Dual-Wavelength Optical Water Monitoring for Interference Compensation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water quality monitoring devices face instability in harsh environments due to interfering substances and require chemical pretreatment, which is costly and time-consuming, and struggle to provide real-time measurements.
Innovation Solution
A water quality monitoring device with dual optical detection systems using multiple light emitters and receivers at different wavelengths, coupled with a control circuit for real-time light source correction and multi-component compensation algorithms, to accurately measure water quality despite environmental interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If water quality monitoring devices directly contact water in harsh environments, then real-time monitoring capability is achieved, but measurement stability deteriorates due to interfering substances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a flow cell as an intermediary component that allows optical signals to pass through water without the sensor directly contacting the water. The flow cell acts as a mediator between the optical detection system and the water sample, enabling real-time monitoring while protecting the sensitive optical components from harsh environmental conditions and interfering substances in the water.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical contact between sensors and water with an optical measurement system. Instead of using mechanical or chemical sensors that physically interact with water samples (requiring direct contact and chemical pre-treatment), the system uses light transmission and scattering properties to measure water quality parameters, eliminating the need for direct contact and chemical reagents.
2Measurement precision
If chemical pre-treatment is used to remove interfering substances, then measurement accuracy is improved, but additional costs and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical pre-treatment methods with physical optical measurement techniques. Instead of using chemicals to remove or mask interfering substances, the system uses multi-wavelength optical detection to differentiate between target analytes and interfering substances based on their distinct light absorption, scattering, and transmission characteristics, thereby eliminating the need for chemical reagents and associated maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from direct chemical interaction to optical property detection. By measuring light transmission, scattering, and absorption at multiple wavelengths, the system can identify and compensate for interfering substances through their unique optical signatures, achieving accurate measurements without chemical pre-treatment.
3Device complexity
If single wavelength light source is used, then device complexity is reduced, but ability to eliminate interfering substances deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical detection into multiple wavelength channels, each targeting specific water quality parameters. By using multiple light sources with different wavelengths (e.g., UV for organic contaminants, visible for turbidity, infrared for dissolved solids), the system can simultaneously measure different parameters and distinguish between target analytes and interfering substances based on their wavelength-specific optical responses.
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 device achieves stable and accurate water quality measurements by correcting light source intensity fluctuations and eliminating interfering substance effects, enabling real-time monitoring of multiple components in complex water bodies.
Implementation Method 1
The first light emitter provides a first light. The first light is incident into the accommodating space of the water tank
Implementation Method 2
The first scattered light receiver receives the scattered light in the first light through the accommodating space of the water tank to detect and obtain the first scattered light intensity
Implementation Method 3
The first reference light receiver detects the light intensity of the first light before the first light is incident into the accommodating space, so as to obtain the first reference light intensity
Data Source
AI summary
A water quality monitoring device and a monitoring method thereof are provided. The water quality monitoring device includes a water tank, a first and a second optical detection devices and a control circuit. The water tank has an accommodating space to carry a liquid. The first optical detection device provides a first light to detect and obtain a first reference light intensity, a first scattered light intensity, and a first penetrating light intensity. The second optical detection device provides a second light to detect and obtain a second reference light intensity, a second scattered light intensity, and a second penetrating light intensity. The control circuit calculates a water quality detection value of the liquid based on the first reference light intensity, the first scattered light intensity, the first penetrating light intensity, the second reference light intensity, the second scattered light intensity, and the second penetrating light intensity.