Optical Shadowgraphy for Liquid-Liquid Extraction Phase Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods are impractical for real-time quantification and monitoring of phase entrainment in liquid-liquid extraction systems, particularly in industrial settings, due to difficulties in identifying and measuring solute concentrations and bulk phase presence, especially when dealing with multi-phase liquids and varying physical properties.
Innovation Solution
An optical detection system using a linear CMOS sensor and LED light source to illuminate liquid streams in transparent containers, measuring light intensity and refractive indices to quantify phase entrainment, identify bulk phase presence, and determine solute concentrations through models or comparative samples.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are used to monitor flow for process automation, then measurement capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical sensors with an optical detection system using a linear CMOS sensor and LED light source. This substitutes sophisticated mechanical measurement devices with a simpler optical shadowgraphy system that captures images of liquid interfaces, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision for phase entrainment quantification.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates optical copies (images) of the liquid-liquid interfaces using shadowgraphy. Instead of directly measuring physical properties with complex sensors, the patent captures visual representations of the phases and uses image analysis to quantify phase entrainment, solute concentration, and bulk phase presence, simplifying the measurement approach.
2Measurement precision
If extensive analysis is performed to analyze solute concentration within droplets, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces extensive manual or complex instrumental analysis with automated optical image analysis. The linear CMOS sensor captures images of droplets, and software algorithms automatically analyze the shadowgraphy data to determine solute concentration based on refractive index variations, enabling real-time monitoring without lengthy analysis procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-analysis through automated image processing algorithms that extract concentration information directly from the captured shadowgraphy images. The software automatically identifies droplet boundaries, calculates average pixel ratios, and determines solute concentrations without requiring manual intervention or extensive post-processing, thereby improving productivity.
3Measurement precision
If large volumes of outlet fluids are collected for ex-situ measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time and productivity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs measurements in-situ within the microfluidic device itself, before the fluids exit the system. The linear CMOS sensor captures images of the liquid phases and interfaces as they flow through the transparent channels, enabling real-time quantification of phase ratios and entrainment without requiring collection and subsequent ex-situ analysis of large fluid volumes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the necessary measurement information (optical shadowgraphy images) directly from the flowing streams within the device, rather than extracting and analyzing large volumes of fluid. This selective extraction of information maintains measurement precision while eliminating the time loss associated with collecting and processing large fluid samples.
4Ease of operation
If naked eye observation is used to identify phase entrainment, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces subjective naked-eye observation with an automated optical detection system. The linear CMOS sensor objectively captures shadowgraphy images, and software algorithms automatically analyze the images to quantify phase entrainment based on the volume fraction of the wrong phase in each outlet stream, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining ease of operation through automation.
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 approach provides a cost-effective and accurate method for real-time monitoring of phase entrainment and solute concentrations, enabling practical industrial applications by leveraging light intensity variations and refractive index differences.
Implementation Method 1
leverage shadowgraphy to quantify phase entrainment, identify bulk phase presence (i.e., determine the purity of the liquid), and/or measure solute concentrations by measuring the light intensity
Implementation Method 2
measuring the light intensity and comparing it to developed models to identify the refractive index that is indicative of respective concentrations
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a light source, a transparent container, a detector, and a processor. The light source emits light. Liquid flows from one end of the transparent container to another end of the transparent container. The liquid comprises a first and a component. One or more droplets containing the second component are formed within the transparent container as the liquid flows from the one end to the another end of the transparent container. The detector measures light intensities from the transparent container being illuminated. The one or more droplets cast shadows on the detector. A light intensity associated with a portion of the liquid that includes the one or more droplets is different from a second light intensity associated with another portion of the liquid that does not include the one or more droplets. The processor processes the measured light intensities to determine phase entrainment metrics associated with the liquid.