WO2020248004A1 - Dégustateur de suspension - Google Patents

Dégustateur de suspension Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2020248004A1
WO2020248004A1 PCT/AU2020/000049 AU2020000049W WO2020248004A1 WO 2020248004 A1 WO2020248004 A1 WO 2020248004A1 AU 2020000049 W AU2020000049 W AU 2020000049W WO 2020248004 A1 WO2020248004 A1 WO 2020248004A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
collector
microfluidic
sample matrix
complex sample
channel
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU2020/000049
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Craig Ian Priest
Michael Charles BREADMORE
Moein Navvab KASHANI
Aliaa Ibrahim Gaber SHALLAN
Original Assignee
University Of South Australia
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from AU2019902076A external-priority patent/AU2019902076A0/en
Application filed by University Of South Australia filed Critical University Of South Australia
Priority to AU2020292516A priority Critical patent/AU2020292516A1/en
Publication of WO2020248004A1 publication Critical patent/WO2020248004A1/fr

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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
    • B01L3/50—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes
    • B01L3/502—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures
    • B01L3/5027—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N1/00—Sampling; Preparing specimens for investigation
    • G01N1/28—Preparing specimens for investigation including physical details of (bio-)chemical methods covered elsewhere, e.g. G01N33/50, C12Q
    • G01N1/40—Concentrating samples
    • G01N1/4055—Concentrating samples by solubility techniques
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
    • B01L3/50—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes
    • B01L3/502—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures
    • B01L3/5027—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip
    • B01L3/502715—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip characterised by interfacing components, e.g. fluidic, electrical, optical or mechanical interfaces
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N33/00—Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00
    • G01N33/20—Metals
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2200/00—Solutions for specific problems relating to chemical or physical laboratory apparatus
    • B01L2200/02—Adapting objects or devices to another
    • B01L2200/026—Fluid interfacing between devices or objects, e.g. connectors, inlet details
    • B01L2200/027—Fluid interfacing between devices or objects, e.g. connectors, inlet details for microfluidic devices
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2400/00—Moving or stopping fluids
    • B01L2400/04—Moving fluids with specific forces or mechanical means
    • B01L2400/0475—Moving fluids with specific forces or mechanical means specific mechanical means and fluid pressure
    • B01L2400/0487—Moving fluids with specific forces or mechanical means specific mechanical means and fluid pressure fluid pressure, pneumatics
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N1/00—Sampling; Preparing specimens for investigation
    • G01N1/28—Preparing specimens for investigation including physical details of (bio-)chemical methods covered elsewhere, e.g. G01N33/50, C12Q
    • G01N1/40—Concentrating samples
    • G01N1/4055—Concentrating samples by solubility techniques
    • G01N2001/4061—Solvent extraction
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N33/00—Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00
    • G01N33/18—Water
    • G01N33/1813—Specific cations in water, e.g. heavy metals
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N33/00—Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00
    • G01N33/18—Water
    • G01N33/182—Specific anions in water

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates generally to microfluidic devices for continuous process monitoring and, more specifically, devices for continuously sampling target solutes from complex sample matrices, such as mineral slurries.
  • a major challenge for continuous process monitoring systems is that suspensions or complex mixtures containing particulates are difficult to monitor.
  • the particles in the stream are detrimental to most detection methods used in the analysis unless an extensive off-line sample pretreatment is performed.
  • Conventional methods like centrifugation, filtration or solvent extraction are associated with increased cost and time pressure, demand for trained personnel, and high waste production.
  • an on-line sample pretreatment unit that can be easily coupled with a suitable detection technique and remotely controlled will facilitate the wider implementation of process monitoring.
  • Microfluidic devices benefit from unique fluid behaviour on the microscale and therefore offer a powerful and versatile way for integration of several processes and automation.
  • the main focus for the use of microfluidic devices has been for biomedical applications and to a lesser extent for chemical synthesis, environmental monitoring, and food processing control. 1-2
  • the adoption of microfluidic devices has not been widespread.
  • Current methods for mineral processing monitoring and control tend to rely on off-line sample preparation followed by analysis using
  • ions After a certain distance, small ions will be able to diffuse to more distance into the buffer stream while larger size components will diffuse less.
