Chemical analysis equipment

Abstract

To provide a chemical analyzer having a hollow fiber deaeration module which can maintain original good deaeration performance even in continuous use for a long time, and can suppress proliferation of germs.SOLUTION: A hollow fiber deaeration module 20A has a housing 210, and a hollow fiber membrane 220 arranged in an internal space S1 of the housing. The housing 210 has: a liquid supply part 216A which connects the outside of the housing 210 and an internal space S2 of the hollow fiber membrane 220, and supplies isothermal water W1 to the internal space S2 of the hollow fiber membrane 220 from the outside of the housing 210; a liquid discharge part 217A which connects the internal space S2 of the hollow fiber membrane 220 and the outside of the housing 210, and discharges deaerated isothermal water W2 to the outside of the housing 210 from the internal space S2 of the hollow fiber membrane 220; and a gas discharge part 218A which connects the internal space S1 of the housing 210 and the outside of the housing 210, and decompresses the internal space S1 of the housing 210. A chemical analyzer 2A further includes a heating part 219A provided in the gas discharge part 218A.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a chemical analysis device. [Background technology]

[0002] The chemical analyzer is equipped with a degassing module having a hollow fiber membrane, and this degassing module has a mechanism for separating only the gas in the liquid from the wall surface of the hollow fiber by applying negative pressure to the outside or inside of the hollow fiber membrane as the liquid passes through the inside or outside of the hollow fiber membrane. Chemical analyzers are used, for example, as devices for measuring components of body fluids such as blood and urine, and are widely used in hospital laboratories and testing centers.

[0003] A conventional chemical analysis device has been proposed that aims to miniaturize the entire system and prevent a decline in the performance of the degassing section in the degassed water storage tank by heating and maintaining the temperature of pure water taken in from the outside at a temperature slightly higher than the operating temperature in a degassing section composed mainly of a preheat tank, thereby enabling degassing of dissolved gases in the pure water (Patent Document 1). However, this method inevitably requires a storage tank for storing a large amount of degassed water in order to fully accommodate the increased speed of the system, and therefore cannot accommodate miniaturization of the entire system.

[0004] To accommodate the increased speed of this system, it has been proposed to use a hollow fiber degassing module made of a silicone resin hollow fiber membrane, which has a mechanism in which negative pressure is applied to the outside of the hollow fiber membrane so that as the liquid passes through the inside of the hollow fiber membrane, only the gas in the liquid is separated from the wall of the hollow fiber (Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 165761 / 1983 [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2020 / 261659 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In recent years, amid changes in the medical environment, there has been a strong demand for chemical analyzers to provide high-quality data, enable rapid testing, and improve testing efficiency. However, there is also the problem of air bubbles in the RO (reverse osmosis) water used for analysis, which can reduce measurement accuracy.

[0007] To solve this problem, it is effective to remove the dissolved gases from the RO water. Another method that can efficiently remove dissolved gases is to incorporate a hollow fiber degassing module into the chemical analyzer and perform continuous degassing. The performance requirements for a hollow fiber degassing module to be incorporated into the analyzer include (1) having a specified degassing performance, (2) being small enough to be installed in the analyzer, (3) having low pressure loss, and (4) having a long life.

[0008] However, when hollow fiber degassing modules like the one described above are installed in analytical equipment, they are used continuously for long periods of time, which can cause vaporized water to accumulate in the vacuum area and vacuum path within the module, reducing degassing performance. Furthermore, the vacuum path is periodically opened, allowing bacteria to grow and reducing performance.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a chemical analyzer equipped with a hollow fiber degassing module that is small and has low pressure loss, can maintain its original good degassing performance even during long periods of continuous use, and can also suppress the growth of bacteria and the like. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] A chemical analysis apparatus in a first aspect of the present invention is a chemical analysis apparatus for performing chemical or biochemical analysis of a sample, and comprises: a constant temperature bath for maintaining the temperature of a container containing the sample; and a degassing unit having a hollow fiber degassing module for degassing dissolved gas contained in the constant temperature water in the constant temperature bath, wherein the hollow fiber degassing module has a housing and a hollow fiber membrane arranged in the internal space of the housing, and the housing has: a first liquid supply unit connecting the outside of the housing to the internal space of the hollow fiber membrane and for supplying the constant temperature water from the outside of the housing to the inside of the hollow fiber membrane; a first liquid discharge unit connecting the internal space of the hollow fiber membrane to the outside of the housing and for discharging the degassed constant temperature water from the internal space of the hollow fiber membrane to the outside of the housing; and at least one first gas discharge unit connecting the internal space of the housing to the outside of the housing and for reducing the pressure in the internal space of the housing, and further comprises at least one heating unit provided in the at least one first gas discharge unit.

[0011] The housing may have a cylindrical body arranged so that its axial direction is approximately vertical, a first lid portion attached to the lower axial end of the cylindrical body, and a second lid portion attached to the upper axial end of the cylindrical body, and the first liquid supply portion may be provided on the first lid portion, the first liquid discharge portion may be provided on the second lid portion, and the at least one first gas discharge portion may be provided on the outer periphery of the cylindrical body.

[0012] The at least one heating section may be arranged in contact with the cylindrical body and the at least one second gas discharge section, and at least a portion of the cylindrical body and the at least one first gas discharge section may be heated by the at least one heating section.

[0013] The cylindrical body may have a cylindrical shape arranged such that the axial direction is parallel to the vertical direction, and the at least one first gas discharge portion may be provided on a peripheral wall of the cylindrical body.

[0014] Furthermore, the cylindrical body may have a first screw portion where the cylindrical body and the first lid portion screw together, and a second screw portion where the cylindrical body and the second lid portion screw together.

[0015] the hollow fiber degassing module has a first sealing part that seals a lower end of the cylindrical body in the axial direction and a second sealing part that seals an upper end of the cylindrical body in the axial direction, One longitudinal end of the hollow fiber membrane may be fixed to the first sealing portion, and the other longitudinal end of the hollow fiber membrane may be fixed to the second sealing portion.

[0016] A chemical analysis apparatus in a second aspect of the present invention is a chemical analysis apparatus for performing chemical analysis or biochemical analysis of a sample, and comprises: a constant temperature bath for maintaining the temperature of a container containing the sample; and a degassing unit having a hollow fiber degassing module for degassing dissolved gas contained in the constant temperature water in the constant temperature bath, wherein the hollow fiber degassing module has a housing and a hollow fiber membrane arranged in the internal space of the housing, and the housing has: a second liquid supply unit connecting the outside of the housing to the internal space of the housing and for supplying the constant temperature water from the outside of the housing to the internal space of the housing; a second liquid discharge unit connecting the internal space of the housing to the outside of the housing and for discharging the degassed constant temperature water from the internal space of the housing to the outside of the housing; and at least one second gas discharge unit connecting the internal space of the hollow fiber membrane to the outside of the housing and for reducing the pressure in the internal space of the hollow fiber membrane, and further comprises at least one heating unit provided in the at least one second gas discharge unit.

[0017] The housing has a cylindrical body arranged so that its axial direction is approximately horizontal, a third lid portion attached to one axial end of the cylindrical body, and a fourth lid portion attached to the other axial end of the cylindrical body, and the second liquid supply portion is provided on the cylindrical body, the second liquid discharge portion is provided on the fourth lid portion, and the at least one second gas discharge portion is provided on the third lid portion.

[0018] The at least one heating section may be arranged in contact with the third lid section and the at least one second gas discharge section, and at least a portion of the third lid section and the at least one first gas discharge section may be heated by the at least one heating section.

[0019] The at least one second gas discharge portion may be provided at a vertically lower end portion of the third lid portion.

[0020] The cylindrical body may have a third screw portion where the cylindrical body and the third lid portion are screwed together, and a fourth screw portion where the cylindrical body and the fourth lid portion are screwed together.

