Brominated Flame-Retardant Quantification Using Relative Response Factors
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for determining brominated flame-retardant compounds, such as PBBs and PBDEs, are labor-intensive and require expensive mixed standard solutions, especially when multiple mass spectrometers are involved, making it difficult to prepare calibration curves efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A quantitative determination device that uses a relative response factor to determine the quantities of brominated flame-retardant compounds by selecting a reference compound and calculating the quantities of compared compounds based on their intensities and known quantities of the reference compounds, reducing the need for mixed standard solutions and simplifying the calibration process across multiple analyzers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional method using mixed standard solutions is used to prepare calibration curves for each compound, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and loss of substance increase due to the need for expensive mixed standard solutions containing all 20 compounds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and separates the calibration process into two independent parts: (1) a universal calibration curve for the reference compound that can be reused across multiple analyzers, and (2) individual relative response factors for each compared compound. This eliminates the need for expensive mixed standard solutions containing all 20 compounds, as only separate standard solutions for the reference compound and individual compared compounds are required.
2Measurement precision
If calibration curves are prepared for each analyzer to ensure measurement accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to the labor-consuming task of preparing calibration curves for each of the 20 compounds on each analyzer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the calibration process into distinct components: a universal calibration curve for the reference compound that is independent of the analyzer, and separate relative response factors for each compared compound. This segmentation allows the time-consuming calibration curve preparation to be performed only once for the reference compound, while the relative response factors can be determined separately and applied across multiple analyzers, significantly reducing the total time required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary determination of relative response factors for each compared compound relative to the reference compound. These pre-determined relative response factors can then be directly applied when using multiple analyzers, eliminating the need to re-determine them for each analyzer and reducing the labor and time required for calibration across multiple devices.
3Productivity
If multiple mass spectrometers are used to handle considerable numbers of target samples, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need to prepare calibration curves for each analyzer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal calibration curve for the reference compound that can be applied across multiple analyzers, making the calibration process analyzer-independent. This universality allows the same calibration curve to serve multiple analyzers simultaneously, reducing the complexity associated with preparing separate calibration curves for each device while maintaining measurement accuracy across the system.
4Measurement precision
If mixed standard solutions containing all 20 compounds are used for calibration, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to the difficulty of procuring such expensive mixed standard solutions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the calibration requirement into separate components: a universal calibration curve using only the reference compound and individual relative response factors for each compared compound. This extraction eliminates the need for expensive mixed standard solutions containing all 20 compounds, making the calibration process easier to manufacture and implement using readily available separate standard solutions.
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
This approach allows for convenient and efficient determination of brominated flame-retardant compounds, reducing labor and costs by using a single calibration curve for each analyzer and enabling accurate quantification even when multiple analyzers are used.
Implementation Method 1
gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS)
Implementation Method 2
gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS)
Data Source
AI summary
In a quantitative determination device 10 for brominated flame-retardant compounds, a storage section 41 holds a relative response factor 411 representing a relationship of a measured intensity of a compared compound to that of a reference compound selected from target compounds. A standard-sample measurer 43 acquires the intensity of the reference compound by measuring a standard sample, using an analyzer 10, 20. A target-sample measurer 45 acquires the intensities of the reference and compared compounds by measuring a target sample, using the analyzer. A reference-compound quantity determiner 46 determines a quantitative value of the reference compound in the target sample. A compared-compound quantity determiner 47 determines a quantitative value of the compared compound based on the quantity of the reference compound in the standard sample, intensity of the reference compound acquired by the standard-sample measurer, intensity of the compared compound acquired by the target-sample measurer, and relative response factor of the compared compound.