Chromatograph Data Processing for Broad Concentration Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Chromatographic data processing systems face challenges in accurately determining the concentration or ratio of components with significantly different concentrations, as settings for one component can lead to signal distortion or saturation of another, and existing methods require multiple analyses or adjustments to handle varying concentrations.
Innovation Solution
A data processing system for chromatographs that sets two wavelengths within a peak spectrum, calculates intensity ratios, and uses automatic correction values to determine quantitative values of target components, allowing for single analysis and detection over a broad range of absorbance with a single detector.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the sensitivity of the detector is increased to correctly detect low-concentration components, then the detection limit is improved, but the signal of high-concentration components becomes distorted or saturated
Solution Approach 1:
The spectrum of each peak is divided into multiple wavelength regions (first wavelength region and second wavelength region). By segmenting the spectral information, the system can process different wavelength ranges independently to determine component concentrations, allowing accurate measurement across a broader concentration range without saturation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from single-wavelength detection to multi-wavelength spectral analysis. By utilizing the spectral dimension (multiple wavelengths) rather than relying solely on intensity at a single wavelength, the system can determine concentrations of components with vastly different concentrations simultaneously, expanding the effective dynamic range
2Reliability
If the sample is diluted to bring component concentrations within the dynamic range, then signal linearity is improved, but analysis time increases due to multiple analyses required
Solution Approach 1:
The spectral data is segmented into multiple wavelength regions that can be processed simultaneously. This allows the system to handle components across different concentration ranges in a single analysis by utilizing different wavelength regions for different components, eliminating the need for multiple diluted samples
Solution Approach 2:
The detector and data processing system are designed to handle multiple concentration ranges simultaneously through multi-wavelength analysis. The system universally processes all components in the sample in a single run by utilizing spectral information at multiple wavelengths, making the analysis method applicable to both low and high concentration components without requiring separate measurements
3Adaptability or versatility
If two detectors with different optical path lengths are used to handle varying concentrations, then measurement range is expanded, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single detector is designed to perform multiple functions by capturing spectral information at multiple wavelengths simultaneously. This universal detector replaces the need for multiple detectors with different optical path lengths, achieving the same versatility in handling varying concentrations while simplifying the device configuration
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using multiple physical detectors, the system creates virtual copies of detection capabilities through computational methods. By processing spectral data at multiple wavelengths from a single detector, the system simulates the effect of having multiple detectors with different characteristics, achieving expanded measurement range without additional hardware
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 component concentrations over a broad range with a single analysis and single detector, reducing analysis time and complexity while maintaining high accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a spectrum of each separated component is detected by a photo diode array detector (PDA)
Data Source
AI summary
Based on three-dimensional data of time, wavelength and intensity acquired with a three-dimensional chromatograph, whether or not the peak-top intensity of the peak of a target component exceeds a predetermined upper limit is determined. If the intensity exceeds the limit, two wavelengths λ1 and λ2 are set in a spectrum passing through the peak top, where λ1 is the peak-top wavelength while λ2 is a wavelength which belongs to the peak and at which the intensity is within a predetermined range. For each point in time belonging to the target peak, the ratio between the intensity at λ1 and the intensity at λ2 in the spectrum at that point in time is calculated, and one of the calculated intensity ratios is selected as a correction value. Based on this correction value and a quantitative value calculated from a chromatogram at λ2, the quantitative value of the target component is determined.