Apparatus and method for the separation and/or formation of immicible liquid streams

• US 5,045,473 A
• Filed: 07/14/1987
• Issued: 09/03/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Technicon Instruments Corporation
• Original Assignee: Technicon Instruments Corporation
• Inventors: Cassaday, Michael M., Christiano, Vito F., Vasudeva, Bachalli
• Primary Examiner(s): Warden, Robert J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kummert, Lynn M.
• Application Number:
  US07/073,049
• Time in Patent Office: 1,512 Days
• Field of Search: 436/52, 436/53, 73/863.23, 73/863.58, 73/863.21, 73/863.51, 73/863.61, 73/863.71, 73/863.81, 422/82, 422/81, 210/439, 210/441, 210/445, 210/446, 210/449
• US Class Current: 436/53
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 17/0214 with removal of one of the phases
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 17/04 Breaking emulsions
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 17/045 with coalescers
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/08 using a stream of discrete samples flowing along a tube system, e.g. flow injection analysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/118339 with formation of a segmented stream

Abstract

Apparatus and method are provided for the substantial separation on a continuous flow basis of immisicible liquids flowing as a common stream, with one of said liquids substantially encapsulating another of said liquids, in a flow conduit. The conduit comprises an inner surface which is selectively "wettable" by one of the liquids to the substantial exclusion of another of the liquids; and the liquid separator apparatus are disposed in the conduit and operate to substantially separate the liquids, or at least a portion of one of the liquids, from the common liquids stream as that stream flows into contact with the separator apparatus in the conduit.

Apparatus and method for the introduction of a liquid on a continuous flow basis into a flowing stream of another liquid which is immisicible therewith and is flowing in a flow conduit are also provided. The conduit again comprises an inner surface which is selectively "wettable" by one of the liquids to the substantial exclusion of the other of the liquids; and the liquid introduction apparatus are disposed in the conduit and operate to form a common stream of the liquids for continued flow in the conduit, with one of the liquids being substantially encapsulated by another of the liquids, as the liquids are merged at the liquid introduction apparatus in the conduit.

A liquid processing system including the conduit is provided wherein the liquid introduction apparatus are utilized to form the common liquids stream with one of the liquids being substantially encapsulated within the other of the liquids at a first location in the system; and the liquid separator apparatus are utilized to substantially separate the liquids, or at least a portion of one of the liquids, from the common liquids stream at a second location in the system which is downstream of the first location.

As representatively configured in the herein disclosed preferred embodiments, the apparatus and method are applied to automated continuous flow sample liquid analysis systems wherein one of the liquids is an aqueous sample liquid, and the other of the liquids is an isolation liquid which selectively "wets" the hydrophobic inner surface of the flow conduit to the substantial exclusion of the aqueous sample liquids, and which functions to substantially encapsulate the aqueous sample liquids in the common liquids stream; and, for such application, the apparatus and method provide for significant increase in the accuracy of the sample liquid analysis results.

Claims

1. In apparatus for the substantial separation of a second liquid from a common stream of said second liquid and a first liquid which is immiscible therewith flowing in conduit means, said conduit means including an inner surface which is selectively wettable by said second liquid to the substantial exclusion of said first liquid, and wherein said second liquid is flowing primarily at said inner conduit means surface in substantial contact therewith, and said first liquid is flowing primarily within said second liquid substantially out of contact with said conduit means inner surface, the improvements comprising, liquid separating means in said conduit means for substantially separating said second liquid from said common stream of said first and second immiscible liquids attendant the flow thereof past said liquid separating means in said conduit means, and means operatively connected to said liquid separating means for flowing the thusly separated second liquid out of said conduit means while enabling the continued flow of the remainder of said common liquids stream through said conduit means, said liquid separating means comprising a porous conduit means portion of a material which is selectively wettable by said second liquid to the substantial exclusion of said first liquid, said porous conduit means portion being disposed in said conduit means so as to be initially contacted substantially only by said second liquid attendant the flow of said first and second immiscible liquids through said conduit means, and means operatively associated with said porous conduit means portion for flowing said second liquid therethrough out of said conduit means.

2. In apparatus as in claim 1, the improvements further comprising, said porous conduit means portion comprising a conduit means insert which is of essentially the same inner diameter as said conduit means.

