Water-oil separation device

Abstract

The water-oil separation device comprises a separator, the separator comprises a side wall and a bottom which are connected with each other, a containing cavity is defined by the side wall and the bottom, a liquid inlet communicated with the containing cavity is formed in the end, away from the bottom, of the containing cavity, a hydrophobic and oleophylic structure is arranged in the containing cavity, and the periphery of the hydrophobic and oleophylic structure makes contact with the side wall; a first cavity is formed between the hydrophobic and oleophylic structure and the liquid inlet, the hydrophobic and oleophylic structure comprises a plurality of adsorption holes with micro-nano-scale pore diameters, the adsorption holes are configured to adsorb an oil phase in a mixture, and the first cavity is configured to contain a water phase in the mixture. The water-oil separation device is simple in structure, convenient to operate and high in separation efficiency, almost complete separation of a water phase and an oil phase can be achieved, and the purity and the recovery rate of products are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of separation and purification, and in particular to a water-oil separation device. Background Art

[0002] At present, digital microfluidics (DMF) technology based on dielectric wetting (EWOD) has been widely used in the field of biochemistry, including chemical synthesis, separation and extraction, and even complex processes such as library construction. The digital microfluidics (DMF) technology of dielectric wetting (EWOD) includes an electrowetting chip, on which a group of electrodes with hydrophobic surfaces are arranged. By applying voltage to the electrodes, droplets containing conductive liquids (such as aqueous solutions) on the electrodes can be generated, moved, mixed, and separated. Using EWOD-DMF, it is possible to achieve operations such as moving, mixing, and separating a variety of samples and reagents in real time, accurately, and highly flexibly without the need for fluid control devices such as pumps, valves, or complex pipeline arrays. Usually, EWOD-DMF technology uses a substance that is immiscible with the aqueous phase as a filling phase to isolate different aqueous phase liquids (such as biochemical reagents, etc.) in order to avoid cross-contamination and the generation of aerosols. This filling phase is usually an oil phase, such as silicone oil, mineral oil, etc. Due to the presence of the oil phase, the prepared product needs to be taken out from the EWOD-DMF device and separated from the oil phase.

[0003] The traditional oil phase separation method is to use a pipette to suck out most of the oil phase and preserve the prepared product and a small amount of remaining oil phase; or to sacrifice a small amount of prepared product and use a pipette to suck out most of the prepared product for preservation. However, due to the lipophilic property of the pipette tip itself, a small amount of oil phase will still remain in the prepared product. Therefore, no matter which of the above separation methods is used, it is difficult to achieve complete separation of the two phases. Utility Model Content

[0004] In order to solve at least one of the above defects, it is necessary to propose a water-oil separation device, which can achieve complete separation of the water phase and the oil phase in the mixture, has high separation efficiency, good separation effect, and improves the purity and recovery rate of the product.

[0005] An embodiment of the present application provides a water-oil separation device, which includes a separator, which includes a side wall and a bottom connected to each other, the side wall and the bottom forming a accommodating chamber, the end of the accommodating chamber away from the bottom having a liquid inlet connected to the container, a hydrophobic and oleophilic structure is provided in the accommodating chamber, the periphery of the hydrophobic and oleophilic structure is in contact with the side wall, a first cavity is formed between the hydrophobic and oleophilic structure and the liquid inlet, the hydrophobic and oleophilic structure includes a plurality of adsorption holes with micro-nano pore sizes, the adsorption holes are configured to adsorb the oil phase in the mixture, and the first cavity is configured to accommodate the water phase in the mixture.

[0006] In some possible embodiments, the accommodating cavity further includes a second cavity connected to the first cavity, and the hydrophobic and lipophilic structure fills the second cavity, or

[0007] The hydrophobic and lipophilic structure is located at the connection between the first cavity and the second cavity to separate the first cavity from the second cavity.

[0008] In some possible embodiments, the inner diameter of the first cavity is greater than the inner diameter of the second cavity, and the inner diameter of the second cavity decreases in a direction away from the first cavity.

[0009] In some possible embodiments, an end of the second cavity away from the first cavity is a liquid outlet, and the liquid outlet has a liquid outlet.

[0010] In some possible embodiments, the water-oil separation device also includes a sleeve that is sleeved on the outside of the separator and has an open end, the liquid outlet end extends into the sleeve, a collecting chamber is formed between the liquid outlet end and the bottom of the sleeve, and the liquid outlet is connected to the collecting chamber.

