FTIR Analyzer Total Hydrocarbon Calculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing analyzers, such as FTIR spectroscopic analyzers, face challenges in achieving accurate measurement of total hydrocarbon concentration in exhaust gas due to errors in intermediate calculations and the need for difficult-to-handle gases like hydrogen and helium.
Innovation Solution
The proposed analyzer calculates the total hydrocarbon concentration directly from absorption spectrum data using a total analysis value calculation part that references a reference sample's known total analysis value and spectrum data, eliminating intermediate calculation errors and avoiding the use of difficult gases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If FID analyzer is used to improve measurement accuracy, then analysis accuracy is improved, but handling difficulty increases and running cost increases due to need for hydrogen gas and helium gas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the FID analyzer's mechanical/chemical system (requiring hydrogen and helium gases) with an FTIR spectroscopic analyzer that uses infrared light absorption. This substitution eliminates the need for supporting gases while maintaining measurement capability through a different physical principle (spectroscopy rather than combustion ionization).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter approach from individual hydrocarbon component analysis to direct total hydrocarbon concentration measurement. By using a total analysis value calculation unit that integrates spectrum data across multiple hydrocarbon components simultaneously, the system achieves accurate THC measurement without needing to individually quantify each component, thereby eliminating the need for helium concentration adjustment gas.
2Measurement precision
If FID analyzer is used to improve measurement accuracy, then analysis accuracy is improved, but running cost increases due to consumption of hydrogen gas and helium gas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the gas-consuming FID system with a gas-free FTIR spectroscopic system. The infrared light source and detector system requires no consumable supporting gases, thereby eliminating the running cost associated with purchasing and supplying hydrogen and helium gases while maintaining analytical accuracy.
3Adaptability or versatility
If FTIR analyzer performs two-step calculation to obtain individual HC concentrations, then component analysis is achieved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to superimposed errors from weighting factor setting and individual HC measurement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the individual hydrocarbon component analysis steps into a single integrated total hydrocarbon concentration calculation. The total analysis value calculation unit directly computes THC concentration by integrating the spectrum data across all hydrocarbon components simultaneously, using a single set of absorption coefficients rather than performing separate calculations with multiple weighting factors. This consolidation eliminates the superimposition of errors that occurs in the two-step process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the error-prone intermediate steps of individual component quantification and weighting factor application. By directly calculating total hydrocarbon concentration from the integrated spectrum data without isolating and separately analyzing each component, the system eliminates the sources of error associated with individual HC measurement and weighting factor setting.
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 dramatically improves analysis accuracy and reduces operational complexity and costs by eliminating the need for hydrogen and helium gases, while also enhancing convenience and running cost efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
absorption spectrum data obtained by irradiating the measurement sample with light
Data Source
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AI summary
An analyzer that analyzes a measurement sample on the basis of spectrum data obtained by irradiating the measurement sample with light and includes a total analysis value calculation part that, on the basis of the total analysis value of a reference sample of which the total analysis value of multiple predetermined components are preliminarily obtained, calculates the total analysis value of the multiple components in the measurement sample from the spectrum data of the measurement sample.