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US 9,766,183 B2Granted
Automatic titrator
AssigneeEcolab USA Inc.
InventorsPaul R. Kraus, Robert Ryther
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention generally relates to continuous methods quantifying a target analyte concentration in a process solution. These methods are continuous automated titration methods that use titration chemistries to measure the target analyte concentration in the process solution. The method steps provide for efficient and robust automated titration methods for a variety of target analytes.
Claims26
A method for quantification of a target analyte concentration in a process solution comprising:
- continuously flowing and continuously refreshing the process solution at a known flow rate through an analyzer comprising a manifold and a detector;
- quantifying the target analyte concentration by continuously adding a titrant to the analyzer and setting a titrant concentration by changing the titrant concentration through increasing or decreasing a flow rate of the titrant over a specified range;
- and
- detecting a titration endpoint for the reaction between the target analyte and the titrant within a specified target analyte concentration range.
1 more element
A method for quantification of a target analyte concentration in a process solution comprising:
- continuously flowing the process solution through an analyzer;
- quantifying the target analyte concentration by continuously adding a titrant to the analyzer and setting a titrant concentration change by changing the titrant concentration through increasing or decreasing a flow rate of the titrant over a specified range;
- and
- detecting a titration endpoint for the reaction between the target analyte and the titrant within a specified target analyte concentration range,
- further comprising
- (a) determining a first low estimated target analyte concentration and a first high estimated target analyte concentration,
- (b) determining a test precision value,
- (c) calculating a first test range of the difference between the first high estimated target analyte and the first low estimated target analyte concentration, and
- (d) determining whether the test precision value is greater than the first test range, and if the test precision value is greater than the first test range, then reporting the value, and wherein step (d) is as follows and further comprising steps (e)-(i)
- (d) determining whether the test precision value is greater than the first test range, and if the test precision value is not greater than the first test range, then calculating a first test range midpoint,
- (e) calculating a first midpoint flow rate of the titrant based on the first test range midpoint of the estimated target analyte concentration,
- (f) introducing the titrant at the first midpoint flow rate,
- (g) determining whether the endpoint of the reaction between the target analyte and the titrant can be detected, and if the endpoint can be detected, setting a second high estimated target analyte concentration to the first test range midpoint,
- (h) calculating a second test range of the difference between the second high estimated target analyte and the first low estimated target analyte concentration, and
- (i) determining whether the test precision value is greater than the second test range, and if the test precision value is greater than the second test range, then reporting the value.
12 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.