  • ions By adjusting the length of the channel, ions can be separated from blood cells and plasma proteins and collected at the buffer outlet. Channel geometry and flow resistance can be adjusted to achieve hydrodynamic filtration. 7 Plasma separation and cell sorting can be achieved through
  • a microfluidic device for extraction of one or more target soluble component from a complex sample matrix comprising:
  • collector solution path disposed within the substrate, the collector solution path comprising: a collector microfluidic channel configured for flow of a collector solution therein, an inlet port on a surface of the substrate and in fluidic contact with the collector microfluidic channel for introducing the collector solution to the collector microfluidic channel, an outlet port on a surface of the substrate and in fluidic contact with the collector microfluidic channel for removing the collector solution from the collector microfluidic channel;
  • a slit channel disposed within the substrate and configured so that it can be brought into fluidic contact with the complex sample matrix to be sampled and prevent ingress of at least some of any non- soluble matter present in the complex sample matrix into the collector solution path.
  • the device of the first aspect employs a slit channel to interface the outside turbulent, mixed, laminar or static complex sample matrix environment with laminar flow of the collector solution inside the microfluidic device.
  • the device can be used for a range of sampling processes in the pharmaceuticals, food processing, petrochemicals, and mining industries, such as (but not limited to) the analysis of soluble metal ion complexes in mineral slurries for on-line continuous monitoring.
  • the non-soluble matter present in the bulk complex sample matrix may include any one or more of: bubbles, microparticles, nanoparticles, droplets, large molecules, solutes, and surfactants.
  • a microfluidic apparatus for extraction of one or more soluble component from a complex sample matrix comprising:
  • a first pump adapted to be operably connected to the inlet port for introducing the collector solution to the collector microfluidic channel, the additional microfluidic channels and/or the network of microfluidic channels.
  • the apparatus further comprises a second pump adapted to be operably connected to the outlet port for removing the collector solution from the collector microfluidic channel.
  • the apparatus further comprises a fluid flow control unit to provide inlet and outlet fluid flow at a predetermined flow rate.
  • the apparatus further comprises a detector operable to determine the presence and/or concentration of the target soluble components in the collector solution.
  • the apparatus further comprises an analyser operable to perform one or more analysis on the collector solution removed from the microfluidic channel.
  • the apparatus further comprises a chamber for bulk complex sample matrix pre -treatment.
  • the complex sample matrix pre-treatment carried out in the chamber may be a chemical pre-treatment such as oxidation/reduction, complex formation, pH adjustment, etc., or a physical pre -treatment such as stirring, etc.
  • a process for extracting one or more target soluble component from a complex sample matrix comprising:
  • sampling the complex sample matrix by bringing the slit channel of the microfluidic device of the first aspect or the second aspect into fluidic contact with the complex sample matrix that is under static, laminar, mixed or turbulent bulk conditions to introduce a fraction of the complex sample matrix into the slit channel and prevent ingress of at least some of any non-soluble matter present in the complex sample matrix into the collector solution path;
  • the process further comprises obtaining the collector solution from the outlet port of the microfluidic device of the first aspect or the second aspect.
  • the process further comprises pumping the collector solution into the collector microfluidic channel via the inlet port under conditions to maintain a predetermined flow rate of the collector solution in the collector microfluidic channel.
  • the process further comprises pumping the collector solution out of the collector microfluidic channel via the outlet port under conditions to maintain a predetermined flow rate of the collector solution in the collector microfluidic channel.
  • the process further comprises operating a fluid flow control unit to provide inlet and outlet fluid flow at a predetermined flow rate.
  • the process further comprises determining the presence and/or concentration of any target soluble components in the collector solution.
  • the process further comprises pre -treating the complex sample matrix prior to sampling.
  • the complex sample matrix pre-treatment may be a chemical pre-treatment such as oxidation/reduction, complex formation, pH adjustment, etc., or a physical pre- treatment such as stirring, etc.
  • microfluidic device of the first aspect or the microfluidic apparatus of the second aspect in an analyte extraction process.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the microfluidic device design.
