Use of electronic nose for e.g. quality control and empirical characterization of foods, comprises thermally decomposing sample and producing recognizable pattern from parallel sensors

摘要

A sample is heated and gases arise which are sensed by differentiated sensors operating in parallel; i.e. an electronic nose. During the heating interval, these gases are analyzed continuously. An Independent claim is included for an apparatus for the above process, comprising a chamber (1) of any desired shape, containing a heater (6) and a sample (2). It is subjected to heating, the temperature being maintained constant or varied over time. The chamber is flushed with gas from a source (3) and/or ambient air. This gas flow and/or gas vapor pressure from the sample and/or pumping, carries decomposition products to an active array of sensors (5). An equilibrium or steady state is said to be established. The sensors produce a characteristic pattern. This enables any samples to be differentiated or characterized, unequivocally. Preferred Features: Aerosols and particles also released from the sample, are analyzed. The sample under investigation has any suitable consistency, e.g. solid, fluid or pasty. The chamber in which the sample is heated influences sample breakdown, e.g. it may be catalytic. Gas surrounding the sample, e.g. ambient air, can react with it, influencing decomposition. The graph of sensor signals against solid sample temperature, is employed for identification or characterization of the sample material characteristics. Chemical composition of, and/or physical nature of the mixture and/or characteristics specific to the manufacturing process can be deduced.