[0011] In some possible embodiments, the liquid outlet includes a tapered portion connected to the second cavity and an outlet portion connected to the tapered portion, and the liquid outlet is located at the outlet portion.

[0012] In some possible embodiments, the inner diameter of the conical portion decreases gradually in a direction away from the second cavity, and the inner diameter of the outlet portion is equal to the minimum inner diameter of the conical portion.

[0013] In some possible embodiments, a clamping portion is provided on the side wall near the liquid inlet, and when the separator is extended into the sleeve, the clamping portion is clamped at the outlet of the sleeve.

[0014] In some possible embodiments, the separator further includes a sealing cover disposed at the liquid inlet.

[0015] In some possible embodiments, the hydrophobic and oleophilic structure is made of polyethylene, polypropylene or polytetrafluoroethylene, and the side wall of the separator is made of a hydrophobic and oleophilic material.

[0016] The water-oil separation device provided in the embodiment of the present application can effectively adsorb the oil phase in the mixture by arranging a hydrophobic and lipophilic structure with adsorption holes in the accommodating chamber of the separator, so that the water phase is retained in the first cavity, so that the water phase can be sucked out from the liquid inlet. The water-oil separation device has a simple structure and is easy to operate. It can achieve complete separation of the water phase and the oil phase, has a good separation effect, and has a high separation efficiency, thereby improving the purity and recovery rate of the water phase product. In addition, the water-oil separation device can achieve water-oil separation of a mixture with a smaller volume, and is particularly suitable for water-oil separation of small volume products in the field of biochemical reactions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the drawings required for use in the embodiments of the present application will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.

[0018] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of a water-oil separation device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0019] Figure 2 To adopt Figure 1 The structural schematic diagram of the water-oil separation device shown is used for water-oil separation.

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic structural diagram of a water-oil separation device according to another embodiment of the present application.

[0021] Figure 4 This is a schematic structural diagram of a water-oil separation device according to another embodiment of the present application.

[0022] Figure 5 To adopt Figure 4 The structural schematic diagram of the water-oil separation device shown is used for water-oil separation.

[0023] Figure 6 This is a structural schematic diagram of the separator and the casing in the separated state in the water-oil separation device of another embodiment of the present application.

[0024] Figure 7 Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the structure after the separator and casing are combined.

[0025] Figure 8 To adopt Figure 7 The structural schematic diagram of the water-oil separation device shown in FIG.

[0026] Main component symbols

[0027]

[0028]

[0029] The following specific implementation methods will further illustrate the present application in conjunction with the above-mentioned drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0031] It should be noted that when a component is referred to as being "fixed to" or "mounted on" another component, it may be directly on the other component or there may be a central component. When a component is considered to be "set on" another component, it may be directly set on the other component or there may be a central component at the same time. The term "and / or" as used herein includes all and any combinations of one or more of the relevant listed items.

[0032] See also Figure 1 and Figure 2 The embodiment of the present application provides a water-oil separation device 100, the water-oil separation device 100 includes a separator 1, the separator 1 includes a side wall 11 and a bottom 12, the side wall 11 and the bottom 12 enclose a receiving chamber 2, and the end of the receiving chamber 2 away from the bottom 12 has a liquid inlet 21 connected to the receiving chamber 2. A hydrophobic and oleophilic structure 3 is provided in the receiving chamber 2, the periphery of the hydrophobic and oleophilic structure 3 is in contact with the side wall 11, and a first cavity 22 is formed between the hydrophobic and oleophilic structure 3 and the liquid inlet 21, the hydrophobic and oleophilic structure 3 includes a plurality of adsorption holes 4 with micro-nano-level pore sizes, the adsorption holes 4 are configured to adsorb the oil phase 30 in the mixture 10, and the first cavity 22 is configured to accommodate the water phase 20 in the mixture 10.

