Spectrographic Water Contaminant Detection via Plasma Emission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for detecting water contaminants, such as dissolved metals, are often costly, complex, and lack real-time processing capabilities, making them inefficient for effective contamination analysis in aquatic environments.

Innovation Solution

A system employing real-time spectrographic analysis using a spectrometer and a control node to process electromagnetic radiation from a plasma between a solid and liquid electrode, allowing for automated detection of contaminants in water samples by acquiring and analyzing spectroscopic data to determine concentration levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional laboratory chemical analysis methods are used to detect dissolved metals, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical/chemical laboratory analysis systems with an optical spectrographic system. The spectrometer uses electromagnetic radiation to detect contaminants, substituting traditional chemical analysis methods with optical detection that provides comparable precision with reduced complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the detection parameter from chemical analysis to spectrographic analysis. By measuring electromagnetic radiation absorption characteristics of contaminants in the UV-Vis range, the system achieves accurate detection without requiring complex chemical processing or laboratory equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If traditional laboratory analysis processes are used, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity decreases due to lack of real-time processing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidreal-time processing capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The spectrometer system enables continuous real-time monitoring of water contaminants. Unlike batch laboratory analysis, the optical detection system continuously measures electromagnetic radiation transmission through water samples, providing uninterrupted data streams for immediate process control and trend analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces time-consuming laboratory chemical analysis with rapid optical spectrographic detection. The electromagnetic radiation-based measurement provides instant results, eliminating the delays inherent in traditional chemical processing and analysis workflows.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If traditional detection methods are used, then measurement precision is improved, but cost increases making the solution less economical

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidcost-effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a cost-effective optical detection system that uses disposable or easily replaceable components such as cuvettes or flow cells. The spectrometer itself is a relatively inexpensive instrument compared to laboratory chemical analysis equipment, providing accurate contaminant detection at a fraction of the traditional cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention substitutes expensive laboratory chemical analysis infrastructure with a simpler, more affordable optical spectrometer system. By using electromagnetic radiation detection instead of complex chemical analysis equipment, the system achieves comparable measurement precision with significantly reduced capital and operational costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 cost-effective, efficient, and real-time detection of water contaminants, providing frequent readings suitable for process control and trend analysis in water contamination monitoring.

Implementation Method 1

a spectrometer configured to process electromagnetic radiation emitted by a plasma created between a solid electrode and a liquid electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPlasma: Plasma

Implementation Method 2

process electromagnetic radiation emitted by a plasma

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS12158415B2Detection of water contamination based on spectrographic analysis

Publication Date: 2024.12.03 2S WATER INC

AI summary

A system for real-time spectrographic analysis for automatically identifying contaminants in water comprising: a spectrometer configured to process electromagnetic radiation emitted by a plasma created between a solid electrode and a liquid electrode; and a control node operatively connected to the spectrometer, the control node comprising a processor and a memory on which are stored machine-readable instructions that when executed by the processor, cause the processor to acquire spectroscopic data from the spectrometer and to analyze the spectroscopic data to determine concentration levels of contaminants in the water sample.