Grain Store Contamination Detection via Gas-Borne Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The grain-based food chain is vulnerable to contamination, including chemical, microbiological agents, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs, with existing methods lacking efficient and widespread means for testing bulk grain stores for safety and GMO presence.
Innovation Solution
A method involving capturing gas-borne materials from grain stores using media like filters or static dust collectors, followed by testing for contaminants using various analytical techniques, and marking contaminated batches with RFID tags or visible markers for tracking and identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If bulk grain stores are tested for contaminants using traditional sampling methods, then contamination detection is possible, but the testing process is time-consuming and may miss contaminants due to inadequate sampling representation
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by capturing gas-borne materials from the grain store environment before formal testing begins. The capturing media collects particulate matter, spores, and contaminants from the headspace gas during storage, preparing a comprehensive sample that represents the entire grain bulk without requiring extensive sampling during testing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces capturing media as an intermediary between the grain store and testing equipment. This media (filters, dust collectors, or absorbent materials) mediates the collection of gas-borne contaminants, converting the difficult-to-sample bulk grain environment into a concentrated, testable form that improves detection accuracy while reducing testing time.
2Measurement precision
If gas-borne materials are captured from grain stores using filters or dust collectors, then contaminant detection capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The capturing media serves multiple functions: it filters particulate matter, collects gas-borne spores, absorbs chemical contaminants, and provides a concentrated sample for testing. This multi-functionality improves contaminant detection capability while avoiding the need for multiple separate sampling devices, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
3Reliability
If contaminated grain batches are marked and tracked throughout the food chain, then food safety is improved, but the tracking system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses visual markers such as colored tags, dyes, or color-coded labels to mark contaminated grain batches. This color-based identification system improves food safety by enabling quick visual recognition and tracking of contaminated materials throughout the food chain, while avoiding the complexity of electronic tracking systems through simple, observable markers.
4Reliability
If comprehensive testing for multiple contaminants including GMOs is performed on grain stores, then food safety is enhanced, but the testing cost and time requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple testing functions into a single comprehensive analysis process. The capturing media collects various contaminant types (particulate matter, spores, chemical agents, and GMO material) simultaneously from the grain store environment, allowing parallel detection of multiple contaminants in one testing operation, thereby enhancing food safety while limiting increases in testing time.
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
Ensures the safety of grain shipments by detecting a range of contaminants and GMOs, providing a history of sampling and analysis data, and enabling effective tracking and removal or decontamination of contaminated grain stores, thereby enhancing food safety and consumer confidence.
Implementation Method 1
passing at least a sample of gas-borne material once in contact with a grain store through a capturing media; extracting at least some of the particulate matter from the capturing media
Implementation Method 2
passing at least a sample of gas-borne material once in contact with a grain store through a capturing media
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects include claims, systems, and methods for testing bulk grain stores to identify the presence of contaminants. Such contaminants tested for may include biological, chemical, or radio nuclear material. Another aspect is marking and/or tracking grain stores that have been certified as either being contaminated or safe. Still another aspect is an automated or automatic system for measuring the level of contamination in a given grain store, and for marking and tracking grain stores tested for contamination.