components is transferred to the concentrator305by using as a carrier gas the inert gas generated by the inert gas generating device302such as helium gas.

The purge valve304has a function to discharge air from the gas component collector1and the pipe309to the outside with use of the inert gas.

The concentrator305has a function to concentrate again the exhalation components transferred thereto and perform rapid heating desorption, thereby improving the resolution of analysis by the analyzer307. The concentrator305may use, for example, a cold trap where a fine capillary column is cooled by a Peltier device or liquid nitrogen so that components are adsorbed.

The GC306has a function to separate each component of the exhalation components.

The analyzer307measures the amount of each component separated by the GC306. The analyzer307may be embodied by ion mobility, a mass spectrometer (MS), an electron capture detector (ECD), a flame ionization detector (FID), or the like, but not being limited to these, any analyzer which can analyze components may be used.

<Other Examples of Gas Component Analyzing Apparatus Using Inert Gas>

Next, other examples of the gas component analyzing apparatus301shown inFIG. 9will be described usingFIGS. 10 to 13with reference toFIG. 9.

FIGS. 10 to 13are schematic diagrams showing other examples of the gas component analyzing apparatus using an inert gas according to the present embodiment. InFIGS. 10 to 13, the same or like elements as inFIG. 9are denoted by the same reference numerals with description thereof being omitted.

The purge valve304purges air that has diffused into the gas component collector1and the pipe309to the outside with use of an inert gas. During prig, the heating device303is kept from heating. If the filter assembly3is kept at a low temperature without being heated, the loss of exhalation components due to the purge is reduced because the exhalation components are not desorbed. If the air having diffused into the gas component collector1and the pipe309is not a problem for analysis, a gas component analyzing apparatus301aas shown inFIG. 10need not use the purge valve304.

Although the concentrator305performs the concentration and desorption of gas, thereby improving the resolution of the GC306, if sufficiently high resolution is already obtained, a gas component analyzing apparatus301bas shown inFIG. 11need not use the concentrator305.

If the air having diffused into the gas component collector1and the pipe309and the resolution are not a problem, a gas component analyzing apparatus301cas shown inFIG. 12may be configured without the purge valve304and the concentrator305.

Further, if gas containing exhalation components need not be separated, a gas component analyzing apparatus301das shown inFIG. 13may be configured without the GC306. InFIG. 13, on the premise that air having diffused into the gas component collector1and the pipe309and the resolution are not a problem either, the purge valve304and the concentrator305are also skipped.

<Gas Component Analyzing Method Using Inert Gas>

Next, the gas component analyzing method using an inert gas according to the present embodiment will be described usingFIG. 14with reference toFIGS. 2,4and9.

FIG. 14is a flow chart showing the process flow of gas component analysis using an inert gas according to the present embodiment.

First, the gas component collector1is baked at a high temperature (S201) to make unknown gas components adsorbed onto the adsorbent31be desorbed beforehand.

Then, in an atmosphere of clean gas such as nitrogen or helium, the gas component collector1is cooled to a predetermined temperature (S202). Thereafter, the gas component collector1is set up in the gas component collecting device100(S203).

Then, exhalation components are collected according to the previously described method (S204). If exhalation components of high volatility are to be measured, the exhalation components can be efficiently adsorbed onto the surface of the adsorbent31by collecting exhalation components with both of the adsorbent31and the gas component collector1being cooled, which results in enabling analysis of good sensitivity. Conversely, if exhalation components of low volatility are to be measured by collecting with both of the adsorbent31and the gas component collector1being heated to a temperature which is not so high that the exhalation components are desorbed, impurity components of high volatility are not likely to be adsorbed onto the adsorbent31. Thus the influence of the impurity components can be reduced. Exhalation is collected while measuring the amount of collected gas with use of the exhaust gas bag103(seeFIG. 4or5), an integrating flow-meter, or the like. About 0.2 L is appropriate for the collected exhalation amount. The collected amount is adjusted depending on the sensitivity of the analyzer307used and the exhalation components of interest.