  • the slit channel was created at a lower depth than the collector microfluidic channel to allow interfacing the laminar flow of the collector solution with the turbulent bulk complex sample matrix while preventing non-soluble matter from blocking the device;
  • Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a microfluidic apparatus comprising the microfluidic device of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 is a plot showing the effect of different inlet/outlet flow rate ratios on the extraction of iron (III) from a 3% EDTA solution;
  • Figure 4 shows experimental results supported with simulation data for the extraction mechanism through the microfluidic device at different flow rates and flow rate ratios
  • Figure 5 shows experimental results for the extraction of iron (III) from the Dugald river slurry at 0.5 and 1.0 mL/h, respectively. Values are the average of 3 experiments.
  • a microfluidic device was designed for the extraction of soluble components from a complex sample matrix containing non-soluble matter under turbulent conditions and followed by optical detection.
  • the design employs a slit channel to interface the outside turbulent environment with laminar flow of a collector solution inside the microfluidic device.
  • it was used in the analysis of soluble metal ion complexes in mineral slurries for on-line continuous monitoring. This example application enables better understanding of the factors affecting flotation in mineral processing leading to higher yield and lower environmental impact.
  • the microfluidic device described herein provides an opportunity for automation and remote control which will greatly enhance safety for workers in mining and other industries.
  • FIG. 1 shows a microfluidic device 10 suitable for use in extraction of one or more soluble component from a complex sample matrix 12.
  • the bulk complex sample matrix 12 may be under static, laminar, mixed or turbulent conditions.
  • the device 10 comprises a substrate 14.
  • a collector solution path 16 is disposed within the substrate 14.
  • the collector solution path 16 comprises a collector microfluidic channel 18 configured for flow of a collector solution within the microfluidic channel 18.
  • the collector solution path 16 also comprises an inlet port 20 on a surface 22 of the substrate 14 and in fluidic contact with the collector microfluidic channel 18 for introducing the collector solution to the collector microfluidic channel 18.
  • the collector solution path 16 also comprises an outlet port 24 on the surface 22 of the substrate 14 and in fluidic contact with the collector microfluidic channel 18 for removing the collector solution from the collector microfluidic channel 18.
  • a slit channel 26 is configured so that it can be brought into fluidic contact with the complex sample matrix 12 to be sampled and prevent ingress of at least some of any non-soluble matter 28 present in the complex sample matrix 12 into the collector solution path 16. Specifically, the slit channel 26 allows fluidic contact between the complex sample matrix 12 to be sampled in the slit channel 26 and the collector solution in the collector solution path 16.
  • microfluidic means that a substrate, chip, device or apparatus containing fluid control features that have at least one dimension that is sub- millimetre and, typically less than 100 mm, and greater than 1 mm.
  • microfluidic channel means a channel having at least one dimension that is sub-millimetre and, typically less than 100 mm, and greater than 1 mm.
  • the substrate 14 may take any suitable form, can be made from any suitable material and can be fabricated using any suitable fabrication process.
  • Materials suitable for the manufacture of substrates for microfluidic devices are known in the art and may be chosen based on considerations such as cost, inertness or reactivity toward fluids and other materials that will be in contact with the devices, etc.
  • suitable substrate materials include glass, quartz, metal (e.g. stainless steel, copper), silicon, and polymers.
  • the substrate 14 is a glass substrate.
  • Pyrex glass substrates may be suitable.
  • Suitable polymeric substrates 14 include polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), other perfluoropolyether (PFPE) based elastomers,
  • Polymer substrates 14 may be used when the collector solution is to be analysed colorimetrically. Quartz substrates 14 may be used when the collector solution is to be analysed by UV-vis spectroscopy.
  • the substrate 14 in the illustrated embodiments is rectangular in plan view but it is envisaged that it can be other shapes in plan view, such as circular, square, etc.
  • the substrate 14 has a thickness adequate for maintaining the integrity of the microfluidic device 10. In the illustrated embodiments, the substrate 14 is about 2.2 mm thick.
  • a glass substrate 14 can be fabricated from two thin, rectangular glass plates using standard wet etching procedures and subsequent bonding in a face to face manner under vacuum to form the substrate 14.
