A precise substrate sampling device for a vertical flow constructed wetland model

Abstract

This invention discloses a precise substrate sampling device for a vertical flow constructed wetland model, comprising a simulation mechanism and an auxiliary mechanism. The simulation mechanism includes a simulation container filled with substrate, with several substrate sampling ports arranged longitudinally on the side wall of the simulation container for sampling during the simulation experiment. The auxiliary mechanism includes a semi-cylindrical groove adapted to the simulation container, in which the simulation container is slidably connected. A push-out component is located at the bottom of the semi-cylindrical groove, which is drive-connected to the simulation container and abuts against the end of the substrate inside the simulation container to push out the substrate after the simulation experiment. The device of this invention provides accurate, efficient, easy-to-operate, and low-cost substrate sampling. It can accurately collect target substrates from different layers and solves the problem of effectively protecting the original substrate structure when sampling substrate at different times, ensuring the normal operation of subsequent experiments and the reliability of the results.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of water environment science and technology, and in particular relates to a precise substrate collection device for a vertical flow constructed wetland model. Background Technology

[0002] Vertical flow constructed wetlands are a novel wastewater treatment technology, primarily composed of an ecosystem consisting of a substrate, surface-growing aquatic plants, and a microbial community attached to the substrate surface. However, due to the large size of constructed wetlands in natural environments, laboratory models are typically used to replace natural constructed wetlands for microscopic experiments. During simulation, various substrates are usually filled inside the model as habitats for microorganisms and growth substrates for plant roots. Aquatic plants are planted on the substrate surface to simulate wetland systems in natural environments. Wastewater flows into the constructed wetland model from either the top or bottom. Once inside, the substrate is completely submerged by the wastewater. The adsorption effect of the substrate and the degradation effect of the attached microorganisms play a crucial role in removing pollutants from the wastewater, thereby achieving the effect of wastewater purification.

[0003] The richness and diversity of microorganisms attached to the substrate are key research areas for improving wastewater treatment efficiency. However, the location of the substrate and the duration of the experiment significantly impact the microorganisms, leading to a substantial decrease in the accuracy and reliability of the experimental results. Therefore, accurately collecting substrate from different layers and minimizing errors during the collection process is crucial for subsequent scientific analysis. Existing constructed wetland models struggle to accurately collect the target substrate, and the collected substrate inevitably contains elements from other layers, affecting the reliability of the results. Furthermore, collecting the middle and lower layers during the middle stage of the experiment inevitably damages the upper substrate structure, resulting in destructive sampling that can disrupt subsequent experiments and compromise the reliability of the data. Finally, at the end of the experiment, it is usually necessary to collect the upper, middle, and lower layers of the constructed wetland model for analysis. However, due to the limited diameter of cylindrical constructed wetland models, the substrate is typically collected manually, which inevitably causes some upper substrate to slip into the lower layers, resulting in a non-in-situ collected substrate that affects the reliability of the experimental results.

[0004] Therefore, in order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a precise substrate collection device for a vertical flow constructed wetland model. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this invention proposes a precise substrate acquisition device for a vertical flow constructed wetland model.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a matrix precision sampling device for a vertical flow constructed wetland model, including a simulation mechanism for simulating a vertical flow constructed wetland, wherein the simulation mechanism is equipped with an auxiliary mechanism for performing precise sampling after the experiment.

[0007] The simulation mechanism includes a simulation container filled with a matrix, and several matrix sampling ports are arranged longitudinally on the side wall of the simulation container to facilitate the collection of matrix samples during the simulation experiment.

[0008] The auxiliary mechanism includes a semi-cylindrical groove adapted to the simulation container. The main body of the simulation container lies horizontally inside the semi-cylindrical groove. An ejection component is provided at the bottom end of the semi-cylindrical groove. The ejection component abuts against the end of the matrix inside the simulation container and is used to push out the matrix inside the simulation container after the simulation experiment is completed.

[0009] Preferably, the ejection assembly includes a sealing plate fixed to the end of the semi-cylindrical groove, a fixed push rod fixed to the sealing plate facing the inner cavity of the semi-cylindrical groove, a push plate fixed to the end of the fixed push rod away from the sealing plate, and the push plate abutting against the bottom end of the matrix in the simulation container to eject the matrix from the simulation container.

