Radiation imagery chemistry: process – composition – or product th – Electric or magnetic imagery – e.g. – xerography,... – Electrolysis imaging
Patent
1996-04-11
1998-06-30
Ludlow, Jan
Radiation imagery chemistry: process, composition, or product th
Electric or magnetic imagery, e.g., xerography,...
Electrolysis imaging
422 78, 422 81, 436103, 436104, G01N 3508
Patent
active
057732973
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for analysing the concentration of a chemical species in a fluid.
The term "fluid" is understood herein to include, but is not limited to, heterogeneous liquid systems.
In particular, the present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for analysing the concentration of nutrients, such as phosphorus, in effluent streams from industrial plants and in rivers, lakes, reservoirs, estuaries, and other water systems that receive effluent streams from industrial plants and/or run-off which contains nutrients from agricultural and domestic sources.
The long-term discharge of phosphorus, typically in the form of phosphates, from industrial plants or agricultural pastoral land into water systems, such as rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and estuaries, leads invariably to algal growth which can cause significant problems. By way of example, some algal species are toxic to animals and humans and therefore represent an immediate and serious health problem. In addition, algal species which are nontoxic, whilst not presenting an immediate health problem, nevertheless have a significant adverse impact on the appearance, smell, and taste of water and therefore reduce water quality in water systems. Furthermore, in general terms, it is difficult and expensive to remove algal growth from water systems.
The accurate analysis of the concentration of phosphorus in water systems, particularly on a real time basis, is, an important factor in predicting and avoiding the growth of algal species.
One known procedure for analysing the concentration of phosphorus in water systems comprises periodic collection of samples, transportation of the samples to a laboratory, and analysis of the samples. In many instances, the procedure is unsatisfactory because of the expense involved in collection, transportation, and off-site analysis. In addition, the delay between collection and analysis may affect the accuracy of the analysis in view of the instability of the sample. Furthermore, the procedure is not carried out on a real-time basis and the delay between collection and analysis may make it difficult to adjust quickly the operating parameters of an industrial plant or otherwise take steps to prevent the release of excessive amounts of phosphorus into water systems.
Other known procedures for analysing the concentration of phosphorus in water systems, which are carried out on a real-time basis, are of limited value because the procedures measure soluble phosphorus only and not total phosphorus. The concentration of total phosphorus is considered to be a more important indicator of phosphorus bioavailability than the concentration of soluble phosphorus. Another problem with the known procedures is that the phosphorus level is distorted by build-up of biological material deposits on the lines of the analysis equipment with the result that there is a significant unpredictable background error associated with the measured phosphorus concentration.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and an apparatus for analysing the concentration of total phosphorus in water systems which alleviates the disadvantages and limitations of the prior art described above.
According to the present invention there is provided a method of analysing a chemical species in a fluid with an analyser/detector system, the analyser/detector system comprising (i) a sample preparation section having a means for placing the chemical species in a sample of the fluid into an analysable form and (ii) an analyser/detector, the method comprising: and placing the chemical species in the sample into the analysable form; and form into the analyser/detector and analysing the chemical species in the analyser/detector.
It is preferred that the method comprises transferring the sample through filtering means located upstream and downstream of the means for placing the chemical species in the sample into the analysable form.
It is preferred that the method comprises purging the upstream filtering means after
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Benson Richard Lynn
Hamilton Ian Campton
McKelvie Ian Donald
Stuart Alan David
ADI Limited
Ludlow Jan
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