KR102445705B1 - Liquid sample carrier for microplastic analysis - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a liquid sample carrier for microplastic analysis. The liquid sample carrier for microplastic analysis is a carrier having an accommodating space to store and carry a microplastic sample, and may comprise: a sample storage unit configured as a syringe shape including a cylinder of a cylindrical shape which has a space disposed therein to accommodate a liquid sample including a microplastic sample and distilled water and a piston inserted into the cylinder and having a gasket installed at the portion coming in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder to compress a microplastic sample accommodated in the cylinder and discharge the same to the outside; and a filter unit coupled to the lower end of the cylinder, and having a sample filter slidably inserted into one side surface to filter a microplastic sample discharged from the cylinder. Therefore, analysis time may be shortened.

Description

LIQUID SAMPLE CARRIER FOR MICROPLASTIC ANALYSIS

The present invention relates to a liquid sample transport device for analysis of microplastics, and more specifically, it is possible to safely transport a microplastic sample to the analysis device in a state where it is not lost, and separate preparation work at the place where the analysis device is located Even without this, the microplastic sample filter built into the sample transport device can be easily pulled out and used immediately in the analysis device as a filter for analysis. It relates to a liquid sample transport device for microplastic analysis that can shorten the analysis time.

In general, microplastics refer to small pieces of plastic less than 5 mm in size. Microplastics are either made from microplastics from scratch or are created as plastic products break down. Microplastics are included in toothpaste, cleaning agents, or scrubs that are easily encountered in our daily life. For example, it is known that a 150ml product contains approximately 2.8 million microplastics.

Microplastics are too small to be filtered by sewage treatment facilities and enter the sea and rivers as they are. For example, according to the <Marine Plastic Garbage> paper published in Science in 2015, the amount of plastic waste that entered the sea in 2010 was approximately 4.8 to 12.7 million tons. Because this plastic is a petroleum compound containing polystyrene (PS), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) or nylon, it encounters other contaminants and creates new environmental problems, and the discarded plastics over time It can also turn into microplastics. According to the article “International Inventory of Small Plastic Litter in the Ocean” published in the UK in 2015, it is estimated that there are at least 15 to 51 trillion microplastics in the ocean.

Microplastics are problematic in that they not only destroy the environment but also threaten human health. This is because humans will eventually ingest microplastics in rivers and seas that have been mistaken for food. Microplastics can cause intestinal obstruction and adversely affect energy allocation, growth, etc.

Therefore, it is important to detect whether microplastic particles are contained in the fluid, and above all, it is important to obtain a sample of only microplastics so as not to cause an error in the detection result during detection.

Meanwhile, in the related art, the microplastic sample recovered through the microplastic recovery device is pre-processed for detection through the sample processing device, and the processed microplastic sample is filtered using a filter and put in a glass container together with the filter. It is sent to a place where a microplastic analysis device is located, and final analysis is performed.

1 is a photograph of a filter change state during transport of a conventional microplastic sample filter.

Referring to FIG. 1 , in the prior art, since the microplastic sample is transported in a Petri dish (glass container) in a state of being adsorbed to the filter, the microplastic sample is separated from the sample filter during transport rather than the microplastic sample filter in the original state. If you look at the shape after the final transport is completed, you can see that the microplastic sample is dropped from the sample filter and scattered and dispersed throughout the Petri dish.

As such, there is a problem in that it is difficult to use as a sample for analysis as the loss of the microplastic sample occurs after the transport is completed.

In addition, when the microplastic sample adsorbed on the filter placed in the Petri dish is finally used in the analysis device, the entire amount of the microplastic sample is not completely transferred in the process of transferring the microplastic adsorbed on the filter to the filter for analysis. There is a problem that it is difficult to use as a sample for analysis because it is lost without being able to do so.

Republic of Korea Patent 10-2248625 Republic of Korea Patent Publication 10-2020-0129859

An object of the present invention is to solve this problem, and it is possible to safely transport the microplastic sample to the analysis device in a state where it is not lost, and it is possible to carry Microplastic sample filter can be easily pulled out and used immediately in the analysis device as a filter for analysis. An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid sample transport device for analysis of plastics.

