Chemical Inventory Management Using Remaining Activity Prediction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods fail to accurately predict and manage the remaining activity of chemical substances exposed to unfavorable storage conditions, particularly at industrial scales, due to lack of qualified testing facilities and equipment in warehouses.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method and apparatus for activity-based chemical substance formulation management, using input units to receive storage segment data and initial activity values, processing units to calculate remaining activity, and output units to provide management decisions based on these values, employing stability models like the Arrhenius and Weibull equations to predict activity degradation under varying conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If re-testing of activity is performed to determine usability of chemical substances after unfavorable storage conditions, then reliability of activity assessment is improved, but device complexity and operational difficulty increase due to lack of testing facilities and qualified employees in warehouses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactivity assessment reliabilityVSAvoidtesting facility complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces physical chemical testing facilities and equipment with a computer-implemented information processing system. Instead of performing actual chemical activity tests in warehouses, the system uses computational models (Arrhenius and Weibull equations) to calculate remaining activity values based on storage condition data, thereby eliminating the need for complex testing infrastructure while maintaining assessment reliability

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a virtual model of the chemical substance's degradation behavior through mathematical equations (Arrhenius and Weibull models). This computational copy allows prediction of activity levels without physical testing, enabling warehouse staff to assess chemical usability using only basic storage condition records rather than specialized testing equipment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If manual testing and evaluation of chemical substance activity is performed, then measurement precision of remaining activity is improved, but loss of time increases due to lengthy testing procedures and lack of qualified personnel

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremaining activity measurement precisionVSAvoidtesting and evaluation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary computational calculations of remaining activity values immediately when storage condition data becomes available, rather than waiting for time-consuming physical tests. The system continuously monitors storage conditions and automatically calculates activity levels, providing timely results for inventory management decisions without requiring scheduled testing sessions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces time-consuming manual chemical testing procedures with instantaneous computer-based calculations. The information processing system computes remaining activity values in real-time using stored mathematical models and current storage condition data, reducing assessment time from days or weeks of physical testing to seconds of computational processing

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

3Reliability

If conservative approach is taken and chemical substances are discarded when minimum activity threshold is not met, then reliability of product quality is improved, but loss of substance increases as usable chemicals are wasted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct quality reliabilityVSAvoidchemical substance waste
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the assessment parameter from a binary pass/fail threshold check to a continuous remaining activity value calculation. Instead of simply comparing current activity against minimum threshold and discarding, the system calculates precise remaining activity levels and enables dosage adjustment based on actual activity, allowing utilization of chemicals that would otherwise be discarded while maintaining quality standards

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic dosage adjustment capability that adapts to the actual remaining activity level of chemical substances. Rather than static discard decisions, the system enables flexible dosage modifications based on calculated activity values, allowing optimal utilization of chemicals across their entire activity range while maintaining product quality reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Measurement precision

If detailed tracking of storage conditions is implemented to predict remaining activity, then measurement precision of activity prediction is improved, but device complexity increases due to data collection and processing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactivity prediction precisionVSAvoiddata collection and processing system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the information processing system to perform multiple functions using the same infrastructure: it stores inventory data, monitors storage conditions, calculates remaining activity values, generates dosage recommendations, and manages inventory decisions. This multi-functional approach avoids the need for separate specialized systems for each function, reducing overall complexity while maintaining prediction precision

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses standardized storage condition parameters (temperature, humidity, time) as intermediaries between physical storage environments and chemical activity prediction. These universal parameters can be easily measured and recorded using simple sensors and can be directly input into the mathematical models, bridging the gap between physical conditions and computational prediction without requiring complex translation layers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 and reliable prediction of chemical substance activity, allowing for effective management decisions such as dosage adjustments, shelf life indicators, and batch ordering, even in scenarios with non-constant temperatures, thus optimizing chemical usage and reducing waste.

Implementation Method 1

employing stability models like the Arrhenius and Weibull equations to predict activity degradation under varying conditions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectArrhenius equation:

Implementation Method 2

employing stability models like the Arrhenius and Weibull equations to predict activity degradation under varying conditions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWeibull equation:

Implementation Method 3

Inactivation and degradation of chemical substances may be caused by diverse physical and chemical factors and conditions, including but not limited to temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal degradation:

Implementation Method 4

Inactivation and degradation of chemical substances may be caused by diverse physical and chemical factors and conditions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical degradation:

Data Source

PatentEP4052202B1Activity based chemical substance inventory management
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 BASF SE
  • EP4052202B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4052202B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4052202B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a computer-implemented method for activity based chemical substance formulation management of a chemical substance formulation comprising (i) receiving input data, preferably via an input unit (10), of at least one storage segment data defined by at least temperature and storage duration and an initial chemical substance activity value of said chemical substance formulation; (ii) determining, specifically calculating, a remaining activity value of the chemical substance formulation based on the storage segment data and the initial chemical substance activity value via a processing unit (20); (iii) providing a remaining activity value for the chemical substance formulation, preferably via an output unit (30), and (iv) managing said chemical substance formulation based on the remaining activity value of step (iii), said managing preferably comprising at least one of -providing a dosage recommendation based on the remaining activity value of the chemical substance formulation, preferably via an output unit (30); - providing a residual shelf life indicator for said chemical substance formulation based on the remaining activity value of the chemical substance formulation; -automated adjustment of a dosage of the chemical substance formulation by controlling of a dosing equipment; and/or - eliciting an order of a batch of chemical substance formulation if the remaining activity value is indicative of the total chemical substance activity in the chemical substance formulation being below a pre-determined threshold value. The present invention also relates to an apparatus for activity based chemical substance formulation management of a chemical substance formulation, comprising: -an input unit (10) configured to receive a data input, preferably a user interface, wherein the data input comprises storage segment data defined by at least temperature and duration and an initial chemical substance activity value of said chemical substance formulation; -a processing unit (20), preferably a processing unit comprising at least one processor, configured, specifically by programming, to determine, specifically to calculate, a remaining activity value of the chemical substance formulation based on the storage segment data and the initial chemical substance activity value; and - an output unit (30) configured to output the remaining activity value for the chemical substance formulation to the user and/or to a data interface.; and to a system comprising said apparatus. The present invention further relates to methods, computer programs, data carriers, and uses related to the aforesaid method, apparatus, and system.