Cryogenic grinding system, apparatus, and methods of use thereof
A cryogenic grinding system, method, and apparatus for processing a sample. The system includes a cryogen source, a containment vessel for containing the sample and the cryogen, a blade for grinding the sample, and a controller. The controller controls at least one of: a quantity of cryogen introduced into the container; a grinding duration of the at least one blade; or a grinding speed of the at least one blade based on at least one of: a user input via a grinding system input, a mass of the sample placed in the containment vessel; or a temperature within the containment vessel.
1 . A cryogenic grinding system for processing a sample, the system comprising:
a cryogen source;
a containment vessel for containing the sample and a cryogen;
at least one blade within the containment vessel for grinding the sample; and
a controller configured to control at least one of: a quantity of cryogen introduced into the containment vessel; a grinding duration of the at least one blade; or a grinding speed of the at least one blade based on at least one of: a user input via a grinding system input, a mass of the sample placed in the containment vessel; or a temperature within the containment vessel; and
wherein the controller controls the quantity of the cryogen introduced in the containment vessel based on a mass of the sample.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the cryogen source is liquid nitrogen.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the controller determines the mass of the sample based on a signal indicating the mass of the sample placed in the containment vessel.
4 . The system of claim 3 , wherein the signal is an output of a mass cell.
5 . The system of claim 3 , wherein the signal is based on a user input via the grinding system input.
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the cryogen source is a valve configured to be placed in fluid communication with a cryogen tank.
7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the cryogen source is a cryogen tank.
8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the containment vessel is slideably removeable from a main body of the system.
9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein containment vessel is removable from a main body of the system, wherein the system further comprises an engagement lever, wherein user engagement of the lever causes operative coupling of a motor to the at least one blade.
10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the quantity the cryogen introduced into the container is controlled via a valve.
11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the quantity of the cryogen introduced into the container is increased or decreased based on a temperature within the containment vessel.
12 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the quantity of the cryogen introduced into the container is increased or decreased based on a user input via the grinding system input.
13 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the mass of the sample is determined via a mass cell.
14 . A cryogenic grinding apparatus for processing a sample, the apparatus comprising:
a cryogen supply valve;
an opening configured to receive a containment vessel for containing the sample;
a blade driving apparatus; and
a controller configured to control at least one of: a quantity of cryogen introduced into a vessel received within the opening; a rotating duration of the blade driving apparatus; a speed of the of the blade driving apparatus based on at least one of: a user input via a grinding system input, a detected mass of the sample in a containment vessel placed in the opening; or a temperature within the containment vessel placed in the opening; and wherein the controller controls the quantity of the cryogen supplied to the containment vessel placed in the opening based on a determined mass of the sample within the containment vessel.
15 . The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein liquid nitrogen is supplied to the cryogen supply valve.
16 . The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the controller determines the mass of the sample based on a signal indicating the mass of a sample within in the containment vessel.
17 . The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the signal is an output of a mass cell.
18 . The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the signal is based on a user input via the grinding system input.
19 . The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein a containment vessel is slidably insertable or removeable from the cryogenic grinding apparatus.