Optical pH Sensor for Refinery Streams
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Solution Overview
Problem
Measuring pH in refinery streams is challenging due to electrode fouling and contamination issues with traditional glass electrodes, making it difficult to accurately determine the pH of quench media, effluent streams, and dilution steam.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a pH-sensitive component trapped in a solid substance as a thin layer or membrane, which is contacted with the refinery stream and illuminated by a light source, detecting luminescence or color changes to determine the pH using a detector, allowing for quicker and less expensive pH measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional glass electrodes are used for pH measurement, then pH can be determined, but electrode fouling and contamination occur making accurate measurement difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical glass electrode system with an optical detection system. A pH-sensitive component (chromophore) is excited by light at a first wavelength and emits light at a second wavelength. The ratio of intensities at these wavelengths is used to determine pH, eliminating the need for electrical contacts that foul in refinery streams. This optical substitution resolves the contradiction by maintaining measurement accuracy while preventing electrode fouling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a pH-sensitive component (chromophore) as an intermediary between the refinery stream and the detection system. This chromophore interacts with hydrogen ions in the stream and translates pH information into optical signals that can be detected without direct contact between sensors and the fouling stream. The chromophore acts as a mediator that enables accurate pH measurement while preventing direct fouling of detection elements.
2Measurement precision
If traditional pH measurement methods are used, then pH can be determined, but the process is slow and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces slow, manual pH measurement processes with a rapid optical detection system. The pH-sensitive component responds instantaneously to pH changes, and the optical detection system provides real-time measurements. This substitution enables continuous monitoring and significantly increases measurement productivity while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous pH monitoring by implementing an ongoing optical detection process. The pH-sensitive component continuously interacts with the refinery stream, and the detection system continuously monitors the emitted light wavelengths. This continuous measurement capability dramatically improves productivity compared to discrete, manual measurements 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
This method provides a rapid and accurate means to measure pH in refinery streams, capable of detecting time-varying signals and operating both online and offline, with the ability to alter the pH if necessary, using pH-sensitive chromophores like LYSOSENSOR™ dyes, effectively overcoming the limitations of traditional pH measurement techniques.
Implementation Method 1
detecting a first luminescence or color change of chromophore measurement radiated from the pH-sensitive component
Implementation Method 2
detecting a first luminescence or color change of chromophore measurement radiated from the pH-sensitive component
Data Source
AI summary
At least one pH-sensitive component may contact a refinery stream for measuring the pH of the refinery stream. A light from a light source may be emitted onto the pH-sensitive component, and a detector may detect a first luminescence or color change of chromophore measurement radiated from the pH sensitive component. A first pH of the refinery stream may be determined from the first luminescence or color change of chromophore measurement.