Method and apparatus for continuously measuring the concentration of organic compounds in an aqueous solution
AssigneeThe Research Foundation of State University of New York
InventorJohn P. Hassett
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for continuously measuring the concentration of organic compounds in an aqueous solution utilizes a first non-porous hollow fiber bundle having organic solvent flowing therethrough to extract organic compounds from a water sample into the organic solvent. The extractant can then flow through a second hollow fiber bundle where pervaporation of a fraction of the solvent takes place thereby increasing the concentration of organic compounds in the solvent extractant. The extractant then flows into a control unit which identifies and quantifies the organic compounds therein.
Claims15
A process for continuously measuring the concentration of organic compounds in an aqueous solution comprising:
- placing the outer surface of a first hollow fiber bundle comprising a set of one or more non-porous hollow fiber tubes in fluid flow relationship with an aqueous solution;
- flowing an organic solvent through the first hollow fiber bundle thereby extracting organic compounds from the aqueous solution into the solvent;
- pervaporating the organic solvent to increase the concentration of one or more organic compounds therein;
- measuring the flow rate of the solvent after the concentration of the organic compounds therein has been increased;
- measuring the concentration of one or more of the organic compounds in the solvent;
- and
- calculating the concentration of the organic compounds in the sampled aqueous solution.
An apparatus for continuously measuring the concentration of organic compounds in an aqueous solution comprising:
- a first hollow fiber bundle comprising a set of one or more non-porous hollow fiber tubes;
- means for allowing the outer surface of the first hollow fiber bundle to be placed in fluid flow relationship with an aqueous solution containing organic compounds therein;
- a second hollow fiber bundle comprising a set of one or more non-porous hollow fiber tubes mountable in series with the first hollow fiber bundle;
- means for allowing an organic solvent to flow through the first set of one or more nonporous hollow fiber tubes and then through the second set of one or more non-porous hollow fiber tubes;
- means for pervaporating solvent flowing through the second set of one or more non-porous hollow fiber tubes to increase the concentration of organic compounds in said solvent;
- means for measuring the flow rate of solvent which has exited said second hollow fiber bundle;
- and
- means for measuring the concentration of organic compounds in the solvent.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.