Two-Stage Vortex Filter for In-Situ Open Water Particle Analysis
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for analyzing particulates from open water samples are error-prone, inefficient, and costly due to manual collection and transportation to laboratories, limiting the accuracy and scope of analysis, especially for determining object concentrations and microplastic pollution.
Innovation Solution
An integrated system for automatic collection, filtration, and analysis of particles in open water environments, featuring a two-stage vortex filter and machine learning algorithms for precise isolation and identification of particles by size and density, enabling in-situ analysis and reducing human involvement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual sampling and laboratory analysis methods are used, then analysis can be performed with basic equipment, but the process is error-prone, inefficient, and costly due to manual collection and transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines collection, filtration, sorting, and analysis functions into a single integrated floating system. The collection module gathers particles, the vortex filter separates them by density, the imaging device captures images, and the processing device analyzes them automatically, all while floating on water. This integration eliminates manual handling and transportation, improving both efficiency and accuracy simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs automated operations without continuous human intervention. The processing device automatically sorts particles based on image analysis, controlling valves to direct particles to appropriate containers. The system serves itself by making autonomous decisions about particle classification and routing, reducing human error and increasing reliability.
2Measurement precision
If extensive pre-processing and filtration is performed in the laboratory, then particle isolation precision can be improved, but the complexity and cost of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the filtration function from the complex laboratory setting and implements it directly on the water body using a specialized vortex filter. This filter separates particles by density in-situ, providing precise isolation without requiring the entire laboratory infrastructure. The extraction of this key function simplifies the overall system while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical filtration and sorting operations with an automated system using image capture and processing. The imaging device captures particle images, the processing device analyzes them to determine density and other properties, and automatically controls sorting valves. This substitution of manual mechanical operations with automated sensing and control reduces system complexity while improving precision.
3Measurement precision
If manual sorting and analysis of thousands of objects is performed, then detailed examination can be conducted, but determining accurate coordinates for object concentrations becomes challenging and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual sorting and coordinate determination with an automated imaging and processing system. The imaging device captures images of particles with their spatial positions, and the processing device automatically analyzes these images to determine object concentrations and coordinates. This automated optical-mechanical system processes thousands of objects rapidly while maintaining accurate spatial information.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates digital copies of particles through imaging rather than requiring physical manipulation. The imaging device captures optical copies of each particle with its position information, and the processing device analyzes these digital copies to determine concentrations and coordinates. This copying approach enables rapid analysis of thousands of objects without physical handling time.
4Adaptability or versatility
If repeated transportation of samples between open water environment and laboratory is performed, then comprehensive analysis can be conducted, but the cost and time consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the analysis capabilities into a floating system that operates directly on the water body. The collection module, vortex filter, imaging device, and processing device are integrated into a single floating platform that can perform comprehensive particle analysis in-situ, eliminating the need for repeated transportation between water and laboratory environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs collection, filtration, sorting, and analysis in a predetermined sequence without interruption. Particles are collected, immediately filtered by the vortex filter, sorted by the automated system, and analyzed by the imaging device all while floating on water. This preliminary sequencing of operations eliminates transportation time between stages.
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 system significantly enhances precision and efficiency in particle isolation and analysis, reducing the need for manual handling and transportation, and allows for real-time, automated concentration, filtration, sorting, and analysis of target objects, improving the accuracy and scope of analysis in open water systems.
Implementation Method 1
a filtration module comprising a vortex filter configured to filter the particles by density
Implementation Method 2
a two-stage vortex filter configured to perform first and second sorting of particulate matter suspended in a fluid input to isolate one or more objects of a desired density range
Implementation Method 3
The unfiltered objects may then be pumped through a substantially translucent tube for analysis
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an integrated collection, filtration, and analysis system which is configured to automatically collect fluid samples from a surrounding open water environment, isolate floating particles of a target size range, and perform analysis on the collected particles in-situ. The particles may also be filtered by one or more parameters other than size, and also provided herein is a two-stage vortex filter specially adapted to isolate floating particles of a desired density range from a fluid.