Automated pH Analyzer for Mineral Slurry with Spectrophotometric Titration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing online pH measurement and quantitative volumetric titration technologies face challenges in accurately measuring pH and water hardness in mineral slurries and process water containing non-aqueous liquids and abrasive solid particles, leading to inaccurate readings, probe degradation, and the need for manual, time-consuming processes.
Innovation Solution
An automated online system that withdraws a controlled sample from the process, dilutes it with water of known pH, and uses spectrophotometry to measure changes in liquid spectra absorbance to determine pH and titration endpoints, allowing for continuous, real-time monitoring of pH and water hardness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If direct pH measurement is performed in slurry containing hydrocarbons and abrasive particles, then real-time pH data can be obtained, but the pH probe becomes coated and degraded leading to inaccurate readings
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful components (hydrocarbons and abrasive particles) are extracted from the sample stream by filtering the liquid phase before it contacts the pH probe. This separation allows the probe to measure only the filtered liquid, preventing coating and degradation while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
A filter acts as an intermediary between the slurry and the pH probe, allowing the liquid phase to pass through to the probe while blocking abrasive particles and hydrocarbon coatings. This intermediary protects the probe from direct contact with harmful substances.
2Measurement precision
If manual titration procedures are used to determine water hardness, then accurate results can be obtained, but the process is time-consuming and requires skilled personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs titration automatically using a titrant dispenser and automated detection, eliminating the need for manual operation by skilled personnel. The automated endpoint detection and calculation enable the system to determine water hardness independently, reducing both time and skill requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical titration operations are replaced with an automated titrant dispenser and electronic detection system. The mechanical process of manual addition and visual endpoint detection is substituted with automated fluid delivery and electronic absorbance measurement, significantly reducing analysis time.
3Productivity
If pH probes are used in flowing slurry, then continuous monitoring is possible, but the abrasive particles erode the electrode membrane disabling the probe
Solution Approach 1:
Abrasive particles are extracted from the flowing slurry by filtering the liquid phase before it contacts the pH probe. This continuous filtration prevents particle erosion of the electrode membrane while maintaining continuous monitoring capability through automated sampling and measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
A filter serves as an intermediary between the flowing slurry and the pH probe, continuously removing abrasive particles while allowing the liquid phase to pass through for measurement. This protects the probe from erosion and extends its operational lifespan.
4Reliability
If hydrocarbons are present in the slurry sample, then the sample represents the actual process conditions, but the hydrocarbons destabilize pH readings and delay response
Solution Approach 1:
Hydrocarbons are extracted from the sample by filtering the liquid phase before it contacts the pH probe. This removal of hydrocarbons stabilizes pH readings and eliminates response delays while the automated system ensures the filtered liquid still represents the actual process conditions.
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 accurate, continuous, and real-time measurement of pH and water hardness, reducing operational costs and improving process control by eliminating human subjective errors and probe degradation issues.
Implementation Method 1
uses spectrophotometry to measure changes in liquid spectra absorbance to determine pH and titration endpoints
Data Source
AI summary
Automated analyzers to measure or determine parameters in mineral slurries or process water, in particular to online and automated analyzers to measure pH, or to perform quantitative volumetric titrations relying on spectra absorbance of a liquid extracted from titrant and titrant mixture to determine the endpoint of titration, such as the measurement of liquid hardness in mineral slurries or process water. An automated pH analyzer may include a processor operable to manage the operations associated with the apparatus, an automated sampler coupled to the vessel or conduit and operable to extract a sample of a determined volume of the slurry or process water from the vessel or conduit, the automated sampler being under control of the processor, a water source under control of the processor and operable to deliver a known volume of water of a known pH into the sample, a mixing chamber that receives the known volume of water and the sample, an agitator operable to agitate the sample and the known volume of water in the mixing chamber to produce a diluted sample mixture, an automated filter operable to extract an aliquot of the diluted sample mixture from the mixing chamber and to filter the aliquot to produce a filtrate, a pH probe after the automated filter to measure the pH of filtrate, and a pH probe within the mixing chamber operable to measure a pH of the diluted sample mixture. The measurement is used to calculate the pH of the extracted sample, and to alter in near real time a process control of the a mineral processing operation related to the mineral slurry or process water.