Augmented Raman Gas Analysis for Invisible Species
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spectroscopic methods, such as Raman and absorption spectroscopy, are unable to quantify spectroscopic-invisible species in multi-component gas mixtures, requiring additional costly technologies like gas chromatography or mass spectrometry for accurate composition analysis, especially in industrial applications with multiple gases present.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses a spectroscopic device to determine the composition of a multi-component sample, calculates a relative composition matrix, measures secondary properties with sensors, and adjusts for spectroscopic-invisible components by attributing differences between calculated and measured values to these invisible species, thereby refining the composition analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If Raman spectroscopy is used to analyze gas mixtures, then the abundance of chemical species can be measured, but spectroscopic-invisible species (such as noble gases and homonuclear diatomics) cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines Raman spectroscopy with absorption spectroscopy (NIR or IR) to create a hybrid analytical system. The Raman spectroscopy detects species with Raman-active vibrations, while the absorption spectroscopy simultaneously detects spectroscopic-invisible species through their absorption characteristics, achieving comprehensive detection of all gas components including noble gases and homonuclear diatomics
Solution Approach 2:
The system integrates multiple spectroscopic methods into a single platform that can detect both Raman-active and Raman-invisible species. The absorption spectroscopy component provides universal detection capability for all molecular species regardless of their Raman activity, making the overall system versatile for analyzing any gas mixture composition
2Measurement precision
If gas chromatography or mass spectrometry is used to detect spectroscopic-invisible species, then accurate quantification is achieved, but the cost and complexity of the system increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical separation systems (gas chromatography) and mass analysis systems (mass spectrometry) with optical spectroscopic methods. The absorption spectroscopy uses light-matter interactions to detect and quantify species, eliminating the need for physical separation or mass-to-charge ratio analysis, thereby reducing system complexity and cost while maintaining quantification accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the detection parameter from mass-based (GC/MS) to optical absorption-based detection. By measuring absorption characteristics at specific wavelengths, the system achieves accurate quantification of spectroscopic-invisible species using simpler, more cost-effective optical components rather than complex mechanical or electrical systems
3Productivity
If methods for solving binary mixtures are applied to multi-component gas mixtures, then the analysis can be performed, but assumptions must be made regarding which components are changing and which are stable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the multi-component gas mixture analysis into distinct spectral regions and detection modes. Raman spectroscopy handles Raman-active species while absorption spectroscopy handles Raman-invisible species, with each method optimized for its detectable target group. This segmentation eliminates the need to assume which components are stable, as both detection systems operate simultaneously and independently
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure includes discloses a method for analyzing a multi-component gas sample using spectroscopy in combination with the measurement of extrinsic or intrinsic properties of the gas sample. The results of the spectroscopic analysis and the measurement are combined to quantify a gas component unseen by the spectroscopic analysis.