Mid-Infrared Flow Cell for Heterogeneous Milk Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mid-infrared spectral analysis for determining components in flowing heterogeneous materials, such as milk, faces challenges due to variations in particle size distribution, particularly fat globule size, leading to inaccurate measurements, as existing systems require homogenization which decreases over time due to mechanical wear, and flowing samples in mid-infrared measurements are generally considered to have poor accuracy and repeatability.
Innovation Solution
A method involving flowing samples through a measurement region while interacting with mid-infrared radiation, measuring attenuation values at specific wavebands, and calculating component concentrations using a predictive model, with optional sample warming to prevent agglomeration, and a system comprising a flow conduit, transportation means, mid-infrared attenuation measurement, and calculation means to achieve effective averaging and improved accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If homogenization is used to standardize particle size distribution, then measurement repeatability is improved, but device complexity increases and homogenizer efficiency decreases over time due to mechanical wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the homogenizer component from the measurement system entirely. By measuring heterogeneous samples directly without mechanical homogenization, the system eliminates the complex moving parts associated with homogenizers while maintaining measurement reliability through statistical averaging of multiple measurements on the heterogeneous particle distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using homogenization to create uniform particle distribution, the patent inverts the approach by deliberately measuring heterogeneous samples with varying particle sizes. The system accepts and works with the natural heterogeneity rather than attempting to eliminate it, turning a previously problematic feature into a manageable characteristic through computational methods.
2Productivity
If flowing samples are used for mid-infrared measurement, then measurement time is reduced and productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to particle movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous flowing measurement where the sample continuously flows through the measurement cell during mid-infrared analysis. This allows uninterrupted measurement of multiple samples in sequence, maintaining high productivity while the continuous flow ensures representative sampling and statistical averaging that compensates for particle movement effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical homogenization with a computational approach. Instead of using mechanical means to standardize particle distribution, the system uses mathematical modeling and statistical analysis of the heterogeneous particle distribution to achieve accurate component concentration measurements, substituting mechanical complexity with computational intelligence.
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 improved accuracy and repeatability in determining components like fat, protein, and lactose in milk samples by averaging measurements and reducing the impact of particle movement, achieving absolute accuracy around 0.04 and repeatability around 0.01, contrary to expected poor performance with flowing samples.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting in to the sample radiation in the mid-infrared spectral range. The attenuation of the interrogating mid-infrared radiation caused by the sample is then measured
Implementation Method 2
transportation means coupled to the flow conduit to generate a flow of the sample therein
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A method of determining components of a flowing heterogeneous sample comprising obtaining a sample of material; measuring mid-infrared attenuation values of the sample and calculating in a data processing unit an indication of the component of interest in the sample from the measured mid-infrared attenuation values characterised in that the method further comprises flowing the sample; concurrently interacting mid-infrared radiation with the flowing sample in a measurement region and subsequently measuring the mid-infrared attenuation values for one or more wavebands of the interacted radiation.