Specification
METHODS OF USING CYANINE DYES FOR THE DETECTION OF ANALYTES
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Related Application
[0001] This application is related to US Application 11/809,345, filed May 31, 2007, and
assigned to General Electric Company, which is herein incorporated by reference.
Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention is related to the detection of analytes in industrial water systems with
cyanine dyes.
Description of Related Art
[0003] Water is used in a number of industrial water systems such as cooling and boiler water
systems. Municipal or untreated water contain substances which can affect heat transfer, fluid
flow or cause corrosion of system equipment. The presence of these substances and any
resulted scaling, biofouling and corrosion adversely affects the rate of heat transfer, and therefore
the efficiency of the system. Accordingly, before the water is utilized for cooling or steam
purposes, it is desirably treated with appropriate chemicals.
[0004] Chemical treatment of water is well developed and widely used. For example, it is
known to add polyelectrolytes to the water to reduce scaling. One particularly useful
polyelectrolyte is Coagl39D (PMA, polymethacrylic acid); although other polyelectrolytes such
as AEC, APES, and HPS-I are in use as well. However, the employment of polyelectrolytes in
industrial water systems presents its own set of problems because the concentration of the
polyelectrolytes in the water must be carefully monitored. For example, if too little of the
polyelectrolytes is employed, scaling will occur. In contrast, if too high a concentration of the
polyelectrolytes is employed, then the cost/performance efficiency of the system is adversely
affected. As with other methods of chemically treating aqueous systems, there is an optimal
concentration of treatment chemicals that should be maintained.
[0005] Several methods for determining the concentration of polyelectrolytes in aqueous
systems are available. For example, there are several colorimetric methods for determination of
polyelectrolytes using dyes. One example is U.S. Pat. No. 6,214,627 issued to Ciota et al, herein
incorporated by reference. In addition, there is a Hach polyacrylic acid method that uses iron
thiocyanate chelation to detect calibration based on polyacrylic acid. Generally, these methods
require a complicated, multi-step operation procedure and are difficult to carry out in the field.
Other methods, such as the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,958,778 issued to Johnson et al.,
herein incorporated by reference, use luminol-tagged polymers in combination with fluorescent
or chemiluminescent detection techniques to monitor the industrial waters. Also, there is a
turbidity method that relies on the formation of insoluble compounds for determining the
concentration of water-soluble polymers. This method is lengthy and is susceptible to
inaccuracies.
[0006] Thus, there exists a strong need for simplified test methods that can easily be used to
determine the concentration of analytes in industrial water sources.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention concerns a method of measuring the concentration of an analyte
in an aqueous solution that comprises the steps of: obtaining an aqueous solution containing an
analyte, providing a cyanine indicator, placing the aqueous solution in fluid communication with
the cyanine indicator, measuring a detectable property change of the cyanine indicator, and
comparing the detectable property change of the cyanine indicator with a calibration curve of the
detectable property change of samples containing known concentrations of the analyte to
determine the concentration of the analyte, wherein the detectable property change is
proportional to the concentration of the analyte in said aqueous solution.
