JP5319911B2 - Microreactor - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a microreactor that performs mixing or reaction of fluids using a minute flow path.

  A microchemical plant is a production facility that performs mixing, chemical reaction, separation, and the like in a microscale space, and has many advantages over a conventional batch-type plant using a large tank or the like. For example, mixing of multiple fluids and chemical reactions can be performed in a short amount of time with a small amount of sample, and the materials can be easily and uniformly mixed, and the reaction of the entire amount of the input material can be completed in a short time even with a small-scale reactor. If the production technology of the product can be established at the laboratory level because the device is small, it can be easily set up for mass production by increasing the number of devices according to the required amount, such as explosion It can be applied to reactions involving danger, can be quickly adapted to the production of compounds that require small production of various varieties, and can easily adjust the production amount according to the demand amount. For this reason, in the fields of chemical industry and pharmaceutical industry, it has been attracting attention as a suitable apparatus for producing materials and products by mixing or reacting fluids, and research and development has been actively conducted in recent years.

  What constitutes a microchemical plant mainly includes a material supply device, a micromixer, a heat exchange device, a microreactor, a separation device, piping connecting these devices, a control device, and the like. Of these, the micromixer and the microreactor each have a minute flow channel with a flow channel width on the order of several μm to 1 mm, and a plurality of types of fluids guided to this flow channel are brought into contact with each other to mix or chemistry. It causes a reaction. The micromixer and the microreactor basically have a common configuration. In general, the micromixer and the microreactor are referred to as a micromixer when the application is mixing, and the microreactor is referred to as a chemical reaction. Therefore, the microreactor of the present invention includes a micromixer.

  Such a microreactor is a very important device in a microchemical plant, and some patent literatures are also presented. For example, in the invention of Patent Document 1, by propagating ultra-low frequency vibration to the fluid flowing in the microchannel, it is possible to induce flow velocity fluctuations in the fluid and promote mixing and reaction. Patent Document 2 discloses a microreactor provided with a jacket in which a reaction channel is formed by a cylindrical member and a spiral screw cut into the cylindrical member and a liquid for controlling the temperature in the reaction channel is circulated. ing.

JP-A-2005-77219 JP 2005-46652 A

  However, in the invention of Patent Document 1, it is necessary to provide an extremely low frequency vibration generating means outside the apparatus, energy for driving it is necessary, and the apparatus is so large to perform a large amount of reaction. Become. In addition, when the number of devices is increased by increasing the number of devices according to the required amount, there is a problem that the manufacturing cost of the microchemical plant increases and a large amount of energy is required.

  On the other hand, in the reactor of Patent Document 2, it is difficult to ensure the tightness between the cylindrical member and the spiral screw, and there is a concern that fluid leaks out in the middle of the flow path. There is a problem that the fluid leaking into a part of the material to be reacted in may be mixed and hinder the appropriate reaction. Further, the jacket is separately provided outside the casing. In this case as well, there is a problem that the number of parts of the apparatus increases and the apparatus becomes large.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object thereof is to provide a microreactor capable of efficiently performing mixing and / or reaction with a compact configuration.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the microreactor according to claim 1 comprises:
A reactor for a very small amount of fluid, and a first micro-channel for imparting a clockwise swirl to the fluid and a counterclockwise swirl at a position opposed to the central axis of the cylindrical base by 180 degrees A plurality of mixing blocks each having a second microchannel, including two microchannels, in which a diverting part and a converging part of a cylinder or a conical space are formed at both ends. A mixer main body in which the respective mixing blocks are connected to each other with a phase difference of 90 degrees on the same axis, and a discharge hole for discharging the fluid that has been mixed and / or reacted are formed by connecting to the terminal end of the mixer main body. It is composed of an end nut, two minute flow channels on the inflow side of the mixer main body, and a supply block in which a pair of fluid inflow channels are formed with a phase difference of 90 degrees, and each is connected with airtightness. It is characterized by that.

