Flow Injection Analysis for Antimicrobial Concentration Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current manual and automated chemical analysis methods for determining peracid and hydrogen peroxide concentrations in antimicrobial compositions are time-consuming, inaccurate, and wasteful, with limitations in sampling frequency and online deployment, especially in maintaining the required antimicrobial activity levels.
Innovation Solution
An analytical system comprising a sample pump, reagent pumps, and a diluent pump, coupled with an optical sensor, which simultaneously dispenses and mixes fluids to create a sample mixture, allowing for real-time monitoring of peracid and hydrogen peroxide concentrations using optical response data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual titrations are used to determine peracid and hydrogen peroxide concentrations, then measurement precision can be achieved, but the analysis time increases significantly and sampling frequency is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical titration operations with an automated flow injection analysis system that uses optical detection. The system automatically delivers precise volumes of sample and reagent through pumps, mixes them in a flow cell, and detects the endpoint using optical sensors, eliminating manual operations while maintaining measurement precision and significantly reducing analysis time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables continuous automated analysis by maintaining constant flow of sample and reagent through the mixing chamber and detection cell. The automated control system continuously monitors the optical signal and triggers reagent delivery at precise intervals, allowing uninterrupted sampling and analysis at high frequencies without manual intervention.
2Measurement precision
If multiple manual titrations are performed to ensure accurate concentration determination, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functional components into a single integrated flow injection analysis system. The sample delivery pump, reagent delivery pump, mixing chamber, optical detection cell, and data processing system are merged into one coordinated unit that automatically performs concentration determination without requiring separate manual titration operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service automation where the control system automatically manages the entire analysis process. It autonomously controls pump operations, timing of reagent delivery, optical detection parameters, and data processing based on predefined methods, eliminating the need for complex manual procedural steps.
3Measurement precision
If large volumes of chemicals and fluid samples are used for analysis with current systems, then adequate measurement precision is achieved, but substance loss and operational cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the analysis into precise, controlled micro-volumes delivered through automated pumps. Instead of using large bulk volumes, the system delivers exact measured amounts of sample and reagent through controlled flow injection, minimizing chemical consumption while maintaining measurement precision through accurate volumetric control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of volume delivery from bulk manual pouring to precise automated metering. By controlling the flow rate and injection timing parameters of the pumps, the system achieves accurate concentration measurements using minimal sample and reagent volumes, significantly reducing chemical waste compared to traditional methods.
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 rapid, accurate, and efficient determination of peracid and hydrogen peroxide concentrations, facilitating real-time monitoring and adjustment of antimicrobial compositions, thus maintaining effective antimicrobial activity while reducing waste and increasing sampling frequency.
Implementation Method 1
an optical sensor coupled to the mixer for testing the sample mixture... the optical sensor is configured to obtain response data from the sample mixture indicative of one or more properties of one or more substances within the use composition
Data Source
AI summary
Analytical systems and methods are provided for simultaneously dispensing metered volumes of fluids at different rates and mixing the fluids to generate a mixed sample having the fluids in proportion to the different rates at which they were dispensed. In some cases two or more of the fluids are premixed prior to mixing with other fluids. In some cases a use composition and diluent are simultaneously dispensed at different rates and premixed to form a diluted sample. One or more reagents may be mixed with the diluted sample and the sample mixture can be analyzed to determine characteristics of the use composition.