Marine HNS Simulant Testing for Accurate Diffusion Estimation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for estimating the diffusion characteristics of hazardous and noxious substances (HNS) in the marine environment are limited by the impossibility of releasing HNS into the sea due to their hazardous nature, leading to inaccurate results.

Innovation Solution

A method using simulants to classify HNS into 12 groups based on physicochemical properties and observe diffusion characteristics for floating, dissolution, and sinking behaviors, calculating these characteristics using equations based on simulant trajectories and data collection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If HNS are released into the actual marine environment for measurement, then the accuracy of diffusion characteristics determination is improved, but the safety and environmental protection are worsened due to the hazardous nature of HNS

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of diffusion characteristics determinationVSAvoidsafety and environmental protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses simulants as copies of actual HNS substances to perform diffusion experiments in the marine environment. These simulants replicate the physical and chemical properties of HNS without possessing their hazardous characteristics, allowing accurate measurement of diffusion characteristics while eliminating safety and environmental risks associated with releasing actual HNS into the sea

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces simulants as an intermediary substance between the researcher and the actual HNS. The simulants serve as a safe mediator that allows diffusion characteristics to be studied in the actual marine environment without directly introducing hazardous HNS, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement accuracy and safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If simulants are used instead of actual HNS, then the safety and environmental protection are improved, but the accuracy of diffusion characteristics determination is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety and environmental protectionVSAvoidaccuracy of diffusion characteristics determination

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by selecting simulants that specifically match the critical local properties of HNS relevant to diffusion characteristics, such as density, viscosity, and solubility, while eliminating the harmful global properties. This allows the simulants to accurately represent HNS diffusion behavior in specific aspects without possessing the hazardous characteristics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes by adjusting the physical and chemical parameters of simulants to match those of actual HNS substances. By carefully selecting and tuning parameters such as density, molecular weight, and solubility of simulants, the patent ensures that diffusion characteristics measured with simulants accurately reflect those of actual HNS while maintaining safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Accurately determines HNS diffusion characteristics without releasing HNS into the marine environment, enabling precise environmental impact assessments.

Implementation Method 1

a data collection step, in which various predetermined data are collected for estimating the diffusion characteristics of hazardous and noxious substances (HNS) in the marine environment; wherein the various predetermined data include measured values obtained by drifting HNS simulants on the ocean surface and tracking their trajectories

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdvection: Advection

Implementation Method 2

a sinking behavior characteristic calculation step, in which the sinking behavior characteristics of the HNS are calculated based on the data collected in the data collection step

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS20260023807A1Method for estimating diffusion characteristics of marine hazardous and noxious substances using simulants

Publication Date: 2026.01.22 KOREA INSTITUTE OF OCEAN SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

AI summary

The present invention relates to a system and method for accurately estimating the dispersion characteristics of hazardous and noxious substances (HNS) released into the marine environment. According to the invention, HNS are classified into 12 groups based on their physical and chemical properties. For each of the three behavioral characteristics—floating, dissolution, and sinking—simulants are used to observe and analyze the dispersion behavior of HNS in the ocean. Based on the analysis results, the system enables the estimation of floating, dissolution, and sinking behavior characteristics without the need to release actual HNS into the sea. Thus, a marine HNS dispersion characteristics estimation system and method using simulants is provided.