[0021] The hollow fiber degassing module may have a third sealing portion that seals one axial end of the cylindrical body and a fourth sealing portion that seals the other axial end of the cylindrical body, and one longitudinal end of the hollow fiber membrane may be fixed to the third sealing portion, and the other longitudinal end of the hollow fiber membrane may be fixed to the fourth sealing portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a chemical analyzer equipped with a hollow fiber degassing module that is small in size and has low pressure loss, can maintain its inherently good degassing performance even during long periods of continuous use, and can also suppress the growth of bacteria and the like. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the configuration of a chemical analysis system including a chemical analysis apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the configuration of an internal perfusion type hollow fiber degassing module provided in the chemical analyzer of FIG. [Figure 3] Figure 3(A) is a partial cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a first sealing portion provided at the axial lower end of the cylindrical body in Figure 2, and Figure 3(B) is a partial cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a second sealing portion provided at the axial upper end of the cylindrical body in Figure 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an external perfusion type hollow fiber degassing module provided in the degassing apparatus of FIG. [Figure 5]Figure 5(A) is a partial cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a third sealing portion provided at the axial lower end of the cylindrical body in Figure 2, and Figure 5(B) is a partial cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a fourth sealing portion provided at the axial upper end of the cylindrical body in Figure 2. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a modification of the internal perfusion type hollow fiber degassing module of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a block diagram schematically showing a modification of the chemical analysis apparatus in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a block diagram that schematically illustrates a modification of the chemical analysis system of FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a block diagram schematically showing a modification of the (bio)chemical analysis unit in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described, but the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the configuration of a chemical analysis system including a chemical analysis apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1, the chemical analysis system includes a pure water supply device 1A and a chemical analysis device 2A. Inside the chemical analysis device 2A, there are disposed a degasser (degassing section) 3 that degasses the constant-temperature water supplied from the pure water supply device 1A, and a reaction tank 5 inside a (bio)chemical analysis section 4A. The pure water supply device 1A and the degasser 3 are connected by a flow path 3a, and the degasser 3 and the reaction tank 5 are connected by a flow path 3b. The degassing device 3 and the vacuum pump 6 are connected by a flow path 3c. The flow path 3c is formed, for example, by an intake pipe. The pure water supplied from the pure water supply device 1A to the degassing device 3 has dissolved oxygen and air bubbles removed by the operation of the vacuum pump. In this embodiment, the pure water degassed by the degassing device 3 is supplied to the reaction tank (constant temperature tank) 5 via the flow path 3b. As will be described later, the degassing device 3 and the reaction tank 5 form a circulation path, and the pure water degassed by the degassing device 3 may be supplied to this circulation path.

[0026] The degassing device 3 has a hollow fiber degassing module 20A. The hollow fiber degassing module 20A has a hollow fiber membrane bundle 22 in which a plurality of hollow fiber membranes 220 are bundled together in a blind shape with warp threads (see FIGS. 3(A) and 3(B)). Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the hollow fiber membrane bundle 22 may be referred to as "hollow fiber membranes 220." Details of the hollow fiber membranes will be described later.

[0027] The chemical analyzer 2A performs chemical or biochemical analysis of a sample (hereinafter, "chemical or biochemical analysis" will also be referred to as "(bio)chemical analysis"). This chemical analyzer 2A is configured to reduce the pressure on the outside or inside of the hollow fiber membrane, so that when a liquid passes through the inside or outside of the hollow fiber membrane, only the gas in the liquid is separated from the liquid via the wall surface of the hollow fiber.

[0028] Fig. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the configuration of an internal perfusion type hollow fiber degassing module 20A provided in the chemical analyzer 2A of Fig. 1. In the internal perfusion type hollow fiber degassing module 20A, constant temperature water W1 is supplied to the inside of a hollow fiber membrane 220, and the pressure outside the hollow fiber membrane 220 is reduced to degas the constant temperature water W1, thereby producing degassed constant temperature water W2.

[0029] The hollow fiber degassing module 20A has a housing 210 and hollow fiber membranes 220 arranged in the internal space S1 of the housing 210. The housing 210 has a cylindrical body 211 arranged so that its axial direction L is substantially horizontal, a first lid part 212A attached to a lower end part 211a of the cylindrical body 211 in the axial direction, and a second lid part 213A attached to an upper end part 211b of the cylindrical body 211 in the axial direction.

[0030] The cylindrical body 211 has an internal space S1, and the hollow fiber membrane 220 is accommodated in the internal space S1. The cylindrical body 211 has, for example, a cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction L, and both ends of the cylindrical body 211 are open. In this embodiment, the cylindrical body 211 has a first screw portion 214 at which the cylindrical body 211 and the first lid portion 212A are screwed together, and a second screw portion 215 at which the cylindrical body 211 and the second lid portion 213A are screwed together. The first lid portion 212A and the second lid portion 213A are fixed to the cylindrical body 211 by the first screw portion 214 and the second screw portion 215, respectively.

[0031] The first lid portion 212A and the second lid portion 213A can be attached to the cylindrical body 211 by not only screwing but also fitting, bonding, welding, etc. One or both of the first lid portion 212A and the second lid portion 213A may be detachably attached to the cylindrical body 211. Furthermore, a seal portion (not shown), such as an O-ring, may be provided at the attachment portion of the first lid portion 212A and the second lid portion 213A to the cylindrical body 211. When the seal portion is an O-ring, it is preferable that the O-ring be disposed in an annular groove formed in the axial lower end portion 211a or the axial upper end portion 211b of the cylindrical body 211. The seal portion can prevent liquid leakage that may occur between the cylindrical body 211 and the first lid portion 212A or the second lid portion 213A. Because the seal portion is not constantly in contact with liquid, the material of the seal portion is not particularly limited as long as the above-described effect can be obtained. From the viewpoint of stain resistance, the material of the sealing portion is preferably a polyolefin resin such as a polypropylene resin, the above-mentioned fluororesin, or an aromatic polyester resin such as a polycarbonate resin or polyethylene terephthalate.

[0032] The first lid portion 212A has a substantially disk-shaped first wall portion 212Aa that is provided perpendicular to the axial direction L, and a substantially annular second wall portion 212Ab that extends from the periphery of the first wall portion 212Aa parallel to the axial direction L. The first lid portion 212A is fixed to the cylindrical body 211 by engaging the inner peripheral surface of the first lid portion 212A with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body 211.

[0033] The housing 210 connects the outside of the housing 210 with the internal space S2 of the hollow fiber membranes 220, and has a liquid supply unit (first liquid supply unit) 216A for supplying constant temperature water W1 from the outside of the housing 210 to the internal space S2 of the hollow fiber membranes 220. The liquid supply unit 216A is formed, for example, in the first wall portion 212Aa of the first lid portion 212A, and has a liquid supply port 216Aa for supplying the constant temperature water W1 into the first lid portion 212A. The liquid supply port is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, an opening that is circular in side view and formed on the central axis of the cylindrical body 211. A flow path 3a that is connected to the degassing device 3 is connected to the liquid supply unit 216A. The connection between the liquid supply unit 216A and the flow path 3a is not particularly limited, and may be made by screwing or fitting.

[0034] The second lid portion 213A has a substantially disk-shaped first wall portion 213Aa that is provided perpendicular to the axial direction L, and a substantially ring-shaped second wall portion 213Ab that extends from the periphery of the first wall portion 213Aa parallel to the axial direction L. The second lid portion 213A is fixed to the cylindrical body 211 by engaging the inner peripheral surface of the second lid portion 213A with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body 211.

