Effluent Quality Monitoring via Smartphone Image Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring the quality of treated effluent from on-site sewage treatment plants are inefficient, relying on costly laboratory tests and subjective analyst evaluations, which lack standardization and can lead to unreliable data, making it difficult to effectively manage and improve the operation of these plants.
Innovation Solution
A method using a test container with a viewing port and an electronic camera to capture image data, which is compared to a reference model to determine opacity and total suspended solids (TSS) levels, allowing for remote transmission and centralized database analysis, enabling accurate and standardized monitoring of effluent quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If laboratory tests for TSS and BOD are used to evaluate effluent quality, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex laboratory mechanical/chemical testing systems with an optical imaging system using a camera and image processing algorithm. The camera captures images of the effluent sample in a test container, and software algorithms automatically analyze the images to determine TSS levels, eliminating the need for time-consuming laboratory procedures while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a visual copy (image) of the effluent sample and analyzes the copy through digital image processing rather than physically testing the original sample in a laboratory. The image data serves as a surrogate for the physical sample, allowing rapid assessment without consuming the sample or requiring extended laboratory processing time.
2Loss of time
If visual examination by trained analysts is used to evaluate effluent quality, then loss of time is reduced, but reliability and measurement precision deteriorate due to subjectivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the human analyst's visual examination system with an automated optical imaging and digital image processing system. The camera and software algorithms objectively measure effluent characteristics without human intervention, eliminating subjectivity and inconsistency while maintaining rapid assessment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-assessment through automated image capture and analysis algorithms that independently evaluate effluent quality without requiring human analysts. The software automatically processes images, compares them against reference data, and generates results, making the evaluation process autonomous and consistent.
3Productivity
If automated image-based monitoring is implemented, then productivity and loss of time are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a smartphone camera, which is a universal device already present in most users' possession, rather than requiring a specialized camera system. This multi-functional device can capture images for effluent monitoring while also serving its primary communication function, thereby reducing overall system complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses digital image copies and reference image databases stored electronically, allowing rapid comparison and analysis without requiring complex physical reference samples or calibration standards. The digital nature of the images simplifies storage, retrieval, and processing compared to physical reference materials.
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 provides a cost-effective, standardized, and efficient means to monitor effluent quality, enabling real-time assessment and data collection, improving the management of on-site sewage treatment plants and reducing the risk of unreliable information.
Implementation Method 1
capturing an image of the defined body of liquid sample in the container
Implementation Method 2
The characteristic is preferably the opacity of the liquid sample obtained by comparing image data captured through the liquid sample with image data captured through the empty test container
Data Source
AI summary
This invention provides a method of ranking a characteristic of a liquid sample by providing a test container [11] having a viewing port [16] to liquid contained therein and through which electronic image data of a defined body of liquid sample [20] in the container can be captured. This data is compared with an electronic data model containing comparison data with which the captured electronic image data can be compared to provide a ranking. The image is captured and the image data is electronically compared with the comparison data to provide a characteristic ranking of the sample.