Wax Chromatogram Analysis for Accurate Rubber Compound Estimation

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for analyzing the state of wax in rubber compounds are inefficient and unreliable due to peak distortion caused by impurities, leading to variations in peak correction and inaccurate estimation of wax distribution over time.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that utilize a gas chromatograph to separate components, identify and remove peaks dominated by impurities, and interpolate missing peak areas to derive a smooth distribution of normal hydrocarbons, enabling accurate estimation of wax content and distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual correction of overlapping peaks in chromatograms is performed to estimate wax content, then measurement precision may be improved, but operator variability increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewax content estimation accuracyVSAvoidestimation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual operator-based peak correction with an automated computer program that performs peak identification, impurity removal, and area interpolation. This substitution of mechanical/manual operations with automated computational methods eliminates operator variability while maintaining measurement precision and significantly improving productivity through rapid automated processing of chromatogram data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The estimation system performs self-correction by automatically identifying and removing impurity peaks and interpolating areas based on adjacent peaks without requiring external operator intervention. The computer program autonomously processes the chromatogram data, applying algorithms to correct overlapping peaks and calculate wax content, thereby eliminating the need for manual correction operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If manual correction of chromatogram peaks is performed to account for impurities, then measurement precision may be improved, but operator variability increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewax content estimation accuracyVSAvoidoperator consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual operator-based peak correction with an automated computer program that performs peak identification, impurity removal, and area interpolation. This substitution of mechanical/manual operations with automated computational methods eliminates operator variability while maintaining measurement precision and significantly improving productivity through rapid automated processing of chromatogram data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The estimation system performs self-correction by automatically identifying and removing impurity peaks and interpolating areas based on adjacent peaks without requiring external operator intervention. The computer program autonomously processes the chromatogram data, applying algorithms to correct overlapping peaks and calculate wax content, thereby eliminating the need for manual correction operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If comprehensive analysis of extracted components is performed to separate wax from impurities, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewax distribution analysis accuracyVSAvoidchromatogram processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual operator-based peak correction with an automated computer program that performs peak identification, impurity removal, and area interpolation. This substitution of mechanical/manual operations with automated computational methods eliminates operator variability while maintaining measurement precision and significantly improving productivity through rapid automated processing of chromatogram data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The estimation system performs self-correction by automatically identifying and removing impurity peaks and interpolating areas based on adjacent peaks without requiring external operator intervention. The computer program autonomously processes the chromatogram data, applying algorithms to correct overlapping peaks and calculate wax content, thereby eliminating the need for manual correction operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 method provides a reliable and efficient estimation of wax state in rubber compounds, reducing operator variation and improving accuracy, even when the wax chromatogram is unknown or deteriorated.

Implementation Method 1

acquiring a chromatogram of an extracted component, by separating components thereof

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas chromatography: Chromatography

Data Source

PatentEP4407312B1Method for estimating state of wax in rubber compound

Publication Date: 2026.04.29 SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES LTD

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AI summary

A method for estimating a state of wax in a rubber compound according to a first aspect includes the following: acquiring a chromatogram of an extracted component, by separating components thereof, in which the wax is extracted from the rubber compound including the wax; and deriving a distribution of normal hydrocarbons in the wax based on the chromatogram.