[0033] Specifically, the micro-nano-level pores can specifically include submicron-level, micron-level and nano-level pores. It is understandable that a large number of adsorption holes 4 in the hydrophobic and lipophilic structures 3 can be interconnected to form a large number of microchannels, so as to achieve the oil phase entering the hydrophobic and lipophilic structures 3 and being adsorbed. The adsorption holes 4 in the hydrophobic and lipophilic structures 3 can include holes of the same size level, or holes of multiple size levels. The hydrophobic and lipophilic structures 3 with micro-nano-level adsorption holes 4 can significantly increase the adsorption area, so as to effectively adsorb the oil phase, and at the same time, the water phase will not enter the adsorption holes 4, and the water phase will be effectively isolated in the first cavity 22 above the hydrophobic and lipophilic structures 3, so as to almost completely separate the water phase and the oil phase in the mixture. In the biochemical reaction, the water phase is sucked out from the liquid inlet 21, for example, a pipette can be used to separate the water phase product in the first cavity 22 and suck it out.

[0034] In some embodiments, the hydrophobic and oleophilic structure 3 is made of a hydrophobic and oleophilic material, and the hydrophobic and oleophilic material can be a high molecular polymer such as PE (polyethylene), PP (polypropylene) and PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene). It can be understood that the outer wall of the hydrophobic and oleophilic structure 3 can be in contact with the side wall 11 of the separator 1, and the purpose is to make there be no gap between the hydrophobic and oleophilic structure 3 and the side wall 11, or the hydrophobic and oleophilic structure 3 can be supported on the side wall 11, and the hydrophobic and oleophilic structure 3 can also be directly connected to the side wall 11.

[0035] The accommodating chamber 2 also includes a second chamber 23 connected to the first chamber 22. The second chamber 23 is arranged close to the bottom 12. The hydrophobic and oleophilic structure 3 fills the second chamber 23, that is, the second chamber 23 close to the bottom 12 of the separator 1 is completely filled with a hydrophobic and oleophilic material having adsorption holes 4 to form a hydrophobic and oleophilic structure 3. The volume of the hydrophobic and oleophilic structure 3 is larger, and more micro-nanopores are formed, which can further increase the adsorption area and increase the volume of the adsorbed oil phase 30.

[0036] In some embodiments, the separator 1 may be a conical tube with one end open. Specifically, the inner diameter of the first cavity 22 is larger than the inner diameter of the second cavity 23, and the inner diameter of the second cavity 23 decreases in a direction away from the first cavity 22, so that the accommodating cavity 2 is roughly surrounded by a stepped conical structure. Figure 3 As shown, the second cavity 23 includes a first part 24 connected to the first cavity 22 and a second part 25 connected to the first part 24. The second part 25 is roughly rectangular, and the inner diameter of the second part 25 is roughly equal to the minimum inner diameter of the first part 24, which facilitates the molding of the separator 1.

[0037] In some embodiments, the side wall 11 and the bottom 12 of the separator 1 are both formed of hydrophobic and oleophilic materials, for example, transparent PP. The transparent material facilitates observation of the water-oil separation in the accommodating chamber 2 .

[0038] In some embodiments, a sealing cover 5 is further provided at the liquid inlet 21 of the separator 1, and the sealing cover 5 can be connected to the side wall 11 so that the sealing cover 5 and the side wall 11 form an integrated structure, which is convenient for storing the sealing cover 5 and prevents the sealing cover 5 from being placed anywhere to cause cross contamination or loss.

[0039] When using, Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a mixture 10 containing an oil phase 30 and an aqueous phase 20 is added from a liquid inlet 21 into a first cavity 22 by means of a pipette gun in cooperation with a pipette tube 40. After standing for a short period of time, the oil phase 30 will be completely adsorbed by the hydrophobic and lipophilic structure 3 in the water-oil separation device 100, and the aqueous phase 20 will be retained in the first cavity 22 above the hydrophobic and lipophilic structure 3. The aqueous phase 20 is then completely sucked out using a pipette gun, thereby completing the water-oil separation.

[0040] The water-oil separation device 100 can be used for separation and purification of products in biochemical reaction processes. For example, when a gene sequencing library is constructed using digital microfluidics (DMF) technology using dielectric wetting on electrodeposition (EWOD), the water-oil separation device 100 can be used to separate the filling phase (oil phase) in the product droplets, but is not limited thereto.

