Elsevier

Filtration + Separation

Volume 58, Issue 1, January–February 2021, Pages 20-22
Filtration + Separation

Application
Filter media
Filter crucible aids microplastics work

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0015-1882(21)00021-5Get rights and content

Scientists investigating the effects of microplastics on the environment currently lack uniform, fast, practical methods for sampling and analysis, making it difficult to compare results. The joint development of a microlitre filter crucible with Optimized Dutch Weave from GKD is changing that.

Section snippets

Spectroscopic disadvantage

The widely used spectroscopic approach, for example μ-Raman or μ-infrared spectroscopy, determines not only the particle size, but also the number, shape, and type of particles present. However, one major disadvantage of these approaches is that preparing real samples is both a time-consuming and labour-intensive process. This creates an obstacle for the kind of high sample throughput required for routine procedures such as monitoring. The situation is made more acute by the fact that, for

Stainless steel crucibles

The patented TED-GC/MS solution comprises three components that intelligently combine two familiar and fast analytical techniques. These are thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), as a standard analytical method for polymers, and gas chromatography/mass spectrometer (GC/MS) analysis, which is commonly used in trace analyses. These two components are linked via a solid phase extraction process, thereby guaranteeing a high throughput of complex environmental samples.

Optimized Dutch Weave from GKD is

New filter crucible

This is where BAM, UBA and GKD come in. Their idea is to replace the aluminum oxide crucible present in the system with a new crucible that also serves as a filter for environmental samples. The new filter crucible can be used directly for filtration of the sample media or flotation items, thereby eliminating the need for additional work steps and minimising the risks of particle loss and contamination.

The Optimized Dutch Weave developed by GKD within the scope of the Optimized Materials and

Large scale production

The crucible is still in the prototype stage, but GKD has already defined the next steps for large-scale series production. For example, the necessary leak-tight integrity of the design from GKD is to be confirmed in bubble point testing of every single crucible by bombardment with liquid. An individual QR code that is lasered onto the crucible contains a link to a website, where this test report will be made available to users. This crucible-specific labelling also eliminates any risk of

Tried and tested

In the year since it has been in use, both Ulrike Braun and Claus Gerhard Bannick have already been able to gain valuable practical experience with the microlitre filter crucible in the field of microplastics analytics with their teams. The team from BAM first tested the crucible with mineral water from PET bottles for the patent office during the patent application. “The matrix of bottled water is very simple. The analysis worked really well with the crucible as the sampling container,”

Application potential

He therefore sees broad application potential for the crucible with various benefits based on the specific testing task. Testing of treated wastewater or surface water in the quality control of various purification processes are prime examples of this for him. From a purely technical perspective, Bannick sees another deployment area for the crucible following density separation, for example in analysis of organic fertilisers, soils, or sediments. Should more extensive requirements be

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