[0035] The housing 210 has a liquid discharge part (first liquid discharge part) 217A that connects the internal space S2 of the hollow fiber membranes 220 to the outside of the housing 210 and discharges the degassed constant temperature water W2 from the internal space S2 of the hollow fiber membranes 220 to the outside of the housing 210. The liquid discharge part 217A is formed, for example, in the first wall part 213Aa of the second lid part 213A, and has a liquid discharge port 217Aa that supplies the constant temperature water W2 to the outside. The liquid discharge port 217Aa is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, an opening that is circular in side view and formed on the central axis of the cylindrical body 211. A flow path 3b that is connected to the reaction tank 5 is connected to the liquid discharge part 217A. The connection between the liquid discharge part 217A and the flow path 3b is not particularly limited, and may be performed by screwing or fitting.

[0036] The housing 210 also has a gas discharge part (first gas discharge part) 218A that connects the internal space S1 of the housing 210 to the outside of the housing 210 and reduces the pressure in the internal space S1 of the housing 210. The gas discharge part 218A is formed, for example, in the cylindrical body 211 and has a gas discharge port 218Aa that discharges the gas G from the internal space S1. The gas discharge part 218A is provided on the outer periphery of the housing 210. When the cylindrical body 211 has a cylindrical shape arranged such that the axial direction L is parallel to the vertical direction, the gas discharge part 218A is preferably provided on the peripheral wall of the cylindrical body 211. This allows moisture generated inside the cylindrical body 211 to be discharged from the outer periphery of the cylindrical body 211 to the outside via the gas discharge part 218A. A flow path 3c that is connected to the vacuum pump 6 is connected to the gas discharge part 218A. The connection between the gas discharge part 218A and the flow path 3c is not particularly limited, and may be performed by screwing or fitting.

[0037] In this embodiment, the housing 210 has two gas discharge parts 218A, 218A. The two gas discharge parts 218A, 218A are arranged side by side along the axial direction L. This makes it possible to efficiently and uniformly reduce the pressure in the entire internal space S1 of the housing 210. Depending on the dimensions of the housing 210, the dimensions of the gas discharge port 218Aa, the capacity of the vacuum pump, etc., the housing 210 may have a plurality of gas discharge parts 218A, 218A, ... or a single gas discharge part 218A.

[0038] Furthermore, the chemical analysis apparatus 2A further includes a heating unit 219A provided in the gas discharge unit 218A. In this embodiment, two heating units 219A are arranged in the two gas discharge units 218A. The heating unit 219A has a heat generating unit, such as a heating wire, and a heat insulating unit that covers the heat generating unit. The heat generating unit and the heat insulating unit are, for example, wrapped around the outer periphery of the gas discharge unit 218A and configured to allow power to be supplied to the heat generating unit from the outside. The heat generated by the power supplied from the outside heats the heat generating unit, and the gas discharge unit 218A and its interior are heated by the heat. This increases the saturated vapor pressure of the gas G near the gas discharge unit 218A, making it difficult for moisture to adhere to the gas discharge unit 218A. In this embodiment, two heating sections 219A, 219A are provided, but if the housing 210 has one gas discharge section 218A, one heating section 219A may be provided.

[0039] Heating section 219A may be disposed in contact with cylindrical body 211 and gas discharge section 218A, and at least a portion of cylindrical body 211 and gas discharge section 218A may be heated by heating section 219A. This heats at least a portion of cylindrical body 211 in addition to gas discharge section 218A, making it difficult for moisture to adhere to gas discharge section 218A and also to the inner surface of cylindrical body 211.

[0040] There are no particular limitations on the materials for cylindrical body 211, first lid part 212A, and second lid part 213A that constitute housing 210, but from the viewpoints of ease of manufacture, chemical resistance, and stain resistance, polyolefin resins such as polypropylene resin, and aromatic polyester resins such as polycarbonate resin and polyethylene terephthalate are preferred. In this case, cylindrical body 211, first lid part 212A, and second lid part 213A can be manufactured by injection molding.

[0041] The hollow fiber membrane 220 is a hollow fiber-shaped membrane that allows gas to pass through but not liquid to pass through. There are no particular limitations on the material, membrane shape, membrane form, etc. of the hollow fiber membrane 220. From the viewpoints of ease of production, chemical resistance, and stain resistance, examples of the material for the hollow fiber membrane 220 include polyolefin resins such as polypropylene and poly(4-methylpentene-1), and fluororesins such as PTFE, amorphous fluoropolymer, tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer (hereinafter also referred to as PFA), tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer (hereinafter also referred to as FEP), tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer (hereinafter also referred to as ETFE), polychlorotrifluoroethylene (hereinafter also referred to as PCTFE), and polyvinylidene fluoride (hereinafter also referred to as PVDF). The amorphous fluoropolymer (hereinafter also referred to as "Teflon (registered trademark) AF") may be, more specifically, an amorphous fluororesin comprising a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoro2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxole as comonomers. Examples of the membrane shape (sidewall shape) of the hollow fiber membrane 220 include a porous membrane, a microporous membrane, and a homogeneous membrane (non-porous membrane) without porosity. Examples of the membrane form of the hollow fiber membrane 220 include a symmetric membrane (homogeneous membrane) in which the chemical or physical structure of the entire membrane is homogeneous, and an asymmetric membrane (heterogeneous membrane) in which the chemical or physical structure of the membrane varies depending on the membrane. An asymmetric membrane (heterogeneous membrane) is a membrane having a non-porous dense layer and a porous layer. In this case, the dense layer may be formed anywhere in the membrane, such as on the surface or inside the porous membrane. Heterogeneous membranes also include composite membranes with different chemical structures and multilayer membranes such as a three-layer structure.

[0042] In particular, heterogeneous membranes using poly(4-methylpentene-1) resin are particularly suitable for degassing liquids other than water, such as constant-temperature water, because they have a dense layer that blocks liquids. Furthermore, in the case of hollow fibers used in external perfusion systems, it is preferable that a dense layer be formed on the outer surface of the hollow fibers.

[0043] The hollow fiber membrane bundle 22 can be formed, for example, as a sheet-like material in which a plurality of hollow fiber membranes 220 are bundled in a bamboo blind shape with warp threads. In this case, the hollow fiber degassing module 20A can be manufactured, for example, by winding the sheet-like material to form the hollow fiber membrane bundle 22 and fixing both ends of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 22 with a sealing material described below. From the viewpoints of ease of manufacture, chemical resistance, and stain resistance, preferred materials for the warp threads include polyolefin resins such as polypropylene resin, the above-mentioned fluororesins, and aromatic polyester resins such as polycarbonate resin and polyethylene terephthalate.

[0044] 3(A) is a partial cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the first sealing portion 231A provided at the axial lower end portion 211a of the cylindrical body 211 in FIG. 2, and FIG. 3(B) is a partial cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the second sealing portion 232A provided at the axial upper end portion 211b of the cylindrical body 211 in FIG. 2. 3(A) and 3(B), the hollow fiber degassing module 20A has a first sealing part 231A that seals the axial lower end part 211a (see FIG. 2) of the cylindrical body 211, and a second sealing part 232A that seals the axial upper end part 211b (see FIG. 2) of the cylindrical body 211. One longitudinal end part 220a of the hollow fiber membrane 220 is fixed to the first sealing part 231A, and the other longitudinal end part 220b of the hollow fiber membrane 220 is fixed to the second sealing part 232A. That is, one longitudinal end part 22a of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 22 is fixed to the first sealing part 231A, and the other longitudinal end part 22b is fixed to the second sealing part 232A.

[0045] The first sealed portions 231A fill the entire area except for the internal space S2 of the hollow fiber membranes 220 in a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction L of the cylindrical body 211. In other words, the first sealed portions 231A do not fill the internal space S2 of the hollow fiber membranes 220, but fill between the hollow fiber membranes 220 and between the hollow fiber membrane bundle 22 and the inner wall of the cylindrical body 211.

