Helical Separating Pipe Inertial Sorting for Fluid Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring the effectiveness of ballast water treatment systems and other fluid treatment processes are inaccurate, slow, and costly, as they rely on offline laboratory analysis and lack real-time automated sorting of living organisms from non-living or inorganic matter in fluid flows.
Innovation Solution
A sample acquisition system with a sampling probe and a helically curved separating pipe that uses inertial effects to separate higher density inorganic and dead organic material from live organisms, allowing the latter to pass through a sample port while diverting the former to a non-sample drain, aided by attractants and repellents to guide organisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If offline laboratory analysis with manual microscopy is used, then cost and time consumption are reduced for simple equipment, but measurement precision and productivity are severely limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical microscopy with automated flow cytometry technology that uses optical and electronic systems to detect, count, and characterize microorganisms in real-time, dramatically improving both measurement precision and productivity simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs automated sample processing, analysis, and interpretation without requiring manual laboratory intervention, enabling the system to serve itself in completing the full analytical workflow from sample intake to results generation
2Productivity
If flow cytometry systems are used, then productivity is improved through higher throughput, but measurement precision deteriorates due to lack of real-time automated sorting
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary automated sorting and characterization of organisms during the flow cytometry process itself, rather than requiring subsequent manual verification, thereby maintaining high throughput while ensuring measurement precision through real-time automated discrimination of live versus dead organisms
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates real-time feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor and adjust analysis parameters based on detected organism characteristics, ensuring accurate enumeration of live versus dead organisms while maintaining high processing speeds
3Device complexity
If manual sample preparation is performed, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of time increases due to man-in-loop processing
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automated sample processing, analysis, and interpretation without requiring manual laboratory intervention, enabling the system to serve itself in completing the full analytical workflow from sample intake to results generation
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs all necessary sample preparation and analysis actions automatically and continuously, eliminating delays associated with manual intervention while maintaining manageable system complexity through integrated automation
4Ease of operation
If laboratory-based offline sampling is used, then ease of operation is maintained through simple collection methods, but reliability deteriorates due to delays and potential sample degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual collection and transport methods with automated in-line flow cytometry sampling that directly analyzes organisms in their native environment, eliminating delays and degradation issues while maintaining operational simplicity through automated processes
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs analysis immediately at the sampling location without delay, conducting the assessment action beforehand rather than after sample collection and transport, thereby ensuring reliability through real-time data acquisition
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 real-time, on-line sampling with efficient separation of live organisms from dead or inorganic material, reducing latency and inertial excitation, and improving the accuracy and speed of fluid treatment monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
inertial effects induced in the separating pipe cause relatively higher density inorganic and dead organic material to funnel into the channel
Data Source
AI summary
A system for acquiring a fluid sample from a flow pipe, comprising a sampling probe placed within the flow pipe, a curved separating pipe in fluid communication with the sampling probe, the separating pipe having formed therein an inwardly-opening lengthwise channel along the outside curve thereof, the separating pipe terminating in a sample area, and a lengthwise inwardly-opening sample passage in fluid communication between at least a portion of the sample area and a sample port, the sample passage being formed substantially opposite the channel, whereby inertial effects induced in the separating pipe cause relatively higher density inorganic and dead organic material to funnel into the channel and out a non-sample drain formed in the sample area substantially opposite the separating pipe while allowing live organisms to navigate the sample passage and out the sample port.