Multi-wavelength Process Photometer Using Xenon Flash Diffuser
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Solution Overview
Problem
State-of-the-art multi-wavelength process photometers are mechanically sensitive and require precise optical adjustments to ensure equal light intensity at different wavelength detectors, which can be compromised by turbid samples, leading to falsified measurement results.
Innovation Solution
A multi-wavelength process photometer using a xenon flash lamp with a translucent light diffuser element and multiple wavelength-sensitive detectors positioned within a homogeneous light cone angle, eliminating the need for precise optical adjustments and ensuring robustness and reliability in turbid samples.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sophisticated optical arrangements are used to ensure equal light intensity at all wavelength detectors, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and mechanical sensitivity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is segmented into independent wavelength channels, each with its own detector. This allows each detector to receive light independently without requiring complex synchronization and intensity balancing across all detectors simultaneously, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary intensity balancing for each wavelength channel independently before measurement. By pre-adjusting and balancing the light intensity for each specific wavelength detector individually, the system achieves equal intensity distribution without requiring complex mechanical arrangements, thus simplifying the overall device structure.
2Measurement precision
If precise optical adjustments are required to provide equal light intensity at detectors, then measurement precision is improved, but reliability decreases due to mechanical sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex mechanical optical adjustment mechanisms with electronic intensity control and processing. Instead of using mechanical components to physically adjust light paths and intensities, the system uses electronic circuits to balance and process light signals from each detector, thereby eliminating mechanical sensitivity and improving reliability while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the approach from physical optical parameter adjustment to electronic parameter processing. By detecting light intensity at each wavelength and electronically adjusting the signal parameters (gain, offset, normalization) rather than physically adjusting the optical path, the system achieves precise measurements without mechanical sensitivity, thus improving reliability.
3Measurement precision
If high quality optical components and precise adjustment are used, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to sensitive mechanical requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-adjustment and self-balancing of light intensity across different wavelength detectors. Through automatic electronic control and processing, the system independently equalizes the intensity distribution without requiring manual mechanical adjustment or precise initial alignment, thereby simplifying operation while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from requiring precise physical optical parameters to using electronic parameter processing. By electronically adjusting signal characteristics rather than relying on precise mechanical alignment, the system achieves easy operation with standard optical components while maintaining high measurement precision through software-based optimization.
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 simultaneous and reliable determination of absorption at multiple wavelengths with improved signal-to-noise ratio, unaffected by turbidity, and integrated into an immersion probe for real-time wastewater analysis.
Implementation Method 1
a translucent light diffusor element is provided behind the measurement cell for homogeneously diffusing the light of the flashlight source coming from the liquid sample measurement cell
Implementation Method 2
at least two different wavelength-sensitive light detectors are provided behind the light diffusor element within the homogeneity cone angle
Implementation Method 3
The process photometer determines the absorption of the liquid sample at different wavelengths for simultaneously determining the concentration values of different analytes
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is directed to a multi-wavelength process photometer (20) for quasi-continuously determining the absorption of a liquid sample, comprising a continuous-spectrum flashlight source (24), a transparent liquid sample measurement cell (40) which is radiated by the flashlight source (24), a translucent light diffusor element (50) behind the measurement cell (40) for homogenously diffusing the light of the flashlight source (24) coming from the liquid sample measurement cell (40), and at least two different wavelength-selective light detectors (61, 62, 63) behind the light diffusor element (50), wherein the light detectors (61, 62, 63) have substantially the same distance (X4) to the light diffusor element (50).