In the microreactor of claim 2,
A reactor for a very small amount of fluid, wherein a first microchannel and a second microchannel that impart a clockwise swirl to the fluid are provided at positions opposed to the central axis of the cylindrical base by 180 degrees. A first mixing block that includes two micro-channels and splits or merges fluids into the two micro-channels, or a first mixing block having a concentric space-dividing part and a converging part formed at both ends, and a cylindrical base There are a third microchannel and a fourth microchannel that give the fluid a counterclockwise rotation at a position opposite to the central axis by 180 degrees, and the two microchannels include two microchannels. A cylindrical or conical space for diverting or merging fluids and a second mixing block formed at both ends of the diverging part and the converging part are combined on the same axis, and each mixing block is connected with a phase difference of 90 degrees. Connected to the mixer main body and the terminal end of the mixer main body. And / or an end nut formed with a discharge hole for discharging the fluid having undergone a reaction, and the two minute flow channels on the inflow side of the mixer main body and a supply of a pair of fluid inflow channels formed by a phase difference of 90 degrees It consists of blocks and each is connected with airtightness .

  According to the present invention, the fluid to be mixed and / or reacted in the supply block is guided to the mixing block by an independent micro flow channel by the above-described configuration, and is merged and mixed for the first time in the cylindrical or conical space formed in the mixing block. As a result, the mixing and / or reaction of the two fluids is gradually advanced in the mixing block without causing unnecessary mixing and / or reaction before flowing into the mixing unit. It is possible to mix the two fluids and / or connect the mixing blocks as an appropriate number of configurations that promote the reaction, and the degree of mixing of the plurality of fluids in the system or the progress of the reaction. It is possible to provide a product with a high degree of freedom that is intended.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
1 is a cross-sectional view of a microreactor according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is an external view of a joint surface of a supply block, and FIG. 3 is an external view of a joint surface of a first mixing block from the inflow side.
The microreactor 1 includes a main body case 2, an end nut 3, a supply block 4, a required number of mixing blocks 5, 6 and the like.

  The configuration of the microreactor of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  The main body case 2 of the mixer main body has a length that allows the required number of mixing blocks to be installed. On the fluid-filled side, an engagement recess and a flange for bonding are provided so that the supply block 4 can be coaxially joined. On the fluid discharge side, a recess for inserting the packing (seal member) 7 and a male screw coupled to the female screw of the end nut 3 are formed on the outer side of the cylindrical portion.

  The end nut 3 is formed with a partition wall having a discharge hole 12 on the central axis and a pipe connection nipple receiving screw for guiding the fluid to the outside.

  In the supply block 4, a pair of fluid supply holes 11, each of which forms a receiving screw for a pipe connection nipple, is formed so as to communicate with micro flow channels 11 a and 11 b that are fluid inflow channels connected to the mixing block. In addition, a female screw is provided that is opposed to each other at 180 degrees on the concentric circle diameter and that receives a fastening member such as a bolt 10 for joining to each other at the flange portion of the main body case 2.

  Each of the mixing blocks is formed with a pair of micro flow channels on the concentric circle diameter of the central axis. For example, the first mixing block 5 has a twisted blade that imparts a clockwise swirl to the fluid flowing through the micro flow channel. And a second microchannel 5b having a torsional wing that imparts counterclockwise rotation to the fluid on a concentric circle diameter that is 180 degrees opposite to the first microchannel. Cylindrical or conical spaces 5A, 5B for diverting fluid to the pair of micro flow channels 5a, 5b or for joining fluid from the pair of micro flow channels 5a, 5b are provided on both axial end surfaces. In addition, for example, an engagement pin 8 that enables circumferential phase and position alignment is provided on the inlet side end surface into which the fluid flows, and the engagement pin 8 provided in another mixing block is provided on the other end surface. A fitting hole is formed to engage with.