3. In apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said inner conduit means surface and said porous conduit means insert are hydrophobic, said second liquid is an isolation liquid which is preferentially attracted thereto to the substantial exclusion of aqueous liquids, and said first liquid is an aqueous sample liquid which is immiscible with said isolation liquid, the improvements further comprising, sample liquid analysis means operatively connected to said conduit means downstream therein of said porous conduit means insert and operable to analyze said first liquid.

4. In apparatus as in claim 1, the improvements further comprising, said means for flowing said second liquid through said porous conduit means portion out of said conduit means comprise, means to create a differential pressure across said porous conduit means portion.

5. In apparatus as in claim 1, the improvements further comprising, sleeve means surrounding said porous conduit means portion externally of the same to create a liquid-tight space therebetween for the collection of said second liquid upon the flow thereof through said porous conduit means portion.

6. In apparatus as in claim 5, the improvements further comprising, said means to flow said second liquid through said porous conduit means portion comprising, pump means operatively connected to said liquid-tight space and operable to create a pressure therein which is lower than the pressure in said conduit means.

7. In liquid separating apparatus for substantially separating at least a portion of a first liquid from a common liquids stream of first and second immiscible liquids flowing in conduit means including an inner conduit means surface which is selectively wettable by said second liquid to the substantial exclusion of said first liquid, and wherein said first liquid is flowing primarily within said second liquid substantially out of contact with said conduit means inner surface, the improvements comprising, liquid separating means in said conduit means for substantially separating at least a portion of said first liquid from said common liquids stream attendant the flow thereof past said liquid separating means in said conduit means, and means operatively connected thereto for flowing the thusly substantially separated first liquid portion out of said conduit means while enabling the continued flow of the remainder of said common liquids stream through said conduit means, said liquid separating means comprising probe means including a probe means portion which extends within said conduit means out of contact with said inner conduit means surface to intercept substantially only the flow of said first liquid in said conduit means, said probe means portion comprising inlet means for liquid flow thereinto, said means for flowing the thusly substantially separated first liquid portion out of said conduit means comprising another portion of said probe means in communication with said first-mentioned probe means portion and extending through the wall of said conduit means for the flow of the thusly substantially separated first liquid portion therethrough out of said conduit means, and secondary conduit means operatively connected to said another probe means portion for the flow of the thusly substantially separated first liquid portion therethrough.

8. In apparatus as in claim 7 wherein, said inner conduit means surface is hydrophobic, said second liquid is an isolation liquid which is preferentially attached thereto to the substantial exclusion of aqueous liquids and said first liquid is an aqueous sample liquid which is immiscible with said isolation liquid, the improvements further comprising, sample liquid analysis means operatively connected to said secondary conduit means downstream of said liquid separating means and operable to analyze the thusly substantially separated first liquid portion.

9. In apparatus for the introduction of a first liquid into a stream of a second liquid which is immiscible therewith and flowing in conduit means, said conduit means comprising an inner conduit means surface which is selectively wettable by said second liquid to the substantial exclusion of said first liquid, the improvements comprising, liquid introduction means within said stream of said second liquid in said conduit means for introducing said first liquid thereinto to form a stream of said first liquid therewithin by displacing said second liquid stream substantially to the inner conduit means surface for retention thereat by the selective wettability of said inner conduit means surface by said second liquid to the substantial exclusion of said first liquid, and means operatively connected to said liquid introduction means for flowing said first liquid therethrough into said conduit means whereby, said second liquid will substantially encapsulate said first liquid stream for continued common flow through said conduit means, said liquid introduction means being fixed relative to said conduit means.

10. In apparatus as in claim 9, the improvements further comprising, said liquid introduction means comprising probe means including a probe means portion which extends within said conduit means out of contact with the inner surface of said conduit means, said probe means portion comprising outlet means for the flow of said first liquid out of the same into said second liquid stream.

11. In apparatus as in claim 10, the improvements further comprising, said means for flowing said first liquid into said conduit means comprising another portion of said probe means in communication with said first-mentioned probe means portion, and extending through the wall of said conduit means for the flow of said first liquid into the same.

12. In apparatus as in claim 10, wherein said inner conduit means surface is hydrophobic, said second liquid is an isolation liquid which is preferentially attracted thereof to the substantial exclusion of aqueous sample liquids, and said first liquid is an aqueous sample liquid which is immiscible with said isolation liquid, the improvements further comprising, sample liquid analysis means operatively connected to said conduit means downstream of said liquid introduction means and operable to analyze said sample liquid.