[0041] The water-oil separation device 100 provided in the embodiment of the present application, by arranging a hydrophobic and lipophilic structure 3 with adsorption holes 4 in the accommodating chamber 2 of the separator 1, a large number of micro-nano-level adsorption holes 4 significantly increase the adsorption area, and can effectively adsorb the oil phase 30 in the mixture 10, so that the water phase 20 is retained in the first cavity 22, so as to facilitate the water phase 20 to be sucked out from the liquid inlet 21. The water-oil separation device 100 has a simple structure and is easy to operate. It can achieve complete separation of the water phase 20 and the oil phase 30, has a good separation effect, and has a high separation efficiency, thereby improving the purity and recovery rate of the water phase product. In addition, the water-oil separation device 100 can achieve water-oil separation of a mixture 10 with a relatively small volume, and is particularly suitable for water-oil separation of small volume products in the field of biochemical reactions.

[0042] See also Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, another embodiment of the present application provides a water-oil separation device 200, which has basically the same structure as the aforementioned water-oil separation device 100, with the main difference being that the hydrophobic and lipophilic structure 3 in the water-oil separation device 200 is located at the connection between the first cavity 22 and the second cavity 23 to separate the first cavity 22 and the second cavity 23 to form two independent cavities.

[0043] Specifically, the oil phase 30 in the mixture 10 is adsorbed by the hydrophobic and lipophilic structures 3, and the excess oil phase 30 automatically flows into the second cavity 23 under the action of its own gravity, or the excess oil phase 30 can be centrifuged into the second cavity 23 by a short centrifugation. In this way, the thickness of the hydrophobic and lipophilic structures 3 can be designed to be thinner, which can further reduce the cost.

[0044] See also Figure 6 and Figure 7 Another embodiment of the present application provides a water-oil separation device 300, which has a structure substantially the same as the aforementioned water-oil separation device 100 or 200, with the main difference being that the water-oil separation device 300 includes the separator 1a, the side wall 11a and the bottom 12a of the separator 1a enclose a receiving chamber 2a, and the receiving chamber 2a includes a first cavity 22a and a second cavity 23a. The bottom 12a of the separator 1a is provided with a liquid outlet 26, and the liquid outlet 26 has a liquid outlet 27, and the liquid outlet 27 is connected to the second cavity 23a, and the hydrophobic and lipophilic structure 3 can fill the entire second cavity 23a, or can be located at the connection between the first cavity 22a and the second cavity 23a.

[0045] The water-oil separation device 300 further includes a sleeve 6 sleeved on the outside of the separator 1a. The sleeve 6 is a tubular container with one end open and the other end sealed. It is sleeved on the outside of the separator 1a so that at least the liquid outlet 26 of the separator 1a extends into the sleeve 6. At this time, a collection chamber 7 is formed between the liquid outlet 26 and the bottom of the sleeve 6, and the liquid outlet 27 is connected to the collection chamber 7. Figure 8 As shown, the oil phase 30 adsorbed by the hydrophobic and lipophilic structure 3 can automatically flow into the liquid outlet 26 under the action of gravity, and flow into the collection chamber 7 through the liquid outlet 27, or the oil phase 30 adsorbed on the hydrophobic and lipophilic structure 3 can flow into the collection chamber 7 through a short centrifugal effect.

[0046] In some embodiments, the separator 1a and the sleeve 6 are detachable, and the separator 1a can be inserted into the sleeve 6 and can also be taken out from the sleeve 6 to facilitate the collection of the oil phase.

[0047] In some embodiments, a clamping portion 13 is provided at one end of the side wall 11a of the separator 1a away from the bottom 12a. When the separator 1a is inserted into the sleeve 6, the clamping portion 13 will be clamped at the opening of the sleeve 6, so that the separator 1a will not fall into the bottom of the sleeve 6. Specifically, the length of the separator 1a is less than the internal depth of the sleeve 6. When the clamping portion 13 of the separator 1a is clamped at the opening of the sleeve 6, there is a certain distance between the liquid outlet end 26 of the separator 1a and the bottom of the sleeve 6, thereby forming a collection chamber 7 with a certain volume, so as to facilitate the collection of the oil phase. A gap can be left between the separator 1a and the sleeve 6 to allow the collection chamber 7 to communicate with the atmosphere, and the gas in the collection chamber 7 can be discharged when the amount of the oil phase 30 is large.

[0048] In some embodiments, the liquid outlet 26 includes a tapered portion 28 connected to the second cavity 23a and an outlet portion 29 connected to the tapered portion 28, and the liquid outlet 27 is located at the outlet portion 29. Specifically, the inner diameter of the tapered portion 28 decreases in a direction away from the second cavity 23a, and the inner diameter of the outlet portion 29 is substantially equal to the minimum inner diameter of the tapered portion 28, so that the liquid outlet 26 forms a tapered structure. In addition, the length of the outlet portion 29 can be designed to be longer to play a role in drainage.

