High-Resolution Image Analysis for Particulate Contaminant Quantification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring particulate contaminant deposition in pulp and paper mills are inefficient, particularly in quantifying microstickies and evaluating deposition inhibition treatments, due to high variability in gravimetric methods and limitations in high-shear environments, and existing image analysis techniques struggle to distinguish and quantify small-sized contaminants.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the collection of contaminants on a substrate followed by image analysis at a resolution of at least 2,000 dots per inch (DPI) to quantify and characterize particulate contaminants, with an apparatus for in-line contamination collection using a sampling chamber, rinsing, drying, and digital imaging to assess deposition efficacy before and after treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If gravimetric methods are used to measure particulate contaminant deposition, then the measurement process is simple, but the measurement precision is poor due to high variability and inability to distinguish small contaminants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces gravimetric mechanical measurement methods with optical image analysis. Instead of weighing contaminants to quantify deposition, the system uses digital imaging at 2000+ DPI resolution to capture and analyze contaminant particles, substituting mechanical measurement with optical detection to achieve superior precision for small particles
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates optical copies (digital images) of the contaminant deposits on substrates. By capturing images at high resolution and analyzing them computationally, the system quantifies contaminant deposition without physically disturbing or weighing the samples, enabling precise measurement of microstickies that gravimetric methods cannot detect
2Measurement precision
If image analysis techniques are used to quantify contaminants, then measurement precision improves, but the ability to distinguish and quantify small-sized contaminants (microstickies) remains limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the resolution parameter of image capture to 2000 dots per inch or higher. This parameter change enables the optical system to resolve and detect microstickies and other small contaminants that were previously undetectable, transforming the measurement capability to match the size of the smallest contaminants of interest
3Measurement precision
If substrates are used to collect contaminants for analysis, then contaminant quantification becomes possible, but the substrates must be removed and processed which increases loss of time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous image capture and analysis of substrates in the pulp stream. Instead of removing substrates for offline analysis, the system continuously images substrates as they pass through the process, enabling real-time quantification of contaminant deposition without interrupting the papermaking process or requiring time-consuming substrate removal operations
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 provides accurate and reliable quantification of particulate contaminants, effectively measuring deposition and treatment efficacy, even in high-shear environments, and distinguishes between different types of contaminants, including microstickies, enabling improved prevention strategies.
Implementation Method 1
collecting contaminants on a substrate
Implementation Method 2
rinsing, drying, and digital imaging
Implementation Method 3
rinsing, drying, and digital imaging
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and an apparatus for measuring the depositability of particulate contaminants present in a pulp or paper mill fluid stream and evaluating interactions of such particulate contaminants with other contaminants collects the particulate contaminants on a suitable substrate, such as a plastic film coated with an adhesive or coated with. organic contaminate, placed in contact with the pulp or paper mill fluid stream for at least five minutes up to several hours. The amount of contaminants collected on the substrate is quantified and evaluated by taking one or more scanned images of the substrate with a resolution of at least 2,000 dots per inch (DPI) and analyzing the scanned images with image analysis technique.