Microplastic Mass Quantification Using TOC After Organic Matter Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for quantifying microplastic mass are time-consuming, expensive, and prone to errors due to factors like microplastic size, shape, biofilm, and organic pollutants, requiring advanced and costly equipment.
Innovation Solution
A method using total organic carbon (TOC) analysis with pre-treatment steps including digestion, density separation, filtration, and drying to remove non-microplastic organic matter, allowing accurate quantification based on carbon content without expensive reagents or instruments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing analytical techniques are used to identify microplastic polymer types and determine microplastic mass contents, then measurement precision is achieved, but loss of time increases significantly (several days required)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and measures only the carbon content from microplastic polymers using TOC analysis, rather than performing complete polymer identification. This extraction of the essential measuring element (carbon) enables rapid quantification while maintaining accuracy, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and time consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical/chemical identification systems (spectroscopy, microscopy) with a simpler thermal combustion system that measures carbon content. This substitution of the measurement mechanism dramatically reduces analysis time while preserving quantification accuracy
2Measurement precision
If existing analytical techniques are used for microplastic analysis, then measurement precision is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase due to expensive analytical instruments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a TOC analyzer, a relatively simple and inexpensive instrument compared to spectroscopy or microscopy systems. This cheaper device performs the essential function of microplastic quantification through carbon measurement, reducing both device complexity and cost while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential information (carbon content) from microplastics, eliminating the need for complex polymer identification systems. This extraction approach allows use of simpler, less expensive equipment while achieving accurate quantification
3Measurement precision
If existing analytical techniques are used for microplastic quantification, then measurement is attempted, but reliability decreases due to interference from biofilm and organic pollutants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs digestion treatment to extract and remove organic pollutants and biofilm from the sample before microplastic analysis. This pre-extraction of interfering substances ensures that subsequent TOC measurement reflects only microplastic carbon content, improving measurement reliability and consistency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary digestion treatment to remove organic matter before the main measurement step. This preliminary action eliminates potential sources of error and interference, ensuring reliable and consistent microplastic quantification
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
The method provides fast, reliable, and cost-effective microplastic quantification with high recovery rates, suitable for various sample types, reducing pre-treatment time and costs by 75% and extraction costs by 60%, and achieving over 98% recovery rates.
Implementation Method 1
digesting the sample composition using a pre-determined digestion reagent for a pre-determined digestion to duration remove non-microplastic organic matter
Implementation Method 2
extracting the microplastic polymer from the sample composition by density separation to produce a microplastic layer
Implementation Method 3
filtering the microplastic layer through a filter such that the microplastic polymer is captured in the filter
Implementation Method 4
drying the filter with the captured microplastic polymer for a pre-determined drying time at a pre-determined drying temperature
Implementation Method 5
measuring the organic carbon content of a microplastic polymer in the pre-treated sample composition using total organic carbon (TOC) analysis
Data Source
AI summary
A method of quantifying microplastic mass in a sample composition, including the steps of pre-treating the sample composition to remove non-microplastic organic matter and extract microplastics thereby providing a pre-treated sample composition, measuring the organic carbon content of a microplastic polymer in the pre-treated sample composition using total organic carbon (TOC) analysis, and quantifying the microplastic mass in the sample composition according to the organic carbon content of the microplastic polymer.