KR102543594B1 - A chemical reactor for analysis of liquid samples and automatic measurement apparatus having thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A chemical reactor for converting a substance of interest in a liquid sample into a form that can be analyzed according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a reaction vessel accommodating a sample and a reagent, an induction coil forming a magnetic field in the vessel, and the induction coil. A heating unit heated by an induced current may be included.

Description

Chemical reactor for liquid sample analysis, and automatic measuring device including the same

The present invention relates to a chemical reactor for converting a substance of interest in a liquid sample into an analyzable form and an automatic measuring device including the same.

Analysis of a liquid sample goes through processes such as sample and reagent injection, chemical reaction, signal detection, waste discharge, and washing. In order to obtain high accuracy and precision of analysis, a device capable of automatically performing the above series of processes is required.

Based on the technical background as described above, the present invention is capable of high accuracy and precision analysis in a short time using a small amount of samples and reagents, and can minimize analysis errors and waste liquid generation due to contamination of the flow path. A chemical reactor for liquid sample analysis and an automatic measuring device including the same are provided.

A chemical reactor for converting a substance of interest in a liquid sample into a form that can be analyzed according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a reaction vessel accommodating a sample and a reagent, an induction coil forming a magnetic field in the vessel, and the induction coil. A heating unit heated by an induced current may be included.

The induction coil according to an embodiment of the present invention may be wound around the container in a spiral direction.

The heating unit according to an embodiment of the present invention may be formed of a metal rod inserted into the reaction vessel.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a first pressure valve coupled to a lower end of the reaction vessel and a second pressure valve coupled to an upper end of the reaction vessel may be further included.

The reaction vessel according to an embodiment of the present invention may be made of metal heated by the induction coil.

A chemical reactor for converting a substance of interest in a liquid sample into a form that can be analyzed according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a reaction container accommodating a sample and a reagent, and an induction coil for generating a magnetic field in the container, and the reaction The vessel may be made of metal heated by the induction coil.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a first pressure valve coupled to a lower end of the reaction vessel and a second pressure valve coupled to an upper end of the reaction vessel may be further included.

An automatic measuring device according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a manifold including a plurality of inlets for the inflow of reagents and washing liquid and a valve installed in the inlets to control the movement of the reagent and washing liquid, and connected to the manifold. A chemical reactor for reacting reagents and samples and detecting a substance of interest, a first flow path connecting the manifold and the chemical reactor, a two-way pump installed in the first flow path to transfer fluid, and a first flow path It includes a sample flow path connected to and supplying a sample, wherein the chemical reactor includes a reaction container accommodating the sample and reagents, an induction coil forming a magnetic field in the container, and heating heated by a current induced by the induction coil. wealth may be included.

The induction coil according to another embodiment of the present invention may be wound around the container in a spiral direction.

The heating unit according to another embodiment of the present invention may be formed of a metal rod inserted into the reaction vessel.

The chemical reactor according to another embodiment of the present invention may further include a first pressure valve coupled to a lower end of the reaction vessel and a second pressure valve coupled to an upper end of the reaction vessel.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the sample flow path is connected to the first flow path between the manifold and the bidirectional pump, and an internal passage formed in a continuous manner is formed inside the manifold, and the longitudinal direction of the internal passage is formed. The first flow path is connected to one end, and in the manifold, an inlet through which the washing liquid is introduced may be located more rearward than an inlet through which the reagent is introduced.

An automatic measuring device according to another embodiment of the present invention further includes a second flow path connected to the chemical reactor and discharging liquid from the chemical reactor, wherein the second flow path discharges the washing liquid that washed the first flow path. A first discharge flow path may be connected.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a third flow path for discharging the detected sample and reagent is connected to the first flow path, and the third flow path is connected to a part where the sample flow path and the first flow path are connected and the bidirectional pump. It may be coupled to the first flow path between them.

As described above, since the chemical reactor according to one aspect of the present invention includes an induction coil and a heating unit, the heating unit installed in the vessel directly heats the sample to more quickly heat the sample, and the outer surface of the reaction vessel is exposed. The reaction vessel can be cooled more easily. This can shorten the reaction time and thus minimize the analysis time.