  The second mixing block 6 has substantially the same shape and configuration, and is the only torsion blade that imparts counterclockwise rotation to the fluid flowing through the first microchannel 6a, and the second microchannel 6b has a fluid. It has a structure with a twisted wing that gives a clockwise swivel.

  In other words, the microchannels and the twisted blades of both mixing blocks may be manufactured with the same specifications, and the second microchannel 6a has a phase that is advanced or delayed by 90 degrees with respect to the first microchannel 5a. It is only necessary to plant the engaging pin 8 at a predetermined position and form a fitting hole in accordance with the design intention to be combined.

  The first mixing block 5 interpolated with the supply block 4 and the crimping force for tightly joining the plurality of mixing blocks to each other end face are the male and female screws of the end nut 3 and the body case 2 via the packing 7. It is given by the fastening force that tightens.

  The intent of designing the direction of fluid swirling by the twisted blades of each microchannel is to provide continuity in fluid motion when it is desired to efficiently mix and / or react a plurality of fluids in a short time. Or if the mixing and / or reaction of a plurality of fluids proceeds between mixing blocks in a relatively long time, the swirling direction of the torsional blade is such that the swirling direction reverses the twisting motion of the fluid. This is possible by connecting the arranged mixing blocks, and a microreactor having a high degree of freedom in mixing and / or reacting fluids.

  Next, the assembly of the microreactor of the present invention will be described in detail. First, the main body case 2 and the supply block 4 are fastened with a fastening member such as a bolt 10. At this time, a groove for inserting a seal member is provided at least on either side of the joint surface between the supply block 4 and the first mixing block 5, and an O-ring 9 or the like having a specification sufficient for ensuring airtightness is inserted. Is desirable.

  Preparation for assembling the mixing block portion is carried out by rotating the necessary number of mixing blocks around the central axis by the engaging pin 8 provided on one side and the engaging hole 8 provided on the other side. The mixed block group is formed by laminating the circumferential direction according to a predetermined direction. In the same manner, the stacked mixing block group is fitted and connected so that the engaging pin 8 of the first mixing block and the fitting hole provided in the supply block 4 are matched in phase in the circumferential direction around the central axis. The mixed block group is inserted into the supply block 4 to a predetermined depth. As a result, the pair of micro flow paths 11a and 11b of the supply block 4 communicated with the pair of supply holes 11 provided in the supply block 4 and formed at positions opposed to each other by 180 degrees on the concentric circle diameter of the central axis (broken line in FIG. 3). And a pair of micro channels 5a and 5b of the first mixing block 5 are connected with a phase difference of 90 degrees around the central axis as intended.

  Then, the packing 7 is placed on the end of the main body case 2, the female screw of the end nut 3 and the male screw formed on the main body case 2 are engaged, and the end nut 3 is tightened with a predetermined torque to complete the assembly. To do.

  After that, preparation for using the microreactor is completed by providing piping before and after the microreactor, that is, piping for supplying and discharging a necessary fluid to the microreactor.

  The movement of the fluid passing through the thus configured microreactor will be described in the embodiment.

  As an embodiment, the degree of freedom of design with respect to the “fluid behavior” in the microreactor of the present invention in the setting of the swirling direction of the fluid by the microchannel provided in the mixing block will be described in detail. The fluid swirl directions by the twisted blades provided in the micro flow channels of the mixing block described above are configured so that the swirl directions are different from each other in the pair of micro flow channels in one mixing block. The variation which realizes the change by the phase difference of the mixed block to be combined was explained.

  In this case, the mixed fluid that has exited the mixing block is merged in the cylindrical or conical space on the exit side of the mixing block as a fluid that has exited the respective microchannels, and the swirling direction is reversed. The swirl of each fluid obtained in the flow path collides with each other and mixing and / or reaction is promoted. Further, the fluid flows into the pair of microchannels in the cylindrical or conical space portion of the adjacent mixing block that is connected and is swirled by the twisted blades in the microchannel, and further mixing and / or reaction proceeds. .

