Gas Collection Device for Microbial Odor Quantification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for analyzing odor components generated by microorganisms in super absorbent polymers, such as adult diapers, suffer from poor reproducibility and quantification, particularly when using an oil bath analysis technique.
Innovation Solution
A gas collection device comprising a constant temperature chamber, culture flask unit, adsorption unit, pump unit, and mass flow controller, which maintains airtightness and allows precise control of gas flow rate and environmental conditions for real-time collection and analysis of gas components generated by microorganisms in super absorbent polymers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an oil bath analysis method is used to collect gas components, then the analysis can be performed, but the reproducibility and quantification precision are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical oil bath system with a gas collection system using a syringe, needle, and sealed container. This substitution eliminates the mechanical complexity and contamination issues of the oil bath method, enabling precise volume measurement through syringe calibration and improving reproducibility through standardized sealing and collection procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a sealed container and syringe as intermediary elements between the culture flask and analysis equipment. These intermediaries provide a controlled environment for gas collection, allowing precise volume measurement and preventing gas loss, thereby improving both quantification precision and reproducibility compared to direct oil bath analysis.
2Device complexity
If a simple gas collection method is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision and control capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The gas collection device is segmented into distinct functional modules: culture flask, sealed container, syringe, needle, and flow control mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity, achieving precise flow rate control through the syringe's calibrated scale without requiring complex instrumentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the syringe's volume parameter (measured in mL through its calibrated scale) as a simple yet precise control mechanism for gas flow rate. By changing the syringe plunger position, the operator can precisely control the volume and flow rate of gas collected, achieving measurement precision without increasing device complexity.
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
Enables precise and quantitative analysis of odor components with low relative standard deviations, ensuring efficient and accurate results without the limitations of previous methods.
Implementation Method 1
a pump unit connected to a rear end of the adsorption unit to suck the gas inside the culture flask unit into the adsorption unit
Implementation Method 2
a mass flow controller located outside the constant temperature chamber and controlling a flow rate of the gas sucked to the adsorption unit
Implementation Method 3
an adsorption unit located outside the constant temperature chamber and receiving a gas inside the culture flask unit
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a gas collection device and is directed to a gas collection device for collecting a gas which is generated while microorganisms are cultured in a super absorbent polymer product. The gas collection device may comprise a constant temperature chamber having an interior that is configured to be maintained at a set temperature; a culture flask unit located inside the constant temperature chamber and configured to culture a bacteria therein; an adsorption unit located outside the constant temperature chamber and configured to receive a gas inside the culture flask unit; a pump unit connected to a rear end of the adsorption unit and configured to suck the gas inside the culture flask unit into the adsorption unit; and a mass flow controller located outside the constant temperature chamber and configured to control a flow rate of the gas sucked into the adsorption unit.