Hydrocarbon Detection Using Solid Phase Extraction Membranes
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring hydrocarbon content in water are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and require solvents that are environmentally hazardous, making them inefficient and unsustainable.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses an analyte-retaining membrane to capture hydrocarbons from water samples, allowing for direct analysis without solvents, and includes a sampling device, sample preparation subsystem, and analysis subsystem to determine hydrocarbon content accurately and efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If liquid-liquid extraction with solvents is used to measure hydrocarbon content, then measurement accuracy is improved, but environmental harm and loss of substance increase due to hazardous solvents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful solvent component from the measurement system by using solid phase extraction (SPE) cartridges that directly capture hydrocarbons from water samples without requiring liquid solvents. The SPE cartridges contain adsorbent material that selectively retains hydrocarbons while allowing water to pass through, eliminating the need for hazardous solvents like Freon, S-316, and perchloroethylene.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the extraction medium from liquid solvent to solid adsorbent material. This parameter change transforms the extraction process from liquid-liquid extraction to solid phase extraction, maintaining measurement accuracy while eliminating environmental harm associated with volatile organic compounds.
2Measurement precision
If GC-FID method is used to measure hydrocarbon content, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time and productivity decrease due to lengthy analysis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex mechanical GC-FID system with a simpler optical detection system. Instead of using gas chromatography columns, heaters, and flame ionization detectors, the invention uses infrared spectroscopy to directly analyze the hydrocarbon extract on the SPE cartridge, reducing measurement time from hours to minutes while maintaining the ability to differentiate TPH from TOG.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential function of hydrocarbon separation from the complex GC-FID system by using SPE cartridges to pre-concentrate and separate hydrocarbons from water samples. This extraction step alone enables rapid infrared analysis without requiring the time-consuming complete GC-FID analysis sequence.
3Measurement precision
If liquid-liquid extraction is performed to remove hydrocarbon from water, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of substance increases due to solvent evaporation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the hydrocarbon analyte directly onto a solid phase extraction cartridge without using liquid solvents. This eliminates the subsequent evaporation step that causes solvent loss and potential analyte contamination, as the hydrocarbons are retained on the SPE adsorbent material in a concentrated form ready for direct infrared analysis.
4Measurement precision
If separate sample preparation is performed to differentiate TPH from TOG, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the SPE cartridge system multi-functional by designing it to simultaneously perform extraction, concentration, and differentiation of TPH and TOG. The cartridge contains adsorbent material that selectively retains different hydrocarbon types, and the infrared detection system analyzes the retained hydrocarbons to provide separate TPH and TOG measurements in a single operation, eliminating the need for separate sample preparation steps.
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 system enables rapid, accurate, and environmentally friendly measurement of hydrocarbon content in water, differentiating between TPH and TOG without separate sample preparation, reducing the need for solvents and improving operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a test bed including a support and a film or coating on the support, wherein the film or coating is selected such that it absorbs or otherwise captures the analyte of interest from a fluid brought into contact with it
Implementation Method 2
Infrared absorption measurements have been the preferred basis of measurement for over twenty years
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~7
AI summary
An apparatus and method to determine analytes in a fluid. One aspect of the present invention is for the determination of the oil content of water using UV, near-IR, IR or Raman spectroscopy or radiometry. In certain embodiments, a solid membrane material absorbs analytes from fluid brought into contact with it. The membrane is subsequently placed in a FTIR spectrometer, which spectrometer is enabled to determine the concentration of analytes in fluid by calibration. Certain embodiments can determine the type of hydrocarbon present, and thus can differentiate Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) from Total Oil and Grease (TOG), without any separate sample preparation.