[0010] Preferably, the ejection assembly includes a rotating shaft rotatably connected to the bottom end of the semi-cylindrical groove, with both ends of the rotating shaft extending out of the semi-cylindrical groove and equipped with rope take-up devices. A connecting rope is wound around the rope take-up device, and a hook for fixing the simulated container is provided on the connecting rope.

[0011] Preferably, the simulated container has two symmetrically arranged handles at the top of its side wall, and the hooks are attached to the handles. Rotating the crank causes the rope retractor to rotate and push out the substrate inside the simulated container.

[0012] Preferably, the simulation container includes a body for filling a matrix, and the matrix sampling port is disposed on the side wall of the body; the bottom end of the body is connected to a base with a bottom end seal by a threaded connection (6).

[0013] Preferably, the base is provided with a sewage inlet, and the top side wall of the main body is provided with an outlet for discharging purified sewage.

[0014] Preferably, the top of the main body is open and planted with aquatic plants.

[0015] Preferably, the matrix sampling port is located on the side wall of the main body and is provided with a removable cover, which can be removed to take a sample.

[0016] Preferably, one end of the rotating shaft is disposed on a crank that is connected to the rotating shaft for transmission, so as to facilitate the rotation of the rotating shaft.

[0017] Preferably, the matrix within the main body is inoculated with activated sludge from a wastewater treatment plant.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages and technical effects: The present invention discloses a precise substrate collection device for a vertical flow constructed wetland model. The simulation experiment is conducted through a simulation mechanism, which is flexible and convenient to use. The simulation mechanism is equipped with an auxiliary mechanism, which can push the substrate completely out of the simulation container of the simulation mechanism at the end of the experiment, which facilitates the collection of substrate samples from different layers and analysis of different layers of substrate. The collection accuracy is high, which can be used for the dynamic analysis of microbial communities after the experiment, and more accurate data can be obtained. At the same time, the design of the substrate sampling port can perform non-destructive sampling in the middle of the experiment, and can also collect in-situ sewage from the upper, middle and lower layers of substrate, which can be used for subsequent analysis of the sewage removal efficiency of different layers of substrate.

[0019] The device of this invention is accurate, efficient, easy to operate, and low in cost in collecting the matrix. It can accurately collect the target matrix from different layers and solves the problem of effectively protecting the original matrix structure when collecting the matrix at different times, ensuring the normal operation of subsequent experiments and the reliability of the results. Attached Figure Description

[0020] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this application, are used to provide a further understanding of this application. The illustrative embodiments and descriptions of this application are used to explain this application and do not constitute an undue limitation of this application. In the drawings:

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the matrix precision collection device for the vertical flow constructed wetland model of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the matrix precision collection device for the vertical flow constructed wetland model of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the matrix acquisition auxiliary tool of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the auxiliary tool of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 5 Comparison diagrams of the matrix precision collection device for the vertical flow constructed wetland model of the present invention;

[0026] In the diagram: 1. Aquatic plant; 2. Water outlet; 3. Handle; 4. Substrate sampling port; 5. Main body; 6. Connecting thread; 7. Base; 8. Water inlet; 9. Semi-cylindrical groove; 10. Fixed push rod; 11. Rope retractor; 12. Cover; 13. Sealing plate; 14. Crank; 15. Shaft; 16. Positioning plate; 17. Support; 18. Connecting rope; 19. Hook; 20. Push plate. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0028] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0029] Reference Figures 1-5 As shown, this embodiment provides a matrix precision collection device for a vertical flow constructed wetland model, including a simulation mechanism for simulating a vertical flow constructed wetland, and an auxiliary mechanism for performing precise sampling at the end of the experiment.

[0030] The simulation mechanism includes a simulation container filled with a matrix. Several matrix sampling ports 4 are arranged longitudinally on the side wall of the simulation container, which can be used to take samples during the simulation experiment.

[0031] The auxiliary mechanism includes a semi-cylindrical groove 9 adapted to the simulation container. The main body of the simulation container lies horizontally inside the semi-cylindrical groove 9. An ejection component is provided at the bottom end of the semi-cylindrical groove 9. The ejection component abuts against the end of the matrix inside the simulation container and is used to push out the matrix inside the simulation container after the simulation experiment is completed.