In addition, an efficient heating reaction capable of obtaining a high conversion rate in a short time is possible, and it is possible to prevent the reaction solution from leaking out of the chemical reactor during the heating reaction, enabling analysis with high accuracy and precision.

In addition, safety accidents due to the Dolby phenomenon can be prevented due to small bubbles generated on the surface of the heating unit during the heating reaction.

In addition, by introducing the reagent and the sample into different passages, it is possible to prevent contamination of a part in which the reagent is moved by components in the sample.

In addition, the opening time of the valve mounted on the manifold can be adjusted as short as 0.001 second, and the solution remaining in the first flow path is pushed out with the air continuously flowing into the reagent and sample, thereby providing accurate and accurate control of a small amount of solution. Precise transfer and control are possible. This enables analysis with high accuracy and precision.

In addition, by introducing the air into the reaction vessel, reagents and samples can be mixed without additional equipment.

In addition, the continuous forward flow of the bidirectional pump allows reagents and samples to flow into and mix in the reaction vessel, as well as cleaning of the first flow path, reducing analysis time and quickly removing contaminants from the flow path. can do.

In addition, as it is possible to remove the remaining solution in the first flow path due to the inflow of air and to remove contaminants in the first flow path due to quick washing after the introduction of reagents and samples, the excess sample that did not participate in the analysis is discharged to the second discharge flow path to discharge the waste liquid. generation can be minimized.

1 is a configuration diagram showing an automatic measuring device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a perspective view showing a chemical reactor according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a configuration diagram showing a chemical reactor according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a configuration diagram showing a chemical reactor according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a configuration diagram showing an automatic measuring device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Since the present invention can apply various transformations and have various embodiments, specific embodiments will be exemplified and described in detail in the detailed description. However, it should be understood that this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, and includes all transformations, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Terms used in the present invention are only used to describe specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In the present invention, terms such as 'include' or 'having' are intended to designate that there is a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, but one or more other features It should be understood that the presence or addition of numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof is not precluded.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. At this time, it should be noted that in the accompanying drawings, the same components are indicated by the same reference numerals as much as possible. In addition, detailed descriptions of well-known functions and configurations that may obscure the gist of the present invention will be omitted. For the same reason, in the accompanying drawings, some components are exaggerated, omitted, or schematically illustrated.

Hereinafter, a chemical reactor for analyzing a liquid sample according to an embodiment of the present invention and an automatic measuring device including the same will be described. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an automatic measuring device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the automatic measuring device 101 according to the present embodiment includes a manifold 110, a two-way pump 120, a chemical reactor 130, a detection module 160, and a first flow path 141. , a sample passage 145, a second passage 142, a third passage 143, a first discharge passage 146, and a second discharge passage 147.

The manifold 110 controls the flow of fluids such as reagents, washing liquid, and air. A plurality of inlets 113 for introducing reagents are installed in the manifold 110, and solenoid valves 114 for controlling the movement of reagents may be installed in each inlet 113. An internal passage 112 extending in a straight line is formed in the manifold 110 , and a plurality of inlets 113 are connected to the internal passage 112 .

The manifold 110 may be formed with air inlets through which air is introduced, cleaning agent inlets into which washing liquid is introduced, and reagent inlets into which various reagents are introduced. A solenoid valve 114 is installed at each of the inlets, and the inflow amount of the reagent can be controlled by the opening time of the solenoid valve 114 . The opening time of the solenoid valve 114 can be adjusted as short as 0.001 second, and accordingly, the flow rate of the reagent can be controlled remarkably precisely compared to the prior art.

Air may be introduced through the air inlet by the bidirectional pump, and negative pressure may be formed by the bidirectional pump, through which air may be sucked into the manifold 110 . The introduced air may push reagents and samples into the chemical reactor 130 . Accordingly, the supply amount of reagents and samples can be controlled by air.