After exhalation is collected, the gas component collector1is removed from the gas component collecting device100, and the gas component collector1is placed in the heating device303of the gas component analyzing apparatus301(S205). To be more specific, at the same time as the gas component collector1is removed from the gas component collecting device100, the opening of each joint4is plugged with a cap or the like so as to put the inside of the gas component collector1in a sealed state. Then, the gas component collector1in this sealed state is transferred to the gas component analyzing apparatus301, and immediately after the plugs are removed, the gas component collector1is placed in the heating device303of the gas component analyzing apparatus301. As explained, setting up the gas component collector1in the heating device303can be achieved by a simple operation of merely removing the plugs from the gas component collector1and setting up. Thus, contamination can be prevented when being set up or during movement.

If the plugs of the gas component collector1are open for even a little time, air having flowed into the gas component collector1may diffuse into the pipe309. Accordingly, at the same time as the inert gas generating device302generates inert gas, the purge valve304is opened. By this means, the inert gas is made to flow through the pipe308, the gas component collector1, and the pipe309, thereby purging air having diffused into the pipes (S206). Where the purge valve304is not used (seeFIGS. 10,12, and13), the process of step S206can be omitted. After the purge finishes, the purge valve304is closed.

Then, the heating device303heats the filter assembly3together with the gas component collector1, thereby making the exhalation components adsorbed onto the adsorbent31be desorbed (S207). For the heating, for example, an electric heater is used. The desorbed exhalation components are sent to the concentrator305via the pipe309by the inert gas generated by the inert gas generating device302. In order to improve the resolution of analysis, the concentrator305uses, for example, a cold tap to make the exhalation components be adsorbed and concentrated again by an adsorbent in the concentrator305cooled to a low temperature and then perform rapid heating desorption (S208). Where the concentrator305is not used (seeFIGS. 11,12, and13), the process of step S208can be skipped.

The desorbed exhalation components are transferred to the GC306through the pipe310, and each of the exhalation components is separated in the GC306(S209).

Each separated component is sent through the pipe311to the analyzer307, which analyzes each of the sent components (S210). Where the GC306is not used (seeFIG. 14), the process of step S209can be omitted.

After the completion of measurement, the adsorbent31can be reused by heating it in an inert gas atmosphere to make the adsorbed components be completely desorbed (S211). In this case, for storage, opposite ends of the gas component collector1are plugged to seal the gas component collector1, thereby preventing impurity components in the atmosphere from contaminating.

<Gas Component Analyzing Apparatus Using Solvent

FIG. 15is a schematic diagram of a gas component analyzing apparatus using a solvent according to the present embodiment.

As shown inFIG. 15, a gas component analyzing apparatus401comprises an extracting section402that extracts the exhalation components adsorbed onto the adsorbent31(seeFIG. 2) with use of a solvent and a component analyzing section403that analyzes the exhalation components exacted in the extracting section402.

The extracting section402is configured to have the gas component collector1connected at its two joints4(seeFIG. 1) to pipes407and408respectively. The pipe407is also referred to as a solvent introducing section.

The component analyzing section403comprises a solvent replacing portion404, HPLC405(a component separator), an analyzer406, and pipes409to411connecting them. The pipe409has a function to introduce the solvent having the exhalation components dissolved therein into the solvent replacing portion404.

If the solvent used for the extraction is hardly ionized, the solvent replacing portion404has a function to replace the solvent with water or another solvent after vaporizing the solvent. Instead of the solvent replacing portion404, a diluting portion having a function to dilute the solvent used for the extraction with water or another solvent may be used.

The HPLC405has a function to separate each of the exhalation components extracted in the solvent.

The analyzer406has the same function as the analyzer307ofFIGS. 9 to 13.