[0032] This invention discloses a precise substrate collection device for a vertical flow constructed wetland model. The device utilizes a simulation mechanism for experiments, offering flexibility and convenience. An auxiliary mechanism is included to allow the substrate to be completely ejected from the simulation container at the end of the experiment, facilitating the collection of substrate samples from different layers with high accuracy. This allows for analysis of the dynamic changes in microbial communities across different substrate layers, yielding more precise data. Furthermore, the design of the substrate sampling port 4 enables non-destructive sampling during the experiment and allows for the collection of in-situ wastewater from the upper, middle, and lower layers, which can be used for subsequent analysis of the wastewater removal efficiency of different substrate layers. The device of this invention offers accurate, efficient, simple, and low-cost substrate collection. It can precisely collect target substrate from different layers and effectively protects the original substrate structure during substrate collection at different stages, ensuring the normal operation of subsequent experiments and the reliability of the results.

[0033] Further optimization of the scheme: the ejection assembly includes a sealing plate 13 fixed to the end of the semi-cylindrical groove 9, a fixed push rod 10 fixed to the sealing plate 13 facing the inner cavity of the semi-cylindrical groove 9, a push plate 20 fixed to the end of the fixed push rod 10 away from the sealing plate 13, the push plate 20 abutting against the bottom end of the matrix of the main body 5, pushing the matrix out of the simulation container; the ejection assembly includes a rotating shaft 15 rotatably connected to the bottom end of the semi-cylindrical groove 9, the two ends of the rotating shaft 15 extending out of the semi-cylindrical groove 9 respectively and provided with a rope take-up device 11, a connecting rope 18 wound on the rope take-up device 11, and a hook 19 for fixing the simulation container provided on the connecting rope 18. The sealing plate 13 is set at one end of the semi-cylindrical groove 9 as the fixed position of the fixed push rod 10. When working, the push plate 20 at the end of the fixed rod extends into the simulation container and abuts against the bottom of the substrate. The hook 19 is connected to the handle 3. Then, the crank 14 is rotated to drive the rotating shaft 15 to rotate. The rotating shaft 15 drives the two rope take-up devices 11 to retract the extended connecting rope 18. The hook 19 hooked on the end of the connecting rope 18 pulls the simulation container toward the sealing plate 13. The push plate 20 pushes the substrate out from the opening at the top of the simulation container.

[0034] Furthermore, the sealing plate 13 is provided with two corresponding positioning plates 16, and the rotating shaft 15 is rotatably connected between the two positioning plates 16, which serves to fix the rotating shaft 15.

[0035] Furthermore, a U-shaped support 17 is fixedly attached to the sealing plate 13, and a fixing rod is fixedly attached to the top of the support 17. The rotating shaft 15 passes through the bottom span of the support 17 without causing any impact.

[0036] To further optimize the design, two symmetrically arranged handles 3 are installed at the top of the side wall of the simulation container. When the substrate inside the simulation container is pushed out, the hook 19 is hooked onto the handles 3. The handles 3 make it easy for users to grip the simulation container, and at the same time, they can also serve as fixing points for the hooks 19 when pushing out the substrate at the end of the experiment, making it convenient to apply force.

[0037] The design is further optimized so that the simulation container includes a main body 5 for filling the matrix, with a matrix sampling port 4 located on the side wall of the main body 5; the bottom end of the main body 5 is threadedly connected to a base 7 with a bottom seal. The main body 5 has a cylindrical structure and is filled with matrix. The bottom end of the base 7 is sealed and installed at the bottom end of the main body 5. After use, the main body 5 and the base 7 can be separated, and the simulation container can be easily fixed in a designated location in the laboratory via the base 7.

[0038] Furthermore, the bottom of the main body 5 and the top of the base 7 are respectively provided with matching connecting threads 6, and the main body 5 and the base 7 are connected together by the connecting threads 6, which facilitates loading and unloading.

[0039] Furthermore, handle 3 is installed on the top side wall of the main body 5.

[0040] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the height of the main body 5 is preferably 80cm, the height of the base 7 is preferably 20cm, and the outer diameter of the main body 5 and the base 7 is preferably 20cm.

[0041] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the inner diameter of the semi-circular groove is preferably 21 cm, so that the main body 5 can move within the semi-circular groove.