  On the other hand, a pair of microchannels of one mixing block, for example, a pair of microchannels of 6a, 5b, for example, 5a, 5b are twisted wings having the same clockwise direction as the swirling direction applied to the fluid. , 6b can be disclosed to have a configuration including a twisted wing having the same counterclockwise direction.

  As a result, the swirling direction of the fluid in one mixing block is unified, and depending on the time and degree of mixing and / or reaction of the fluid required for a plurality of fluids, the fluid of the mixing block installed in the microreactor The degree of change in the turning direction, that is, the number of mixing blocks and the necessary number of mixing blocks stored in the main body case 2 can be easily set.

  That is, there are various examples such as when the mixing and / or reaction time and degree of the fluid in the mixing block are the same in the same turning direction only twice, or when one opposite turning is sufficient in the meantime. Conceivable.

  In other cases, not only the number is increased, but the length of the micro flow path in one mixing block is increased to perform necessary mixing and / or reaction, and the total number of mixing blocks can be reduced. It can be illustrated as the variation.

  In this way, the best performance as a reactor is minimized by combining the swirling directions given to the fluid in the microchannel formed in the mixing block according to the properties of the fluid, the required mixing and / or reaction speed, etc. It can be obtained with a device.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, embodiment disclosed above is an illustration to the last, Comprising: The scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiment. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

1 is a cross-sectional view of a microreactor according to the present invention. It is an external view of the joint surface of a supply block. It is an external view of the joint surface of a 1st mixing block. It is sectional drawing of the example of the mixing block of the microchannel which gives the clockwise rotation to a fluid. It is sectional drawing of the example of the mixing block of the microchannel which gives the rotation of a counterclockwise direction.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Microreactor 2 Main body case 3 End nut 4 Supply block 5 1st mixing block 6 2nd mixing block 11 A pair of supply hole 12 Discharge hole

Claims (2)

A reactor for a small amount of fluid,
A first microchannel for imparting a clockwise swirl to the fluid and a second microchannel for imparting a counterclockwise swirl to the fluid at positions 180 degrees opposite to the central axis of the cylindrical mother body. A cylindrical or conical space containing a micro flow channel and splitting or merging fluids into two micro flow channels. A plurality of mixing blocks formed on both ends of a diverting portion and a converging portion of a conical space are coaxially arranged. A main body of the mixer connected by a phase difference, an end nut connected to an end portion of the main body of the mixer, and having a discharge hole for discharging a fluid that has been mixed and / or reacted, and an inflow side of the main body of the mixer A microreactor comprising a pair of fluid flow paths and a supply block forming a pair of fluid inflow paths with a phase difference of 90 degrees, each connected with airtightness. A reactor for a small amount of fluid,
There are a first microchannel and a second microchannel that give the fluid a clockwise swivel at a position that is 180 degrees opposite to the central axis of the cylindrical mother body. A cylindrical or conical space for dividing or joining fluids into a microchannel, or a first mixing block formed at both ends with a diverging part and a converging part at a position opposite to the central axis of the cylindrical mother body at 180 degrees. A cylindrical or conical shape having a third microchannel and a fourth microchannel that imparts a counterclockwise rotation to the fluid, including two microchannels, and dividing or merging the fluid into the two microchannels A main body of a mixer in which a plurality of second mixing blocks each having a shunt portion and a confluence portion of the space formed at both ends are coaxially combined, and each mixing block is connected with a phase difference of 90 degrees, and the mixer main body Connected to the end of the fluid and mixed and / or reacted fluid It consists of an end nut formed with a discharge hole for discharging, two minute flow channels on the inflow side of the mixer main body, and a supply block forming a pair of fluid inflow channels with a phase difference of 90 degrees, each of which is airtight A microreactor that is connected by holding .

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