13. In apparatus for the introduction of a second liquid into a stream of a first liquid which is immiscible therewith and flowing in conduit means, said conduit means comprising an inner conduit means surface which is selectively wettable by said second liquid to the substantial exclusion of said first liquid, the improvements comprising, liquid introduction means in said conduit means for introducing said second liquid into said first liquid stream at said inner conduit means surface to displace said first liquid therefrom and form a stream of said second liquid at said inner conduit means surface whcih will be retained thereat by the selective wettability of said inner conduit means surface by said second liquid to the substantial exclusion of said first liquid, and means operatively connected thereto for flowing said second liquid into said conduit means, whereby said second liquid stream will substantially encapsulate said first liquid stream for continued common flow through said conduit means, said liquid introduction means comprising a porous conduit means portion of a material which is selectively wettable by said second liquid to the substantial exclusion of said first liquid, and means operatively associated with said porous conduit means portion for flowing said second liquid therethrough into said conduit means.

14. In apparatus as in claim 13, the improvements further comprising, said porous conduit means portion comprising a conduit means insert which is of substantially the same inner diameter as said conduit means.

15. In apparatus as in claim 13, the improvements further comprising, said means for flowing said second liquid through said porous conduit means portion into said conduit means comprise means for pumping the same therethrough.

16. In apparatus as in claim 13, the improvements further comprising, sleeve means surrounding said porous conduit means portion externally of the same to create a liquid-tight space therebetween for the collection of said second liquid prior to the flow thereof through said porous conduit means portion.

17. In apparatus as in claim 16, the improvements further comprising, said means to flow said second liquid through said porous conduit means portion comprising positive displacement pump means operatively connected to said liquid-tight space and operable to pump said second liquid thereinto for flow in turn through said porous conduit means portion.

18. In apparatus as in claim 13 wherein said inner conduit means surface and said porous conduit means portion are hydrophobic, said second liquid is an isolation liquid which is preferentially attacted thereto to the substantial exclusion of aqueous liquids, and said first liquid is an aqueous sample liquid which is immiscible with said isolation liquid, the improvements further comprising, sample liquid analysis means operatively connected to said conduit means downstream therein of said porous conduit means portion and operable to analyze said first liquid.

19. In sample liquids analysis apparatus including sampler means, sample liquids analysis means, a source of an isolation liquid which is immiscible with said sample liquids, and conduit means connecting said sampler means to said sample liquids analysis means, said sampler means being operable to supply a stream of successive sample liquids to said conduit means for flow therethrough to said sample liquids analysis means, said conduit means comprising an inner surface which is selectively wettable by said isolation liquid to the substantial exclusion of said sample liquids, the improvements comprising, isolation liquid introduction means operatively associated with said conduit means for introducing said isolation liquid from said isolation liquid source into said sample liquids stream in said conduit means to form a stream of said isolation liquid at said inner conduit means surface to substantially encapsulate said sample liquids stream therein and thereby minimize sample liquids carryover in said conduit means, and isolation liquid separating means operatively associated with said conduit means downstream of said isolation liquid introduction means for substantially separating said isolation liquid stream from said sample liquids stream prior to the flow thereof to said sample liquids analysis means, thereby minimizing interference by said isolation liquid with sample liquids analysis.

20. In apparatus as in claim 19, the improvements further comprising, said sampler means further comprising means to air segment said sample liquids stream.

21. In apparatus as in claim 19, the improvements further comprising, means operatively connected to said isolation liquid separating means and said isolation liquids source for returning the thusly separated isolation liquid from the former to the latter for re-use in said sample liquids analysis apparatus.

22. In liquid separating apparatus for substantially separating at least a portion of a first liquid from a common liquids stream of first and second immiscible liquids flowing in conduit means including an inner conduit means surface which is selectively wettable by said second liquid to the substantial exclusion of said first liquid, and wherein said first liquid is flowing primarily within said second liquid substantially out of contact with said conduit means inner surface, the improvements comprising, liquid separating means in said conduit means for substantially separating at least a portion of said first liquid from said common liquids stream attendant the flow thereof past said liquid separating means in said conduit means, and means operatively connected to said liquid separating means for flowing the thusly substantially separated first liquid portion out of said conduit means while enabling the continued flow of the remainder of said common liquids stream through said conduit means, said liquid separating means comprising probe means including a probe means portion which extends within said conduit means out of contact with said inner conduit means surface to intercept substantially only the flow of said first liquid in said conduit means, said probe means portion comprising inlet means for liquid flow thereinto, and said probe means portion comprising an outer surface which is selectively wettable by said second liquid to the substantial exclusion of said first liquid.

