Microfluidic Chlorine Detection via Gas-Permeable Membrane Degassing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring chlorine residual in water treatment systems are limited by cost, size, and complexity, and are hindered by interference from dissolved organic species, making it difficult to detect chlorine levels effectively, especially in the presence of microbial water-borne pathogens.
Innovation Solution
A microfluidic device with a degassing chamber and optical detection system that separates chlorine from aqueous samples into the gas phase using a gas-permeable membrane, allowing for direct detection without chemical reagents, suitable for compact, portable, and battery-operated use in challenging environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If colorimetric reaction with reagents and spectrophotometric detection is used to measure chlorine residual, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts chlorine from the liquid phase into the gas phase using a gas-permeable membrane, separating the detection target from interfering dissolved organic species. This extraction allows detection without complex liquid-phase chemistry or reagents, reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision through phase separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas-permeable membrane acts as an intermediary that selectively transfers chlorine gas from liquid to gas phase while blocking dissolved organic interferents. This mediator enables simple optical detection in the gas phase, avoiding the need for complex spectrophotometric reagents and apparatus.
2Measurement precision
If colorimetric reaction with reagents is used to measure chlorine residual, then measurement precision is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts chlorine into the gas phase, eliminating the need for expensive colorimetric reagents and complex spectrophotometric equipment. The gas-phase optical detection uses simpler, lower-cost components while maintaining measurement precision through the selective extraction process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, complex reagent-based systems with a simpler, potentially disposable microfluidic device containing a gas-permeable membrane and basic optical components. This disposable approach reduces per-test cost and eliminates the need for expensive reagent inventories and complex instrument maintenance.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If sensor is placed in direct contact with liquid sample for chlorine detection, then detection capability is improved, but sensor fouling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts chlorine from the liquid sample into a separate gas phase, allowing the sensor to detect chlorine without direct contact with the liquid matrix. This physical separation prevents sensor fouling from dissolved organics and particles while maintaining detection capability through the extracted gas phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas-permeable membrane serves as an intermediary that allows chlorine to reach the sensor while blocking liquid-phase contaminants. This mediator enables the sensor to detect chlorine signals without direct exposure to fouling agents in the liquid sample, improving reliability and reducing maintenance.
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 accurate and efficient detection of chlorine gas in water samples, reducing interference from organic species and minimizing sensor maintenance, suitable for routine monitoring and early warning systems in various water treatment applications.
Implementation Method 1
The degassing chamber includes a gas-permeable membrane and defines a first portion and a second portion separated by the gas permeable membrane
Implementation Method 2
assessing the absorbance of the gas sample at a known absorption wavelength of chlorine
Data Source
AI summary
A microfluidic device includes a sample inlet for a fluid sample, a degassing chamber having a gas-permeable membrane and defining first and second portions separated by the gas permeable membrane, and a detection chamber. The sample inlet and the detection chamber are fluidly coupled to the first and second portions, respectively of the degassing chamber. The detection chamber is operably coupled to a light source and a detector. Assessing a concentration of chlorine gas in an aqueous sample includes providing an aqueous sample to a microfluidic device, separating gas from the aqueous sample in the microfluidic device, providing the gas to a detector, assessing the absorbance of the gas sample at a known absorption wavelength of chlorine, and based on the assessed absorbance of the gas sample at the known absorption wavelength of chlorine, assessing a concentration of chlorine gas in the aqueous sample.