Digital health and medical technologies
Published March 7, 2026 | Version v2
Working paper Open

Theoretical Framework for Sensorless pH Monitoring in Hydrometallurgical Systems: A Voltammetric Overpotential Approach for Edge Computing

Authors/Creators

  • 1. ROR icon University of Carabobo
  • 2. UPTLL Juana Ramirez

Description

This paper introduces the “Hydro-Logics” protocol, a formal theoretical framework for indirect pH estimation in complex electrochemical systems. Traditional potentiometric sensors face severe degradation in both industrial and clinical environments due to chemical poisoning, mechanical abrasion, and biofouling.

This framework proposes a “sensorless” alternative by analyzing the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER) through linear sweep voltammetry. By utilizing an ESP32-S3 platform for Edge Computing, the protocol identifies the onset potential (Vonset) and applies a Nernstian model corrected for cathodic overpotential (η) and activity coefficients. This allows for real-time monitoring of critical variables such as gastric acidity and metal electrodeposition (including Rare Earth Elements), providing a resilient baseline for global technological applications. 

Key Innovations:

    Virtual Sensing for Harsh Environments: Enables resilient monitoring in dense mineral slurries (Rare Earth Elements) and biological fluids where traditional sensors fail.

    Edge Intelligence: Implementation of the HydroLogics_V1 algorithm for real-time derivative analysis (dI/dV) at the hardware level.

    Cross-Disciplinary Application: Validated frameworks for both Advanced Metallurgy (Hydrometallurgy Mode) and Clinical Diagnostics (gastric acidity).

Notes

Este artículo presenta el protocolo “Hydro-Logics”, un marco teórico formal para la estimación indirecta del pH en sistemas electroquímicos complejos. Los sensores potenciométricos tradicionales enfrentan degradación severa tanto en entornos industriales como clínicos debido al envenenamiento químico, la abrasión mecánica y el bioensuciamiento. Este marco propone una alternativa “sin sensores” mediante el análisis de la Reacción de Evolución de Hidrógeno (HER) a través de voltamperometría de barrido lineal. Utilizando una plataforma ESP32-S3 para computación en el borde, el protocolo identifica el potencial de inicio (Vonset) y aplica un modelo de Nernst corregido por el sobrevoltaje catódico (η) y coeficientes de actividad. Esto permite el monitoreo en tiempo real de variables críticas como la acidez gástrica y la electrodeposición de metales (incluyendo elementos de tierras raras), proporcionando una base resiliente para aplicaciones tecnológicas globales

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Theoretical Framework for Sensorless pH Monitoring in Hydrometallurgical Systems.pdf

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Additional details

Related works

Is part of
Working paper: 10.5281/zenodo.18908154 (DOI)

References

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