Carbon Source Origin Detection Using Carbon-14 Ratio Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Consumers and companies are increasingly interested in using resource-recycled carbon in chemical substances, but there is a lack of methods to determine whether such carbon is used as a carbon raw material, necessitating a system to verify the use of resource-recycled carbon in goods.

Innovation Solution

A method is developed to determine the origin of carbon source in chemical substances by calculating the ratio of carbon-14 content rates between a standard chemical substance made from recycled carbon and the chemical substance to be identified, using liquid scintillation counting to assess the carbon-14 content rates and determining the presence of resource-recycled carbon based on a ratio of 0.5 to 2.0.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If carbon-14 content rate measurement is performed to determine resource-recycled carbon usage, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to need for liquid scintillation counting apparatus and standard substance management system

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarbon-14 content rate measurement precisionVSAvoidmeasurement system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent measures the carbon-14 content rate (a specific parameter) in the chemical substance and compares it to a standard substance to determine resource-recycled carbon usage. By focusing on this specific parameter and establishing a reference system, the patent achieves precise measurement without requiring overly complex analytical equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a standard substance (chemical substance with known resource-recycled carbon content) that serves as a reference copy for comparison. This standard substance allows for simplified measurement by providing a benchmark, eliminating the need for complex absolute quantification methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If a system is established to verify resource-recycled carbon usage in chemical substances, then reliability of environmental claims is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to additional verification steps required for consumers and companies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveverification of resource-recycled carbon usageVSAvoidoperational simplicity for consumers and companies
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex verification procedures with a straightforward carbon-14 content rate measurement and comparison process. This substitution of measurement methodology simplifies the verification system while maintaining reliability, making it more accessible to consumers and companies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal verification method that can be applied to various chemical substances containing carbon from different sources (fossil fuels, biomass, waste). This multi-functional approach allows a single measurement technique to verify resource-recycled carbon usage across diverse applications, improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 determination of resource-recycled carbon usage in chemical substances, allowing consumers to verify the use of recycled carbon in goods and promoting environmentally friendly practices.

Implementation Method 1

a step of measuring a carbon-14 content rate R1 of a standard chemical substance having carbon element in which carbon has been recycled as a resource, and a carbon-14 content rate R2 of the chemical substance to be identified, by using liquid scintillation counting

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadioactive decay: Radioactive Decay

Implementation Method 2

by using liquid scintillation counting to assess the carbon-14 content rates

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLiquid scintillation counting: Scintillation

Data Source

PatentEP3995825B1Method for determining origin of carbon source of chemical substance
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO LTD
  • EP3995825B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

Provided is a method for determining origin of carbon source of chemical substance, which makes it possible to determine whether resource-recycled carbon is used as a carbon raw material from a chemical substance in various goods. The method for determining origin of carbon source of chemical substance includes: a step S1 of acquiring a carbon-14 content rate R1 of a standard chemical substance having carbon element in which carbon has been recycled as a resource; a step S2 of acquiring a carbon-14 content rate R2 of a chemical substance to be identified; a step S3 of calculating a ratio (R2/R1) of the content rate R2 to the content rate R1; and a step S4 of determining that a carbon raw material in the chemical substance to be identified contains resource-recycled carbon based on the ratio (R2/R1).