  • a design comprising the collector microfluidic channel 18 connected to the slit channel 26 can be etched onto each of two plates that are subsequently bonded in face-to-face manner to form the substrate 14 comprising the collector microfluidic channel 18 connected to the slit channel 26.
  • each channel 18 and 26 may be formed on a face of each of the plates and the plates and the faces then brought together to form the substrate 14 having the collector microfluidic channel 18 and the slit channel 26 extending into each plate.
  • each channel 18 and 26 may be formed on a face of one of the plates and the respective channels 18, 26 capped by bonding the second plate to the first plate in a face to face manner.
  • microfluidic channel networks are known in the art.
  • microfluidic substrates or chips can be fabricated using standard photolithographic and etching procedures including soft lithography techniques (e.g. see Shi J., et al., Applied Physics Letters 91,
  • Such techniques may include hot embossing, cold stamping, injection molding, direct mechanical milling, laser etching, chemical etching, reactive ion etching, physical and chemical vapour deposition, and plasma sputtering.
  • the particular methods used will depend on the function of the particular microfluidic network, the materials used as well as ease and economy of production.
  • the slit channel 26 is etched at a lower depth relative to the collector microfluidic channel 18.
  • the depth of the slit channel 26 may be equal or less than the depth of the collector microfluidic channel 18.
  • collector microfluidic channel 18 may have a depth of 60 mm and the slit channel 26 may have a depth of 25 mm.
  • the low depth of the slit channel 26 provides sufficient flow resistance to stop any turbulence in the fraction of the complex sample matrix that enters the slit channel 26 and allow for very small but controlled pressure at an outlet slit opening 30 between the slit channel 26 and the collector microfluidic channel 18 to extract part of the solution and soluble components from the complex sample matrix 12 without being blocked by any non-soluble matter 28 present in the complex sample matrix 12 (see Figure 1).
  • the collector solution path 16 is disposed within the substrate 14 and comprises the collector microfluidic channel 18, the inlet port 20 and the outlet port 24 as described earlier and as shown in Figure 1.
  • the collector microfluidic channel 18 can take any shape in cross section.
  • the collector microfluidic channel 18 may have a depth (i.e. height) of 1 to 500 mm, such as 10 to 100 mm. In certain embodiments, the collector microfluidic channel 18 has a depth of 60 mm.
  • the collector microfluidic channel 18 can also take any configuration in plan view. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1 , the collector microfluidic channel 18 is generally U shaped in plan view.
  • the collector microfluidic channel 18 can take any shape and have any suitable length provided that a portion of the collector microfluidic channel 18 is in fluidic contact with the slit channel 26 at some point along the length of the collector microfluidic channel 18.
  • the collector solution path 16 and/or the device 10 may have one or more additional microfluidic channel (not shown) and/or a network of microfluidic channels (not shown) in fluidic contact with the collector microfluidic channel 18.
  • the additional microfluidic channels and/or a network of microfluidic channels may be configured for a variety of purposes, such as to flow the collector solution into or out of the collector micro fluidic channel 18 and/or to introduce one or more reagent into the collector microfluidic channel 18.
  • An inlet port 20 and outlet port 24 are formed on a surface 22 of the substrate 14 and each port 20, 24 is in fluidic contact with the collector microfluidic channel 18.
  • the collector solution is introduced into the collector microfluidic channel 18 via the inlet port 20.
  • a tube (not shown) can be fitted to the inlet port 20 using methods known in the art, such as by use of an aluminium holder.
  • the tube may be connected to a source of collector solution. PEEK adaptors and FEP, or any other suitable material, tubing can be used for this purpose.
  • the collector solution can be introduced into the collector microfluidic channel 18 using a suitable pump, syringe or other suitable fluid delivery device. For example, commercially available precision syringe pumps can be used to introduce the collector solution into the collector microfluidic channel 18 via the inlet port 20.
  • a pump is connected to the outlet port 24 and configured to draw the collector solution from the microfluidic channel 18 via the outlet port 24.
  • a tube (not shown) can be fitted to the outlet port 24 using methods known in the art, such as by use of an aluminium holder. PEEK adaptors and FEP, or any other suitable material, tubing and a commercially available syringe pump can be used for this purpose.
