Portable Odor Analysis Device On-Site Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Identifying and analyzing odors at their source is challenging due to intermittent presence and dilution by surrounding conditions, making it difficult to determine the source and remediate unpleasant or hazardous odors in a timely and reliable manner.
Innovation Solution
A portable odor analysis system comprising a mobile odor processing device that collects and concentrates odor samples, providing series of odor notes for user input on a hand-held computing device, which performs preliminary identification using olfactory information and retention index data, confirming suitability for laboratory analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If odor samples are collected and taken to a laboratory for analysis, then odor identification can be performed, but it takes a substantial amount of time (days or weeks) and it is difficult to ensure an appropriate sample has been captured
Solution Approach 1:
The portable odor processing device performs preliminary sample concentration and preliminary identification at the location where the odor is present, before sending samples to the laboratory. This preliminary action ensures that the sample is properly prepared and identified on-site, eliminating the need to wait days or weeks for laboratory analysis while ensuring the sample captured is appropriate and sufficient for successful analysis.
2Reliability
If odor samples are collected and taken to a laboratory for analysis, then odor identification can be performed, but it is difficult to ensure that an appropriate sample has been captured with sufficient odorous molecules
Solution Approach 1:
The portable odor processing device includes a detector that provides feedback about the concentration and composition of odorous molecules in the sample as it is being collected. This feedback mechanism allows the operator to determine in real-time whether the sample is appropriate and contains sufficient odorous molecules for successful analysis, eliminating the difficulty of ensuring appropriate sample capture without needing to wait for laboratory results.
3Productivity
If odor analysis is performed at the location where odors are present, then rapid identification can occur, but the odor may be intermittent and diluted by surrounding conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The portable odor processing device changes the concentration parameter of the odor sample by actively concentrating the odorous molecules from the ambient air into a smaller volume. This parameter change allows the device to overcome the dilution effect of surrounding conditions and maintain reliable detection even when odors are intermittent, enabling rapid identification while maintaining measurement precision.
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
Enables rapid and reliable on-site identification of odor molecules, ensuring collected samples are suitable for further laboratory confirmation, thereby speeding up the remediation process.
Implementation Method 1
collects and concentrates odor samples
Implementation Method 2
separates the molecules and provides the separated molecules to the user
Data Source
AI summary
An odor analysis system is provided to analyze odors present at a particular location and perform a preliminary identification of the odors while still at the location. The odor analysis system can have an odor processing device that collects samples of the odors and provides a series of odor notes to a user. The odor notes can be based on the separated and concentrated molecules in the collected sample. The odor analysis system can also include a hand-held computing device with a user interface that permits the user to enter information, both verbally and through touch input, about the series of odor notes provided by the odor processing device. The information entered by the user about the series of odor notes along with retention index information about the series of odor notes can be to perform a preliminarily identification of the molecules associated with the odors present at the location.