Dual-Sensor Chlorine Measurement Without Reagent Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chlorine content measurement methods, such as colorimetry and electrochemical sensing, require reagents, manual calibration, and have significant warm-up times, making them costly and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A combined apparatus and method using a colorimeter and electrochemical sensor, where the colorimeter calibrates the electrochemical sensor's readings and outputs signals at different frequencies to reduce reagent use and eliminate calibration and warm-up times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If colorimetry is used to measure chlorine content, then calibration is unnecessary and the device can be used immediately, but reagents are required which are costly and time-consuming to procure and change
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a colorimeter and an electrochemical sensor into a single integrated apparatus. The colorimeter provides immediate use without calibration while the electrochemical sensor eliminates reagent requirements. By merging these two complementary technologies, the system achieves both ease of operation (no calibration needed like colorimeter) and reduced substance consumption (no reagents like electrochemical sensor).
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated apparatus performs multiple functions: it can operate in colorimetry mode for immediate measurements without calibration, and in electrochemical sensing mode for reagent-free measurements. This multi-functionality allows the system to overcome the limitations of each individual method by selecting the appropriate mode based on operational requirements.
2Productivity
If electrochemical sensing is used to measure chlorine content, then reagents are not required and reading time is very short, but manual calibration is required and there is a long warm-up time
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges electrochemical sensing with colorimetry, where the colorimeter component provides immediate operational capability without calibration or warm-up time. The electrochemical sensor maintains its advantages of no reagents and fast reading time, while the combined system compensates for its disadvantages through the integrated colorimeter.
Solution Approach 2:
The colorimeter acts as an intermediary that compensates for the electrochemical sensor's need for calibration and warm-up time. During the warm-up period or before calibration is complete, the colorimeter can provide immediate measurements, effectively mediating the operational gap.
3Productivity
If electrochemical sensors are used, then each reading takes very short time and no reagent is needed, but calibration must be performed manually by a user
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of colorimeter and electrochemical sensor creates a system where the colorimeter provides automated measurements without user intervention for calibration. The colorimeter's automated operation complements the electrochemical sensor's fast reading capability, together achieving both high productivity and high automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The colorimeter component operates autonomously without requiring manual calibration or user intervention. It automatically performs measurements using the international standard method, providing self-service operation that compensates for the electrochemical sensor's need for manual calibration.
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
The combined system provides accurate, cost-effective, and rapid chlorine content measurements by leveraging the strengths of both sensors while minimizing reagent use and eliminating calibration and warm-up times.
Implementation Method 1
The first sensor is a colorimeter configured to measure the chlorine content and output a first signal
Implementation Method 2
The second sensor is an electrochemical sensor configured to measure the chlorine content and output a second signal
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
There is provided an apparatus (100) for measuring chlorine content of a solution. The apparatus (100) comprises a colorimeter (101) configured to measure the chlorine content and output a first signal; an electrochemical sensor (102) configured to measure the chlorine content and output a second signal; and a processing system (103) configured to receive the first signal and the second signal and output a measurement of the chlorine content using at least one of the first signal and the second signal.