Next, other examples of the gas component analyzing apparatus401ofFIG. 15will be described usingFIGS. 16 to 18with reference toFIG. 15.

FIGS. 16 to 18are schematic diagrams showing other examples of the gas component analyzing apparatus using a solvent according to the present embodiment. InFIGS. 16 to 18, the same or like elements as inFIG. 15are denoted by the same reference numerals with description thereof being skipped.

If the solvent used in the extraction is easy to ionize without a need to replace or dilute the solvent with water or another solvent, a gas component analyzing apparatus401amay be configured to have a component analyzing section403ahaving the solvent replacing portion404or the diluting portion (not shown) omitted as shown inFIG. 16.

Further, if each of the exhalation components extracted in the solvent need not be separated, a gas component analyzing apparatus401bmay be configured to have a component analyzing section403bhaving the HPLC405skipped as shown inFIG. 17.

If there is no need to replace or dilute the solvent with water or another solvent and to separate each of the exhalation components, a gas component analyzing apparatus401cmay be configured to have a component analyzing section403chaving the solvent replacing portion404or the diluting portion (not shown) and the HPLC405omitted as shown inFIG. 18.

Next, the gas component analyzing method using a solvent according to the present embodiment will be described usingFIG. 19with reference toFIGS. 2,4and15.

FIG. 19is a flow chart showing the process flow of gas component analysis using a solvent according to the present embodiment.

InFIG. 19, the same processes (S201to S204) as inFIG. 14are denoted by the same reference numerals with description thereof being omitted.

After exhalation is collected at the process of step S204, the gas component collector1is removed from the gas component collecting device100and set up in the exacting section402of the gas component analyzing apparatus401(S305). The method of removing and setting up the gas component collector1is the same as described in FIG.14.

Next, the solvent is injected into the gas component collector1through the pipe407, and the exhalation components are dissolved into the solvent thereby extracting the exhalation components (S306). Thereafter, the solvent containing the exited exhalation components (extract) is allowed to flow out through the pipe408.

Once collected, preprocessing such as removing impurities through, e.g., filtering is performed on the extract (S307). If the preprocessing is not necessary, the process of step S307can be skipped.

The preprocessed extract is introduced through the pipe409of the component analyzing section403into the solvent replacing portion404. Then, if the solvent used in the extraction is hardly ionized, the solvent replacing portion404replaces the solvent of the extract with water or another solvent after vaporizing the solvent (a solvent replacing process) (S308). If the diluting portion (not shown) is used instead of the solvent replacing portion404, the diluting portion dilutes the solvent of the extract with water or another solvent. If the solvent replacing portion404or the diluting portion (not shown) is not used (seeFIGS. 16 and 18), the process of step S308can be skipped.

The extract whose solvent is replaced at step5308is transferred to the HPLC405through the pipe410. Then, each of the exhalation components dissolved in the extract is separated in the HPLC405(S309). Each separated component is sent through the pipe411to the analyzer406and is analyzed by the analyzer406(S310). If the HPLC405is not used (seeFIGS. 17 and 18), the process of step S309can be skipped.

After the completion of measurement, the adsorbent31can be reused by heating it in an inert gas atmosphere to make the adsorbed components and solvent be completely desorbed (S311). In this case, for storage, opposite ends of the gas component collector1are plugged to seal the gas component collector1, thereby preventing impurity components in the atmosphere from contaminating.

As explained, the gas component collector1can be easily set up in the gas component analyzing apparatuses301,301ato301d(seeFIGS. 9 to 13) or the gas component analyzing apparatuses401,401ato401c(seeFIGS. 15 to 18) because it is structured to be connected at the opening portions5(seeFIG. 1) to them, and contamination can be prevented.

EXPERIMENTAL EXAMPLES

Next, the effect of the gas component collector1according to the present embodiment against contamination will be described with reference toFIGS. 20 and 21.

