Mid-Infrared Acid Sensor Temperature Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Monitoring mineral acids in industrial processes, particularly in hydrocarbon industries, is challenging due to their reactivity, and existing mid-infrared sensors face technical issues in accuracy and temperature variability.
Innovation Solution
A mid-infrared sensor system with a narrow bandpass filter configured to be temperature invariant over a wide range, using internal reflection and attenuated total reflection to detect mineral acids by filtering mid-infrared radiation based on absorbance peaks, allowing for accurate concentration measurement in liquids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If mid-infrared sensors are used to monitor mineral acids in hydrocarbon industries, then real-time monitoring capability is improved, but temperature variability and measurement accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using a temperature-compensated narrow bandpass filter that adjusts its transmission characteristics based on temperature. The filter is designed to maintain a fixed bandwidth while its center wavelength shifts with temperature to track the acid absorbance peak, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy across varying temperatures in real-time monitoring applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical temperature stabilization systems with an optical solution using a temperature-compensated narrow bandpass filter. Instead of mechanically controlling the sensor temperature, the system uses the filter's inherent temperature-dependent wavelength shifting property to compensate for temperature variations, simplifying the system while maintaining measurement precision.
2Device complexity
If conventional broad bandpass filters are used in mid-infrared sensors, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to temperature sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a narrow bandpass filter with temperature-dependent wavelength characteristics. The filter's center wavelength is designed to shift with temperature to track the acid absorbance peak position, while maintaining a fixed narrow bandwidth. This approach improves measurement precision without requiring complex active temperature control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the temperature-compensated narrow bandpass filter automatically adjusts its transmission characteristics based on temperature changes. The filter's wavelength shifting behavior provides inherent feedback that tracks the acid absorbance peak, eliminating the need for external wavelength tuning mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high measurement precision.
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 provides real-time, accurate monitoring of mineral acid concentrations, reducing temperature-related errors and enabling effective monitoring in varying downhole and subsea conditions, enhancing process control and reservoir management.
Implementation Method 1
a mid-infrared light source configured to direct a beam of mid-infrared radiation into said window and provide for generating an attenuated internal reflection at an interface between the window and the liquid
Implementation Method 2
generating an attenuated internal reflection at an interface between the window and the liquid
Implementation Method 3
the first narrow bandpass filter preferentially transmits mid-infrared radiation over a band of wavelengths corresponding to an absorbance peak of the dissolved mineral acid
Implementation Method 4
a first narrow bandpass filter configured to filter internally reflected mid-infrared radiation received from the window
Implementation Method 5
an infrared detector for detecting filtered mid-infrared radiation transmitted through the first narrow bandpass filter
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor is provided for monitoring a mineral acid dissolved in a liquid. The sensor includes an internal reflection window which, in use, is in direct contact with the liquid. The sensor further includes a mid-infrared light source which directs a beam of mid-infrared radiation into said window for attenuated internal reflection at an interface between the window and the liquid. The sensor further includes a first narrow bandpass filter which preferentially transmits mid-infrared radiation over a band of wavelengths corresponding to an absorbance peak of the dissolved mineral acid to filter internally reflected mid-infrared radiation received from the window. The sensor further includes an infrared detector which detects filtered mid-infrared radiation transmitted through the first filter. The sensor further includes a processor arrangement, operably coupled to the infrared detector, which measures the intensity of the detected mid-infrared radiation transmitted through the first filter, and determines therefrom an amount of the mineral acid dissolved in the liquid.