Optical pH Sensor with Sapphire Window for Waste Liquid Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for managing organic waste liquids and solids face challenges in maintaining optimal pH levels, which are crucial for efficient liquidation and degradation, as pH levels outside certain ranges can cause system deterioration and sensor fouling, leading to inaccurate readings and maintenance issues.
Innovation Solution
An optical pH sensor system using a sapphire window and a protein coating to prevent fouling, coupled with a modulated optical source and fiber bundle design that collects reflected light to accurately measure pH levels, while a signal processing system adjusts for temperature and detects fouling, ensuring reliable and long-lasting operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an optical sensor is used to monitor pH levels in organic waste liquid, then measurement precision is improved, but the sensor surface becomes fouled by organic material leading to inaccurate readings
Solution Approach 1:
A sapphire window is introduced as an intermediary between the optical sensor and the organic waste liquid. The sapphire window provides a fouling-resistant surface that allows optical measurements to be taken without the sensor directly contacting the fouling medium, thereby maintaining measurement precision while preventing sensor fouling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical contact between the sensor and the waste liquid with an optical measurement system through the sapphire window. This substitution allows pH monitoring without the sensor surface being exposed to organic material that causes fouling.
2Productivity
If the sensor operates continuously in organic waste liquid, then productivity is improved, but the sensor deteriorates faster requiring frequent maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The sapphire window acts as a protective intermediary that shields the optical sensor from direct exposure to degrading organic waste liquid. This allows continuous operation while protecting the sensor components, thereby extending sensor lifespan without sacrificing continuous monitoring capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If temperature variations occur in the waste liquid, then adaptability is improved, but measurement precision decreases due to temperature effects
Solution Approach 1:
A temperature sensor provides feedback about the waste liquid temperature to the control system. This temperature information is used to compensate for temperature effects on the pH measurement, allowing the system to maintain measurement precision across a wide temperature range while adapting to varying thermal conditions.
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 optical pH sensor effectively monitors and maintains optimal pH levels, preventing fouling and ensuring accurate readings, thus optimizing waste degradation and extending the sensor's lifespan by using a sapphire window and protein coating to prevent fouling, and a sophisticated signal processing system to adjust for temperature and detect fouling.
Implementation Method 1
a sapphire window and a protein coating to prevent fouling
Implementation Method 2
A fiber bundle in the sensor head collects the maximum reflected signal
Implementation Method 3
An optical pH sensor system using a sapphire window and a protein coating to prevent fouling, coupled with a modulated optical source
Data Source
AI summary
A method to sense pH of a fluid and an optical pH sensor. The method includes the steps of supplying at least a portion of an optical source through an input fiber. The optical source is passed through a sensor head having a sapphire window to a fluid. Optical power reflected from the fluid is collected in a plurality of output fibers in the sensor head. The reflected optical power in the output fibers in the sensor head is thereafter converted to an electrical signal which is used to determine the pH of the fluid.