InFIGS. 20 and 21, the same or like elements as inFIG. 9are denoted by the same reference numerals with description thereof being omitted.

FIG. 20illustrates the influence of contamination on a gas component analyzing apparatus as a comparative example;FIG. 20Ais a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the gas component analyzing apparatus as a comparative example;FIG. 20Bshows a mass chromatograph of fragment ions of acetone for the comparative example; andFIG. 20Cshows a spectrum of fragment ions of acetone for the comparative example.

FIG. 21illustrates the influence of contamination on a gas component analyzing apparatus according to the present embodiment;FIG. 21Ais a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the gas component analyzing apparatus of the embodiment;FIG. 21Bshows a mass chromatograph of fragment ions of acetone for the embodiment; andFIG. 21Cshows a spectrum of fragment ions of acetone for the embodiment.

The filter assembly3is taken out (i.e., exposed to the atmosphere) and then placed in a heating device502that uses lamp heating or the like of a gas component analyzing apparatus501ofFIG. 20A. The subsequent analysis is the same as that of the present embodiment.

A gas component analyzing apparatus301ofFIG. 21Ais the same as the gas component analyzing apparatus301ofFIG. 9.

The filter assembly3and the gas component collector1inFIGS. 20 and 21were both heated in an inert gas atmosphere to make the substances adsorbed onto the adsorbent31be completely removed and then were provided in the heating devices502,303respectively for background analysis. The substance for comparison was acetone that is contained in the atmosphere. Fragment ions (m/z=31) and (m/z=41) obtained after performing multiple mass spectrometry MS/MS) on ionized positive parent ions of acetone (m/z=59) were measured. Here, m/z denotes a mass-to-charge ratio (mass number (m) of an ion divided by its charge number (z)).

FIGS. 20C and 21Cshow spectrums at the times indicated by the downward arrows inFIGS. 203 and 21B. InFIGS. 20C and 21C, the peaks indicated by m/z=31 and m/z=41 indicate acetone. InFIGS. 20B and 21B, the ordinate represents ion intensity, and the abscissa represents time. InFIGS. 20C and 21C, the ordinate represents ion intensity, and the abscissa represents m/z.

By comparing the spectra inFIGS. 20C and 21C, it is found that the detected amount of acetone is smaller forFIG. 21C. Hence, it proves that with the gas component collector1according to the present embodiment, contamination by acetone is less in amount.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the holding container2is provided at least either on a first face side or a second face side of the filter assembly3with each of a first opening portion5for introducing gas and a second opening portion5for allowing the introduced gas to exit and is structured to house the filter assembly3. By this means, the filter assembly3can be isolated from the atmosphere, thus preventing contamination of the filter assembly3.

Further, letting V be the total volume of the adsorbent31, A be the sum of the opening areas of the holes35, and L be the average length of the holes35, the filter assembly3has a structured to satisfy both (AL−V)2/L3≧0.003 mm3and V/AL≧0.3. Thus, pressure loss when collecting gas components to be analyzed can be reduced, thereby reducing a burden on the person under test107.

Yet further, with the two opening portions5being shaped to be plugged, the gas component collector1has such a structure that its inside is sealable. Thus, contamination can be prevented during movement or when being set up in the gas component analyzing apparatus301.

Because sealing means can be placed in between the filter assembly3and the holding container2, gas components to be analyzed can be prevented from leaking around the periphery of the filter assembly3.

Because the gas component collector1has a structure to be connected at the opening portions5, the gas component collector1can be easily set up in the gas component collecting device100(seeFIG. 4) and the gas component analyzing apparatuses301,401(seeFIGS. 9 and 15), and also contamination can be prevented.