[0008] The present invention and its advantages over the prior art will become apparent upon
reading the following detailed description and the appended claims with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] These and other aspects of the invention will be understood from the description and
claims herein, taken together with the drawings showing details of construction and illustrative
embodiments, wherein:
[0010] Fig. l a depicts spectrums of aqueous solutions with different amounts of free chlorine
at different pH values;
[0011] Fig. l b depicts calibrations curve obtained for free chlorine using aqueous IR-783;
[0012] Fig. 2 depicts a calibration curve obtained for free chlorine using IR-783 in pHEMA
film;
[0013] Fig. 3a depicts spectrums of aqueous solutions with different amounts of total
chlorine;
[0014] Fig. 3b depicts calibration curves obtained for total chlorine using IR-783;
[0015] Fig. 4a depicts spectrums of aqueous solutions with different amounts of Ferric iron;
[0016] Fig. 4b depicts a calibration curve obtained for Ferric iron using IR-783;
[0017] Fig. 4c depicts spectrums of aqueous solutions with different amounts of Ferric iron;
[0018] Fig. 4d depicts a calibration curve obtained for Ferric iron using IR-783;
[0019] Fig. 4e depicts spectrums of aqueous solutions with different amounts of Ferric iron in
the presence of HIDCI;
[0020] Fig. 4f depicts a calibration curve obtained for Ferric iron using HIDCI;
[0021] Fig. 5a depicts spectrums of aqueous solutions with different amounts of Coagl39D;
[0022] Fig. 5b depicts a calibration curve obtained for Coagl39D using IR-775 and DMMB;
[0023] Fig. 6a depicts spectrums of aqueous solutions with different amounts of Coagl39D;
[0024] Fig. 6b depicts a calibration curve obtained for Coagl39D using IR-780;
[0025] Fig. 7a depicts spectrums of aqueous solutions with different amounts of
polyDADMAC;
[0026] Fig. 7b depicts a calibration curve obtained for polyDADMAC using IR-780;
[0027] Fig. 8a depicts spectrums of aqueous solutions with different amounts of
polyDADMAC; and
[0028] Fig. 8b depicts a calibration curve obtained for polyDADMAC using IR-783.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, may
be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without
resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified
by a term or terms, such as "about", is not limited to the precise value specified. In at least some
instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for
measuring the value. Range limitations may be combined and/or interchanged, and such ranges
are identified and include all the sub-ranges stated herein unless context or language indicates
otherwise. Other than in the operating examples or where otherwise indicated, all numbers or
expressions referring to quantities of ingredients, reaction conditions and the like, used in the
specification and the claims, are to be understood as modified in all instances by the term
"about".
[0030] "Optional" or "optionally" means that the subsequently described event or
circumstance may or may not occur, or that the subsequently identified material may or may not
be present, and that the description includes instances where the event or circumstance occurs or
where the material is present, and instances where the event or circumstance does not occur or
the material is not present.
[0031] As used herein, the terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes", "including", "has",
"having", or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For
example, a process, method, article or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not
necessarily limited to only those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or
inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.
[0032] The singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents unless the context
clearly dictates otherwise.
[0033] Disclosed are improved methods of using cyanine dye as an indicator for detecting the
concentration of an analyte in an aqueous solution. The aqueous solution is a sample of water
taken from an industrial water source including, but not limited to, cooling water, boiler water,
wastewater, seawater, rainwater. The analyte capable of being detected using this method
include, but are not limited to, one or more of free chlorine, total chlorine, iron (e.g., Ferric
and/or ferrous), total iron, or polyelectrolytic (e.g., polyanionic, polycationic, such as
COAgl39D, polyDADMAC). Preferably, the cyanine indicator used in this method has a long
wavelength absorbance, such as IR-783, IR-780, IR-775, and IR-746. It is anticipated that any
cyanine indicator can be used that has a molar extinction coefficient higher than 100,000 (moll.
cm-1) and sufficient stability and selectivity. A cyanine indicator is sufficiently stable when
cyanine dyes are present in a solution and the absorbance at maximum peak is stable (less than
about 1% change) over a time period of about 20 minutes. The selectivity required by a cyanine
indicator will be made apparent from the examples below.
[0034] Applicants have discovered that cyanine indicator undergoes a detectable physical
property change when exposed to an analyte in an aqueous solution. The physical property
change is proportional to the concentration of the analyte in the aqueous solution. The main
property change of the cyanine indicator when reacted with the analyte discussed herein is color,
but any other detectable physical or chemical property change may be used, such as
luminescence or electrochemistry. It is contemplated that the cyanine indicator can be aqueous,
or can be contained in a film.
[0035] The concentration of an analyte in an aqueous solution can be measured by providing
a cyanine indicator, placing an aqueous solution containing an analyte in fluid communication
with the cyanine indicator, measuring a detectable property change of the cyanine indicator, and
comparing the measured detectable property change with a calibration curve. The detectable
property change is proportional to the concentration of the analyte in the aqueous solution. In
embodiments that use color as the detectable property change, the absorbance of the cyanine
indicator is compared with a calibration curve of the absorbance of samples containing known
concentrations of the analyte to determine the concentration of the analyte.