[0049] When using, Figures 6 to 8 As shown, the separator 1a is placed in the sleeve 6, and then the mixture 10 containing the oil phase 30 and the water phase 20 is added from the liquid inlet 21a to the first cavity 22a by a pipette gun and a pipette 40. After standing for a short period of time, the oil phase 30 will be adsorbed by the hydrophobic and lipophilic structure 3, and the oil phase 30 adsorbed on the hydrophobic and lipophilic structure 3 will automatically flow into the liquid outlet 26 under the action of gravity, and flow into the collection cavity 7 of the sleeve 6 through the liquid outlet 27, so that the oil phase 30 in the mixture 10 can be completely separated from the mixture 10, and the water phase 20 is retained in the first cavity 22 above the hydrophobic and lipophilic structure 3. Then, the water phase 20 is completely sucked out by a pipette gun, and the water-oil separation can be completed. It can be understood that the speed at which the oil phase 30 adsorbed in the hydrophobic and lipophilic structure 3 enters the collection cavity 7 can also be accelerated by a short centrifugation.

[0050] Compared with the aforementioned embodiment, the water-oil separation device 300 provided in this embodiment can realize the collection of the oil phase by adding the liquid outlet 27 and the sleeve 6. Moreover, the volume of the separator 1a can be designed to be smaller, and the thickness of the hydrophobic and lipophilic structure 3 can be designed to be thinner, which is conducive to reducing costs.

[0051] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solution of the present application and are not intended to limit it. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments, a person of ordinary skill in the art should understand that the technical solution of the present application may be modified or replaced by equivalents without departing from the spirit and scope of the technical solution of the present application.

Claims

1. A water-oil separation device, characterized in that: The invention comprises a separator, wherein the separator comprises a side wall and a bottom connected to each other, wherein the side wall and the bottom form a receiving chamber, wherein one end of the receiving chamber away from the bottom has a liquid inlet connected to the receiving chamber, wherein a hydrophobic and lipophilic structure is arranged in the receiving chamber, wherein the periphery of the hydrophobic and lipophilic structure contacts the side wall, wherein a first cavity is formed between the hydrophobic and lipophilic structure and the liquid inlet, wherein the hydrophobic and lipophilic structure comprises a plurality of adsorption holes with micro-nano-level pore sizes, wherein the adsorption holes are configured to adsorb the oil phase in the mixture, and wherein the first cavity is configured to accommodate the water phase in the mixture.

2. The water-oil separation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The accommodating cavity further comprises a second cavity connected to the first cavity, and the hydrophobic and lipophilic structures fill the second cavity, or The hydrophobic and lipophilic structure is located at the connection between the first cavity and the second cavity to separate the first cavity from the second cavity.

3. The water-oil separation device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The inner diameter of the first cavity is greater than the inner diameter of the second cavity, and the inner diameter of the second cavity decreases in a direction away from the first cavity.

4. The water-oil separation device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The end of the second cavity away from the first cavity is a liquid outlet, and the liquid outlet has a liquid outlet.

5. The water-oil separation device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The water-oil separation device also includes a sleeve which is sleeved on the outside of the separator and has an open end. The liquid outlet extends into the sleeve. A collecting chamber is formed between the liquid outlet and the bottom of the sleeve. The liquid outlet is connected to the collecting chamber.

6. The water-oil separation device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The liquid outlet end includes a tapered portion connected to the second cavity and an outlet portion connected to the tapered portion, and the liquid outlet is located at the outlet portion.

7. The water-oil separation device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The inner diameter of the tapered portion decreases gradually in a direction away from the second cavity, and the inner diameter of the outlet portion is equal to the minimum inner diameter of the tapered portion.

8. The water-oil separation device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The side wall is provided with a clamping portion near the liquid inlet. When the separator is extended into the sleeve, the clamping portion is clamped at the outlet of the sleeve.

9. The water-oil separation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The separator also includes a sealing cover arranged at the liquid inlet.

10. The water-oil separation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The material of the hydrophobic and oleophilic structure is polyethylene, polypropylene or polytetrafluoroethylene; The side wall of the separator is made of a hydrophobic and oleophilic material.

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