Solution state measuring device

Abstract

A device for measuring a state of a solution is disclosed, which includes a probe having a measuring part with at least one surface open to measure a state of the solution, a mesh disposed in a path through which the solution flows into the measuring part, and a support part disposed outside the probe and having an opening surrounding at least one surface of the measuring part, the opening defining a path through which the solution flows into the measuring part, and the mesh being attachable to the opening of the support part.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] [Cross-reference to related applications] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0102208 filed on August 16, 2022, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0085322 filed on June 30, 2023, and all contents disclosed in the documents of said Korean patent applications are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a device for measuring the state of a solution, and more particularly to a device for measuring the state of a solution in which a mesh is placed in the path through which the solution flows into a probe that measures the state of the solution, thereby preventing bubbles from entering the measurement section of the probe and thereby preventing errors from occurring in the measured state of the solution. [Background technology]

[0003] 3-HP (3-Hydropropionic Acid) is a platform compound that can be converted into many other useful chemicals, including acrylic acid, and is therefore widely used in the production of pigments, paints, fibers, etc. 3-HP is a representative biodegradable material that can be produced by fermentation using E. coli.

[0004] E. coli is cultivated and fermented in a culture medium inside the reactor. A spectrometer is installed inside the reactor to measure the concentration of E. coli in the culture medium in real time. In addition, various measuring devices can be installed inside the reactor to measure the state of the culture medium (concentration, capacitance, inductance, etc.) to predict the state of the E. coli. These measuring devices are usually configured to measure the state of the culture medium flowing through the measuring section in real time.

[0005] An agitator may also be provided inside the reactor for culturing E. coli. The agitator is configured to agitate the culture solution to supply oxygen to the E. coli in the culture solution. When the agitator operates to agitate the culture solution, bubbles may be generated in the culture solution, and the generated bubbles may flow into the measurement unit of the measurement device along with the culture solution. If bubbles exist in or pass through the measurement unit, the state of the culture solution measured by the measurement device may not be uniform. In other words, an error may occur in the state of the culture solution measured by the measurement device.

[0006] The matters described in this background art section are prepared to enhance understanding of the background of the invention, and may include matters that are not prior art already known to those having ordinary skill in the art to which this technology pertains. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] An embodiment of the present invention provides a device for measuring the state of a solution in which a mesh is placed in a path through which the solution flows into a probe for measuring the state of the solution to prevent bubbles from entering the probe. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A device for measuring the state of a solution according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a probe having a measuring section with at least one open side for measuring the state of the solution; a mesh disposed in a path through which the solution flows into the measuring section; and a support section disposed outside the probe and having an opening formed therein that surrounds at least one open side of the measuring section, the opening defining the path through which the solution flows into the measuring section, and the mesh being attachable to the opening in the support section.

[0009] The inner surface of the support may be spaced apart from the outer surface of the probe by a set distance.

[0010] The support portion can be detachably attached to the outer surface of the probe through a fastening portion.

[0011] The support portion includes a first support portion and a second support portion spaced apart from each other by a set distance, and the first support portion and the second support portion can be separably assembled so that a mesh is attached at the set distance between them.

[0012] The first support portion and the second support portion can be threadably coupled to each other.

[0013] The second support portion is inserted into the first support portion so as to be spaced apart from the first support portion by a set distance, and a first threaded portion is formed on a lower inner surface of the first support portion and a second threaded portion is formed on a lower outer surface of the second support portion, so that the first threaded portion and the second threaded portion can be threadedly coupled to each other.

[0014] The first support portion and the second support portion may have open upper ends.

[0015] The lower end of the first support part may be open, and the lower end of the second support part may be open, closed, or openable.

[0016] The inner surface of the second support and the outer surface of the probe may be spaced apart by a set distance.

[0017] A fastening portion is formed on an upper portion of the first support portion, and the support portion can be detachably attached to an outer surface of the probe through the fastening portion.

[0018] The fastening portion may be disposed above an upper end of the second support portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to the present invention, a mesh can be placed in the path through which the solution flows into the probe, thereby preventing bubbles from entering the probe.

[0020] Furthermore, the mesh is attached to a support, and the support is detachably attached to the probe, so that the mesh and the support can be easily installed and replaced.

[0021] In addition, by forming the support part larger than the probe by a set size, even if bubbles exist between the support part and the probe, it is possible to prevent the bubbles from escaping outside the support part and causing errors in the state measurement.

[0022] In addition, the effects that can be obtained or are expected to be obtained by the embodiments of the present invention will be directly or implicitly disclosed in the detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention, i.e., various effects that are expected to be obtained by the embodiments of the present invention will be disclosed in the detailed description below. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] The embodiments herein may be better understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a solution state measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view of a probe according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a support according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 4 is a perspective view of a first support part included in the support part of FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 5] 4 is a perspective view of a second support included in the support of FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 6] The spectra are shown with and without bubbles in the probe. [Figure 7] 1 shows an example of a spectrum of a culture solution measured by a solution state measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 1 shows an example of a spectrum of a culture solution measured by a conventional solution state measuring device.