[0046] Similar to the first sealing portions 231A, the second sealing portions 232A fill the entire area except for the internal space S2 of the hollow fiber membranes 220 in a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction L of the cylindrical body 211. In other words, the second sealing portions 232A do not fill the internal space S2 of the hollow fiber membranes 220, but fill the spaces between the hollow fiber membranes 220 and between the hollow fiber membrane bundle 22 and the inner wall of the cylindrical body 211.

[0047] The first sealing portion 231A and the second sealing portion 232A are not particularly limited, but from the viewpoints of ease of manufacturing, chemical resistance, and stain resistance, it is preferable that they are formed from, for example, a cured product of a curable resin composition containing an epoxy resin or a (meth)acrylic resin, or a polyolefin resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene.

[0048] In this embodiment, the first sealing portion 231A seals the axial lower end portion 211a of the cylindrical body 211 while communicating the internal space S3 of the first lid portion 212A with the internal space S2 of the hollow fiber membrane 220. The second sealing portion 232A seals the axial upper end portion 211b of the cylindrical body 211 while communicating the internal space S4 of the second lid portion 213A with the internal space S2 of the hollow fiber membrane 220. That is, the internal space S3 of the first lid portion 212A and the internal space S4 of the second lid portion 213A are separated from the internal space S1 of the casing 210 by the first sealing portion 231A and the second sealing portion 232A, respectively, and the internal space S3 of the first lid portion 212A, the internal space S2 of the hollow fiber membrane 220, and the internal space S4 of the second lid portion 213A are communicated with each other in this order.

[0049] Therefore, the constant temperature water W1 supplied from the liquid supply unit 216A to the internal space S3 of the first lid unit 212A is supplied only to the internal space S2 of the hollow fiber membrane 220 and is prevented from flowing into the internal space S1 of the casing 210. Furthermore, the internal space S1 of the casing 210 is depressurized, preferably to a vacuum, by exhausting air from the gas outlet 218Aa by the vacuum pump 6. Then, as the constant temperature water W1 passes through the internal space S2 of the hollow fiber membrane 220, the dissolved gas and air bubbles in the constant temperature water W1 are drawn to the outside of the hollow fiber membrane 220, thereby degassing the constant temperature water W1.

[0050] The degassed constant temperature water W2 flows only from the internal space S2 of the hollow fiber membrane 220 into the internal space S4 of the second lid portion 213A, and is supplied from the liquid discharge portion 217A into the reaction tank 5 of the (bio)chemical analysis portion 4A.

[0051] In this way, in hollow fiber degassing module 20A, the liquid-contacting parts with constant-temperature water W1, W2 are mainly composed of first lid part 212A, first sealing part 231A, hollow fiber membrane 220, second sealing part 232A, and second lid part 213A. By using the above-mentioned preferable materials for each part constituting the liquid-contacting parts, excellent chemical resistance can be achieved and the intrusion of foreign matter can be suppressed even when used for long-term degassing of constant-temperature water.

[0052] In a manufacturing method of the hollow fiber degassing module 20A, for example, a predetermined number of hollow fibers are bundled together to form the hollow fiber membrane bundle 22. At this time, an external support 234 may be used to cover the hollow fiber membrane bundle 22. A gas outlet 218Aa is provided on the peripheral wall of the cylindrical body, and threaded portions and / or O-ring grooves are provided at both axial ends of the cylindrical body as needed to form the cylindrical body 211. With the hollow fiber membrane bundle 22 housed in the cylindrical body 211, one axial end 211a of the cylindrical body 211 and one longitudinal end 22a of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 22 are fixed with a sealing material to form a first sealed portion 231A, and the other axial end 211b of the cylindrical body 211 and the other longitudinal end 22b of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 22 are fixed with a sealing material to form a second sealed portion 232A. Thereafter, the end faces of the first sealing portion 231A and the second sealing portion 232A are cut. Finally, the first lid portion 212A is attached to one axial end portion 211a of the cylindrical body 211, and the second lid portion 213A is attached to the other axial end portion 211b of the cylindrical body 211 to form the housing 210. In this way, the hollow fiber degassing module 20A having the housing 210 and the hollow fiber membranes 220 is manufactured.

[0053] As described above, according to this embodiment, in the hollow fiber degassing module 20A, the housing 210 connects the internal space S1 of the housing 210 to the outside of the housing 210 and includes the gas discharge section 218A for depressurizing the internal space S1 of the housing 210. The chemical analyzer 2A further includes the heating section 219A provided in the gas discharge section 218A. This increases the temperature near the gas discharge section 218A, making it easier for the moisture-containing gas G to be discharged to the outside from the gas discharge section 218A without liquefying. This reduces the likelihood of water accumulating in the internal space S1 of the housing 210 or the gas discharge section 218A, thereby maintaining the original excellent degassing performance even during long periods of continuous use. Furthermore, because the humidity in the internal space S1 of the housing 210 and the gas discharge section 218A can be kept low, bacteria and the like are less likely to develop even when the housing 210 is opened after operation, and the proliferation of bacteria and the like in the internal space S1 of the housing 210 and the gas discharge section 218A can be suppressed.

[0054] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an external perfusion type hollow fiber degassing module provided in the degassing device 3 of Fig. 1. The chemical analyzer 2A may have an external reflux type hollow fiber degassing module 20B instead of the internal reflux type hollow fiber degassing module. In the hollow fiber degassing module 20B, constant temperature water W1 is supplied to the outside of the hollow fiber membrane 220 and the pressure inside the hollow fiber membrane 220 is reduced, thereby degassing the constant temperature water W1 and producing degassed constant temperature water W2.

[0055] The hollow fiber degassing module 20B has a housing 210 and hollow fiber membranes 220 arranged in the internal space S1 of the housing 210. The housing 210 has a cylindrical body 211 arranged so that its axial direction L is substantially horizontal, a third lid part 212B attached to one axial end 211c of the cylindrical body 211, and a fourth lid part 213B attached to the other axial end 211d of the cylindrical body 211.

[0056] The cylindrical body 211 has an internal space S1, and the hollow fiber membrane 220 is accommodated in the internal space S1. The cylindrical body 211 has, for example, a cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction L, and both ends of the cylindrical body 211 are open. In this embodiment, the cylindrical body 211 has a first screw portion 214 at which the cylindrical body 211 and the third lid portion 212B are screwed together, and a second screw portion 215 at which the cylindrical body 211 and the fourth lid portion 213B are screwed together. The third lid portion 212B and the fourth lid portion 213B are fixed to the cylindrical body 211 by the first screw portion 214 and the second screw portion 215, respectively.

[0057] The third lid portion 212B and the fourth lid portion 213B can be attached to the cylindrical body 211 by not only screwing but also fitting, adhesive bonding, welding, etc. One or both of the third lid portion 212B and the fourth lid portion 213B may be detachably attached to the cylindrical body 211. Furthermore, a seal portion (not shown), such as an O-ring, may be provided at the attachment portion of the third lid portion 212B and the fourth lid portion 213B to the cylindrical body 211. When the seal portion is an O-ring, it is preferable that the O-ring be disposed in an annular groove formed in the axial end portion 211c or the axial end portion 211d of the cylindrical body 211. The seal portion can prevent liquid leakage that may occur between the cylindrical body 211 and the third lid portion 212B or the fourth lid portion 213B. Because the seal portion is not constantly in contact with liquid, the material of the seal portion is not particularly limited as long as the above-described effect can be obtained. From the viewpoint of stain resistance, the material of the sealing portion is preferably a polyolefin resin such as a polypropylene resin, the above-mentioned fluororesin, or an aromatic polyester resin such as a polycarbonate resin or polyethylene terephthalate.