  • the flow rate of the collector solution can be maintained at a predetermined rate with a high level of control using a combination of positive and negative pressures for the inlet and the outlet, respectively.
  • the inlet pump and the outlet pump can be set to equal flow rates or they can be set at different flow rates so as to have a lower flow rate at the inlet, such as a 20% lower flow rate for the inlet for example.
  • the flow rate of the collector solution may be from about 0.1 mL/h to about 1.5 mL/h.
  • the present inventors have found that increasing the percentage offset in the outlet flow rate results in an increase in the amount of target soluble component that is extracted. Without intending to be bound by theory, a higher negative pressure is expected at the outlet slit opening 30 when using higher percentage offset outlet flow rates compared to equal flow rates.
  • the collector solution flows through the collector microfluidic channel 18 and, in doing so, passes the outlet slit opening 30 where it comes into fluidic contact with a fraction of the complex sample matrix 12 present in the slit channel 26.
  • Flow of the collector solution through the collector microfluidic channel 18 is laminar.
  • the collector solution will be aqueous or a non-aqueous soluble liquid or solvent, such as an organic solvent.
  • the collector solution may contain a ligand or other agent that binds the target soluble component of interest.
  • Organic solvents that could be used include alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, acids, esters, aromatics and their halogen, sulfur, phosphorous, and nitrogen-containing derivatives, silicone oils and their halogen, sulfur, phosphorous, and nitrogen-containing derivatives, petroleum (all commercial grades) and petroleum-based products, and mixtures thereof.
  • the organic phase is a non-aqueous fluid phase that is at least partially immiscible with the aqueous phase.
  • the solubility of a metal or metal complex in a particular solvent may guide the choice of solvent.
  • collector solution flow comes into fluidic contact with the fraction of the complex sample matrix 12 in the slit channel 26, the collector solution continues laminar flow but is in intimate contact with the fraction of the complex sample matrix 12 and transfer of at least some of target soluble components from the complex sample matrix 12 to the collector solution occurs to form a collector solution containing extracted target soluble components. This occurs under continuous flow conditions.
  • the collector solution containing extracted target soluble components then flows further along the collector micro fluidic channel 18 to the outlet port 24 from which the collector solution is removed from the substrate 14.
  • the outlet port 24 may be connected to suitable tubing in a similar way to the inlet port 20.
  • the collector solution that is removed from the substrate 14 may be analysed to determine the presence and/or concentration of one or more target soluble component.
  • the collector solution can be analysed by online UV-vis absorption to determine the concentration of metal complexes in the collector solution. This can be achieved by using a Z-flow cell with quartz windows connected to the outlet port 24.
  • Other methods of analysis include electrochemical, conductivity, pH, colorimetry, optical, and separation analytical techniques such as CE and HPLC.
  • the target soluble component could be any target analyte of interest that is in solution in the complex sample matrix 12.
  • the target analyte may be any chemical entity of interest, such as an inorganic substance, an organic substance or a biological substance.
  • the complex sample matrix 12 may be a mineral slurry pre- or post-flotation, a leach solution (e.g. a leach solution derived from an ore sample), mineral tailings, a refinery waste stream, an industrial waste stream (e.g. a tannery waste stream) or similar containing metal ions of interest.
  • the device 10 and processes described herein may be used to assay for the presence and/or concentration of the metal ions in the complex sample matrix 12.
  • the metal ion may be selected from one or more ions of the group of metals consisting of: Be, Mg, Al, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Ge, As, Se, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Tc, Ru, Rh, Pd,
  • the metal ion is an Fe ion.
  • Metal ions of interest may be partitioned in to the collector solution using a ligand for the metal of interest.
  • a complex sample matrix 12 containing Fe 3+ may be contacted with a collector solution containing ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA).
  • EDTA ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid
  • the ligand used will depend on the metal ion of interest but may be selected from the group consisting of (but not limited to): alkyl sulfides, alkyl phosphates, alkyl amines, alkyl phosphoric acids, ketoximes, aldoximes, and derivatives of any of the aforementioned.
  • the slit channel 26 is disposed within the substrate 14 and is configured to provide fluidic contact between the complex sample matrix 12 and the collector microfluidic channel 18.