When the portion connected to the first flow path 141 is referred to as the front, the air inlet 113 may be located at the rearmost part of the manifold 110 . Accordingly, after the reagents and samples are supplied, all reagents and samples remaining in the first flow path 141 may be pushed out using air.

The first flow path 141 is made of a pipe connecting the manifold 110 and the chemical reactor 130, and transfers reagents and samples to the chemical reactor. The first flow path 141 is coupled to the lower end of the chemical reactor 130 to allow samples and reagents to flow into and out of the chemical reactor 130 .

The two-way pump 120 is connected to the first flow path 141 and moves the liquid in two directions. The bidirectional pump 120 may be formed of a peristaltic pump, and thus the inside of the bidirectional pump 120 may be prevented from being contaminated by samples and reagents, and the input amount of the samples and reagents may be precisely controlled.

The sample flow path 145 is connected to the first flow path 141 and installed between the two-way pump 120 and the manifold 110 to the first flow path 141 . The sample flow path 145 is connected to the first flow path 141 via the three-way valve 151 and transfers the sample in liquid state to the first flow path 141 . The sample passage 145 may be connected to the water tank 200 in which the sample is stored to supply the sample.

If the sample passage 145 is installed between the manifold 110 and the two-way pump 120 as in the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the manifold 110 from being contaminated by the sample analyzed in priority.

The chemical reactor 130 is connected to the first flow path 141 to receive reagents and samples through the first flow path 141 , and the reagents and samples may be mixed in the chemical reactor 130 . Air introduced into the chemical reactor 130 through the two-way pump 120 may mix reagents and samples.

2 is a perspective view showing a chemical reactor according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 and 2, the chemical reactor 130 includes a reaction vessel 131, an induction coil 132, a heating unit 134, a temperature sensor 135, a cooling fan 136, and a first pressure A valve 138 and a second pressure valve 139 may be included. The chemical reactor 130 may heat the sample and the reagent to convert the substance of interest into a form that can be analyzed.

The reaction container 131 has a tubular shape for accommodating samples and reagents, and may be made of heat-resistant glass having light transmission properties. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the reaction vessel 131 may be made of metal. When the reaction vessel 131 is made of metal, the reaction vessel 131 may be heated together with the heating unit 134 by an induction coil.

A gas outlet 133b through which gas is discharged may be formed at an upper portion of the reaction vessel 131 , and a solution inlet through which a solution is introduced and discharged may be formed at a lower portion of the reaction vessel 131 . An upper stopper 133 is coupled to the reaction vessel 131, and a gas discharge portion 133b may be formed to pass through the upper stopper 133.

The first pressure valve 138 may be coupled to the lower end of the reaction vessel 131, and the second pressure valve 139 may be coupled to the upper end of the reaction vessel 131. The first pressure valve 138 and the second pressure valve 139 may be ball valves capable of supporting high pressure.

The first pressure valve 138 is disposed at the lower end of the reaction vessel 131 as close as possible to the reaction vessel, and accordingly, when the pressure inside the reaction vessel 131 increases, it is possible to prevent the reaction solution from flowing out. .

The induction coil 132 is wound around the reaction vessel 131 in a spiral direction, and forms a magnetic field inside the reaction vessel 131 . The induction coil 132 is wound around the vessel at intervals in the height direction of the reaction vessel 131, and thus the outer circumferential surface of the reaction vessel 131 is exposed between the induction coils. A high frequency oscillator generating a high frequency current may be connected to the induction coil.

The heating unit 134 is inserted into the reaction container 131 and formed in a rod shape extending in the height direction of the reaction container 131 . A support 133a protruding downward to support the heating unit 134 may be formed in the upper stopper 133 . The heating unit 134 is made of a metal rod and may be fixed to the upper portion of the reaction container 131 . The heating unit 134 may be made of a nickel alloy having corrosion resistance.

The heating unit 134 is heated by the induction coil 132, and the magnetic field generated by the induction coil 132 forms an eddy current in the heating unit 134 so that the heating unit 134 can be heated.

