Multi-Core Optical Fiber Photoreactor for In-Situ Reaction Sensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing photoreactors face challenges in efficiently monitoring physical conditions like temperature and reactant flow without compromising the available reaction volume or photocatalytic process efficiency, as conventional monitoring equipment can impede the reaction.
Innovation Solution
A multi-core optical fiber is used, with one core for supplying optical radiation and another core for sensing physical conditions, allowing for integrated monitoring without affecting the reaction volume or efficiency, utilizing features like Raman scattering and fiber gratings for precise temperature and flow measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional monitoring equipment is introduced into the photoreactor to monitor physical conditions, then measurement precision is improved, but the available reaction volume is reduced and the photocatalytic process efficiency is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical monitoring equipment with an optical sensing system. The optical sensor uses light transmission through the reaction medium to measure physical conditions (temperature, viscosity, concentration) without physical contact or mechanical components in the reaction volume, thereby maintaining full reaction volume while achieving precise measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical intermediary (light) as the sensing medium. Instead of placing physical sensors in the reaction mixture, light is used as an intermediary carrier to probe the physical conditions of the reaction medium. The optical sensor detects changes in light properties (absorption, scattering, refractive index) that correlate with physical conditions, enabling indirect measurement without contamination or volume displacement.
2Measurement precision
If conventional monitoring equipment is introduced into the photoreactor to monitor physical conditions, then measurement precision is improved, but the photocatalytic process efficiency is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical monitoring equipment with an optical sensing system that uses light transmission to measure physical conditions. This substitution eliminates mechanical interference with the photocatalytic process while maintaining measurement precision, thereby preserving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses light as an intermediary to probe physical conditions without directly interfering with the photocatalytic reaction. The optical sensor detects physical conditions through light-matter interactions that do not disrupt the chemical reaction, enabling continuous monitoring while maintaining high process efficiency.
3Measurement precision
If a separate light source is added for the sensing core, then measurement precision is improved for longer optical fibers, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical fiber into two distinct functional cores: a first core optimized for delivering high optical power to the reaction medium, and a second core optimized for sensing physical conditions. This segmentation allows each core to be independently optimized for its specific function while sharing the same fiber infrastructure, reducing overall system complexity compared to using separate fiber cables.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the power delivery and sensing functions into a single multi-core optical fiber bundle. By combining both functions in one integrated fiber structure, the system reduces the number of separate components (power source, sensing source, multiple fibers) while maintaining the ability to independently optimize each function, thereby reducing device complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
AI summary
A photoreactor (1) is disclosed herein that comprises a reactor space (10), an optical power source (20), an optical sensing device (30) and a multi-core optical fiber (40) extending into the reactor space. The multi-core optical fiber has a first core (41) that is optically coupled to the optical power source and the multi-core optical fiber is configured to laterally outcouple optical radiation from the first core into the reactor space. The multi-core optical fiber has a second core (42) that is optically coupled to the optical sensing device. A cross-sectional surface of the first core is at least as large as a cross-sectional surface of the second core.