  • the dimensions of the slit channel 26 are such that the slit channel 26 prevents or minimised ingress of at least some of any non-soluble matter 28 present in the complex sample matrix 12 into the collector micro fluidic channel 18 and, hence, the collector solution path 16.
  • the device 10 can be used to sample complex sample matrices containing a wide range of non-soluble matter 28 and at least some of the non-soluble matter 28 is prevented from entering the device 10.
  • some of the non-soluble matter 28 is fdtered from the complex sample matrix 12 at the slit channel 26.
  • the non-soluble matter 28 present in the bulk complex sample matrix 12 may include any one or more of: bubbles, microparticles, nanoparticles, droplets, large molecules, solutes, and surfactants.
  • the slit channel 26 may allow nanoparticles of non-soluble matter through the slit channel 26 whilst still preventing the larger particles of non-soluble matter from entering.
  • the selection of non soluble matter 28 that passes through the slit channel 26 and what doesn't can be based on size, hydrophobicity, polarity, etc. This may have applications in environmental sensing, quality assurance, health, etc.
  • the slit channel 26 is dimensioned to provide flow resistance in the slit channel 26 to minimise turbulence in the complex sample matrix 12 in the slit channel 26.
  • the slit channel 26 has an aspect ratio of width to depth of at least 100:1, such as 100:1, 101:1, 102:1, 103:1, 104:1, 105:1, 106:1, 107:1, 108:1, 109:1, 110:1, 111:1, 112:1, 113:1, 114:1,
  • the slit channel 26 has an aspect ratio of width to depth of 200: 1.
  • the depth of the slit channel 26 may be from about 1 mm to about 100 mm, for example about 25 mm to about 50 mm.
  • the depth of the slit channel 26 may be about 1 mm, about 2 mm, about 3 mm, about 4 mm, about 5 mm, about 6 mm, about 7 mm, about 8 mm, about 9 mm, about 10 mm, about 11 mm, about 12 mm, about 13 mm, about 14 mm, about 15 mm, about 16 mm, about 17 mm, about 18 mm, about 19 mm, about 20 mm, about 21 mm, about 22 mm, about 23 mm, about 24 mm, about 25 mm, about 26 mm, about 27 mm , about 28 mm , about 29 mm , about 30 mm , about 31 mm, about 32 mm , about 33 mm , about 34 mm , about 35 mm , about 36 mm , about 37 mm , about 38 mm , about 39 mm, about
  • the slit channel 26 may contain additional features for support or to further control the flow within the slit channel 26.
  • the slit channel 26 may contain one or more support post that extends between lower and upper surfaces of the slit channel 26.
  • one or more inner surface of the slit channel 26 could include surface features to control or alter the flow of liquid within the channel. Surface features that could be used include corrugations, dimples, etc. The person skilled in the art will be familiar with a range of features that can be incorporated into microfluidic channels and may be used in the slit channel 26. These features can be but not limited to any shape, dimensions, spacing, and number.
  • the slit channel 26 can be modified to change surface properties of the channel.
  • the wettability, surface charge, etc may be modified to take into account properties of the complex sample matrix 12, such as pH, ionic strength, temperature, etc.
  • one or more force may be applied to the slit channel 26 to control the selectivity of the slit channel 26 and/or minimise ingress of non-soluble matter 28.
  • magnetic, electric and/or acoustic forces or fields can be applied to the slit channel 26 to control passage of either the target soluble component or the non-soluble matter 28 in the slit channel 26.
  • the non-soluble matter 28 can be excluded from the extraction through the slit channel 26 based on any one or more properties, including (but not limited to) density, size, elasticity, wettability, etc.
  • the collector microfluidic channel 18 and/or the slit channel 26 may be formed from or lined with a functional material, such as a hydrophilic material or a hydrophobic material.
  • a hydrophilic surface may be suitable for use with an aqueous stream whilst a hydrophobic surface may be suitable for use with an organic stream.
  • An inner surface of the collector microfluidic channel 18 and/or the slit channel 26 may be modified to minimise or prevent adsorption of particles to the surface.
  • the inner surface may be modified with a chemical agent, such as an antifouling agent.