[0058] The third lid portion 212B has a substantially disk-shaped first wall portion 212Ba provided perpendicular to the axial direction L, and a substantially annular second wall portion 212Bb extending from the periphery of the first wall portion 212Ba parallel to the axial direction L. The third lid portion 212B is fixed to the cylindrical body 211 by engaging the inner peripheral surface of the third lid portion 212B with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body 211.

[0059] The fourth lid portion 213B has a substantially disk-shaped first wall portion 213Ba provided perpendicular to the axial direction L, and a substantially annular second wall portion 213Bb extending from the periphery of the first wall portion 213Ba parallel to the axial direction L. The fourth lid portion 213B is fixed to the cylindrical body 211 by engaging the inner peripheral surface of the fourth lid portion 213B with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body 211.

[0060] The housing 210 has a liquid supply unit (second liquid supply unit) 216B that connects the outside of the housing 210 with the internal space S1 of the housing 210 and supplies constant temperature water W1 from the outside of the housing 210 to the internal space S1 of the housing 210. In this embodiment, the liquid supply unit 216B is provided in the cylindrical body 211. The liquid supply unit 216B is formed, for example, in the cylindrical body 211 and has a liquid supply port 216Ba that supplies the constant temperature water W1 into the cylindrical body 211. The liquid supply port is, although not particularly limited, an opening that is circular in side view and formed at the lower end of the cylindrical body 211 in the vertical direction. A flow path 3a that is connected to the degassing device 3 is connected to the liquid supply port 216Ba. The connection between the liquid supply port 216Ba and the flow path 3a is not particularly limited and may be made by screwing or fitting.

[0061] The housing 210 also has a liquid discharge section (second liquid discharge section) 217B that connects the internal space S1 of the housing 210 to the outside of the housing 210 and discharges the degassed constant temperature water W2 from the internal space S1 of the housing 210 to the outside of the housing 210. In this embodiment, the liquid discharge section 217B is provided in the fourth lid section 213B. The liquid discharge section 217B is formed, for example, in the first wall section 213Ba of the fourth lid section 213B and has a liquid discharge port 217Ba that supplies the constant temperature water W2 to the outside. The liquid discharge port 217Ba is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, an opening that is circular in side view and formed on the central axis of the cylindrical body 211. A flow path 3b that is connected to the reaction tank 5 is connected to the liquid discharge port 217Ba. The connection between the liquid discharge port 217Ba and the flow path 3b is not particularly limited, and may be performed by screwing or fitting.

[0062] Furthermore, the housing 210 has a gas discharge part (second gas discharge part) 218B that connects the internal space S2 of the hollow fiber membranes 220 to the outside of the housing 210 and reduces the pressure in the internal space S2 of the hollow fiber membranes 220. The gas discharge part 218B is formed, for example, in the first wall part 212Ba of the third lid part 212B and has a gas discharge port 218Ba for discharging the gas G in the internal space S2. The gas discharge port 218Ba is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, an opening that is circular in side view and formed on the central axis of the cylindrical body 211. This allows moisture generated in the internal space S2 of the hollow fiber membranes 220 and / or the internal space S3 of the third lid part 212B to be discharged to the outside from one axial end of the hollow fiber membranes 220 via the gas discharge part 218B. A flow path 3c that is connected to the vacuum pump 6 is connected to the gas discharge part 218B. The connection between the gas discharge part 218B and the flow path 3c is not particularly limited, and may be performed by screwing or fitting.

[0063] The chemical analysis apparatus 2A further includes a heating unit 219B provided in the gas discharge unit 218B. The heating unit 219B includes a heating unit, such as a heating wire, and a heat insulating unit that covers the heating unit. The heating unit and heat insulating unit are, for example, wrapped around the outer periphery of the gas discharge unit 218B and configured to allow power to be supplied to the heating unit from the outside. The heating unit generates heat due to the power supplied from the outside, and the heat warms the gas discharge unit 218B and its interior. This increases the saturated vapor pressure of the gas G near the gas discharge unit 218B, making it difficult for moisture to adhere to the gas discharge unit 218B. In this embodiment, one heating unit 219A is provided, but if the housing 210 has two gas discharge units 218B, two heating units 219B may be provided.

[0064] Heating unit 219B may be disposed in contact with cylindrical body 211 and gas discharge portion 218B, and at least a portion of cylindrical body 211 and gas discharge portion 218B may be heated by heating unit 219B. This heats at least a portion of cylindrical body 211 in addition to gas discharge portion 218A, making it difficult for moisture to adhere to gas discharge portion 218A and also to the inner surface of cylindrical body 211.

[0065] The casing 210 also has a central pipe 233 arranged inside the cylindrical body 211 so as to be parallel to the axial direction of the cylindrical body 211, and an external support 234 that is approximately coaxial with the central pipe 233 and arranged between the cylindrical body 211 and the central pipe 233. The central pipe 233, the external support 234, and the cylindrical body 211 are arranged in this order from the center to the outside in the radial direction of the casing 210. The hollow fiber membrane bundle 22 is disposed between the central pipe 233 and the external support 234.

[0066] The materials of the cylindrical body 211, the third lid portion 212B and the fourth lid portion 213B that constitute the housing 210, and the material of the hollow fiber membrane 220 can be the same as those in the internal perfusion type hollow fiber degassing module 20A.

[0067] The hollow fiber membrane bundle 22 can be formed, for example, as a sheet-like material in which a plurality of hollow fiber membranes 220 are bundled in a bamboo blind shape with warp threads. In this case, for example, the sheet-like material is bundled into a cylindrical shape to form a hollow fiber membrane bundle, and both ends of the cylindrically bundled hollow fiber membrane bundle are fixed with a sealing material, thereby manufacturing the hollow fiber degassing module 20B. The warp material can be the same as that of the internal perfusion type hollow fiber degassing module 20A.

[0068] 5(A) is a partial cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the third sealing portion 231B provided at one axial end 211c of the cylindrical body 211 in FIG. 4, and FIG. 5(B) is a partial cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the fourth sealing portion 232B provided at the other axial end 211d of the cylindrical body 211 in FIG. 4. 5(A) and 5(B), the hollow fiber degassing module 20B has a third sealing part 231B that seals one axial end part 211c (see FIG. 4) of the cylindrical body 211, and a fourth sealing part 232B that seals the other axial end part 211d (see FIG. 2) of the cylindrical body 211. One longitudinal end part 220a of the hollow fiber membrane 220 is fixed to the third sealing part 231B, and the other longitudinal end part 220b of the hollow fiber membrane 220 is fixed to the fourth sealing part 232B. That is, one longitudinal end part 22a of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 22 is fixed to the third sealing part 231B, and the other longitudinal end part 22b is fixed to the fourth sealing part 232B.

[0069] The third sealing portions 231B fill the entire area except for the internal space S2 of the hollow fiber membranes 220 in a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction L of the cylindrical body 211. In other words, the third sealing portions 231B do not fill the internal space S2 of the hollow fiber membranes 220, but fill the spaces between the hollow fiber membranes 220 and between the hollow fiber membrane bundle 22 and the inner wall of the cylindrical body 211.

[0070] Like the third sealing portion 231B, the fourth sealing portion 232B fills the entire area except for the internal space S2 of the hollow fiber membranes 220 in a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction L of the cylindrical body 211. In other words, the fourth sealing portion 232B does not fill the internal space S2 of the hollow fiber membranes 220, but fills between the hollow fiber membranes 220 and between the hollow fiber membrane bundle 22 and the inner wall of the cylindrical body 211. The fourth sealing portion 232B has a communication port 232Ba that communicates between the internal space S1 of the casing 210 and the internal space S4 of the fourth lid portion 213B. The fourth sealing portion 232B also closes the other longitudinal end portion 220b of the hollow fiber membranes 220. Therefore, the internal space S2 of the hollow fiber membranes 220 does not communicate with the internal space S4 of the fourth lid portion 213B.