[0036] In order to determine the concentration of an analyte in an aqueous solution, it is first
necessary to generate a calibration curve for each analyte of interest. Further, if the response of
the cyanine indicator is dependent upon the pH, it is also necessary to generate a calibration
curve for each analyte of interest at the same pH level of the aqueous solution of interest.
Calibration curves are generated by preparing various aqueous solutions containing known
amounts of a analyte, placing the aqueous solutions in fluid communication with the cyanine
indicator, and measuring the detectable property change. In one embodiment, the detectable
property change is color, in which the absorbance is measured. For the purposes of this
embodiment, absorbance is being reported as absorbance difference. Absorbance difference is
the difference between the absorbance of the cyanine indicator by itself and the absorbance of
the cyanine indicator after a sample of aqueous solution is placed in fluid communication with
the cyanine indicator. The calibration curve is then a plot of this absorbance difference vs. the
known concentration of the analyte for a known pH.
[0037] Once created, the calibration curve can be used to determine how much of an analyte
is present in an aqueous solution by comparing the measured detectable response of the cyanine
indicator with the calibration curve and reading the amount of analyte present off of the curve.
In order to use the calibration curve, the device used to measure the detectable response must be
the same or operate on similar conditions as the device that was used to create the calibration
curve. If color is used as the detectable response, the absorbencies may be measured using any
suitable device known in the art to measure absorbance. Such suitable devices include, but are
not limited to, colorimeters, spectrophotometers, color-wheels, and other types of known colorcomparator
measuring tools. In one embodiment, absorbance measurements can be performed
using a TrueSense device (from GE Betz of Trevose, PA), such as TrueSense PWA or TrueSense
Online.
[0038] In one embodiment, in order to determine the concentration of analyte present in an
aqueous solution using this method, between about 2000m1 and about 5m1, desirably about 60m1
of the aqueous solution containing the analyte is placed in fluid communication with the cyanine
indicator. Between about 70m1 and about I mΐ , preferably about 20m1of the cyanine indicator is
used. However, other amounts of aqueous solution and cyanine indicator are contemplated
without departing from the scope of the invention.
[0039] The analyte in the aqueous solution is then allowed to react with the cyanine indicator
for a period of time between about 30 seconds and about 10 minutes, preferably between about 1
minute and 8 minutes, most preferably at about 5 minutes. It has been found that the reaction is
usually complete in about 5 minutes, making any detectable property change measurement taken
at about 5 minutes and thereafter accurate. It has been found that this accurate detectable
property change measurement taken at about 5 minutes remains essentially stable for about the
first 20 minutes (less than about 1% change over time), with minor fluctuations occurring after
about the first 20 minutes.
[0040] Once the detectable property change is measured (usually the absorbance difference
described above), it is compared with calibration curves that show the standard detectable
property change of aqueous solutions containing known amounts of the analyte. In this way, the
amount of analyte present in the sample can be determined. In yet another embodiment, the
detectable property change measurement is done continuously before exposure to the aqueous
solution, during exposure to the aqueous solution, and after exposure to the aqueous solution.
[0041] The present disclosure will now be described more specifically with reference to the
following examples. It is to be noted that the following examples are presented herein for
purpose of illustration and description; they are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the
disclosure to the precise form disclosed.
EXAMPLE 1 - Cyanine Dyes for F-Cl Detection Using Aqueous IR-783
[0042] There are number of scenarios in which free chlorine (F-Cl) and /or total chlorine have
be monitored at very low concentration. For example, reverse osmosis (R.O.) is a technique for
removing dissolved solids (salts) from filtered raw water. It is used in a variety of industries to
condition water for plant use, or as a step in the demineralization process. The continued
performance of a reverse osmosis system depends upon the condition of the semipermeable
membrane. When free chlorine concentration is higher than about 0.02ppm, it can degrade many
membrane materials, so the raw water is often dechlorinated prior to entering the R.O. system.
