NIR Spectral Analysis for Petroleum Mixture Certification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for certifying and optimizing petroleum product mixtures, such as fuels, face challenges in rapidly adapting to varying quality and physico-chemical characteristics of constituents and meeting new environmental standards, particularly due to globalization and changing supply sources, which requires an improved means for preparing and certifying petroleum products.

Innovation Solution

The use of spectral analysis, specifically topological spectral analysis in the near infrared (NIR), to determine and optimize the mixture of constituents by calculating and measuring spectral data, ensuring the target product meets defined physico-chemical characteristics and specifications, allowing for real-time adjustment of concentrations and flow rates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional offline analysis methods are used to certify petroleum product mixtures, then measurement accuracy can be maintained, but response time and productivity are significantly reduced due to lengthy analysis periods

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecertification accuracyVSAvoidanalysis time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional offline mechanical/chemical analysis systems with online spectral analysis systems (NIR, Raman, IR, UV/Visible). This substitution enables real-time monitoring and certification of petroleum product mixtures, reducing analysis time from hours to seconds while maintaining measurement precision through advanced spectral processing algorithms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces spectral data as an intermediary parameter that correlates with physico-chemical properties. By measuring spectral characteristics and using calibration models to predict properties like octane number, cetane number, and sulfur content, the system achieves rapid certification without direct chemical analysis, thus reducing time loss while preserving measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If conventional mixing control methods are used, then process stability is maintained, but adaptability to varying constituent quality and new environmental standards is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemixture consistencyVSAvoidresponse to changing specifications

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms static mixing control into a dynamic system by implementing real-time spectral monitoring and feedback control. The system continuously adjusts constituent flow rates based on measured spectral data and predicted properties, enabling rapid adaptation to varying constituent quality and changing environmental standards while maintaining mixture consistency through closed-loop control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback control by continuously measuring spectral characteristics of the mixture, comparing predicted properties against target specifications, and adjusting mixing parameters accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables the system to adapt to changing conditions and maintain compliance with evolving environmental standards while preserving mixture consistency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If multiple offline analyses are performed during manufacturing to ensure compliance, then certification reliability is improved, but productivity and response time deteriorate due to repeated sampling and analysis delays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecertification reliabilityVSAvoidpreparation speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces multiple offline analysis operations with a single online spectral analysis system that simultaneously monitors multiple physico-chemical properties. This substitution eliminates the need for repeated sampling and analysis while maintaining certification reliability through continuous real-time monitoring and predictive modeling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 significantly improves the reliability and response time of certification and preparation processes for petroleum products, enabling them to meet stringent specifications and adapt to changing conditions effectively.

Implementation Method 1

spectral analysis, preferably by (topological) spectral analysis in the near infrared ('NIR')

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNear infrared spectral analysis: Absorption Spectroscopy

Implementation Method 2

spectral analysis, preferably by (topological) spectral analysis in the near infrared ('NIR')

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption of electromagnetic radiation: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP3155402B1Method for preparing a certified product from a mixture of components by spectral analysis

Publication Date: 2019.11.06 TOPNIR SYST

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AI summary

The invention relates to a method and a device for certifying and optimizing a mixture of constituents in order to obtain a target product by spectral analysis, preferably by (topological) spectral analysis in the near infra-red ("NIR").