[0071] The materials for the third sealed portion 231B and the fourth sealed portion 232B can be the same as those for the internal perfusion type hollow fiber degassing module 20A.

[0072] In this embodiment, the third sealing portion 231B seals one axial end portion 211c of the cylindrical body 211 while communicating the internal space S3 of the third lid portion 212B with the internal space S2 of the hollow fiber membrane 220. The fourth sealing portion 232B seals the other axial end portion 211d of the cylindrical body 211 while closing the internal space S4 of the fourth lid portion 213B with the internal space S2 of the hollow fiber membrane 220. That is, the internal space S3 of the third lid portion 212B and the internal space S1 of the casing 210 are separated by the third sealing portion 231B, the internal space S4 of the fourth lid portion 213B is in communication with the internal space S1 of the casing 210, and the internal space S3 of the third lid portion 212B is in communication with the internal space S2 of the hollow fiber membrane 220.

[0073] Therefore, the constant temperature water W1 supplied from the liquid supply unit 216B to the internal space S1 of the casing 210 is supplied only to the internal space S4 of the fourth lid unit 213B and is prevented from flowing into the internal space S3 of the third lid unit 212B. Furthermore, the internal space S2 of the hollow fiber membrane 220 is decompressed, preferably to a vacuum, by exhausting air from the gas outlet 218Ba by the vacuum pump 6. Then, as the constant temperature water W1 passes through the internal space S1 of the casing 210, the dissolved gas and air bubbles in the constant temperature water W1 are drawn into the hollow fiber membrane 220, thereby degassing the constant temperature water W1.

[0074] The degassed constant temperature water W2 flows only from the internal space S1 of the housing 210 into the internal space S4 of the fourth lid part 213B, and is supplied from the liquid discharge part 217B into the reaction tank 5 of the (bio)chemical analysis part 4A.

[0075] In this way, in hollow fiber degassing module 20B, the liquid-contacting parts with constant-temperature water W1, W2 are mainly composed of third sealing part 231B, hollow fiber membrane 220, fourth sealing part 232B, and fourth lid part 213B. By using the above-mentioned preferable materials for each part constituting the liquid-contacting parts, excellent chemical resistance can be achieved and the intrusion of foreign matter can be suppressed even when used for long-term degassing of constant-temperature water.

[0076] In a method for manufacturing the hollow fiber degassing module 20B, for example, a sheet-like material in which a plurality of hollow fiber membranes 220 are bundled with warp threads in a blind-like shape is wound around a cylindrical central pipe 233 to form a cylindrical bundle of hollow fiber membranes 22. At this time, an external support 234 may be used to cover the hollow fiber membrane bundle 22. A liquid supply port 216Ba may be provided on the peripheral wall of the cylindrical body, and threaded portions and / or O-ring grooves may be provided at both axial ends of the cylindrical body as needed to form a cylindrical body 211. Then, with the hollow fiber membrane bundle 22 and the central pipe 233 housed in the cylindrical body 211, one axial end of the cylindrical body 211 and one longitudinal end 22a of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 22 are fixed with a sealing material to form a third sealing portion 231B. Further, the other axial end of the cylindrical body 211 and the other longitudinal end 22b of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 22 are fixed with a sealing material to form a fourth sealed portion 232B. Then, only the third sealed portion 231B or the end faces of the third sealed portion 231B and the fourth sealed portion 232B are cut off. Then, a third lid portion 212B is attached to the one axial end of the cylindrical body 211 where the third sealed portion 231B is provided, and a fourth lid portion 213B is attached to the other axial end of the cylindrical body 211 where the fourth sealed portion 232B is provided, to form a housing 210. In this way, a hollow fiber degassing module 20B having the housing 210 and the hollow fiber membranes 220 is manufactured.

[0077] As described above, according to this embodiment, hollow fiber degassing module 20B has gas discharge section 218B that connects internal space S2 of hollow fiber membrane 220 to the outside of housing 210 and reduces the pressure in internal space S2 of hollow fiber membrane 220, and chemical analyzer 2A further has heating section 219B provided in gas discharge section 218B, so that the temperature near gas discharge section 218B increases and moisture-containing gas G is discharged to the outside from gas discharge section 218B without liquefying. Therefore, water is less likely to accumulate in internal space S2 of hollow fiber membrane 220, internal space S3 of third lid section 212B, and gas discharge section 218B, and the original good degassing performance can be maintained even during long-term continuous use. Furthermore, since the humidity in the internal space S2 of the hollow fiber membrane 220, the internal space S3 of the third lid portion 212B, and the gas discharge portion 218B can be kept low, bacteria and the like are less likely to grow even when the unit is opened after operation, and the proliferation of bacteria and the like in the internal space S2 of the hollow fiber membrane 220, the internal space S3 of the third lid portion 212B, and the gas discharge portion 218B can be suppressed.

[0078] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a modification of the hollow fiber degassing module 20A of FIG. 6, hollow fiber degassing module 20C has a housing 210C and hollow fiber membranes 220C arranged in internal space S5 of housing 210C. Housing 210C has a cylindrical body 211C arranged so that its longitudinal direction L is substantially horizontal, and a lid 212C attached to one longitudinal end 211Ca of cylindrical body 211C.

[0079] The housing 210C has a liquid supply unit (first liquid supply unit) 216C that connects the outside of the housing 210C with the internal space S5 of the hollow fiber membranes 220C and supplies constant temperature water W1 from the outside of the housing 210C to the inside of the hollow fiber membranes 220C. The liquid supply unit 216C is formed, for example, in the lid portion 212C and has a first connector portion 216Ca that supplies constant temperature water W1 into the first lid portion 212A. One longitudinal end portion 220Ca of the hollow fiber membranes 220C is fixed to the first connector portion 216Ca. The housing 210C may have an external support 234C that covers the hollow fiber membrane bundle 22C formed of the hollow fiber membranes 220C.

[0080] The housing 210C has a liquid discharge part (first liquid discharge part) 217C that connects the internal space S6 of the hollow fiber membranes 220C to the outside of the housing 210C and discharges the degassed constant temperature water W2 from the internal space S5 of the hollow fiber membranes 220C to the outside of the housing 210C. The liquid discharge part 217C is formed, for example, in the lid part 212C and has a second connector part 217Ca that supplies the constant temperature water W1 into the first lid part 212A. The other longitudinal end part 220Cb of the hollow fiber membranes 220C is fixed to the second connector part 217Ca.

[0081] Furthermore, the housing 210C has a gas discharge part (first gas discharge part) 218C that connects the internal space S5 of the housing 210C to the outside of the housing 210C and reduces the pressure in the internal space S5 of the housing 210C. The gas discharge part 218C is formed in, for example, the cylindrical body 211C and has a gas discharge port 218Ca for discharging the gas G in the internal space S5. The gas discharge part 218C is provided at the vertical lower end of the housing 210C. When the cylindrical body 211C has a cylindrical shape arranged so that the longitudinal direction L is parallel to the horizontal direction, the gas discharge part 218C is preferably provided at the vertical lower end of the peripheral wall of the cylindrical body 211C.

[0082] Furthermore, the chemical analysis apparatus 2A further includes a heating unit 219C provided in the gas discharge unit 218C. The heating unit 219C is disposed in contact with the cylindrical body 211C and the gas discharge unit 218C, and at least a portion of the cylindrical body 211C and the gas discharge unit 218C may be heated by the heating unit 219C. The configuration of the heating unit 219C may be the same as that of the above-described heating unit 219B.