Bubbles may be formed on the surface of the heating unit 134 by induction heating, and a Dolby phenomenon in which a reaction solution rapidly boils may be prevented by the generation of bubbles.

The temperature sensor 135 may be formed of a non-contact temperature sensor that is spaced apart from the reaction vessel 131 and measures the temperature of the reaction vessel 131, or may be formed of an infrared temperature sensor. The cooling fan 136 is installed on a support and is spaced apart from the reaction vessel 131 to supply air toward the reaction vessel 131 . Accordingly, the reaction vessel 131 exposed to the outside can be rapidly cooled by directly contacting the air.

The second channel 142 is connected to the chemical reactor 130 to discharge liquid from the chemical reactor 130 . The second flow path 142 may be directly connected to the chemical reactor 130 or may be connected to the chemical reactor 130 via the first flow path 141 . In this embodiment, the second flow path 142 may be connected to the first flow path 141 through the three-way valve 152, and the surplus field sample and washing liquid are discharged through the second flow path 142 by the two-way pump 120. can move along

The first discharge passage 146 and the second discharge passage 147 are connected to the second flow passage 142, and the first discharge passage 146 and the second discharge passage 147 mediate the three-way valve 153. It may be connected to the second flow path 142. The washing liquid that has washed the first flow passage 141 may be discharged through the first discharge passage 146 .

After samples and reagents are supplied to the chemical reactor 130, a washing liquid is supplied to the first flow path 141 while the reaction is in progress to wash the first flow path 141, and then to the second flow path 142 and the first flow path 141. It may be discharged through the discharge passage 146 .

The second discharge passage 147 is connected to the second passage 142 through the three-way valve 153, and the sample remaining in the first passage 141 is discharged through the second discharge passage 147. can After the sample is supplied to the chemical reactor 130, air may be supplied to the first flow path 141 through the manifold 110, and the sample remaining in the first flow path 141 is pushed out by the air to the second flow path 141. It may be discharged to the outside through the passage 142 and the second discharge passage 147 . Accordingly, since the field sample is not discharged together with the washing liquid or the material after the reaction, the generation of waste liquid can be minimized.

Meanwhile, a third flow path 143 for discharging mixed samples and reagents may be connected to the first flow path 141 . The third flow path 143 may be coupled to the first flow path 141 between the two-way pump 120 and a portion where the sample flow path 145 and the first flow path 141 are connected. The third flow path 143 may be connected to the first flow path 141 through a three-way valve 154 .

A detection module 160 for detecting components of the sample may be installed in the third flow path 143 . A mixture of samples and reagents reacted in the chemical reactor 130 moves to the detection module 160 through the first flow path 141 and the third flow path 143, and the reactants moved to the detection module 160 are detected. Contained within the module 160, the component may be detected.

The detection module 160 may include a transparent detection container 161, a light source 162 for irradiating light, and a detection sensor 163 for detecting a color of a sample. The vessel 161 may have a tubular shape for accommodating samples and reagents. The light source 162 may be made of an LED or the like. The detection sensor 163 may be formed of an image sensor or a photodiode. The detection sensor 163 may be spaced apart from the light source 162 with the detection container 161 interposed therebetween.

When the detection is completed, air is introduced into the detection module 160 by the bidirectional pump 120, the detection module 160 is converted to positive pressure, and the valve 156 installed at the lower part of the detection module 160 is opened to discharge the waste liquid. It can be.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, since the chemical reactor 130 includes the induction coil 132 and the heating unit 134, the sample can be heated more quickly and the sample can be cooled more quickly. In addition, since the manifold 110 through which reagents are supplied and the sample passage 145 through which samples are supplied are spaced apart from each other, contamination of the manifold 110 by the sample can be prevented. In addition, the sample, washing liquid, and post-reaction material are discharged through different paths through the first discharge channel 146, the second discharge channel 147, and the third channel 143, thereby minimizing the generation of waste liquid and minimizing the generation of waste liquid during the reaction. can be washed.