A liquid sample transport device for microplastic analysis according to an embodiment of the technical idea of the present invention for achieving the above object is a transport device provided with an accommodation space for storing and transporting a microplastic sample, the microplastic sample and A cylindrical cylinder having a space provided therein to receive a liquid sample containing distilled water, and a gasket inserted into the cylinder and in close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder to compress and discharge the microplastic sample accommodated in the cylinder to the outside a sample storage unit including the installed rod-shaped piston and formed in the form of a syringe; and a filter unit coupled to the lower end of the cylinder and into which a sample filter for filtering the microplastic sample discharged from the cylinder is slidably inserted into one side thereof.

In addition, the sample storage unit and the filter unit may be coupled by screwing.

In addition, the filter unit, the upper side is coupled to the lower end of the cylinder, the lower side is formed with an open discharge port, one side of the coupling body is formed with an insertion hole in the horizontal direction so as to penetrate from the outer peripheral surface to the inner center; and a filter tray having a sample filter seated on one side and slidingly inserted into the insertion hole.

Also, the sample filter may have any one of 10 mm, 25 mm, and 47 mm in diameter.

In addition, a tray stopper inserted into the insertion hole may be installed on one side of the filter tray to maintain watertightness while the filter tray is inserted into the insertion hole and to easily take out the sample filter.

In addition, the tray stopper may include: an extended fastening part having a groove formed in the center part, fastening protrusions protruding from the inner upper and lower parts of the groove, fastening to one side of the filter tray, and extending in a horizontal direction to be inserted into the insertion hole; and a stopper vertically connected to one end of the extended fastening part and formed to be larger than a hole diameter of the insertion hole.

In addition, the extended fastening portion may include an inclined end having an inclined surface such that one end thereof is inclined.

In addition, a sealing member may be installed in the stopper at an inner portion in contact with one side of the insertion hole.

In addition, the coupling body may be provided with a discharge port stopper to block the discharge port in order to prevent the liquid sample from flowing out.

In addition, the cylinder may be provided with an internal space having a volume capable of accommodating a liquid sample of 50 mL.

In addition, the cylinder, the piston, and the filter tray may be made of a stainless material.

In addition, the sample filter may be made of any one of stainless steel, alumina, and silicon.

In addition, the sample filter may be manufactured by any one of a weaving method, a perforating method, and a sintering method.

The liquid sample transport device for microplastic analysis according to the present invention can safely transport the microplastic sample to the analysis device in a state where it is not lost, and after the transport is completed, the microplastic sample is simply adsorbed to the sample filter immediately before the analysis operation By doing this, the microplastic sample filter built into the sample transport device can be easily pulled out without additional preparation work at the place where the analysis device is located and can be used immediately in the analysis device as a filter for analysis, so that the microplastic sample is not contaminated from external factors. This has the effect of increasing the analysis accuracy and shortening the analysis time by simplifying the work process.

1 is a photograph of a filter change state when transporting a conventional microplastic sample filter.
2 is a perspective view of a liquid sample transport device for microplastic analysis according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 3 is a cut-away exploded perspective view of Figure 2;
Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 2;
5 is an exploded perspective view of a liquid sample transport device for microplastic analysis according to another embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 5;
7 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid sample transport device for microplastic analysis according to another embodiment of the present invention.

In order to fully understand the present invention, the operational advantages of the present invention, and the objects achieved by the practice of the present invention, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention and the contents described in the drawings.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail by describing preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like reference numerals in each figure indicate like elements.

The liquid sample transport device for microplastic analysis according to an embodiment of the technical idea of the present invention can safely transport the microplastic sample to the analysis device in a state where it is not lost, and separate preparation work is performed at the location where the analysis device is located. The microplastic sample filter built into the sample transport device can be easily pulled out without the need for analysis and can be used immediately in the analysis device as a filter for analysis. It relates to a liquid sample transport device for microplastic analysis that can reduce time.

That is, a dried microplastic sample is obtained through a pre-treatment process of extracting microplastic from a raw material for microplastic analysis, and the obtained microplastic sample analyzer receives it for storage and transport for use as a sample for analysis. It relates to a transport device provided with a space.

2 is a perspective view of a liquid sample transport device for microplastic analysis according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a cutaway exploded perspective view of FIG. 2 , and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 .

2 to 4 , the liquid sample transport device 1 for microplastic analysis according to an embodiment of the present invention may largely include a sample storage unit 10 and a filter unit 20 .

First, the sample storage unit 10 may include a cylindrical cylinder 11 having a space therein to accommodate a microplastic sample and a liquid sample including distilled water.

