Water Sample Analysis Instrument for Simultaneous TOC and DON Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current water quality detection methods are inadequate for simultaneous and accurate measurement of total organic carbon (TOC) and dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) concentrations in different molecular weight ranges, leading to incomplete and inaccurate water quality data, which hinders effective water pollution control and treatment.
Innovation Solution
An instrument and method utilizing a chromatographic column with a series of connected valves and detectors, including a UV digester and CO2 remover, to simultaneously detect TOC and DON concentrations by separating and oxidizing components, allowing for precise measurement and display of molecular weight distribution data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate detection methods are used for TOC and DON concentrations, then each parameter can be measured independently, but the detection time increases and the pertinence of water quality data is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines TOC and DON detection into a single integrated instrument system. The chromatographic column separates different molecular weight components, while the UV digester simultaneously oxidizes both organic carbon and organic nitrogen. The CO2 detector measures TOC concentration, and the nitrate nitrogen detector measures DON concentration from the same oxidized sample, enabling synchronous detection of both parameters in one analytical run.
Solution Approach 2:
The UV digester serves multiple functions: it oxidizes organic carbon to CO2 for TOC measurement, oxidizes organic nitrogen to nitrate nitrogen for DON measurement, and processes all molecular weight fractions simultaneously. This multi-functional design allows a single instrument to perform what traditionally required separate analytical procedures.
2Device complexity
If traditional separate detection methods are used for TOC and DON, then the detection process is simpler, but the water quality data cannot characterize pollution more specifically
Solution Approach 1:
The chromatographic column separates the water sample into different molecular weight fractions (e.g., low molecular weight, middle molecular weight, high molecular weight organic matter). This segmentation allows the instrument to not only measure total TOC and DON concentrations but also to determine their distribution across different molecular weight ranges, providing more detailed characterization of water quality and pollution sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The UV digester acts as an intermediary that converts both organic carbon and organic nitrogen into measurable forms (CO2 and nitrate nitrogen) from the same oxidized sample. This intermediary oxidation process enables the simultaneous determination of multiple parameters (TOC, DON, and their molecular weight distributions) without requiring separate preparation or treatment of the sample.
3Measurement precision
If DON concentration is detected using traditional methods (TN minus total inorganic nitrogen or Kjeldahl nitrogen minus ammonia nitrogen), then the detection process requires multiple detection times, but the accumulated systematic error dramatically influences the results
Solution Approach 1:
The UV digester performs preliminary oxidation of the sample, converting both organic carbon and organic nitrogen into their oxidized forms (CO2 and nitrate nitrogen) in a single treatment step. This preliminary oxidation eliminates the need for multiple separate detection procedures, and the CO2 and nitrate nitrogen are then directly measured by their respective detectors, providing accurate DON concentration results without accumulated systematic errors from sequential measurements.
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 approach enables synchronous detection of TOC and DON concentrations, improving the accuracy and pertinence of water quality data, reducing detection time, and enhancing the efficiency of water pollution control measures.
Implementation Method 1
The chromatographic column separates the components in the water sample to be measured by molecular weight
Implementation Method 2
Under the irradiation of a UV lamp and heating, the TOC is oxidized to CO2, and the DON is oxidized to nitrate nitrogen
Implementation Method 3
The components to be measured, free of inorganic carbon, reached in the UV digester through the pipeline
Implementation Method 4
The second gas-water separation membrane is connected to an electrical conductivity-based CO2 detector
Implementation Method 5
the ultraviolet detector and the electrical conductivity-based CO2 detector are both connected to a computer for data processing
Data Source
AI summary
An instrument and a method for simultaneously testing a molecular weight distribution and an organic nitrogen level of a water sample are provided. The instrument comprises: a tail-end injection valve, a chromatographic column, a pressure relief valve, an acid-adding injection valve, an oxygen-adding injection valve, a helical tube for an acid-oxygen reaction, a CO2 remover, a UV digester, a second gas-water separator membrane, a buffer solution injection valve, a helical tube for a buffer solution reaction, a cadmium column, a chromogenic agent injection valve, a helical tube for a chromogenic agent reaction, and a UV detector, sequentially connected via a pipeline. The tail-end injection valve is for receiving a fluid phase and a sample. The second gas-water separator membrane is connected to an electrical conductivity-based CO2 detector. The UV detector and the electrical conductivity-based CO2 detector are connected to a data processing computer.