[0024] It should be understood that the above-referenced drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, but rather present somewhat simplified representations of various preferred features illustrating the underlying principles of the present invention. For example, the specific design features of the present invention, including specific size, orientation, location, and shape, are determined in part by the particular intended application and environment of use. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the present invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It should also be understood that the terms "comprises" and / or "comprises," when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any one or all combinations of the associated listed items.

[0026] A device for measuring the state of a solution according to an embodiment of the present invention can prevent bubbles from entering the probe by disposing a mesh in a path through which the solution flows into the probe. This allows for accurate measurement of the state of the solution. Furthermore, the mesh is attached to a support, and the support is detachably attached to the probe, making it easy to install and replace the mesh and support. Furthermore, the support is formed to be larger than the probe by a predetermined size, so that even if bubbles exist between the support and the probe, they can be prevented from escaping outside the support, causing errors in the state measurement.

[0027] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0028] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a solution state measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a probe according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a support part according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a first support part included in the support part of FIG. 3; and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second support part included in the support part of FIG. 3.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the device for measuring the state of a solution according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a probe 10, a support portion 20, and a mesh 50.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the probe 10 is configured to measure the state of a solution (e.g., concentration, capacitance, inductance, etc.). The probe 10 is cylindrical, with its upper portion fixed to or penetrating the top or lid of a reactor, and its lower portion immersed in the solution inside the reactor. For example, a measuring section 12 is provided at the lower portion of the probe 10, allowing the state of a solution present in or passing through the measuring section 12 to be measured. For this purpose, the lower portion of the probe 10, particularly at least the measuring section 12, is disposed so as to be immersed in the solution. In addition, at least one side of the measuring section 12 is open, functioning as an inlet through which the solution flows into the measuring section 12 or an outlet through which the solution flows out of the measuring section 12. Although the present specification illustrates an example in which the probe 10 is cylindrical and the support section 20 is cylindrical, the shapes of the probe 10 and the support section 20 are not limited to being cylindrical and cylindrical, respectively. When the probe 10 is cylindrical, the diameter of the probe 10 is indicated as D1.

[0031] 1 and 3, the support part 20 is used to mount the mesh 50 around the measuring part 12 and can be detachably mounted on the probe 10. When the probe 10 is cylindrical, the support part 20 can be formed in a hollow cylindrical shape and can be disposed to surround the probe 10. The support part 20 has an open part 22. The open part 22 can surround a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the probe 10, for example, at least the open surface of the measuring part 12. Therefore, the solution inside the reactor can flow into the measuring part 12 only through the open part 22. That is, the open part 22 forms a path through which the solution flows into the measuring part 12 of the probe 10.

[0032] The support 20 may be a single item, or may be two or more items that can be disassembled and assembled. In one example, the support 20 includes a first support 30 and a second support 40. Here, an example in which the number of items constituting the support 20 is two is shown, but it should be understood that the number of items constituting the support 20 is not necessarily limited to two.

[0033] 1, 3, and 4, the first support 30 corresponds to the outer shell of the support 20. The first support 30 includes a first opening 32 corresponding to the opening 22. The first support 30 also includes a lower end 34 and an upper end 36. The lower end 34 of the first support 30 is open so that the second support 40 can be inserted into the first support 30 from bottom to top. Similarly, the upper end 36 of the first support 30 is open so that the probe 10 can be inserted into the first support 30 from top to bottom, i.e., so that the first support 30 can be moved from bottom to top to a mounting position on the probe 10. If the first support 30 has a hollow cylindrical shape, the inner diameter of the first support 30 may be denoted as D2.

[0034] The first support 30 can be disassembled and assembled with the second support 40. In one example, a first threaded portion 39 is formed on a lower portion of the inner circumferential surface of the first support 30 to be threadably coupled to the second support 40. The first support 30 can also be detachably attached to the outer circumferential surface of the probe 10. For this purpose, a fastening portion 38 can be formed on an upper portion of the first support 30. In one example, the fastening portion 38 can be a fastening hole. In this case, a corresponding fastening hole can be formed on the outer circumferential surface of the probe 10. Thus, the first support 30 can be attached to the outer circumferential surface of the probe 10 by inserting a screw or pin into the fastening hole of the first support 30 and the corresponding fastening hole of the probe 10. The first support 30 can also be detached from the probe 10 by removing the screw or pin from the fastening hole and / or the corresponding fastening hole. Here, the fastening portion 38 is illustrated as a fastening hole, but is not limited thereto.