The cylinder 11 has a cylindrical structure in which the upper and lower portions are opened, and a screw thread portion 12 having a screw thread formed on an outer circumferential surface thereof may be formed at the lower portion thereof.

In addition, the sample storage unit 10 is inserted into the cylinder 11 to compress the liquid microplastic sample accommodated in the cylinder 11 and discharge it to the outside. It may include a rod-shaped piston 13 having a gasket 14 installed therein.

That is, the sample storage unit 10 may be formed in the form of a syringe.

Next, the filter unit 20 is coupled to the screw thread portion 12 of the lower end of the cylinder 11, and a sample filter 30 for filtering the microplastic sample discharged from the cylinder 11 is provided on one side. Sliding insert part.

In this case, the sample storage unit 10 and the filter unit 20 may be coupled to the screw thread portion 12 by screwing the screw groove portion 22 on the upper portion of the filter unit 20 .

Accordingly, the screw groove portion 22 and the discharge port 23 may have a hole formed on the same vertical line, so that the microplastic sample accommodated in the cylinder 11 is moved through the discharge port 23 by the operation of the piston 13 . can be discharged outside.

On the other hand, the filter unit 20 has an open upper side and is coupled to the threaded portion 12 at the lower end of the cylinder 11 , and an open outlet 23 is formed at the lower side, from the outer peripheral surface to the inner center on one side. It may include a coupling body 21 in which an insertion hole 24 is formed in a horizontal direction so as to be penetrated, and a filter tray 26 having a sample filter 30 seated on one side and slidingly inserted into the insertion hole 24 . At this time, an O-ring (not shown) is seated on the sample filter 30 , and the screw thread part 12 is secured while compressing the O-ring to increase the sealing effect.

That is, the filter tray 26 is installed to be inserted into the insertion hole 24 of the coupling body 21, and a filter seating groove 27 for seating the sample filter 30 is formed on one side, and the A through hole 28 is formed in the center of the filter seating groove 27 so that the microplastic sample can be discharged to the outside through the outlet 23 through the through hole 28 .

In addition, the filter tray 26 is inserted so that one side protrudes while being inserted into the insertion hole 24 so that a user can easily hold the filter tray 26 and take it out.

On the other hand, the sample filter 30 is a part for filtering the liquid microplastic sample accommodated in the cylinder 11, and the liquid (distilled water) for use in the analysis device is finally removed from the liquid microplastic sample. It is a part for collecting microplastic samples by filtration.

The sample filter 30 may have any one of 10 mm, 25 mm, and 47 mm in diameter. This is for use as a sample filter for immediate analysis in an analysis device for analyzing a microplastic sample, and an analysis device for analyzing a sample usually uses a filter with a size of 10 mm, 25 mm or 47 mm as an analysis filter. Correspondingly, the size of the sample filter 30 is set.

That is, by using the sample filter 30 set to a size having a diameter of 10 mm, 25 mm or 47 mm, the process of transferring the microplastic sample from the filter to the filter for analysis can be omitted, thereby simplifying the operation, and By minimizing exposure to the environment, contamination of microplastic samples can be prevented, which in turn can improve analysis accuracy.

In general, as equipment for analyzing microplastics, optical spectroscopy type analysis equipment or thermal decomposition-based analysis equipment may be used.

For example, if the liquid sample transport device of the present invention is used, the diameter of the sample cup used for thermal decomposition analysis using TGA is 11 mm and can be immediately applied when using a 10 mm filter, and the sample used for spectroscopic analysis using Raman The tray also has the advantage of being able to use a filter with a size of 10 mm x 10 mm for analysis without post-processing after sample collection.

Meanwhile, the cylinder 11 may be provided with an internal space having a volume capable of accommodating 50 mL of a liquid microplastic sample.

Meanwhile, the cylinder 11 , the piston 13 , and the filter tray 26 may be made of a stainless material. This is made of stainless steel to exclude components that may react as they come into contact with the microplastic sample in order not to affect the analysis of the microplastic sample.

In addition, the sample filter 30 may be made of any one of stainless steel, alumina, and silicon.

In this case, the sample filter 30 may be manufactured by a weaving method, a perforation method, or a sintering method.

