A method of quantifying the removal of hydrocarbon component from a soiled fabric by a washing process
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for assessing hydrocarbon removal from soiled fabrics are limited by the need for colorants, which restrict their application to laboratory-prepared stains, and existing non-destructive techniques like ATR spectroscopy can damage samples or require intense light, making them unsuitable for real-world complex soils.
Innovation Solution
A non-contact and non-destructive method using near-infrared (NIR) analysis to quantify hydrocarbon removal from soiled fabrics, involving multiple point measurements before and after washing, without the need for colorants, employing a spectrometer with separate light-source and detector modules to cover the full spectral range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If colourimetric method with oleophilic colourants is used to assess greasy soils, then simple greasy food soils can be analysed, but the method cannot be used with complex multicomponent real-world soils and requires prior inclusion of colourant
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the requirement for colourants from the analysis system. By using NIR spectroscopy to directly detect hydrocarbon components in soils, the method removes the intermediate step of colourant application, enabling direct analysis of both simple and complex soils without modification
Solution Approach 2:
The NIR spectroscopy method provides universal applicability across different soil types. The system can analyze simple greasy food soils, complex mechanical soils, body soils, and other hydrocarbon-containing soils using the same methodology, making the technique multi-functional and broadly applicable
2Adaptability or versatility
If ATR spectroscopy is used to analyse complex greasy soils, then analysis of multicomponent real-world soils is possible, but the contact technique can damage the integrity of the sample
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical contact-based ATR spectroscopy with a non-contact optical measurement system. NIR spectroscopy uses light waves to interact with the sample without physical contact, eliminating mechanical damage while maintaining the ability to analyze complex soil compositions
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the measurement parameter from contact-based infrared absorption to non-contact near-infrared reflection. This parameter change allows analysis of complex soils while avoiding the sample damage associated with pressure and contact required by ATR spectroscopy
3Measurement precision
If intense beams of light are used for analysis, then detection capability is improved, but the light can heat the sample causing degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the light parameter from intense beams to low-intensity NIR illumination. By operating in the near-infrared region and using appropriate illumination intensities, the system achieves sufficient detection capability for hydrocarbon components without generating excessive heat that would cause sample degradation
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate, non-destructive quantification of hydrocarbon removal from soiled fabrics, effectively addressing the limitations of existing methods by providing a reliable and versatile technique for both simple and complex hydrocarbon soils.
Implementation Method 1
performing non-contact near-infrared (NIR) analysis of the soiled fabric to determine the concentration of hydrocarbon component present on the soiled fabric
Implementation Method 2
uses near infra-red (NIR) analysis... performing non-contact NIR analysis of the soiled fabric to determine the concentration of hydrocarbon component
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method of quantifying the removal of hydrocarbon component from a soiled fabric by a washing process, wherein the soiled fabric comprises at least 0.5wt% hydrocarbon component wherein the method uses near infra-red (NIR) analysis, wherein the method comprises the steps of: (a) performing non-contact NIR analysis of the soiled fabric to determine the concentration of hydrocarbon component present on the soiled fabric at multiple points; (b) washing the soiled fabric to obtain a washed fabric; (c) performing non-contact NIR analysis of the washed fabric to determine the concentration of hydrocarbon component present on the washed fabric at the same multiple points that were used in step (a); and (d) quantifying the removal of hydrocarbon component from the soiled fabric by the washing process.