As shown inFIG. 6, the method of producing the filter assembly3acomprises a step of covering the first face of the filter assembly3abefore filled with the adsorbent31with the mesh33finer than the grain size of the adsorbent31; a step of mounting on the filter table202provided with the pump203to suck gas the filter assembly3awith the first face covered by the mesh33being opposite the pump203; a step of sucking gas by the pump203so as to draw the adsorbent31together with the gas, thereby filling the holes35with the adsorbent31; a step of removing the excess grains of the adsorbent31from the second face; and a step of covering the second face with a mesh33. Therefore, the adsorbent31is prevented from being dispersed, and work time is reduced.

Furthermore, as shown inFIG. 8, by mounting a plurality of filter assemblies3aon a plurality of filter tables202and simultaneously sucking the adsorbent31by the pump203, the plurality of filter assemblies3acan be produced simultaneously.

There is provided a production method for producing a filter comprising an adsorbent holding plate and an adsorbent, the adsorbent holding plate having a first face, a second face and a plurality of holes that are bored through from the first face to the second face and are filled with an adsorbent adsorbing at least one gas component to be analyzed, comprising the steps of attaching a mesh whose mesh size is smaller than a grain size of the adsorbent to the first face of the adsorbent holding plate unfilled with the adsorbent, placing the adsorbent holding plate on a filter table provided with a sucking portion to suck air so that the first face covered with the mesh comes onto the sucking portion, filling the holes with the adsorbent that is sucked by sucking air, removing an extra part of the adsorbent over the second face and attaching another mesh onto the second face.

There is provided the method of producing filters according to the foregoing, wherein on the filter table are formed a plurality of sucking portions, on each of which the filter is placed and wherein a plurality of the filters are produced at one time.

A gas component analyzing apparatus which analyzes at least one gas component of interest, comprises a gas component collector that has collected the at least one gas component of interest; an analyzer that analyzes the at least one gas component of interest; and a solvent introducing section that introduces into the gas component collector a solvent to dissolve the at least one gas component of interest adsorbed in the gas component collector and send the dissolved at least one gas component to the analyzer. The gas component collector comprises a filter comprising an adsorbent and an adsorbent holding plate having a first face, a second face and a plurality of holes that are bored through from the first face to the second face and are filled with a macular adsorbent adsorbing at least one gas component of interest, the filter satisfying (AL−V)2/L3≧0.003 mm3and V/AL≧0.3, where V is a total volume of the adsorbent, A is a sum of the opening areas of the holes, and L is an average length of the holes; and a holding container that houses the filter. The holding container has a first face side on which a first opening portion connected to the first pipe is formed and a second face side on which a second opening portion connected to the second pipe is formed. The holding container houses the filter that is provided on the first face side of the filter with a first opening portion for introducing gas and on the second face side with a second opening portion for allowing the introduced gas to exit. The gas component collector is attachable and detachable at the first opening portion and second opening portion to and from the gas component analyzing apparatus.

There is provided the gas component analyzing apparatus according to the foregoing, further comprising a solvent replacing portion that replaces the solvent having the at least one gas component dissolved therein with water or another solvent or a diluting portion that dilutes the solvent having the at least one gas component dissolved therein with water or another solvent in between the gas component collector and the analyzer.

There is provided the gas component analyzing apparatus according to the same, further comprising a component separator in between the gas component collector and the analyzer, the component separator separating each of the at least one gas component dissolved in the solvent.

There is provided the gas component analyzing apparatus according to the foregoing, wherein the component separator is of liquid chromatography.