[0035] 1, 3, and 5, the second support part 40 corresponds to the inner shell of the support part 20. The second support part 40 includes a second opening part 42 corresponding to the opening part 22. Therefore, when the first support part 30 and the second support part 40 are assembled, the first opening part 32 and the second opening part 42 are mated to form the opening part 22.

[0036] The second support part 40 includes a lower end 44 and an upper end 46. The lower end 44 of the second support part 40 may be open, closed, or openable with a lid. Bubbles generated by a stirrer typically have a low specific gravity and rise to the top of the solution. Therefore, they do not enter the measurement part 12 through the open lower end 44 of the second support part 40. Therefore, even if the lower end 44 of the second support part 40 is open, it does not significantly affect the operation of the measurement part 12. The upper end 46 of the second support part 40 is open so that the probe 10 can be inserted from top to bottom into the second support part 40, i.e., so that the second support part 40 can be moved from bottom to top to a set position on the probe 10. When the second support part 40 has a hollow cylindrical shape, the outer diameter of the second support part 40 may be denoted as D3 and the inner diameter of the second support part 40 may be denoted as D4.

[0037] As described above, the second support part 40 can be disassembled and assembled with the first support part 30. In one example, a second threaded portion 49 is formed on the lower portion of the outer circumferential surface of the second support part 40, and can be threadedly coupled to the first threaded portion 39 of the first support part 30. In addition, the upper end 46 of the second support part 40 can be disposed below the fastening portion 38 so that the support part 20, in which the first support part 30 and the second support part 40 are coupled, can be detachably mounted on the outer circumferential surface of the probe 10. That is, the fastening portion 38 can be disposed above the upper end 46 of the second support part 40. Therefore, the support part 20 can be detachably mounted on the outer circumferential surface of the probe 10 using only the fastening portion 38, without forming a fastening portion corresponding to the fastening portion 38 on the second support part 40.

[0038] In one example, the inner diameter D2 or inner surface of the first support part 30 may be spaced a predetermined distance from the outer diameter D3 or outer surface of the second support part 40. The predetermined distance is for placing the mesh 50 between the inner diameter D2 or inner surface of the first support part 30 and the outer diameter D3 or outer surface of the second support part 40. The predetermined distance may be, but is not limited to, 0.3 mm to 1 mm. In addition, the outer diameter D1 or outer surface of the probe 10 may be spaced a predetermined distance G1 from the inner diameter D4 or inner surface of the second support part 40. Even if bubbles exist or flow between the probe 10 and the support part 20, the bubbles will escape through the predetermined distance G1. The predetermined distance G1 may be, but is not limited to, 2 mm to 5 mm.

[0039] The mesh 50 is attached to the opening 22 surrounding the open surface of the measuring unit 12 of the probe 10. That is, the mesh 50 is disposed in the path through which the solution flows into the measuring unit 12 of the probe 10, thereby preventing bubbles in the solution from flowing into the measuring unit 12 of the probe 10. As described above, the mesh 50 is attached at a predetermined distance between the inner diameter D2 or inner surface of the first support unit 30 and the outer diameter D3 or outer surface of the second support unit 40. In addition, the lower end of the mesh 50 is supported by the first threaded portion 39 and the second threaded portion 49, which are threadedly coupled to each other, and does not move away from the predetermined distance. That is, the mesh 50 can only move away from the predetermined distance in the upward direction, which means that the mesh 50 will not come off the supporting unit 20 without the user's intention to remove it. The size of the mesh 50 is not particularly limited as long as it is large enough to prevent bubbles from flowing into the measuring unit 12. For example, the mesh 50 may be 300 mesh or 500 mesh. In another example, the size of the mesh 50 can be set depending on the size of bubbles generated under the operating conditions of the reactor, the flow rate, etc., and for example, the size of the mesh 50 may be 100 mesh to 1000 mesh.

[0040] There are no particular limitations on the material of the mesh 50 as long as it is a material that does not corrode in the liquid. For example, the material of the mesh 50 may be a metal material such as SUS or a highly corrosion-resistant plastic material.

[0041] In addition, the shape of the holes in the mesh 50 is not particularly limited as long as it can prevent bubbles from passing through and reduce the flow rate. For example, the holes may have various shapes such as a circle or a polygon.

[0042] Hereinafter, a process for installing the solution state measuring device in the probe 10 will be briefly described. In one example, the probe 10 has a cylindrical shape, and its upper portion can be fixed to or attached to the top or lid of a reactor or the like, and its lower portion is configured to be immersed in the solution inside the reactor.