[0042] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the length of the semi-circular groove is preferably 200cm, and the length of the fixing rod is preferably 100cm, so that the push plate 20 can completely and completely push the substrate inside the main body 5 out of the main body 5.

[0043] In a further optimized design, the base 7 is equipped with an inlet 8 for pumping wastewater into the base 7, and the top side wall of the main body 5 is equipped with an outlet 2 for discharging purified wastewater. The inlet 8 is located on the base 7, and the outlet 2 is located on the top side wall of the main body 5, so that wastewater enters from the bottom and purified water overflows from the top, and the wastewater is treated as it rises.

[0044] The design was further optimized by installing and planting aquatic plants 1 at the top of the main body 5. The aquatic plants 1 are planted at the top of the substrate and immersed in treated water. The effectiveness of wastewater treatment can be briefly assessed by observing the growth status of the aquatic plants 1.

[0045] The scheme was further optimized. The matrix sampling port 4 is located on the side wall of the main body 5 and is equipped with a removable cover 12 to prevent leakage of internal matrix and sewage. The cover 12 can be removed to take samples during the experiment.

[0046] In a further optimized design, one end of the rotating shaft 15 is connected to the crank 14, which is connected to the rotating shaft 15 in a transmission manner, to facilitate the rotation of the rotating shaft 15.

[0047] In a further optimized design, the crank 14 in this embodiment is provided with a prism-shaped connecting groove at its end, and the two ends of the rotating shaft 15 are respectively provided with connectors that are adapted to the connecting groove. When in use, the connectors are inserted into the connecting grooves, and when not in use, they can be removed, which is flexible and convenient.

[0048] The scheme was further optimized by inoculating activated sludge into the substrate within the main body 5. Inoculating the substrate with activated sludge allows the bacterial colonies within the activated sludge to spread and multiply throughout the substrate, playing a crucial role in the degradation of pollutants in wastewater.

[0049] Experimental steps:

[0050] S01: Connect the main body 5 and the base 7 by rotating them together with the connecting thread 6. Fill the substrate required for the experiment from bottom to top. Plant the aquatic plants 1 required for the experiment on the outermost layer of the substrate. Finally, add activated sludge and cultivate microorganisms related to pollutant degradation so that they attach to the substrate surface to degrade pollutants in the wastewater. Once the microbial community in the artificial wetland is stable, actual wastewater can be introduced into the model for wastewater treatment and purification.

[0051] S02: After the initial culture of activated sludge is completed, the wastewater used in the experiment is added to completely submerge the substrate for the experiment. If it is necessary to study the dynamic changes of the microbial community attached to the substrate surface in the middle of the experiment, the cap can be unscrewed and non-destructive sampling can be carried out at the corresponding substrate sampling port 4 using tweezers or a spatula to meet the target substrate required for the experiment. In addition, different substrate layers can be collected in situ at different substrate sampling ports 4 to purify wastewater and explore the efficiency of different substrate layers in wastewater purification.

[0052] S03: At the end of the experiment, lay the simulation container flat in the semi-cylindrical groove 9, rotate the connecting thread 6 to separate the main body 5 and the base 7, then pull the hook 19 to hang it on the handle 3, rotate the crank 14 to drive the rotating shaft 15 to rotate, and drive the two rope retractors 11 to retract the extended connecting rope 18 through the rotating shaft 15. Pull the simulation container towards the sealing plate 13 through the hook 19 hooked on the end of the connecting rope 18. The push plate 20 pushes the substrate out from the opening at the top of the simulation container. The internal cross-section of the substrate will be presented in the semi-cylindrical groove 9. For this purpose, the target substrate can be accurately collected for analysis of the dynamic changes of the microbial community.

[0053] S04: After sampling, the main body 5 and the base 7 are reconnected by rotating the screw thread, and can be reused in subsequent experiments.

[0054] A 120-day control experiment was conducted using the aforementioned constructed wetland model and a traditional constructed wetland model. The two models were identical in size, shape, and dimensions, differing only in their construction. At the end of the 120-day experiment, the constructed wetland model of this invention collected one sample each from the upper, middle, and lower layers of the substrate using an auxiliary tool, for a total of three samples. The traditional constructed wetland model collected three samples from the upper, middle, and lower layers of the substrate by hand. The collection sites and quality of the substrates were identical for both models. The samples collected from both models were then stored at -20°C, and DNA was extracted using the DNeasyPowerSoil kit. The V3-V4 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene was selectively amplified and high-throughput sequencing was performed on the Illumina NovaSeq platform.