  • Suitable chemical agents include, for example, poly( ethylene glycol), chlorosilanes, methoxysilanes, hydroxysilanes, and their amine, hydroxy, fluorine, carboxylic, derivatives, amine compounds, polyelectrolytes such as poly(methacrylic acid), poly(allylamine), poly(N- vinylpyrrolidone) etc.
  • the device 10 can be used for a range of sampling processes in the pharmaceuticals, food processing, petrochemicals, and mining industries, such as (but not limited to) the analysis of soluble metal ion complexes in mineral slurries for on-line continuous monitoring.
  • a plurality of devices 10 may be connected together and used to sample either the same target soluble component or each device 10 in a plurality of devices 10 could be used to sample a different target soluble components.
  • a microfluidic apparatus 32 for extraction of one or more soluble component from a complex sample matrix 12.
  • the apparatus comprises a microfluidic device 10 as described herein and a first pump 34 adapted to be operably connected to the inlet port 20 for introducing the collector solution to the collector microfluidic channel 18.
  • the first pump 34 may also be operably connected to any additional microfluidic channels and/or the network of microfluidic channels present in the device 10.
  • a second pump 36 may be operably connected to the outlet port 24 for removing the collector solution from the collector microfluidic channel 18, as described earlier.
  • the first pump 34 or second pump 36 may be operably connected to a fluid flow control unit 38.
  • the fluid flow control unit 38 can be used to provide inlet and outlet fluid flow at a predetermined flow rate.
  • the apparatus may also comprise a detector 40 that is operable to determine the presence and/or concentration of any one or more of the target soluble component present in the collector solution.
  • detectors 40 include UV-vis absorption spectrometers, electrochemical measurement devices, conductivity measurement devices, pH measurement devices, colorimetry measurement devices, optical measurement devices.
  • the detector 40 may also comprise an analytical separation device such as CE and HPLC.
  • the detector 40 may be an analyser operable to perform one or more analysis on the collector solution removed from the microfluidic channel 18.
  • the apparatus further may comprise a chamber 42 for bulk complex sample matrix 12 pre -treatment.
  • the complex sample matrix 12 pre -treatment carried out in the chamber 42 may be a chemical pre-treatment such as oxidation/reduction, complex formation, pH adjustment, etc., or a physical pre-treatment such as stirring, etc. Any suitable chamber 42 can be used for this purpose.
  • Also provided herein is a process for extracting one or more target soluble component from a complex sample matrix, the process comprising:
  • sampling the complex sample matrix by bringing the slit channel of a microfluidic device or a microfluidic apparatus as described herein into fluidic contact with the complex sample matrix that is under static, laminar, mixed or turbulent bulk conditions to introduce a fraction of the complex sample matrix into the slit channel and prevent ingress of at least some of any non-soluble matter present in the complex sample matrix into the collector solution path;
  • the process may further comprise obtaining the collector solution from the outlet port 24 of the microfluidic device 10.
  • the process may further comprise pumping the collector solution into the collector microfluidic channel 18 via the inlet port 20 under conditions to maintain a predetermined flow rate of the collector solution in the collector microfluidic channel 18.
  • the process may further comprise pumping the collector solution out of the collector microfluidic channel 18 via the outlet port 24 under conditions to maintain a predetermined flow rate of the collector solution in the collector microfluidic channel 18.
  • the process may further comprise operating a fluid flow control unit to provide inlet and outlet fluid flow at a predetermined flow rate.
  • the process may further comprise determining the presence and/or concentration of any target soluble components in the collector solution.
  • the process may further comprise pre-treating the complex sample matrix prior to sampling.
  • the complex sample matrix pre-treatment may be a chemical pre-treatment such as oxidation/reduction, complex formation, pH adjustment, etc., or a physical pre-treatment such as stirring, etc.
  • a microfluidic device or a microfluidic apparatus as described herein in an analyte extraction process.