[0083] This configuration also makes it difficult for water to accumulate in internal space S5 of housing 210C and gas discharge part 218C, making it possible to maintain the original good degassing performance even during long periods of continuous use. Furthermore, because the humidity in internal space S5 of housing 210C and gas discharge part 218C can be kept low, bacteria and the like are unlikely to grow even when the housing is opened after operation, and the proliferation of bacteria and the like in internal space S5 of housing 210C and gas discharge part 218C can be suppressed.

[0084] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a modified example of the chemical analysis apparatus 2A in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the chemical analysis apparatus 2B includes a reaction disk 401, reaction vessels 402, a reaction tank 403, and a circulation pump 306. The reaction vessels 402 attached to the circumference of the circular reaction disk 401 are immersed in a liquid held in a similarly circular reaction tank 403. The liquid in the reaction tank 403 is constantly circulated by a circulation pump 306 installed between a discharge pipe 404 and a supply pipe 405, and the temperature is controlled by on / off control of a heater 307. The path between the discharge pipe 404 and the supply pipe 405, including the circulation pump 306 and the heater 307, constitutes a hot water circulation path. This keeps the reaction liquid held in the reaction vessel 402 at an optimum temperature for the reaction (for example, 37°C).

[0085] The hot water circulation flow path may be provided with a cooling unit 308 for cooling the constant temperature water in the reaction tank 403 if its temperature becomes too high. A water supply tank 309 and a water supply pump 310 are connected to the hot water circulation flow path, and the supply of pure water from the water supply tank 309 is controlled by the water supply pump 310 and a water supply valve 311. A waste liquid valve 312 is provided in the hot water circulation flow path, and the constant temperature water is discharged as waste liquid from the flow path when the high-temperature water circulating in the reaction tank 403 is replaced. A degasser 313 having a hollow fiber degassing module 20A or 20B is provided in the hot water circulation flow path, and dissolved gases in the constant temperature water supplied to the degasser 313 are degassed by the operation of a vacuum pump 314.

[0086] In this chemical analysis apparatus 2B, a beam of light irradiated from a light source lamp 315 passes through a reaction solution, which is a mixture of a sample and a reagent held in a reaction vessel 402, and the transmitted light is measured by a multi-wavelength photometer 316, thereby performing qualitative and quantitative analysis of specific components in the sample.

[0087] FIG. 8 is a block diagram that schematically illustrates a modification of the chemical analysis system of FIG. As shown in FIG. 8 , the chemical analyzer 2C includes a reaction disk 501, a reaction vessel 502, a reaction tank 503, a water supply tank 504, and a water supply pump 506. The reaction vessel 502, which is attached to the circumference of the circular reaction disk 501, is immersed in constant-temperature water held in a similarly circular reaction tank 503. The reaction tank 503 is supplied with constant-temperature water from the water supply tank 504. A degassing device 505 having a hollow fiber degassing module 20A or 20B is provided on the flow path between the water supply tank 504 and the reaction tank 503, and the supply of constant-temperature water is controlled by a water supply pump 506 and a water supply valve 507. Dissolved gases in the constant-temperature water supplied to the degassing device 505 are degassed by operation of a vacuum pump 508, and the water is supplied to the reaction tank 503 through a supply pipe 517.

[0088] Meanwhile, the constant temperature water in the reaction vessel 503 is constantly circulated by a circulation pump 511 installed between the discharge pipe 509 and the supply pipe 510, and the temperature is controlled by the on / off control of a heater 512. The path including the circulation pump 511 and the heater 512 between the discharge pipe 509 and the supply pipe 510 constitutes a hot water circulation path. This keeps the reaction liquid held inside the reaction vessel 502 at an optimum temperature for the reaction (for example, 37°C).

[0089] The hot water circulation flow path may be provided with a cooling unit 513 for cooling the constant temperature water in the reaction tank 503 when the temperature of the constant temperature water becomes too high. The hot water circulation flow path is also provided with a waste liquid valve 514, which discharges the constant temperature water from the flow path as waste liquid when the constant temperature water circulating in the reaction tank 503 is replaced.

[0090] In this chemical analysis system, a beam of light emitted from a light source lamp 515 passes through a reaction solution, which is a mixture of a sample and a reagent held in a reaction vessel 502, and the transmitted light is measured by a multi-wavelength photometer 516, thereby performing qualitative and quantitative analysis of specific components in the sample.

[0091] FIG. 9 is a block diagram that schematically shows a modified example of the (bio)chemical analysis section 4A in FIG. 9, the (bio)chemical analysis unit 4B may have a specimen container 601, a specimen dispensing mechanism 602, a reaction container 603, a reagent container 604, and a reagent dispensing mechanism 605. In the (bio)chemical analysis unit 4A, for example, a specimen sent from the specimen container 601 to the reaction container 603 via the specimen dispensing mechanism 602 and a reagent sent from the reagent container 604 to the reaction container 603 via the reagent dispensing mechanism 605 can be mixed and stirred. The reaction container 603 is kept at a constant temperature by constant-temperature water stored in a reaction tank 606. A degassing device (not shown) having a hollow fiber degassing module 20A or 20B is provided on a flow path that supplies constant-temperature water to the reaction tank 606, and the supply of constant-temperature water is controlled.

[0092] The chemical analyzer of the above embodiment may also have a control unit (not shown) configured with an information processing device having a CPU, memory, I / O, microcomputer, latch, etc., and programs and data for automatic analysis and diagnosis stored in memory. By utilizing these, the CPU can process or comprehensively control the information required for the operation and analytical operations of the chemical analyzer. [Example]

[0093] Examples of the present invention will be described below, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples.

[0094] (Examples 1, 2, 4, and 5) An internal perfusion type hollow fiber degassing module was prepared, having a structure similar to that of the hollow fiber degassing module shown in Figure 2. A heater was used as the heating section. Table 1 shows the hollow fiber material, hollow fiber degassing module model, manufacturer name, perfusion method, water vapor permeation rate, vacuum line position, and whether the vacuum line was heated.

[0095] (Examples 3 and 6) An external perfusion type hollow fiber degassing module having a structure similar to that of the hollow fiber degassing module shown in FIG. 5 was prepared.

[0096] [Whether or not there is water accumulation inside the module and in the vacuum line] Using the hollow fiber degassing modules of each Example, test runs were conducted under the following conditions: circulation flow rate: 500 ml / min, vacuum level: 10 or 20 kPa (abs), and temperature: 25.5±0.1° C. After 1 day, 3 days, and 7 days, the presence or absence of water pooling within the module and in the vacuum line (gas exhaust line) was visually confirmed.

[0097] [Degassing performance evaluation] The degassing performance was evaluated as follows: when the dissolved oxygen concentration of RO water using the hollow fiber degassing module was in the range of 7.0 ppm or less, it was rated as good (◯); when it was in the range of 7.0 to 8.0 ppm, it was rated as slightly poor (△); and when it was in the range of 8.0 ppm or more, it was rated as poor (×). The results are shown in Tables 1 to 3.

[0098] [Table 1]

[0099] [Table 2]

[0100] [Table 3]

[0101] The results in Tables 1 to 3 show that when the gas discharge section was heated, no water pooling was observed inside the module or in the vacuum line in any of the internal perfusion hollow fiber degassing modules in Examples 1, 2, 4, and 5. It was also found that all of the internal perfusion hollow fiber degassing modules maintained their original degassing performance even 7 days after the start of the test. Furthermore, when the gas discharge section was heated, no water pooling was observed inside the module or in the vacuum line in either of the external perfusion type hollow fiber degassing modules in Examples 3 and 6. It was also found that both external perfusion type hollow fiber degassing modules maintained their original degassing performance even 7 days after the start of the test.

[0102] (Comparative Examples 1 to 6) Except for not heating the gas discharge part, an internal perfusion type hollow fiber degassing module was prepared in the same manner as in Examples 1 to 6. The results are shown in Tables 1 to 3.

