Spectrophotometric Liquid Analysis With Turbidity Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining chemical components and turbidity in liquids require separate procedures, specialized equipment, and knowledgeable personnel, making them inefficient and costly for small producers in industries like brewing and winemaking.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus using a spectrometer and light source to measure light intensity through a sample liquid, with calibration steps to calculate concentrations of water, alcohol, and carbohydrates, and turbidity, utilizing a dip probe and automated calculations for accurate results.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate distinct test procedures are used for different analytes, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and loss of time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal spectrophotometric system that can determine multiple analytes (water, alcohol, carbohydrates, turbidity) using a single instrument and integrated software platform. The system uses a database of extinction coefficients for different analytes and automatically selects appropriate calculation methods, eliminating the need for separate specialized equipment for each type of analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple measurement functions into a single integrated system. The spectrophotometer is coupled with a computer that executes unified software capable of processing spectra for different analytes using various methods (Beer-Lambert law, derivative spectroscopy, multivariate analysis) and combining results to provide comprehensive liquid composition analysis in one operation.
2Measurement precision
If specialized equipment and personnel are used, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation and loss of time worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic self-calibration and self-determination of analyte concentrations. The computer automatically retrieves extinction coefficients from the database, selects appropriate calculation methods based on the analyte type, processes the spectral data, and generates results without requiring manual intervention or specialized operator knowledge. The system self-corrects for interferences and automatically validates results.
3Measurement precision
If multiple measurement steps are used for different analytes, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables continuous measurement of multiple analytes in a single uninterrupted spectral scan. The spectrophotometer captures the complete spectrum containing information about all analytes simultaneously, and the computer processes all analyte concentrations from this single measurement, eliminating sequential testing and enabling high-throughput analysis.
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 in-house, cost-effective determination of chemical components and turbidity in liquids, reducing the need for external testing and specialized personnel, and providing accurate results through calibration and automated processing.
Implementation Method 1
Spectrophotometric determination of chemical components in liquids is based on Beer-Lambert law (BLL). Analyte concentration (C) can be found from the equation C=A/(ε*L) where A is light absorption
Implementation Method 2
Turbidity Determination... measuring the scattering of the light (nephelometry) at various angles in respect to incident light beam
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining contents of sample liquids spectrometrically includes an empty-state measurement with no liquid present, to obtain an empty-state light intensity measurement Ie. A liquid-blank measurement is then taken of a pure unmixed volume of said liquid component, to obtain a liquid-blank light intensity measurement Iw. A sample measurement of the sample liquid is then taken to obtain a sample light intensity measurement Is. Using Ie, Iw, and Is, determination is made of a volume concentration of a liquid component [H2O] in the sample liquid, and a liquid-corrected light intensity measurement Iwc. From Is, Iwc and a known length of the light path, a volume concentration of alcohol [Alc] is calculated. From [H2O] and [Alc], a remnant volume concentration attributable to other constituents is determined, from which a carbohydrate concentration [Carb] is calculated using a predetermined carbohydrate coefficient. Provisions for turbidity determination and light scatter correction are included.