Patent ID: 7273588

Claim:
A system for measuring at least one metal analyte from a halosilane source, comprising: (a) a halosilane source comprising at least one halosilane having a formula Si u Cl v F w Br x I y N z , wherein u is 1 or 2; (v+w+x+y) is an integer between 1 and 4+2(u−1), inclusive; each of v, w, x, and y is an integer between 0 and 4+2(u−1), inclusive; z is an integer between 0 and 2u+1, inclusive; (v+w+x+y+z) is equal to 4+2(u−1); and each N is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl, methoxy, ethyl, ethoxy, propyl, propoxy, isopropyl, isopropoxy, n-butyl, butoxy, vinyl, and phenyl, (b) at least one reaction system coupled to said halosilane source, wherein a first sample comprising the halosilane is collected from the halosilane source, wherein the first sample and an aqueous hydrofluoric acid solution are contacted in the reaction system to produce a liquid reaction mixture, and the reaction system comprises: a sample introduction line to carry the first sample, a shield gas supply line, a shield gas functional line, wherein the shield gas supply line and the shield gas functional line are to carry a shield gas, wherein the shield gas functional line has a longitudinal axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sample introduction line, and the sample shield gas functional line jackets at least a portion of the sample introduction line, wherein the jacketed portion of the sample introduction line comprises an open end and a continuing end, and wherein the shield gas functional line comprises a first end that is sealed to the continuing end of the portion of the sample introduction line and an open end, a connector that connects the shield gas supply line and the shield gas functional line, wherein the open end of the jacketed portion of the sample introduction line and the open end of the shield gas functional line are on the same side relative to the connector, and an impinger comprising a reaction vessel and the aqueous hydrofluoric acid solution therein, wherein the open end of the shield gas functional line and the open end of the jacketed portion of the sample introduction line are positioned below the surface of the aqueous hydrofluoric acid solution, and wherein the open end of the shield gas functional line and the open end of the sample introduction line are positioned relative to one another such that when the shield gas and the first sample are carried through the reaction system, the shield gas is capable of shielding the first sample when the first sample is contacted with the aqueous hydrofluoric acid solution, thereby producing the liquid reaction mixture, (c) an evaporator, wherein the evaporator is used to evaporate liquid from the liquid reaction mixture to produce a near-dry residue, wherein the near-dry residue is mixed with a take-up liquid to produce a second sample, and (d) a metal analyte detector, wherein the metal analyte detector is used to analyze the second sample for the presence of a detectable amount of at least one metal analyte.