That is, the sample filter 30 is applicable to filters of various materials and structures as well as the weaving method, which is a conventional filter structure. For example, it can be produced by a perforation method in which fine holes are perforated in a synthetic resin material, or by a sintering method in which a powder formed by pressing into an appropriate shape is heated to tightly adhere to each other and solidify. This can be applied to a perforated method or a sintering method that can reduce the level difference by forming a more uniform level compared to the weaving method with a large level difference of the filter.

On the other hand, in the coupling body 21, a discharge port stopper 25 may be installed to block the discharge port 23 in order to prevent the liquid sample from leaking during storage and transportation.

5 is an exploded perspective view of a liquid sample transport device for microplastic analysis according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 5 .

5 to 6 , on one side of the filter tray 26 , the filter tray 26 is inserted into the insertion hole 24 to maintain watertightness, and the sample filter 30 is installed. A tray stopper 40 to be inserted into the insertion hole 24 may be installed to facilitate extraction.

The tray stopper 40 has a groove formed in the center portion, a fastening protrusion 42 protrudes from the inner upper and lower portions of the groove, and is fastened to one side of the filter tray 26 so as to be inserted into the insertion hole 24 in the horizontal direction. It may include an extended fastening part 41 and a stopper part 44 vertically connected to one end of the extended fastening part 41 and formed to be larger than a hole diameter of the insertion hole 24 .

At this time, a fastening groove 29 may be formed in an upper and lower portion of one side of the filter tray 26 to correspond to the fastening protrusion 42 .

In the tray stopper 40, the filter tray 26 is inserted into the insertion hole 24 while the fastening protrusion 42 is fastened to the fastening groove 29 to firmly fix the filter tray 26. Of course, it is possible to maintain the watertightness of the insertion hole 24 while the filter tray 26 is inserted into the insertion hole.

That is, in a state in which the fastening protrusions 42 protruding from the inner upper and lower portions of the extended fastening part 41 are engaged with the fastening grooves 29 formed in the upper and lower portions of one side of the filter tray 26, the extended fastening part 41 ) is inserted into the insertion hole 24 so that the tray stopper 40 can firmly fix the filter tray 26 .

7 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid sample transport device for microplastic analysis according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7 , the extended fastening part 41 may include an inclined end portion 43 having an inclined surface such that one end thereof is inclined.

The inclined end portion 43 is a portion in which one end of the extended fastening portion 41 is inclined such that the inclination angle gradually increases from the outside to the inside, and the fastening protrusion 42 is fastened to the fastening groove 29 . It is a part for allowing the extended fastening part 41 to be smoothly inserted into the insertion hole 24 in the .

Meanwhile, a sealing member 45 may be installed at an inner portion of the stopper 44 in contact with one side of the insertion hole 24 .

The sealing member 45 is a member for sealing made of a soft material having elasticity, and is a portion for obtaining a sealing effect by improving the adhesion between the insertion hole 24 and the contact portion of the tray stopper 40 .

In addition, an O-ring (not shown) is seated on the sample filter 30 on the filter seating groove 27 , and the screw thread part 12 is coupled while compressing the O-ring to increase the sealing effect.

Hereinafter, a process of preparing a microplastic sample using the liquid sample transport device 1 for microplastic analysis described above and a process of preparing the sample filter 30 for analysis in the analysis device will be described in detail.

First, a dried microplastic sample is obtained through a pretreatment process of extracting microplastic from a raw material for microplastic analysis, and then injected into the cylinder 11 with 50mL of distilled water. 13) is inserted and installed. This is to filter out all solutions without any remaining solution.

Next, after transporting the microplastic sample to the analysis device (not shown) in the injected state, remove the outlet stopper 25 and press the piston 13 to pass the liquid microplastic sample through the sample filter 30 Filter.

Next, the filter tray 26 is separated from the insertion hole 24, and the sample filter 30 in which the microplastic sample is filtered is separated from the filter tray 26. (Preparation of filter 1 for analysis)

Next, a new sample filter 30 is installed in the filter tray 26 and the filter tray 26 is inserted into the insertion hole 24 .

Then, in order to discharge the microplastic sample remaining in the cylinder 11, a total of 10 mL of ethanol is injected into the cylinder 11 along the inner wall of the cylinder 11 2-3 times, and then the piston 13 is pressed to pressurize the liquid phase. of the microplastic sample is passed through the sample filter 30 and filtered. (Filter 2 for analysis is prepared)

Finally, the sum of the filters 1 and 2 for analysis is used as a sample for analysis in the analysis device.

