TOC Sensor Using Down Conversion Material for UV Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensors for detecting total organic carbon (TOC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), UV254, and chemical oxygen demand (COD) in liquids are costly due to the use of electronic components sensitive to ultraviolet light, making them less accessible and efficient.
Innovation Solution
A sensor design that employs a photodetector sensitive to visible or infrared light, combined with a down conversion material that converts ultraviolet light, allowing for a cost-effective and robust detection of organic carbon without the need for dedicated ultraviolet light photodetectors, and is designed to handle liquids with bubbles and improve resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a photodetector sensitive to ultraviolet light is used to detect organic carbon, then the detection capability is achieved, but the cost of the sensor increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a down-conversion material as an intermediary between the UV light source and the photodetector. This material converts UV light to visible light, allowing the use of cheaper visible-light photodetectors while maintaining the ability to detect organic carbon through UV absorption measurements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of the light detected by the photodetector from ultraviolet to visible range through the use of down-conversion material. This parameter change enables the use of lower-cost photodetector technologies while preserving the measurement capability through the relationship between UV absorption and visible light emission from the down-conversion material
2Ease of manufacture
If a small photodetector is used to reduce costs, then the manufacturing cost decreases, but the measurement resolution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The down-conversion material acts as an intermediary that allows the use of larger photodetectors without increasing cost. By converting UV to visible light, it enables the use of standard, larger-sized visible-light photodetectors that provide better resolution while remaining cost-effective
3Ease of manufacture
If a simple sensor design is used to reduce costs, then the manufacturing complexity decreases, but the robustness against liquid turbulence and bubbles deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The down-conversion material serves as a robust intermediary component that is less sensitive to turbulence and bubble interference than direct UV detection. The conversion process to visible light provides a more stable signal that maintains measurement reliability in challenging liquid flow conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor design uses a light source and photodetector configuration that can serve multiple functions: UV absorption measurement for organic carbon detection, and through the down-conversion material, visible light detection that is more tolerant of environmental variations. This multi-functionality approach enhances robustness while maintaining design simplicity
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 sensor provides a cost-effective and high-resolution measurement of organic carbon in liquids, reducing costs and improving robustness against liquid turbulence, while using a larger photodetector without increasing expenses.
Implementation Method 1
a down conversion material portion arranged in the optical path, wherein the down conversion material portion is configured to receive incoming ultraviolet light emitted by the light source and to down convert received ultraviolet light and to emit said down converted light in the visible or infrared spectrum
Implementation Method 2
a photodetector configured to detect light in the visible or infrared spectrum
Implementation Method 3
the ultraviolet light travels along an optical path through liquid residing in the interior space and is absorbable by carbon bonds of organic molecules in the liquid
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a sensor (1) for sensing organic carbon in a liquid (L), comprising: a container (2) having an interior space (20) for receiving the liquid (L), a photodetector (3), and a light source (4) configured to emit ultraviolet light (5) so that the ultraviolet light (5) travels along an optical path (P) through liquid (L) residing in the interior space (20) and is absorbable by carbon bonds of organic molecules in the liquid (L). According to the present invention, the photodetector (3) is configured to detect light in the visible or infrared spectrum, and the sensor (1) comprises a down conversion material portion (22; 22a) arranged in the optical path, wherein the down conversion material portion (22; 22a) is configured to receive incoming ultraviolet light (5) emitted by the light source (4) and to down convert received ultraviolet light (5) and to emit said down converted light (50) in the visible or infrared spectrum so that emitted down converted light (50) impinges on the photodetector (3).