JPS641628Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] The present invention relates to a sample sampling cell, and more specifically, a sample sampling cell particularly suitable for use in a device that automatically samples a clear sample solution from a suspension containing solids. It is related to.

In the microbial industry, it is extremely important to measure the status of microbial metabolites in the culture solution, such as concentration, pH, components, etc., in order to effectively utilize the metabolic reactions of microorganisms and to control the reactions from outside the system. It goes without saying that there is.

That is, if it were possible to automatically sample a sample from a culture solution, analyze it, and measure it, it would greatly contribute to industry.

However, the culture solution contains microorganism cells or undissolved matter (solid matter) in the medium, and is in a suspension state. It cannot be used for liquid chromatography. Conventionally, in order to use these devices, a clear solution obtained by removing a certain amount of culture fluid and performing a solid-liquid separation operation such as filtration or centrifugation was used as a sample solution. However, with this method, there is a risk that the component composition in the sample solution may change during operations such as filtration and centrifugation (for example, in the case of alcohol fermentation), and the actual concentration, pH, This causes a time lag between the measured values of the components and the sample solution, which is undesirable.

In view of these circumstances, the present inventors previously proposed a method for sampling a clear sample solution from a suspension, in which the suspension is placed below the surface of the suspension using a liquid circulation device. The clarified sample solution is made to pass through the porous part of the first tube, and the clarified sample solution is introduced into the sample sampling cell through the first sample solution flow tube, and a predetermined amount of the clarified sample solution is poured into the sample sampling cell. The automatic method is characterized in that the remaining clarified sample solution is introduced into a second tube through a second sample solution flow tube, and is returned to the suspension by passing through a porous portion of the second tube. We have developed a sampling method and a device for carrying out the method (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 57-68781). This device uses two tubes, and at the same time, the liquid flow is reversed appropriately and passes through one tube.
By using the liquid to clean the other overtube, continuous sample sampling for a long period of time is possible without clogging. In this device, the liquid flow direction is reversed within the sample sampling cell, so the liquid inlet and outlet are provided at the same height. By the way, some kinds of sample collection injection needles attached to various measuring instruments have a collection opening not at the tip but at the side surface of the needle. Therefore, the depth of the liquid reservoir portion from which the sample liquid is sampled must be greater than the distance from the tip of the needle to the sampling opening. However, if the depth of the liquid reservoir is increased, the sample liquid will accumulate, making real-time measurement impossible.

The present invention uses a check valve to prevent the liquid flow direction in the sample sampling cell from changing even when the liquid flow direction is reversed, thereby making it possible to deepen the liquid reservoir. Moreover, it is characterized by being able to virtually completely eliminate stagnation.

The present invention includes a cell main body, a sample inflow pipe having an overflow part for sample sampling in the center of the cell main body, a sample outflow pipe provided at the bottom of the cell main body, and the inflow pipe and the outflow pipe. The sample sampling cell is characterized in that it comprises forked pipes connected to the forked pipes, respectively, and a check valve is provided in each conduit of these forked pipes. The check valve may have a structure that allows fluid to flow in only one direction and prevents flow in the opposite direction, for example,
Although the shape shown in FIG. 2 can be used, a check ball valve is typically used.

The cell of the present invention may be made of glass, metal, ceramics, plastic, etc. and may be integrally molded, or may be assembled in such a way that each part can be disassembled. At least one check valve is provided in each conduit of the forked pipe.

Hereinafter, a case in which a specific example of the present invention is incorporated into the automatic sampling device described in the above-mentioned publication and used will be explained with reference to the drawings.

The sample sampling cell 1 of the present invention includes a cell main body 2, a sample inflow pipe 4 having an overflow part 3 for sample sampling in the center thereof, and a sample outflow pipe 5 provided at the bottom of the cell. There is. Inflow pipe 4
Forked pipes 6 and 7 are connected to the and outflow pipes 5, respectively, and each of the forked pipes 8, 9, 10, 11 is provided with a check valve 12, 13, 14, 15, respectively.

When using the sample sampling cell 1 of the present invention, one tube 8 and 10 of each forked tube 6, 7 is connected via a pump 16 to a first porous tube or tube 18, as shown. The other tubes 9 and 11 of each forked tube 6 and 7 are connected to a second porous tube, that is, a tube 19 via a pump 17.
Connect to.

When the pumps 16 and 17 are activated, the first
The sample in the tube 18 is aspirated, passes through the tube 20, passes through the check valve 12 of the tube 8, and flows into the cell 1 through the inlet tube 4. The sample liquid is sampled from above the overflow portion 3 by an injection needle. The remaining sample liquid flows from the outflow pipe 5, passes through the check valve 15 of the pipe 11, passes through the pipe 21 and the pump 17, and then enters the second pipe.
It enters the tube 19 and is returned to the suspension. On this occasion,
The check valve 13 is pushed to the left in the drawing by the sample liquid flowing from the pipe 20 through the valve 12, and since the inside of the pipe 22 receives the suction action of the pump 17, it is more securely closed. On the other hand, the check valve 14 is pushed leftward by the sample liquid in the tube 23 and is reliably closed by the suction action of the pump 17, albeit slightly. Arrows in the drawings indicate the direction of fluid flow.

Next, when the pumps 16 and 17 are reversed, the check valves 13 and 14 are opened, and the check valves 12 and 15 are opened.
is closed, and the sample liquid passes through the tube 22, valve 13, tube 4, valve 14, tube 23, passes through the pump 16, and is returned to the suspension from the first tube 18.

In the above automatic sampling device, pump 1
Needless to say, it is necessary to keep the feed amounts of 6 and 17 equal.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent liquid stagnation and to sample a desired amount of sample liquid in real time.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figure 1 shows the sample sampling cell of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram when connected to an automatic sampling device, and FIG. 2 is a drawing showing the shapes of various check valves that can be used in the sample sampling cell of the present invention. The halftone dots in FIG. 2 indicate the mating parts. 1... Sample sampling cell, 2... Cell body, 3... Overflow part, 4... Sample inflow tube, 5... Sample outflow tube, 6, 7... Forked tube, 8, 9, 10, 1
1... Pipe, 12, 13, 14, 15... Check valve, 16, 17... Pump, 18, 19... Porous pipe.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claim for Utility Model Registration] (1) A cell main body, a sample inflow pipe having an overflow part for sample sampling in the center of the cell main body, a sample outflow pipe provided at the bottom of the cell main body, A sample sampling cell comprising a forked pipe connected to the inflow pipe and the outflow pipe, respectively, and a check valve is provided in each line of the forked pipe. (2) The sample sampling cell according to claim 1, wherein the check valve is a ball valve.