[0055] Through append Figure 5 As can be seen, the three substrate samples collected by the constructed wetland model of this invention are significantly separated along the principal coordinate axes 1 and 2; conversely, the three samples collected using the traditional constructed wetland model overlap in the figure. These results indicate that the substrate samples collected using the traditional constructed wetland model have smaller differences. This may be because during manual collection, the upper substrate slips into the middle or lower layers, resulting in the collected samples being mixed with the upper substrate, leading to smaller differences in the microbial communities attached to the substrate in the upper, middle, and lower layers. The constructed wetland model of this invention can avoid this phenomenon, greatly reducing experimental errors caused during substrate collection, and more realistically reflecting the dynamic changes of the microbial communities attached to the substrate, making the experimental data more accurate and reliable, and providing reliable support for subsequent data analysis.

[0056] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "longitudinal", "lateral", "up", "down", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this invention, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this invention.

[0057] The embodiments described above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art to the technical solutions of the present invention without departing from the spirit of the present invention should fall within the protection scope defined by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A precise substrate collection device for a vertical flow constructed wetland model, characterized in that: It includes a simulation mechanism for simulating vertical flow constructed wetlands, and the simulation mechanism is equipped with an auxiliary mechanism for accurate sampling after the experiment; The simulation mechanism includes a simulation container filled with a matrix, and a number of matrix sampling ports (4) are arranged longitudinally on the side wall of the simulation container to facilitate the collection of matrix samples during the simulation experiment. The auxiliary mechanism includes a semi-cylindrical groove (9) adapted to the simulation container. The main body of the simulation container lies horizontally in the semi-cylindrical groove (9). The bottom end of the semi-cylindrical groove (9) is provided with an ejection component. The ejection component abuts against the end of the matrix in the simulation container and is used to push out the matrix in the simulation container after the simulation experiment is completed. The ejection assembly includes a sealing plate (13) fixed to the end of the semi-cylindrical groove (9), a fixed push rod (10) fixed to the sealing plate (13) facing the inner cavity of the semi-cylindrical groove (9), a push plate (20) fixed to the end of the fixed push rod (10) away from the sealing plate (13), and the push plate (20) abuts against the bottom of the matrix in the simulation container to push the matrix out of the simulation container; The ejection assembly includes a rotating shaft (15) rotatably connected to the bottom end of the semi-cylindrical groove (9). Both ends of the rotating shaft (15) extend out of the semi-cylindrical groove (9) and are provided with a rope take-up device (11). A connecting rope (18) is wound around the rope take-up device (11), and a hook (19) for fixing the simulated container is provided on the connecting rope (18). The simulated container has two symmetrically arranged handles (3) at the top of its side wall. The hook (19) is hooked on the handle (3). Rotating the crank (14) drives the rope retractor (11) to rotate and push out the matrix inside the simulated container. The simulated container includes a body (5) for filling a matrix, and a matrix sampling port (4) is provided on the side wall of the body (5); the bottom end of the body (5) is connected to a base (7) with a bottom end sealed by a threaded connection (6); The matrix within the main body (5) is inoculated with activated sludge from a wastewater treatment plant.

2. The substrate precision acquisition device for the vertical flow constructed wetland model according to claim 1, characterized in that: The base (7) is provided with a sewage inlet (8), and the top side wall of the main body (5) is provided with an outlet (2) for discharging purified sewage.

3. The substrate precision collection device for the vertical flow constructed wetland model according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top of the main body (5) is open and planted with aquatic plants (1).

4. The substrate precision collection device for the vertical flow constructed wetland model according to claim 1, characterized in that: The matrix sampling port (4) is located on the side wall of the main body (5) and is provided with a removable cover (12). When sampling, the cover (12) can be removed to take the sample.

5. The substrate precision collection device for the vertical flow constructed wetland model according to claim 1, characterized in that: One end of the rotating shaft (15) is connected to a crank (14) that is connected to the rotating shaft (15) for easy rotation of the rotating shaft (15).

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