23. In liquid separating apparatus for substantially separating at least a portion of a first liquid from a common liquids stream of first and second immiscible liquids flowing in conduit means including an inner conduit means surface which is selectively wettable by said second liquid to the substantial exclusion of said first liquid, and wherein said first liquid is flowing primarily within said second liquid substantially out of contact with said conduit means inner surface, the improvements comprising, liquid separating means in said conduit means for substantially separating at least a portion of said first liquid from said common liquids stream attendant the flow thereof past said liquid separating means in said conduit means, and means operatively connected thereto for flowing the thusly substantially separated first liquid portion out of said conduit means while enabling the continued flow of the remainder of said common liquids stream through said conduit means, said liquid separating means comprising probe means including a probe means portion which extends within said conduit means out of contact with said inner conduit means surface to intercept substantially only the flow of said first liquid in said conduit means, said probe means portion comprising inlet means for liquid flow thereinto, said common liquids stream being air-segmented, and said liquid separating means comprising means for separating portions of said air segments in said common liquids stream therefrom for air-segmenting said substantially separated first liquid portion.

24. In liquid separating apparatus for substantially separating at least a portion of a first liquid from a common liquids stream of first and second immiscible liquids flowing in conduit means including an inner conduit means surface which is selectively wettable by said second liquid to the substantial exclusion of said first liquid, and wherein said first liquid is flowing primarily within said second liquid substantially out of contact with said conduit means inner surface, the improvements comprising, liquid separating means in said conduit means for substantially separating at least a portion of said first liquid from said common liquids stream attendant the flow thereof past said liquid separating means in said conduit means, and means operatively connected thereto for flowing the thusly substantially separated first liquid portion out of said conduit means while enabling the continued flow of the remainder of said common liquids stream through said conduit means, said liquid separating means comprising probe means including a probe means portion which extends within said conduit means out of contact with said inner conduit means surface to intercept substantially only the flow of said first liquid in said conduit means, said probe means portion comprising inlet means for liquid flow thereinto, said conduit means being of substantially constant inner diameter coextensive with said conduit means portion.

25. In apparatus for the introduction of a first liquid into a stream of a second liquid which is immiscible therewith and flowing in conduit means, said conduit means comprising an inner conduit means surface which is selectively wettable by said second liquid to the substantial exclusion of said first liquid, the improvements comprising, liquid introduction means within said stream of said second liquid in said conduit means for introducing said first liquid thereinto to form a stream of said first liquid therewithin by displacing said second liquid stream substantially to the inner conduit means surface for retention thereat by the selective wettability of said inner conduit means surface by said second liquid to the substantial exclusion of said first liquid, means operatively connected to said liquid introduction means for flowing said first liquid therethrough into said conduit means whereby said second liquid stream will substantially encapsulate said first liquid stream for continued common flow through said conduit means, and means operatively associated with said first liquid flow means for air-segmenting said first liquid stream.

26. In apparatus for the introduction of a first liquid into a stream of a second liquid which is immiscible therewith and flowing in conduit means, said conduit means comprising an inner conduit means surface which is selectively wettable by said second liquid to the substantial exclusion of said first liquid, the improvements comprising, liquid introduction means within said stream of said second liquid in said conduit means for introducing said first liquid thereinto to form a stream of said first liquid therewith by displacing said second liquid stream substantially to the inner conduit means surface for retention thereat by the selective wettability of said inner conduit means surface by said second liquid to the substantial exclusion of said first liquid, means operatively connected to said liquid introduction means for flowing said first liquid therethrough into said conduit means whereby said second liquid stream will substantially encapsulate said first liquid stream for continued common flow through said conduit means, said liquid introducing means comprising probe means including a probe means portion which extends within said conduit means out of contact with the inner surface of said conduit means, said probe means portion comprising outlet means for the flow of said first liquid out of the same into said second liquid stream, said conduit means and said probe means portion being of generally circular cross-section, with said probe means portion being disposed generally concentrically of said conduit means.