Multi-Excitation Fluorometer for Wastewater Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring water quality, particularly for detecting sewage impact, are inadequate as they rely on single emission wavelengths, which do not unambiguously determine the presence of wastewater.
Innovation Solution
A fluorometer apparatus with an array of excitation sources and multiple emission detectors that utilize near-simultaneous identification techniques to detect multiple coexisting fluorescent species by emitting and detecting optical radiation at various wavelengths, providing more accurate wastewater detection through combined fluorescence information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single emission wavelength is used for detection, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision and reliability of wastewater detection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented into multiple independent detection channels, each targeting a specific emission wavelength characteristic of different fluorescent species. This allows simultaneous monitoring of multiple parameters (tryptophan-like, humic-like, fulvic-like substances) without requiring a single complex detector, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from single-wavelength detection to multi-wavelength spectral detection, adding the spectral dimension to the measurement space. By detecting fluorescence emission across multiple wavelengths simultaneously, the system can distinguish between different fluorescent species based on their unique spectral signatures, significantly improving wastewater detection accuracy
2Reliability
If multiple emission wavelengths are detected simultaneously, then the measurement precision and reliability improve, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple detection functions are merged into a single integrated fluorometer platform. The system combines multiple excitation sources (e.g., 280nm, 365nm LEDs) and multiple emission detectors into one device, allowing simultaneous detection of multiple fluorescent species. This merging approach improves reliability by providing comprehensive water quality assessment while managing device complexity through integrated design
Solution Approach 2:
The fluorometer is designed with universal multi-functionality to detect various fluorescent substances in water (tryptophan-like, humic-like, fulvic-like substances, sewage contaminants) using a single instrument. The system can selectively activate different excitation sources and detect different emission wavelengths based on the target analyte, providing versatile water quality monitoring without requiring multiple separate devices
3Measurement precision
If multiple fluorescent species are identified, then the measurement precision improves, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where the detected fluorescence signals from multiple wavelengths are fed into a processing algorithm that identifies and quantifies different fluorescent species. The signal processor uses the spectral information feedback to distinguish between overlapping fluorescence signals from tryptophan-like, humic-like, and fulvic-like substances, improving identification accuracy while managing signal processing complexity through systematic analysis
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 enhances the confidence and accuracy of wastewater detection by isolating and identifying multiple fluorescence species within a single sensing body, overcoming the limitations of single emission wavelength methods.
Implementation Method 1
Each excitation source in the array of excitation sources may be an excitation LED
Implementation Method 2
detect multiple emission wavelengths emitted from the water containing information about multiple coexisting fluorescent species present in the water that emit optical radiation at at least two different wavelengths when illuminated by the respective illuminating wavelength
Implementation Method 3
The array of multiple emission detectors may include a plurality of photodiodes and optical bandpass filters configured to sense and filter the multiple emission wavelengths
Data Source
AI summary
A fluorometer is provided for monitoring the quality of water, featuring an array of excitation sources, an array of multiple emission detectors and a signal processor. In the array of excitation sources, each excitation source provides respective excitation source optical signaling at a respective illuminating wavelength. The array of multiple emission detectors detects multiple emission wavelengths emitted from water containing information about multiple coexisting fluorescent species present in the water that emit optical radiation at at least two different wavelengths when illuminated by the respective illuminating wavelength provided from the array of excitation sources, and provide multiple emission detector signaling containing information about the multiple coexisting fluorescent species. The signal processor receives the multiple emission detector signaling, and determines corresponding signaling containing information about an identification of the multiple coexisting fluorescent species present in the water using a near-simultaneous identification technique, based upon the multiple emission detector signaling received.