[0103] [Table 4]

[0104] [Table 5]

[0105] [Table 6]

[0106] The results in Tables 4 to 6 show that, without heating the gas discharge section, water pools were observed inside the module and in the vacuum line in all of the internal perfusion hollow fiber degassing modules in Comparative Examples 1, 2, 4, and 5. It was also found that, in all of the internal perfusion hollow fiber degassing modules in Comparative Examples 1 to 4 and 7 to 10, degassing performance deteriorated 7 days after the start of the test. Furthermore, in both the external perfusion type hollow fiber degassing modules of Comparative Examples 3 and 6, if the gas discharge section was not heated, water pools were observed inside the module and in the vacuum line. Furthermore, in both the external perfusion type hollow fiber degassing modules of Comparative Examples 3 and 6, it was found that degassing performance had deteriorated 7 days after the start of the test. [Explanation of symbols]

[0107] 1A pure water supply device 2A Chemical analyzer 2B Chemical analyzer 2C chemical analyzer 3 Degassing device (degassing section) 3a Flow path 3b Channel 3c Flow path 4A (Bio)chemical Analysis Department 4B (Bio)Chemical Analysis Department 5 Reaction tank (constant temperature tank) 6 Vacuum ポンプ 20A Hollow silica strips 20B Hollow silica strips 20C Hollow rice flour 22 Hollow fiber membrane bundle 22a One end in the long hand direction 22b long hand toward his end 210 box 210C casing 211 cylinder 211a Axial lower end 211b Axial end 211c One end in the axial direction 211C cylinder 211Ca One end in the long hand direction 211d Axial direction other end 212A Cover 1 212Aa 1st wall 212Ab Second wall 212B Cover 3 212Ba 1st wall 212Bb Second wall 212C lid 213A Cover 2 213Aa 1st wall 213Ab Second wall 213B Cover 4 213Ba 1st wall 213Bb Second wall 214 1st screw joint 215 2nd screw joint 216A Liquid supply unit (first liquid supply unit) 216Aa Liquid supply port 216B Liquid supply unit (second liquid supply unit) 216Ba Liquid supply port 216C Liquid supply unit (first liquid supply unit) 216Ca Part 1 コネクタ 217A Liquid discharge portion (first liquid discharge portion) 217Aa Liquid discharge port 217B Liquid discharge part (second liquid discharge part) 217Ba Liquid outlet 217C Liquid discharge part (1st liquid discharge part) 217Ca 2nd connector part 218A Gas exhaust section (first gas exhaust section) 218Aa Gas outlet 218B Gas exhaust section (second gas exhaust section) 218Ba gas outlet 218C Gas exhaust section (first gas exhaust section) 219A Heating section (1st heating section) 219B Heating section (second heating section) 219C heating section (1st heating section) 220 Hollow fiber membrane 220a One longitudinal end 220b other end in the longitudinal direction 220C hollow fiber membrane 220Ca Longitudinal end 220Cb Other end in the longitudinal direction 231A 1st sealing part 231B 3rd sealing part 232A 2nd sealing part 232B 4th sealing part 232Ba communication port 303 Reactor 306 Circulation Pump 307 Heater 308 Cooling Unit 309 Water Tank 310 Water supply pump 311 Water supply valve 312 Wastewater valve 313 Degassing equipment 314 Vacuum Pump 315 Light source lamp 316 Multiwavelength Photometer 401 Reaction Disk 402 Reaction vessel 403 Reactor 404 Discharge piping 405 Supply piping 501 Reaction Disk 502 Reaction vessel 503 Reactor 504 Water Tank 505 Degassing device 506 Water supply pump 507 Water supply valve 508 Vacuum Pump 509 Discharge piping 510 Supply piping 511 Circulation Pump 512 heater 513 Cooling Unit 514 Wastewater valve 515 Light source lamp 516 Multiwavelength Photometer 517 Supply piping 601 Sample container 602 Sample dispensing mechanism 603 Reaction vessel 604 Reagent containers 605 Reagent dispensing mechanism 606 Reactor

Claims

1. A chemical analysis device for performing chemical analysis or biochemical analysis of a sample, a thermostatic bath for maintaining the temperature of a container containing a specimen; and a degassing unit having a hollow fiber degassing module for degassing dissolved gas contained in the thermostatic water in the thermostatic bath, The hollow fiber degassing module includes a housing and a hollow fiber membrane disposed in an internal space of the housing, The housing includes: a first liquid supply unit that connects the outside of the housing with an internal space of the hollow fiber membrane and supplies the constant temperature water from the outside of the housing to the inside of the hollow fiber membrane; a first liquid discharge section that connects the internal space of the hollow fiber membrane with the outside of the housing and discharges degassed constant temperature water from the internal space of the hollow fiber membrane to the outside of the housing; at least one first gas exhaust section that connects the internal space of the housing to the outside of the housing and that reduces the pressure in the internal space of the housing; and Further, at least one heating unit is provided in the at least one first gas discharge unit, The housing includes: a cylindrical body disposed so that its longitudinal direction is substantially horizontal, with one longitudinal end open and the other longitudinal end closed; a lid portion attached to one end of the cylindrical body in the longitudinal direction; and The chemical analysis apparatus, wherein the first liquid supply unit and the first liquid discharge unit are provided on the lid unit.

2. the at least one heating unit is disposed in contact with the cylindrical body and the at least one first gas discharge unit; The chemical analyzer according to claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the cylindrical body and the at least one first gas discharge section are heated by the at least one heating section.

3. the cylindrical body has a cylindrical shape arranged such that the axial direction is parallel to the horizontal direction, The chemical analyzer according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one first gas discharge portion is provided at a lower end portion in the vertical direction of the peripheral wall of the cylindrical body.

4. The first liquid supply unit has a first connector unit for supplying the constant temperature water into the lid unit, and one longitudinal end of the hollow fiber membrane is fixed to the first connector unit; 2. The chemical analysis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first liquid discharge section has a second connector section for discharging the constant temperature water outside the lid section, and the other longitudinal end of the hollow fiber membrane is fixed to the second connector section.

5. A chemical analysis apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the housing has an external support that covers a hollow fiber membrane bundle composed of the hollow fiber membranes.

6. A chemical analysis apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the hollow fiber membrane is polyolefin resin, fluororesin or silicone.

7. A chemical analysis apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the housing is made of polyolefin resin or aromatic polyester resin.

8. A hollow fiber degassing module used in the chemical analysis apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, A housing and a hollow fiber membrane disposed in an internal space of the housing, The housing includes: a first liquid supply unit that connects the outside of the housing with an internal space of the hollow fiber membrane and supplies the constant temperature water from the outside of the housing to the inside of the hollow fiber membrane; a first liquid discharge section that connects the internal space of the hollow fiber membrane with the outside of the housing and discharges degassed constant temperature water from the internal space of the hollow fiber membrane to the outside of the housing; at least one first gas exhaust section that connects the internal space of the housing to the outside of the housing and that reduces the pressure in the internal space of the housing; and Further, at least one heating unit is provided in the at least one first gas discharge unit, The housing includes: a cylindrical body disposed so that its longitudinal direction is substantially horizontal, with one longitudinal end open and the other longitudinal end closed; a lid portion attached to one end of the cylindrical body in the longitudinal direction; and a hollow fiber degassing module, wherein the first liquid supply section and the first liquid discharge section are provided in the cover section.

9. A degassing method for degassing dissolved gas contained in the constant temperature water in the constant temperature bath in the chemical analysis apparatus according to claim 1, comprising: A method for degassing constant temperature water, wherein constant temperature water is supplied to the inside of the hollow fiber membranes and the outside of the hollow fiber membranes is reduced in pressure in the hollow fiber degassing module, thereby degassing the constant temperature water.

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