  • Microfluidic devices configured as shown in Figure 1 were fabricated in BF-33 glass using standard photolithography and wet etching with HF solution. The etching was done on the two halves of the device to achieve microchannel depth of 60 mm and slit depth of 25 mm. Inlet and outlet ports of 600 mm diameter were made using laser drilling. The surfaces were piranha cleaned and bonded under vacuum. During the experiments, solutions were introduced using precision syringe pumps (KD
  • the slurry sample was a Dugald river lead/zinc ore, with a head grade of 1% lead (as galena),
  • the P80 was about 60 mm.
  • the slit depth and the flow rate inside the microfluidic channel are the two main factors in determining the cut-off size of the fdter.
  • the slit depth was chosen based on simulation results from ANSYS computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software. By decreasing the slit depth from 50 mm to 25 mm, the extent of the turbulence from the bulk solution decreased, thus lowering its effect on the laminar flow. All experiments were carried out using a slit depth of 25 mm. Lower depths were not explored as roof collapse occurred during the bonding process. In the experiment setup, the flow rate was maintained using two syringe pumps with positive and negative pressures for the inlet and the outlet, respectively.
  • the method presented herein can efficiently extract soluble ions from complex samples containing a wide range particle size distribution.
  • rocks are crushed and ground to a fine powder using steel or ceramic grinding media. While steel grinding media are cheaper to use, the impact during the process leads to high iron III content in the product.
  • Iron III can have detrimental effects on the following flotation process to separate the valuable minerals from waste components.
  • the operation is majorly based on the judgement of experienced personnel but the exact parameters are not fully monitored or controlled and the processes are not fully understood. Timely decisions based on high quality data will save up to a million dollars per year while decreasing the environmental impact.
  • results from spiking a slurry from the Dugald River pulp with standard iron III are shown in Figure 5.
  • the results are for equal flow rates for inlet and outlet at 0.5 and 1.0 mL/h.
  • the results for extraction from slurry align well with the results for the extraction from 3% EDTA.

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Abstract

L'invention concerne un dispositif microfluidique pour l'extraction d'un ou de plusieurs composants solubles cibles à partir d'une matrice d'échantillons complexes. Le dispositif comprend un substrat et un chemin de solution de collecteur disposé à l'intérieur du substrat. Le chemin de solution de collecteur comprend un canal microfluidique de collecteur configuré pour l'écoulement d'une solution de collecteur à l'intérieur de celui-ci, un orifice d'entrée sur une surface du substrat et en contact fluidique avec le canal microfluidique de collecteur pour introduire la solution de collecteur dans le canal microfluidique de collecteur, et un orifice de sortie sur une surface du substrat et en contact fluidique avec le canal microfluidique de collecteur pour retirer la solution de collecteur du canal microfluidique de collecteur. Le dispositif comprend également un canal fendu disposé à l'intérieur du substrat et configuré de telle sorte qu'il peut être amené en contact fluidique avec la matrice d'échantillon complexe à échantillonner et empêcher l'entrée d'au moins une partie de toute matière non soluble présente dans la matrice d'échantillon complexe dans le chemin de solution de collecteur.
PCT/AU2020/000049 2019-06-14 2020-06-11 Dégustateur de suspension WO2020248004A1 (fr)

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Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2014150928A1 (fr) * 2013-03-15 2014-09-25 The Regents Of The University Of California Dispositifs permettant de trier des cellules dans un échantillon et procédés d'utilisation de ces derniers
US20150175410A1 (en) * 2010-07-26 2015-06-25 Stmicroelectronics S.R.L. Process for manufacturing a micromechanical structure having a buried area provided with a filter
WO2019049944A1 (fr) * 2017-09-07 2019-03-14 Sony Corporation Chambre de capture de particules, puce de capture de particules, procédé de capture de particules, appareil et système d'analyse de particules

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20150175410A1 (en) * 2010-07-26 2015-06-25 Stmicroelectronics S.R.L. Process for manufacturing a micromechanical structure having a buried area provided with a filter
WO2014150928A1 (fr) * 2013-03-15 2014-09-25 The Regents Of The University Of California Dispositifs permettant de trier des cellules dans un échantillon et procédés d'utilisation de ces derniers
WO2019049944A1 (fr) * 2017-09-07 2019-03-14 Sony Corporation Chambre de capture de particules, puce de capture de particules, procédé de capture de particules, appareil et système d'analyse de particules

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