Reduced-Turbulence Optical Cell for Peracid Concentration Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining peracid and hydrogen peroxide concentrations in antimicrobial compositions are time-consuming, require multiple manual titrations, and are effective over only a narrow range of concentrations, making it difficult to maintain the requisite antimicrobial activity and comply with regulatory limits.
Innovation Solution
A flow injection analysis system with a reduced-turbulence optical cell that uses a kinetic assay procedure to measure peracid and hydrogen peroxide concentrations, featuring a transparent tubing with a constant diameter and a laminar flow mixing element, allowing for accurate and efficient determination of analyte concentrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual titration methods are used to determine peracid and hydrogen peroxide concentrations, then measurement accuracy can be achieved, but the analysis time is excessively long and multiple reagents are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical titration operations with an automated flow injection analysis system. The system uses peroxide-selective and peracid-selective electrodes that automatically detect and measure concentrations through electrochemical potentials, eliminating the need for manual titrant addition and endpoint determination. This substitution of mechanical operations with automated electrochemical sensing resolves the contradiction by maintaining measurement accuracy while dramatically reducing analysis time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from visual endpoint detection in titration to electrochemical potential measurement. By using selective electrodes that generate electrical signals proportional to peroxide and peracid concentrations, the system achieves rapid automated measurement without the time-consuming manual operations of traditional titration, thus resolving the time-accuracy contradiction.
2Ease of operation
If traditional optical cells with multiple connection points are used, then sample flow can be managed, but turbulence is introduced that degrades measurement consistency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes connection points and junctions from the optical cell design. The cell features a single continuous transparent tube pathway without any intermediate connection points where turbulence could be generated. This extraction of problematic elements eliminates turbulence sources while maintaining sample flow capability, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a curved or coiled tube design within the optical cell rather than straight rigid pathways with sharp angles. The curved configuration promotes laminar flow and reduces turbulence while still allowing the sample to pass through the optical measurement zone, thus maintaining both operational ease and measurement consistency.
3Measurement precision
If narrow concentration range methods are used, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but the system cannot determine concentrations across the full regulatory range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal measurement system using selective electrodes that can accurately determine concentrations across the entire regulatory range for both peroxide and peracid. The electrodes respond linearly over wide concentration ranges, allowing a single system to handle diverse applications from low to high concentrations without sacrificing accuracy, thus resolving the contradiction between precision and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic measurement capabilities where the system can adapt its response to varying concentration levels. The electrochemical sensors provide real-time measurements across changing concentrations, and the system can handle both low and high concentration scenarios within the same operational framework, enabling versatile accurate measurement across the full regulatory range.
4Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If multiple manual titrations are performed, then both peracid and hydrogen peroxide concentrations can be determined, but the complexity of reagents and procedures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex manual titration procedures with automated electrochemical sensing. The selective electrodes directly measure peroxide and peracid concentrations through their electrochemical properties, eliminating the need for multiple reagents, indicators, and manual titration steps. This substitution reduces procedural complexity while maintaining the ability to detect and measure both analytes accurately.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs self-service measurement where the selective electrodes automatically determine concentrations without requiring manual intervention for reagent addition, mixing, or endpoint detection. The system performs both measurements autonomously, reducing the complexity of reagents and procedures while maintaining full detection capability for both peracid and hydrogen peroxide.
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 system provides consistent and accurate response data, reduces measurement time, and allows for higher order evaluation functions, enabling precise monitoring and control of peracid and hydrogen peroxide levels within the antimicrobial composition.
Implementation Method 1
An optical emitter configured to emit light of a first wavelength is installed within the second pathway. An optical receiver is installed within the second pathway opposite the optical emitter. Thus, light energy delivered from the optical emitter can pass through the transparent tube and sample within the tube and be received by the optical receiver.
Data Source
AI summary
A use composition monitor determines the concentration of peracid and/or peroxide in a use composition using a kinetic assay procedure. A sample mixture containing a sample of the use composition, a diluent and at least one reagent is prepared and analyzed using, for example, an optical detector. A reduced-turbulence optical detector can be used to improve collected response data. A reduced-turbulence optical detector can include a cell body disposed about a length of transparent tubing. The cell body positions one or more emitter/receiver pairs about the transparent tubing. Thus, tube junctions are eliminated and sample flow within the tube is substantially turbulence free.