[0043] Since raw water can contain either free or total chlorine, it is important to determine
which form of chlorine is present, and select the right chlorine monitoring equipment.
Accordingly, supersensitive detection methods are highly desired for the protection of reverse
osmosis membranes.
[0044] Turning to Figs l a and lb, disclosing one embodiment of this method, Applicants
have found that several cyanine indicators having a pH range of 6-11, such as IR-783, IR-780,
IR-775, IR-746, selectively react with free chlorine (F-Cl) if the counter anion is not Iodide. The
F-Cl concentration is proportional to the decrease of absorbance of the cyanine indicator at long
wavelengths, such as wavelengths of about 780 nm. These cyanine indicators allow for the
detection of F-Cl at ultra-low ranges (about <0.1ppm/100ppb). The molar extinction coefficient
of DPD, the standard colorimetric method for F-Cl detection, is around QOOOL.mol^cm 1 .
Accordingly, the theoretical DPD detection limit is around 0.02ppm. On the other hand, IR dyes
with high molar extinction coefficients (about 230,000 L.mol^cm 1) can theoretically detect as
low as O.OOlppm (lppb). Fig. l a shows the spectra of an aqueous solution with differing
amounts of F-Cl at different pH values. More specifically, the response of IR-783 to 0 to 270
ppb free-chlorine at pH 5.6, 8.5, and 9.0. Fig. l b shows the calibration curve obtained for F-Cl
by IR-783 at 777nm at different pH values. Fig. l b was obtained by subtracting the absorbance
of a samples containing free chlorine at known concentrations from the absorbance of a sample
containing no free chlorine. The response shown in Fig. l a is used in conjunction with the
calibration curve shown in Fig. l b to ascertain the concentration of F-Cl in the aqueous solution
samples.
[0045] Additionally, when a sample containing only chloramines is used, such as tap water,
the absorbance at 780nm is unaffected even with lengthened reaction time by chloramines. This
demonstrates the selectivity of IR-783 to free-chlorine. Other cyanine dyes, such as IR-780, IR-
755, and IR-746, which exhibit behavior similar to that of IR-783, can also be used. As
expected, the response of the cyanine indicators to free chlorine is dependent upon the pH of the
aqueous solution. Accordingly, calibration curves are used to account for this dependency.
EXAMPLE 2 - Cyanine Dyes for F-Cl Detection using IR-783 in Solid pHEMA Film
[0046] Applicants have also found that when IR-783 is incorporated into a film, the response
to free-chlorine is identical to that of aqueous IR-783. In this example, the film was made from
pHEMA stock in 2-methoxyethanol (or DM, or DM/PM mixture) containing IR-783 (5mg to
20mg per gram of pHEMA stock) by flow-coating. DM is di(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether
and PM is l-Methoxy-2-Propanol. The dry film thickness could be from about Imih to about
20mih. The film was assembled and exposed to standard F-Cl solutions and a TrueSense PWA
reader was used to acquire the response. Fig. 2 shows the calibration curve obtained for IR-783
in pHEMA film at 780nm. Fig. 2 was obtained by subtracting the absorbance of a samples
containing free chlorine at known concentrations from the absorbance of a sample containing no
free chlorine. In Fig. 2, dye concentration level 1 is lOmg per lOg of ink, and dye concentration
level 2 is 20mg per lOg of ink. This demonstrates that IR-783 is sensitive enough to measure the
F-Cl down to a level of 0.2 ppm. As can be seen, this level of sensitivity is exceptional for solid
film sensors. Other cyanine dyes, such as IR-780, IR-755, and IR-746, which exhibit behavior
similar to that of IR-783, can also be used.
EXAMPLE 3 - Cyanine Dyes for T-Cl by IR-783 with KI
[0047] In this example, the total chlorine (T-Cl) is calculated using cyanine indicator dye,
more specifically IR-783 in aqueous phase. T-Cl, the sum of both free and combined chlorine,
can be determined by the DPD method after the addition of catalytic amounts of potassium
iodide (KI) to the aqueous solution sample. In the DPD method, DPD (N,N-diethyl-pphenylenediamine)
is oxidized by chlorine, causing a magenta (red) color. The intensity of color
is directly proportional to the chlorine concentration. For total chlorine, potassium iodide is
added to the reaction to determine combined available chlorine forms and total chlorine.
