Reflectance Probe for Real-Time Hydrolysis Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

The determination of the change point of color to gray during the hydrolysis of titanium oxysulfate in the sulfuric acid-process for manufacturing titanium white is currently subjective and variable, leading to inconsistencies in product quality and stability, as existing methods rely on manual observation or are prone to contamination and complex operations.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising a probe with a sealed cylinder, opaque inner wall, transparent window, light source optical fiber, detecting optical fiber, interference filter sheet, and chopper, which allows for real-time detection of reflectance changes, enabling accurate and timely identification of the change point of color to gray, and an apparatus that includes a heating device, stirring device, detecting unit, analyzing unit, and control unit to control the hydrolysis process based on inflection points in reflectance derivatives.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If manual observation with naked eyes is used to determine the change point of color to gray, then the determination can be performed without complex equipment, but the result is strongly subjective and leads to great difference in quality among various batches of products

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of determination methodVSAvoidproduct quality consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual visual observation method with an automated optical detection system. A probe equipped with a light source and photodetector measures reflectance changes of the titaniferous solution during hydrolysis, objectively determining the change point of color to gray. This substitution eliminates subjective human judgment while maintaining operational simplicity through automatic measurement and analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If determination by time is used to preclude subjective factors, then subjective influence is reduced, but quality difference among batches still occurs and stability deteriorates due to variable titaniferous solution and temperature

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereduction of subjective factorsVSAvoidproduct quality stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from time-based determination to reflectance-based determination. By monitoring the reflectance parameter of the titaniferous solution during hydrolysis, the system objectively identifies the change point of color to gray. This parameter change approach accounts for variations in solution composition and temperature, providing consistent and reliable determination across different batches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If a thick glass window is formed on the hydrolysis tank for reflectance measurement, then the change point of color to gray can be determined by differential colorimeter, but the observation hole is easily contaminated by viscous particles limiting the method's use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereflectance measurement capabilityVSAvoidcontamination of observation hole
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the detection function from the hydrolysis tank structure by using a separate probe that can be inserted into the solution. This eliminates the need for observation holes or thick glass windows on the tank, preventing contamination by viscous particles while maintaining reflectance measurement precision through direct optical contact with the solution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Measurement precision

If the titaniferous solution is drawn from the hydrolysis tank and introduced into a detecting unit for transmittance measurement, then detection can be performed, but the detected solution is separated from the original hydrolysis environment causing detection lag

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmittance detection capabilityVSAvoiddetection lag
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses reflectance measurement as an intermediary method that can be performed in-situ within the hydrolysis tank. By measuring the reflectance of light from the solution rather than requiring sample extraction, the system maintains the solution in its original hydrolysis environment while achieving real-time detection without time lag.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution allows for precise and automatic detection of the change point of color to gray in real-time, optimizing product quality, reducing batch-to-batch variations, and enhancing hydrolysis efficiency by controlling the process effectively.

Implementation Method 1

a light source optical fiber and a detecting optical fiber which are parallel to each other in a direction perpendicular to a plane on which the transparent window is positioned

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

a light source optical fiber and a detecting optical fiber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical fiber transmission: Optical Fibre

Implementation Method 3

an interference filter sheet which is fixed at front ends of the light source optical fiber and the detecting optical fiber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInterference filtering: Interference

Data Source

PatentEP2657688B1Device for detecting hydrolysis of titanium oxysulfate in real-time
Publication Date: 2016.07.20 PANZHIHUA IRON & STEEL RES INST OF PANGANG GROUP
  • EP2657688B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2657688B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Disclosed herein are a device for detecting hydrolysis of titanium oxysulfate in real-time and an apparatus for controlling hydrolysis of titanium oxysulfate. The apparatus includes a heating device (6), a stirring device (7), a detecting unit, an analyzing unit (2), and a control unit (4). The heating device and the stirring device respectively heat and stir a solution contained in a hydrolysis container. The detecting unit is disposed in the solution contained in the hydrolysis container and is connected to the analyzing unit to detect a reflectance of the solution in real-time and transmit a detected result to the analyzing unit. The analyzing unit analyzes a first derivative of the reflectance against hydrolysis time, and is connected to the control unit to transmit a control signal to the control unit when an inflection point of the first derivative occurs. The control unit stops operations of the heating device and the stirring device according to the control signal. The device and the apparatus according to the present invention can simply, rapidly, and accurately determine a change point of color to gray during hydrolysis in manufacture of titanium white in real-time, thereby achieving automatic determination of the change point of color to gray and improving product quality.