There is provided a gas component analyzing method for a gas component analyzing apparatus comprising: a gas component collector that has collected at least one gas component of interest; a heater that heats the gas component collector, an analyzer that connects to the gas component collector and analyzes the at least one gas component of interest; and a carrier gas introducing section that introduces a carrier gas into the gas component collector to send the desorbed at least one gas component of interest from the gas component collector to the analyzer, wherein the gas component collector comprises a filter comprising an adsorbent and an adsorbent holding plate having a first face, a second face and a plurality of holes that are bored through from the first face to the second face and are filled with the adsorbent adsorbing the at least one gas component of interest, the filter satisfying (AL−V)2/L3≧0.003 mm3and V/AL≧0.3, where V is the total volume of the adsorbent, A is the sum of the opening areas of the holes, and L is the average length of the holes; and a holding container housing the filter that is provided on the first face side of the filter with a first opening portion for introducing gas and on the second face side with a second opening portion for allowing the introduced gas to be discharged, wherein the gas component collector is detachably installed at the first opening portion and second opening portion in the gas component collecting device, the gas component analyzing method wherein the heater heats the gas component collector that has collected the at least one gas component; the carrier gas introduced through the carrier gas introducing section sends the at least one gas component desorbed by the beating from the adsorbent of the gas component collector to the analyzer, and the analyzer analyzes the at least one gas component sent.

There is provided the gas component analyzing method according to the foregoing, wherein the gas component analyzing apparatus fixer comprises a concentrator in between the gas component collector and the analyzer, the concentrator concentrating and heating the at least one gas component sent from the gas component collector.

There is provided the gas component analyzing method according to the same, wherein the gas component analyzing apparatus further comprises a purge section in between the gas component collector and the analyzer, and before the gas component collector is heated and after the carrier gas is introduced through the carrier gas introducing section, the purge section is opened.

There is provided the gas component analyzing method according to the same, wherein the gas component analyzing apparatus further comprises a component separator in between the gas component collector and the analyzer, the component separator separating each of the at least one gas component sent from the gas component collector and sending each said separated gas component to the analyzer, the analyzer analyzing each said separated gas component sent.

There is provided the gas component analyzing method according to the foregoing, wherein the component separator is of gas chromatography.

There is provided a gas component analyzing method for a gas component analyzing apparatus comprising a gas component collector that has collected the at least one gas component of interest; an analyzer that analyzes the at least one gas component of interest; and a solvent introducing section that introduces into the gas component collector a solvent to dissolve the at least one gas component of interest adsorbed in the gas component collector and send the dissolved at least one gas component to the analyzer, wherein the gas component collector comprises a filter comprising an adsorbent and an adsorbent holding plate having a first face, a second face and a plurality of holes that are bored through from the first face to the second face and are filled with the adsorbent adsorbing the at least one gas component of interest, the filter satisfying that (AL−V)2/L3≧0.003 mm3and V/AL≧0.3, where V is the total volume of the adsorbent, A is the sum of the opening areas of the holes, and L is the average length of the holes; and a holding container housing the filter that is provided on the first face side of the filter with a first opening portion for introducing gas and on the second ace side with a second opening portion for allowing the introduced gas to exit, wherein the gas component collector is attachable and detachable at the first opening portion and second opening portion to and from the gas component analyzing apparatus, the gas component analyzing method wherein the solvent introduced through the solvent introducing section dissolves the at least one gas component adsorbed onto the adsorbent of the gas component collector; the solvent having the at least one gas component dissolved therein is sent to the analyzer; and the analyzer analyzes the at least one gas component dissolved in the solvent sent.

There is provided the gas component analyzing method according to the foregoing, wherein the gas component analyzing apparatus flier comprises a solvent replacing portion in between the gas component collector and the analyzer, the solvent replacing portion replacing the solvent having the at least one gas component dissolved therein with water or another solvent.

There is provided the gas component analyzing method according to the same, wherein the gas component analyzing apparatus further comprises a diluting portion in between the gas component collector and the analyzer, the diluting portion diluting the solvent having the at least one gas component dissolved therein with water or another solvent.

There is provided the gas component analyzing method according to the same, wherein the gas component analyzing apparatus further comprises a component separator in between the gas component collector and the analyzer, the component separator separating each of the at least one gas component sent from the gas component collector and sending each said separated gas component to the analyzer, the analyzer analyzing each said separated gas component sent.

There is provided the gas component analyzing method according to the foregoing, wherein the component separator is of liquid chromatography.