Automated Sample Grinding in Ball Mill Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sample preparation methods for chemical or compositional analysis are prone to contamination, physical loss, and inaccurate representation of the sample, due to manual handling and transfer of samples from conditioning cabinets to ball mill extraction containers, which can lead to sample disaggregation, oxidation, or volatilization.
Innovation Solution
An automated system and method that involves arranging the sample material in a receptacle, storing it in a conditioning cabinet, and grinding the receptacle together with the sample material using a ball mill apparatus with an agitator, which simplifies handling, minimizes contamination, and ensures efficient grinding by producing splinters that assist in the grinding process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual handling and transfer of samples from conditioning cabinet to ball mill extraction container is performed, then sample preparation can be carried out, but contamination, physical loss, and inaccurate representation of sample occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sample container and extraction container into a single integrated unit, eliminating the transfer step between different containers. The sample is placed directly into the extraction container which is then sealed and placed in the ball mill, thus preventing contamination and physical loss during transfer while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the sample from its original container directly into the extraction container without intermediate handling steps. By removing the intermediate transfer operation, the system eliminates the sources of contamination and sample loss associated with manual handling between different container types.
2Productivity
If multiple handling passages are used to transfer sample from conditioning cabinet to ball mill, then sample can be processed, but sample loss due to disaggregation and contamination occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-positioning the extraction container in the ball mill before sample introduction. The container is already in place and sealed, so the sample can be directly transferred into the prepared extraction container without multiple handling passages, thus preventing sample loss while maintaining efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a sealed extraction container as an intermediary that directly receives the sample from the conditioning cabinet and then enters the ball mill as a complete unit. This intermediary container eliminates the need for open handling and multiple transfer steps, preventing sample loss while maintaining processing speed.
3Ease of operation
If sample is exposed to environment during transfer, then sample can be moved between locations, but oxidation and volatilization occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a sealed extraction container with a flexible seal mechanism that maintains closure during transfer operations. The seal prevents environmental exposure while allowing the container to be moved between the conditioning cabinet and ball mill, thus preventing oxidation and volatilization while maintaining transferability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an inert environment by sealing the extraction container before exposure to the external environment. The sealed container maintains a protected atmosphere around the sample during transfer, preventing contact with oxygen and other environmental factors that cause oxidation and volatilization.
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 automated system enables fast, safe, and efficient preparation of sample materials, reducing sample losses and contamination, while ensuring accurate representation for subsequent analysis, such as HPLC or UPLC, by grinding the sample material to a predefined fineness.
Implementation Method 1
grinding the sample material by way of a ball mill apparatus... grinding the sample material to a predefined fineness
Implementation Method 2
grinding elements provided in the extraction container... impacts, the pressure, the shearing and the friction applied by the grinding elements
Data Source
AI summary
A method of automated preparation of a sample material for a chemical or compositional analysis is disclosed that includes arranging the sample material in a receptacle, storing the sample inside the receptacle in a conditioning cabinet, and grinding the sample material by way of a ball mill apparatus. The ball mill apparatus may include an extraction container, at least one grinding element provided in the extraction container and an agitator adapted to move the at least one grinding element relative to the extraction container when the sample material is placed in the extraction container. The method may further include placing the sample material together with the receptacle in the extraction container, and grinding the receptacle together with the sample material by agitating the extraction container.