Hereinafter, a chemical reactor according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a chemical reactor according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the chemical reactor 130 according to the second embodiment has the same structure as the chemical reactor according to the first embodiment, except that the reaction vessel 180 and the heating unit are removed. Since it is made of, redundant description of the same configuration will be omitted.

The reaction container 180 has a tubular shape for accommodating samples and reagents, and may be made of metal. The reaction vessel 180 may be made of a nickel alloy having corrosion resistance. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the reaction vessel 180 may have a structure in which a metal is attached or coated on the inside or outside of the glass vessel.

A heating unit is not inserted into the reaction vessel 180, and the induction coil 132 is wound around the reaction vessel 131 in a spiral direction to form a magnetic field. A high frequency oscillator generating a high frequency current may be connected to the induction coil 132 .

The reaction vessel 180 is heated by the induction coil 132, and the magnetic field generated by the induction coil 132 forms an eddy current in the reaction vessel 180, so that the reaction vessel 180 can be heated.

Hereinafter, a chemical reactor according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a chemical reactor according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, except for the chemical reactor 130 and the heating unit 190 according to the third embodiment, since it has the same structure as the chemical reactor according to the first embodiment described above, the same configuration Redundant descriptions are omitted.

The reaction container 180 has a tubular shape for accommodating samples and reagents, and may be made of metal. An upper stopper 133 having a gas outlet 133b may be installed at the upper end of the reaction container 180, and the upper stopper 133 may be made of metal. A heating unit 190 made of a metal rod is inserted into the reaction container 180 . The heating unit 190 may be coupled to the upper stopper 133 made of metal.

In addition, the induction coil 132 is wound around the reaction vessel 180 in a spiral direction to form a magnetic field. A high frequency oscillator generating a high frequency current may be connected to the induction coil 132 .

The reaction vessel 180 and the heating unit 190 are heated by the induction coil 132, and the magnetic field generated by the induction coil 132 reacts by forming eddy currents in the reaction vessel 180 and the heating unit 190 The container 180 and the heating unit 190 may be heated. If the reaction vessel 180 and the heating unit 190 are made of metal as in the third embodiment, heating can be performed more quickly.

Hereinafter, an automatic measuring device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. 5 is a configuration diagram showing an automatic measuring device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5 , the automatic measuring device 102 according to the present embodiment has the same structure as the automatic measuring device according to the first embodiment except for the removal of the detection module and the chemical reactor.

The chemical reactor 230 includes a reaction vessel 231, an induction coil 232, a heating unit 234, a temperature sensor 235, a light source 241, a detection sensor 242, a cooling fan 236, a first pressure valve 238, and a second pressure valve 239.

The chemical reactor 230 may convert the substance of interest into a form capable of being analyzed by heating the sample and the reagent. The reaction container 231 has a tubular shape for accommodating samples and reagents, and may be made of heat-resistant glass having light transmission properties.

The first pressure valve 238 may be coupled to the lower end of the reaction vessel 231 , and the second pressure valve 239 may be coupled to the upper end of the reaction vessel 231 . The first pressure valve 238 and the second pressure valve 239 may be made of ball valves capable of supporting high pressure. Accordingly, when the pressure inside the reaction vessel 231 increases, the reaction solution may be prevented from flowing out.

The induction coil 232 is wound around the reaction vessel 231 in a spiral direction, and forms a magnetic field inside the reaction vessel 231 . The induction coil 232 is wound around the vessel at intervals in the height direction of the reaction vessel 231, and thus the outer circumferential surface of the reaction vessel 231 is exposed between the induction coils.

The heating unit 234 is inserted into the reaction container 231 and formed in a height direction of the reaction container 231 . The heating unit 234 may be fixed to the top of the reaction container 231 . The heating unit 234 is heated by the induction coil 232, and the magnetic field generated by the induction coil 232 forms an eddy current in the heating unit 234 so that the heating unit 234 can be heated.

