Bromate Ion Measurement Using Fluorescence Wavelength Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for measuring bromate ion concentration in water samples are prone to corrosion and high running costs due to high hydrochloric acid concentrations, and are affected by coexisting substances like nitrate ions, leading to imprecise measurements.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that utilize a strong anion exchanger with a quaternary amine functional group and a fluorescent substance, measuring fluorescence intensity at specific wavelengths (264 nm and 400 nm, 264 nm and 480 nm, or 300 nm and 400 nm) to calculate bromate ion concentration, reducing the required hydrochloric acid concentration and minimizing interference from coexisting substances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If high concentration of hydrochloric acid (6 N) is used to ensure linearity of calibration curve, then measurement precision is improved, but apparatus corrosion increases and running costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidapparatus corrosion
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the excitation and emission wavelength parameters from the conventional 300 nm/480 nm to alternative combinations (264 nm/400 nm, 264 nm/480 nm, or 300 nm/400 nm). This parameter change enables the use of lower hydrochloric acid concentrations (1-3 N instead of 6 N) while maintaining measurement precision, thereby reducing apparatus corrosion and running costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If high concentration of hydrochloric acid (6 N) is used to ensure linearity of calibration curve, then measurement precision is improved, but running costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidrunning costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

By changing the wavelength parameters to 264 nm/400 nm, 264 nm/480 nm, or 300 nm/400 nm, the patent enables accurate measurements at lower hydrochloric acid concentrations (1-3 N), significantly reducing chemical consumption and running costs while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If high concentration of hydrochloric acid (6 N) is used for measurement, then fluorescence intensity measurement is enabled, but slope value of calibration curve is changed by coexisting nitrate ions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidcalibration curve accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the wavelength parameters to 264 nm/400 nm, 264 nm/480 nm, or 300 nm/400 nm, which allows measurements at lower hydrochloric acid concentrations. At these lower concentrations, the calibration curve slope is no longer significantly affected by coexisting nitrate ions, improving measurement reliability and accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 precise measurement of bromate ion concentration with reduced hydrochloric acid usage, improving apparatus durability and reducing running costs while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

introducing a test water sample to an anion exchanger that selectively absorbs bromate ions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIon exchange: Ion Exchange

Implementation Method 2

a fluorescent substance, a fluorescence intensity of which is changed by the coexistence of bromate ions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Data Source

PatentEP2863210B1Method and apparatus for measuring the concentration of bromate ions
Publication Date: 2020.12.02 METAWATER CO LTD
  • EP2863210B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2863210B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2863210B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A method for measuring bromate ion includes: a first step of introducing a test water sample to an anion exchanger that selectively absorbs bromate ions; a second step of introducing, to the anion exchanger, a hydrochloric acid solution containing a fluorescent substance, a fluorescence intensity of which is changed by the coexistence of bromate ions; a third step of measuring the fluorescence intensity of the fluorescent substance contained in the hydrochloric acid solution discharged from the anion exchanger; and a fourth step of using a calibration curve, which shows a relationship between the fluorescence intensity of the fluorescent substance and the concentration of the bromate ions, to calculate the concentration of the bromate ions that corresponds to the measured fluorescence intensity. The third step includes the step of measuring the fluorescence intensity at any one of a case where the excitation wavelength and the emission wavelength are 264 nm and 400 nm, a case where the excitation wavelength and the emission wavelength are 264 nm and 480 nm, and a case where the excitation wavelength and the emission wavelength are 300 nm and 400 nm.