Hyperspectral Soil Analysis System for Real-Time Pollution Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for analyzing soil contamination, particularly by organic pollutants, are inefficient and unreliable, requiring extensive laboratory analysis and resulting in significant delays and costs due to the need for repeated sampling and uncertainty in pollutant characterization, especially when dealing with heterogeneous soil and unexpected pollution detection during remediation efforts.

Innovation Solution

A portable system utilizing reflection spectroscopy equipment with a xenon or halogen light source and hyperspectral sensors for on-site analysis, including a learning sequence to calibrate the equipment and process spectral signatures for real-time characterization of pollutants, providing geolocated, three-dimensional maps of pollution depth and optimizing remediation processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional laboratory analysis methods are used, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepollutant characterization accuracyVSAvoidanalysis duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex laboratory mechanical/chemical analysis systems with optical spectroscopy systems. Portable spectrometers use light reflection and absorption properties to identify and quantify pollutants, substituting lengthy laboratory procedures with rapid optical measurements that provide immediate results on-site.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates spectral copies of pollutant signatures by analyzing reflected light patterns. These spectral fingerprints serve as identifiers that can be matched against reference databases, allowing rapid identification of pollutants without physical laboratory analysis, thus reducing time while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If sampling density is increased to reduce uncertainty, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepollution mapping accuracyVSAvoiditerative sampling cycles

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The portable spectrometer system serves multiple functions: it can analyze various types of pollutants (organic and inorganic), work on different soil types, and provide both qualitative identification and quantitative measurement. This multi-functionality allows a single sampling campaign to provide comprehensive data, eliminating the need for repeated sampling to reduce uncertainty.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces iterative mechanical sampling and laboratory analysis cycles with a single-pass optical analysis approach. The portable spectrometer captures spectral data that can be immediately processed to create comprehensive pollution maps, reducing the need for multiple sampling iterations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If portable equipment is used, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereal-time analysis capabilityVSAvoidspectral analysis accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs optical spectroscopy systems that are inherently portable while maintaining laboratory-grade measurement capabilities. The use of light-based detection rather than complex mechanical or chemical analysis systems enables both portability and high precision spectral analysis of pollutants.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses spectral fingerprinting to copy and store reference pollutant signatures. By comparing field measurements against these stored spectral copies, the portable device achieves measurement precision comparable to laboratory analysis, enabling real-time identification without sacrificing accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

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 real-time, on-site analysis of soil contamination, reducing delays and costs by providing immediate, accurate data for selective sorting and recycling of excavated materials, and optimizing pollution removal operations without the need for iterative laboratory analysis.

Implementation Method 1

by illuminating a sample using a light source and by at least one spectral sensor sensitive to a spectrum ranging from near infrared NIR to ultraviolet UV

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

hyperspectral analysis of the reflection and/or photoluminescence

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpectroscopy: Absorption Spectroscopy

Implementation Method 3

hyperspectral analysis of the reflection and/or photoluminescence

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoluminescence: Photoluminescence

Data Source

PatentUS20230375522A1Method for analyzing soil pollution

Publication Date: 2023.11.23 TELLUX

AI summary

A method for analyzing soil contamination by pollutants, in particular, organic pollutants, using hyperspectral analysis of reflection and/or photoluminescence, is characterized in that analysis is carried out by illuminating a sample using a first item of equipment provided with a light source and at least one spectral sensor sensitive to a spectrum ranging from thermal infrared to ultraviolet.