Optical Computing Device for Real-Time Substance Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Spectroscopic techniques for analyzing substances in field or process environments face challenges due to sample preparation delays, interference from background materials, and the complexity of transitioning laboratory instruments to field conditions, which can be exacerbated by temperature, humidity, and vibration issues.
Innovation Solution
The use of optical computing devices equipped with an electromagnetic radiation source and integrated computational elements in primary and reference channels, which interact with the sample to produce modified electromagnetic radiations correlated to the substance's characteristics, allowing for real-time analysis without sample processing and interference discrimination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional spectroscopic techniques are used in field or process environments, then substance analysis can be performed at the job site, but sample preparation time delays and interference from background materials still occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes interfering background materials from the spectral analysis by using reference spectra that specifically capture these interferences. The system separates the analytical signal from interfering signals through spectral subtraction, eliminating the need for physical sample preparation to remove interferences.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary spectral measurements of background materials and interfering substances before analyzing the target analyte. These preliminary measurements are stored as reference spectra and used to pre-correct the analytical spectra, eliminating the need for time-consuming sample preparation steps.
2Ease of operation
If conventional spectroscopic instruments are transitioned from laboratory to field environment, then on-site analysis is enabled, but the transition becomes expensive and complex due to temperature, humidity, and vibration issues
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses self-calibration capabilities where the instrument automatically adjusts for environmental variations by measuring known reference materials and correcting its own readings. This eliminates the need for complex external calibration systems and reduces instrument complexity while maintaining accuracy in varying field conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system compensates for environmental variations by dynamically adjusting measurement parameters such as integration time, wavelength calibration, and spectral correction factors based on detected temperature, humidity, and vibration conditions. This allows the instrument to maintain accuracy without requiring physical protection from environmental factors.
3Measurement precision
If quantitative spectroscopic measurements are performed in field or laboratory settings, then substance concentration can be determined, but precision and accuracy are compromised due to sample preparation difficulties and interfering materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces reference spectra as an intermediary between the raw spectral data and the final quantitative analysis. These reference spectra act as a mediator that captures the contribution of interfering materials, allowing the system to subtract their effect and recover the true analyte signal with high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces mechanical sample preparation methods with computational spectral processing. Instead of physically separating or purifying samples to remove interferences, the system uses mathematical operations on spectral data to eliminate interference effects, achieving the same goal without mechanical complexity.
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
These devices provide a rugged, accurate, and cost-effective system for monitoring substance characteristics, enabling real-time monitoring and analysis of hydrocarbon quality and other fluid properties, reducing delays and interference issues in field applications.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnetic radiation source configured to optically interact with a sample having a characteristic of interest
Data Source
AI summary
Optical computing devices are disclosed. One exemplary optical computing device includes an electromagnetic radiation source configured to optically interact with a sample and first and second integrated computational elements arranged in primary and reference channels, respectively, the first and second computational elements are configured to be either positively or negatively correlated to the characteristic of the sample. The first and second integrated computational elements produce first and second modified electromagnetic radiations, and a detector is arranged to receive the first and second modified electromagnetic radiations and generate an output signal corresponding to the characteristic of the sample.