Disintegration Channel for Particle Fractionation in Industrial Liquids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring solid matter in industrial liquids, such as those in the forest, oil, and mining industries, face challenges like flocculation, which hinders accurate on-line analysis, and existing fractionation techniques are inadequate for separating particles of different sizes and masses, especially in processes like paper pulp and water treatment.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that uses a disintegration channel with depressions to apply hydrodynamic shear forces, allowing for continuous fractionation and measurement of particle size and mass distribution, enabling effective separation of smaller particles from agglomerates and preventing flocculation, using a combination of disintegration and field flow fractionation channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If flow cytometry technique is used to detect and assess particle counts, size and type in pulp samples or filtrates, then comprehensive particle characterization is achieved, but manual sample pretreatment is required and it cannot be used for online measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the sample pretreatment function from the measurement system by introducing a separate fractionation device that automatically separates particles before they enter the measurement cell. This removes the need for manual pretreatment while maintaining comprehensive particle characterization capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The fractionation device acts as an intermediary between the sample source and the measurement system. It automatically prepares samples by separating particles into size-based fractions, enabling online measurements without compromising the comprehensive characterization capability of the downstream detectors.
2Productivity
If lightweight techniques are used to provide on-line information on overall turbidity, then instant information is provided, but different types of particles cannot be differentiated based on hydrophobicity, particle size, and nature
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the particle population into size-based fractions using the fractionation device before measurement. This allows the online measurement system to differentiate particle types by analyzing each fraction separately, thereby maintaining both speed and comprehensive particle characterization capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a size separation dimension to the online measurement process. By fractionating particles along the size dimension before detection, the system can differentiate particle types based on multiple parameters (size, hydrophobicity, nature) while maintaining online measurement speed.
3Measurement precision
If conventional FFF systems are used to separate particles, then particle separation is achieved, but fiber fines flocculate and block the cell making fractionation challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary action by introducing a dispersion mechanism that actively prevents flocculation of fiber fines before they can block the measurement cell. This preliminary dispersion action ensures reliable continuous operation while maintaining effective particle separation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies preliminary anti-action by using acoustic or ultrasonic energy to counteract the flocculation tendency of fiber fines. This anti-flocculation action prevents cell blocking while allowing the fractionation process to proceed reliably and maintain separation precision.
4Measurement precision
If batch sampling and laboratory analyses are used for off-line monitoring, then accurate and versatile information is provided, but considerable time delays occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces manual mechanical batch sampling and laboratory analysis procedures with an automated online fractionation and measurement system. This substitution eliminates time delays while maintaining accurate and versatile particle information through continuous automated analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention establishes continuity of useful action by implementing continuous online fractionation and measurement instead of intermittent batch analysis. This continuous operation eliminates time delays between sampling and analysis while maintaining the accuracy and versatility of particle characterization.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for accurate on-line monitoring and control of industrial processes by effectively separating and measuring particles of varying sizes and masses, reducing flocculation issues and enabling continuous operation without the need for expensive instrumentation, with results correlating well with flow cytometry and providing detailed particle characterization.
Implementation Method 1
The first channel, called herein also a disintegration channel, is designed so that when a liquid flow having a non-constant flow velocity profile is applied through the first channel, the liquid flow disintegrates potential flocks in the sample and gradually takes particles of the sample with the liquid flow from said one or more depressions
Implementation Method 2
In FFF, a sample is injected to the FFF cell where the particles are subjected to a field e.g. temperature, electricity, gravitation, hence the particles in the sample sediment
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention concerns a method and a device for analyzing a sample of industrial liquid containing solid matter. The sample is fractionated according to particle sizes and/or masses of the solid matter so as to produce sample fractions. A sample (30) is conducted to a disintegration channel (31) having depressions (31B). A liquid flow having a non-constant temporal velocity profile is applied through said disintegration channel (31), in order to gradually take solid matter of the sample with the liquid flow from said one or more depressions for providing said sample fractions. In one embodiment, the fractionation proceeds in a field flow fractionation (FFF) channel (33). From a homogenizer tube (35), which is an optional part, the fractionated sample is conducted via a conduit (36) to a measurement device (37) for measuring at least one physical or chemical property of at least one of said sample fractions.