Optical Computing Device for Field Sample Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Spectroscopic techniques in field or process environments face challenges due to sample preparation delays, interference from background materials, and the need for precise sample preparation, which complicates quantitative measurements and is exacerbated by environmental factors like temperature and humidity variations.

Innovation Solution

The use of optical computing devices equipped with integrated computational elements in both primary and reference channels to interact with electromagnetic radiation, allowing for real-time analysis of sample characteristics without the need for extensive sample preparation, by distinguishing relevant electromagnetic radiation from interfering signals through computational combination of output signals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If spectroscopic techniques are conducted in field or process environments, then analysis can be performed at the job site, but sample preparation becomes difficult and measurements are less accurate due to environmental factors and interfering materials

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefield analysis capabilityVSAvoidquantitative measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The optical spectrum is segmented into multiple wavelength regions, with different integrated computational elements (ICEs) designed to detect specific analytes in specific wavelength ranges. This segmentation allows the system to process complex spectral information from field samples by dividing it into manageable, analyte-specific components, improving measurement accuracy despite environmental interference

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Integrated computational elements act as intermediaries between the raw optical signal and the final measurement result. These ICEs perform computational processing of the optical signal to extract analyte information while filtering out interference from background materials and environmental factors, enabling accurate field measurements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If sample preparation steps are conducted to improve measurement accuracy, then quantitative measurements become more precise, but analysis time increases due to preparation delays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequantitative measurement accuracyVSAvoidsample preparation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Integrated computational elements are pre-designed with computational algorithms embedded that automatically process and interpret spectral data in real-time. This preliminary computational preparation eliminates the need for manual sample preparation steps while maintaining measurement accuracy, as the ICEs are pre-configured to handle the computational complexity of quantitative analysis

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical/sample preparation-based approaches with an optical computing system that performs all necessary processing in the optical domain. This substitution eliminates time-consuming sample preparation steps while maintaining or improving measurement precision through computational analysis of the optical signal

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

Enables rapid, accurate, and precise determination of sample characteristics in field or process environments, reducing delays and costs associated with sample preparation and instrument deployment, while maintaining the precision of laboratory spectrometers.

Implementation Method 1

Spectroscopic techniques for measuring various characteristics of materials are well known

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpectroscopy: Absorption Spectroscopy

Implementation Method 2

a first integrated computational element arranged within a primary channel and configured to optically interact with the electromagnetic radiation source and produce a first modified electromagnetic radiation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical computing:

Implementation Method 3

a first detector arranged to receive the first and second modified electromagnetic radiations from the first and second integrated computational elements, respectively, and generate an output signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric detection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS9103767B2Methods and devices for optically determining a characteristic of a substance

Publication Date: 2015.08.11 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

Using an optical computing device includes optically interacting electromagnetic radiation with a sample and a first integrated computational element arranged within a primary channel, optically interacting the electromagnetic radiation with the sample and a second integrated computational element arranged within a reference channel, producing first and second modified electromagnetic radiations from the first and second integrated computational elements, respectively, receiving the first modified electromagnetic radiation with a first detector, and receiving the second modified electromagnetic radiation with a second detector, generating a first output signal with the first detector and a second output signal with the second detector, and computationally combining the first and second output signals with a signal processor to determine the characteristic of interest of the sample.