Non-Contact Temperature Calibration for Concentration Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing concentration measurement apparatuses face challenges in accurately measuring the temperature of disinfectants like glutaral or phtharal aqueous solutions due to temperature differences between the disinfectant and the sensor, leading to inaccurate concentration measurements, and require lengthy thermal equilibration to correct these discrepancies.
Innovation Solution
A calibration method using a non-contact radiation temperature sensor that measures both the sample and environmental temperatures, acquiring correlation information to calibrate the sensor readings, allowing for accurate temperature measurement even with temperature differences, thereby shortening the measurement time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a contact type temperature sensor is used to measure the temperature of the disinfectant in the optical cell, then the temperature measurement is direct, but the measurement accuracy deteriorates due to heat capacity of the sensor affecting the temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the contact-type mechanical temperature sensor with a non-contact radiation temperature sensor that measures temperature by detecting thermal radiation from the optical cell and its contents. This substitution eliminates the heat capacity interference problem while maintaining ease of operation, as the sensor simply needs to face the optical cell for measurement.
2Reliability
If a radiation temperature sensor is used to measure the temperature of the disinfectant, then the temperature measurement is non-contact, but the measurement accuracy deteriorates when there is a temperature difference between the optical cell and the disinfectant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the temperature measurement into two separate measurements: one of the optical cell wall temperature and another of the disinfectant liquid temperature (inferred from transmittance-temperature correlation). By measuring these separately and recognizing their difference, the system can compensate for the temperature gradient and achieve accurate liquid temperature measurement without direct contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the transmittance measurement as an intermediary to infer the liquid temperature. Since transmittance has a known correlation with temperature for the disinfectant, the optical sensor measuring transmittance serves as an indirect temperature probe, avoiding the need for direct thermal contact while achieving accurate liquid temperature measurement.
3Measurement precision
If thermal equilibrium is waited for before measurement, then the temperature measurement accuracy is improved, but the measurement time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring both the optical cell wall temperature and the disinfectant temperature (via transmittance), detecting the temperature difference in real-time, and using this information to compensate for the gradient. This allows accurate measurement without waiting for thermal equilibrium, significantly reducing measurement time while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from direct thermal contact to optical transmittance measurement for temperature determination. By utilizing the correlation between transmittance and temperature, the system can rapidly determine liquid temperature without the time-consuming thermal equilibration process required by traditional contact methods.
4Ease of operation
If the amount of disinfectant in the optical cell is kept small for workability, then the operation is easier, but the temperature sensor influence becomes more significant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the contact-type temperature sensor with a non-contact radiation sensor, eliminating the heat capacity effect that would be particularly significant in small sample volumes. This allows the use of small disinfectant amounts (several cc) for workability while maintaining temperature measurement accuracy through optical detection methods.
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 method enables rapid and accurate concentration measurement by calibrating temperature readings, eliminating the need for lengthy thermal equilibration, and ensuring precise concentration determination.
Implementation Method 1
when a radiation sensor, which is a non-contact sensor, is used, the radiation temperature from the wall surface of the optical cell is measured
Implementation Method 2
concentration measurement apparatus for performing, based on measurement of a temperature and transmittance or absorbance, concentration measurement on a sample
Data Source
AI summary
A concentration measurement apparatus includes a sample temperature sensor, optical sensors, an environmental temperature sensor, a storage unit storing second correlation information between first difference information between the environmental temperature and a temperature of a calibration sample, and second difference information between a theoretical temperature based on first correlation information between the temperature and a transmittance of the calibration sample with respect to a measurement value of the transmittance of the calibration sample measured by the concentration measurement apparatus 1 and the measurement value of the temperature of the calibration sample. The apparatus further includes a temperature calibration unit acquiring difference information between a temperature of a target sample and the environmental temperature, and calibrating the temperature measurement value of the measurement target sample by using calibration temperature information based on the second correlation information with respect to the difference information.