Patent ID: 8868224

Claim:
A computer-implemented system for use in processing a paint batch, comprising: one or more data processors; one or more computer-readable mediums encoded with software for commanding the one or more data processors, wherein the software includes: an input software mechanism for receiving input related to the paint batch; and volatile organic compound software instructions configured to determine an addition amount of solvent to add to the paint batch, wherein the volatile organic compound software instructions command steps that include: determining an amount of volatile organic compound present in the paint batch; determining an amount of solvent that when added to the paint batch will increase the amount of volatile organic compound present in the batch to a predetermined volatile organic compound limit, wherein the volatile organic compound limit is based on a governmental-related criteria that limits an amount of volatile organic compounds that is permitted within the paint batch; calculating an increase in yield of the paint batch based on a starting batch size, the determined amount of solvent, and a density of the solvent; determining an increase in the profitability of the paint batch based on the increase in yield; instructing to add the determined amount of the solvent when the increase in profitability meets a profitability threshold; and instructing not to add the solvent when the increase in profitability fails to meet the profitability threshold; whereby the determined addition amount of solvent is used in generating the paint batch.