The liquid sample transport device 1 for microplastic analysis according to various embodiments of the present invention can safely transport the microplastic sample to the analysis device without loss, and after transport is completed By simply adsorbing the microplastic sample to the sample filter 30 right before the analysis operation, the microplastic sample filter 30 built into the sample transport device 1 is easily withdrawn without additional preparation work at the place where the analysis device is located. As a filter for analysis, it can be used immediately in the analysis device, so that the microplastic sample cannot be contaminated from external factors, thereby increasing the analysis accuracy and reducing the analysis time by simplifying the work process.

As described above, the best embodiment has been disclosed in the drawings and the specification. Although specific terms are used herein, they are used only for the purpose of describing the present invention and are not used to limit the meaning or limit the scope of the present invention described in the claims. Therefore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible therefrom. Accordingly, the true technical protection scope of the present invention should be defined by the technical spirit of the appended claims.

1: transport device 10: sample storage unit
11: Cylinder 12: Thread
13: piston 14: gasket
20: filter unit 21: combined body
22: screw groove 23: outlet
24: insertion hole 25: outlet stopper
26: filter tray 27: filter seating groove
28: through hole 29: fastening groove
30: sample filter 40: tray stopper
41: extended fastening part 42: fastening protrusion
43: inclined end 44: stopper
45: sealing member

Claims (13)

In the transport device provided with an accommodation space for storing and transporting microplastic samples,
A cylindrical cylinder with a space provided therein to receive a microplastic sample and a liquid sample containing distilled water, and the microplastic sample inserted into the cylinder to compress and discharge the microplastic sample accommodated in the cylinder to the outside. a sample storage unit including a rod-shaped piston in which a gasket is installed and formed in the form of a syringe; and
A filter unit coupled to the lower end of the cylinder and into which a sample filter for filtering the microplastic sample discharged from the cylinder is slidably inserted into one side; including,
The filter unit,
a coupling body having an upper side open and coupled to the lower end of the cylinder, a lower side having an open discharge port, and having an insertion hole formed on one side thereof in a horizontal direction so as to penetrate from an outer circumferential surface to an inner center; and
A filter tray having a sample filter seated on one side and slidingly inserted into the insertion hole;
On one side of the filter tray,
A tray stopper inserted into the insertion hole is installed to maintain watertightness while the filter tray is inserted into the insertion hole, and to easily take out the sample filter,
The tray stopper,
an extended fastening part having a groove formed in the center part, fastening protrusions protruding from the inner upper and lower parts of the groove, and extending in the horizontal direction to be fastened to one side of the filter tray and inserted into the insertion hole; and
Including; and a stopper vertically connected to one end of the extended fastening part and formed to be larger than the hole diameter of the insertion hole.
A liquid sample transport device for microplastic analysis, characterized in that a fastening groove is formed in an upper and lower part of one side of the filter tray to correspond to the fastening protrusion. The method of claim 1,
The liquid sample transport device for microplastic analysis, characterized in that the sample storage unit and the filter unit are screwed together. delete The method of claim 1,
The sample filter is
A liquid sample transport device for microplastic analysis, characterized in that it has any one of 10 mm, 25 mm, and 47 mm in diameter. delete delete The method of claim 1,
The extension fastening part,
A liquid sample transport device for microplastic analysis, characterized in that it comprises an inclined end having an inclined surface such that one end thereof is inclined. The method of claim 1,
In the stopper,
A liquid sample transport device for microplastic analysis, characterized in that a sealing member is installed at an inner portion in contact with one side of the insertion hole. The method of claim 1,
In the coupling body,
A liquid sample delivery device for microplastic analysis, characterized in that a discharge port stopper is installed to block the discharge port in order to prevent the liquid sample from leaking out. The method of claim 1,
The cylinder is
A liquid sample transport device for microplastic analysis, characterized in that an internal space having a volume capable of accommodating 50 mL of a liquid sample is provided. The method of claim 1,
The cylinder, the piston, and the filter tray,
A liquid sample transport device for microplastic analysis, characterized in that it is made of stainless steel. The method of claim 1,
The sample filter is
A liquid sample transport device for microplastic analysis, characterized in that it is made of any one of stainless steel, alumina, and silicon. 13. The method of claim 12,
The sample filter is
A liquid sample transport device for microplastic analysis, characterized in that it is manufactured by any one of a weaving method, a perforation method, or a sintering method.

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