[0043] First, the first threaded portion 39 and the second threaded portion 49 are screwed together to assemble the first support portion 30 and the second support portion 40 to form the support portion 20. Here, the first open portion 32 and the second open portion 42 are mated to form the open portion 22. In addition, the upper end 46 of the second support portion 40 may be located below the fastening portion 38, and the inner diameter D2 of the first support portion 30 and the outer diameter D3 of the second support portion 40 may be spaced apart by a set distance.

[0044] In this state, the mesh 50 is inserted downward into a set distance between the inner diameter D2 of the first support part 30 and the outer diameter D3 of the second support part 40. The mesh 50 is attached to the open part 22, which is a path through which the solution flows into the measurement part 12 of the probe 10.

[0045] Then, the support part 20 with the mesh 50 attached thereto is attached to the outer circumferential surface of the probe 10 through the fastening part 38. Here, the mesh 50 surrounds the open surface of the measuring part 12, and the outer diameter D1 of the probe 10 and the inner diameter D4 of the second support part 40 are spaced apart by a set distance G1 to form a space through which bubbles between the probe 10 and the support part 20 can escape.

[0046] The effects of the solution state measuring device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

[0047] Figure 6 shows spectra with and without bubbles in the probe. Figure 6 shows spectra with and without bubbles present in the measurement section 12 of the probe 10 when the reactor is stopped. In Figure 6, the dotted line shows the spectrum when no bubbles are present in the measurement section 12, and the solid line shows the spectrum when bubbles are present in the measurement section 12.

[0048] As can be seen from the dotted lines in Figure 6, if no bubbles are present in the measurement unit 12, intensity peaks occur at 7000 Å, 5000 Å, and 4000 Å. However, as can be seen from the solid lines in Figure 6, if bubbles are present in the measurement unit 12, the bubbles cause errors in the measurement value of the measurement unit 12, so that no peaks occur, or even if peaks occur, their intensity is low.

[0049] Figure 7 shows an example of the spectrum of a culture solution measured by the solution state measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 8 shows an example of the spectrum of a culture solution measured by a solution state measuring device according to the prior art. Figures 7 and 8 show the change in the spectrum measured after a 24-hour culture process of E. coli.

[0050] As shown in Figure 7, when the spectrum of a culture solution is measured using the device for measuring the state of a solution according to an embodiment of the present invention, a spectrum similar to the dotted line in Figure 6 is generated. That is, the device for measuring the state of a solution according to an embodiment of the present invention can prevent bubbles from entering the measuring unit 12 and obtain an accurate spectrum.

[0051] As shown in Figure 8, when the spectrum of a culture solution is measured using a conventional solution state measuring device, an abnormal section may be observed at a low wavelength. That is, the conventional solution state measuring device does not have a means for preventing bubbles from entering the measuring section, which may cause errors in the measurement value.

[0052] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and includes all modifications that can be easily made by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains and are deemed equivalent to the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. a probe provided with a measuring portion having at least one open surface for measuring the state of the solution; a mesh disposed in a path through which the solution flows into the measuring portion; and a support part disposed outside the probe and having an opening part formed therein that surrounds at least one open surface of the measuring part; the opening defines a path through which a solution flows into the measurement section; the mesh is attached to the open portion of the support; The support portion includes a first support portion and a second support portion spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, The device for measuring the state of a solution, wherein the first support portion and the second support portion are separably assembled so that a mesh is attached at a set distance between them.

2. The device for measuring the state of a solution according to claim 1 , wherein the inner surface of the support is spaced apart from the outer surface of the probe by a predetermined distance.

3. The device for measuring the state of a solution according to claim 1 , wherein the support part is detachably attached to the outer surface of the probe through a fastening part.

4. The device for measuring the state of a solution according to claim 1 , wherein the first support portion and the second support portion are connected to each other by threads.

5. the second support portion is inserted into the first support portion so as to be spaced apart from the first support portion by a predetermined distance, 5. The device for measuring a state of a solution according to claim 4, wherein a first threaded portion is formed on an inner surface of a lower portion of the first support portion, and a second threaded portion is formed on an outer surface of a lower portion of the second support portion, and the first threaded portion and the second threaded portion are threadedly coupled to each other.

6. The device for measuring the state of a solution according to claim 1 , wherein upper ends of the first support portion and the second support portion are open.

7. The lower end of the first support portion is open, The device for measuring the state of a solution according to claim 1 , wherein a lower end of the second support part is open, closed, or can be opened and closed.

8. The device for measuring a state of a solution according to claim 1 , wherein the inner surface of the second support and the outer surface of the probe are spaced apart by a predetermined distance.

9. a fastening portion is formed on an upper portion of the first support portion; The device for measuring the state of a solution according to claim 1 , wherein the support part is detachably attached to the outer surface of the probe through the fastening part.

10. The device for measuring the state of a solution according to claim 9 , wherein the fastening portion is located above an upper end of the second support portion.

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