The heating unit 234 has a straight line shape and may be made of metal heated by the induction coil 232 . The temperature sensor 235 may be a non-contact temperature sensor that is spaced apart from the reaction vessel 231 and measures the temperature of the reaction vessel 231, or may be an infrared temperature sensor. The cooling fan 236 is installed on a support and is spaced apart from the reaction vessel 231 to supply air toward the reaction vessel 231 . Accordingly, the reaction container 231 exposed to the outside can be rapidly cooled by directly contacting air.

The third flow path 143 is connected to the first flow path 141 and discharges the detected sample from the chemical reactor. A separate detection module is not installed in the third flow path 143 .

As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, since the chemical reactor 230 includes the light source 241 and the detection sensor 242, substances included in the sample can be quickly detected after the reaction.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, those skilled in the art can add, change, delete, or add components within the scope not departing from the spirit of the present invention described in the claims. The present invention can be variously modified and changed by the like, and this will also be said to be included within the scope of the present invention.

101, 102: automatic measuring device
110: manifold
120: two-way pump
130: chemical reactor
131, 180, 231: reaction vessel
132, 232: induction coil
134, 190, 234: heating unit
135, 235: temperature sensor
136, 236: cooling fan
138, 238: first pressure valve
139, 239: second pressure valve
141: first euro
142: second euro
145: sample flow path
146: first discharge passage
147: second discharge passage
160: detection module
161: detection container
162, 241: light source
163, 242: detection sensor

Claims (14)

In a chemical reactor for converting a substance of interest in a liquid sample into a form that can be analyzed,
a reaction vessel accommodating samples and reagents;
an induction coil forming a magnetic field in the container; and
a heating unit heated by the current induced by the induction coil;
Including,
The heating unit is made of a metal rod inserted into the reaction vessel and is made of a nickel alloy having corrosion resistance. According to claim 1,
The chemical reactor for analyzing a liquid sample, characterized in that the induction coil is wound around the container in a spiral direction. delete According to claim 1,
A chemical reactor for analyzing a liquid sample, further comprising a first pressure valve coupled to a lower end of the reaction vessel and a second pressure valve coupled to an upper end of the reaction vessel. According to claim 1,
The reaction vessel is a chemical reactor for analyzing a liquid sample, characterized in that made of a metal heated by the induction coil. delete delete A manifold including a plurality of inlets for introducing reagents and washing liquid and valves installed at the inlets to control movement of the reagent and washing liquid;
a chemical reactor connected to the manifold and for reacting reagents and samples and detecting a substance of interest;
a first flow path connecting the manifold and the chemical reactor;
a two-way pump installed in the first flow path to transfer fluid; and
a sample passage connected to the first passage and supplying a sample;
including,
The chemical reactor includes a reaction container accommodating samples and reagents, an induction coil forming a magnetic field in the container, and a heating unit heated by a current induced by the induction coil,
The heating unit is made of a metal rod inserted into the reaction vessel and is made of a corrosion-resistant nickel alloy. According to claim 8,
The automatic measuring device, characterized in that the induction coil is wound around the container in a spiral direction. delete According to claim 8,
The chemical reactor further comprises a first pressure valve coupled to a lower end of the reaction vessel and a second pressure valve coupled to an upper end of the reaction vessel. According to claim 8,
The sample flow path is connected to the first flow path between the manifold and the bidirectional pump,
An internal passage formed continuously inside the manifold is formed, and the first flow path is connected to one end of the longitudinal direction of the internal passage,
The automatic measuring device, characterized in that the inlet through which the washing liquid flows in the manifold is located more rearward than the inlet through which the reagent flows. According to claim 8,
Further comprising a second flow path connected to the chemical reactor and discharging liquid from the chemical reactor;
The automatic measuring device, characterized in that connected to the second flow path is a first discharge flow path through which the washing liquid that washed the first flow path is discharged. According to claim 13,
A third flow path for discharging the detected sample and reagents is connected to the first flow path, and the third flow path is coupled to the first flow path between a part where the sample flow path and the first flow path are connected and the bidirectional pump. Automatic measuring device characterized in that.

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