Chloramines oxidize the iodide to iodine; then the liberated iodine reacts with DPD to form the
magenta color.
[0048] Monochloramine and dichloramine are very slowly reacts with cyanine dyes at near
neutral pH. To quantify these species, the tests in this example were performed with iodide as
catalyst. The iodide reacts with the chloramines to form iodine as the triiodide ion (I3 ) :
NH2C 1+ 31 + H+ + H20 NH4OH + CI + I3
NHC12 + 31 + 2H+ + H20 NH4OH + 2C1 + I3
[0049] The triiodide, in turn, reacts with cyanine, forming the oxidized radical product with
unique pink color or colorless decomposed species. In practice, only a trace of iodide is required
to resolve monochloranmine. By adding excess iodide, dichloramine is included. Iodide could
be directly from the cyanine itself if the counter ion is iodide. The iodide can also be introduced
such as potassium iodide, tetramethylammonium iodide and etc.
2Dye + 2I3 2Dye + 3I2
[0050] It was observed that with the presence of KI, the IR-783 response to free and
combined chlorine produced a purple color having a maximum peak around 555nm with three
shoulder peeks. Accordingly, the concentration of T-Cl is proportional to the generated purple
color. Fig. 3a shows the spectra of an aqueous solution with differing amounts of T-Cl. More
specifically, the response of IR-783 to T-Cl in the presence of KI. Fig. 3b shows the calibration
curves obtained for T-Cl by IR-783 for 555nm and 774nm respectively. The response shown in
Fig. 3a is used in conjunction with the calibration curve shown in Fig. 3b to ascertain the
concentration of T-Cl in the aqueous solution samples.
[0051] This experiment was also performed using IR-780 and IR-775, which produced a
similar result. It is also anticipated that other cyanine dyes, such as IR-746, which exhibit
behavior similar to that of IR-780, IR-755, and IR-783, can also be used.
EXAMPLE 4 - Cyanine Dyes for Iron (Ferric) Detection by IR-783
[0052] Both soluble and insoluble iron can be present in boiler feedwater and boiler water.
Boiler water iron will deposit on the steam generating surfaces of the boiler and cause underdeposit
corrosion and overheating problems. Thus the iron concentration in feedwater should be
continuously monitored. Normally, the suggested Iron concentration in boiler feed water will
range from lOppb to lOOppb depending on the boiler pressure. This method can also be used for
detecting iron, both Ferric and total iron, specifically at low concentration of iron (about
Documents
Application Documents
| # |
Name |
Date |
| 1 |
5551-delnp-2013-Claims.pdf |
2014-01-28 |
| 1 |
5551-DELNP-2013.pdf |
2013-06-25 |
| 2 |
5551-delnp-2013-Correspondence-others.pdf |
2014-01-28 |
| 2 |
5551-delnp-2013-GPA.pdf |
2014-01-28 |
| 3 |
5551-delnp-2013-Form-1.pdf |
2014-01-28 |
| 3 |
5551-delnp-2013-Form-5.pdf |
2014-01-28 |
| 4 |
5551-delnp-2013-Form-2.pdf |
2014-01-28 |
| 4 |
5551-delnp-2013-Form-3.pdf |
2014-01-28 |
| 5 |
5551-delnp-2013-Form-2.pdf |
2014-01-28 |
| 5 |
5551-delnp-2013-Form-3.pdf |
2014-01-28 |
| 6 |
5551-delnp-2013-Form-1.pdf |
2014-01-28 |
| 6 |
5551-delnp-2013-Form-5.pdf |
2014-01-28 |
| 7 |
5551-delnp-2013-Correspondence-others.pdf |
2014-01-28 |
| 7 |
5551-delnp-2013-GPA.pdf |
2014-01-28 |
| 8 |
5551-delnp-2013-Claims.pdf |
2014-01-28 |
| 8 |
5551-DELNP-2013.pdf |
2013-06-25 |