CN112495269A

CN112495269A - Generating device

Info

Publication number: CN112495269A
Application number: CN202011479122.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 杨伟; 徐克�
Original assignee: Peking University
Current assignee: Peking University
Priority date: 2020-12-14
Filing date: 2020-12-14
Publication date: 2021-03-16

Abstract

A generating device relates to the technical field of microfluidics, and comprises: generating a structure, a trunk channel and a continuous phase adjuster; the main channel is used for flowing the emulsion or the foam; the generating structure comprises a continuous phase micro-channel and a discrete phase micro-channel, the continuous phase micro-channel is used for allowing a continuous phase to enter, the discrete phase micro-channel is used for allowing a discrete phase to enter, the discrete phase is liquid or gas, the generating structure is communicated with the main channel, and a medium introduced into the continuous phase micro-channel and a medium in the discrete phase micro-channel form emulsion or foam in the main channel; the continuous phase regulator is communicated with the main channel and used for supplementing or overflowing the continuous phase in the emulsion or the foam, and the communication position of the continuous phase regulator and the main channel is positioned at the downstream of the communication position of the generating structure in the main channel. The use of the generating device provided by the application enables more precise regulation of the flow rate of the emulsion or foam, the phase ratio (ratio of continuous phase to discrete phase), and the size distribution of the droplets or bubbles at the same time.

Description

Generating device

Technical Field

The invention relates to the technical field of microfluidics, in particular to a generating device.

Background

Emulsions are relatively stable emulsion systems formed by uniformly dispersing a droplet or a plurality of different droplets in an otherwise immiscible liquid, wherein the droplets are dispersed in the system as discrete phases (internal phase) and are present in the system in continuous form as continuous phases (external phase). If the internal phase is a gas, a foam is formed. The emulsion can be divided into monodisperse type and polydisperse type according to the type of the discrete phase.

The conventional methods for preparing the emulsion mainly include a mechanical stirring method and a membrane emulsification method. The former rapidly shears the mixed solution of a discrete phase and a continuous phase through a mechanical process such as strong stirring and oscillation action, and finally the discrete phase is uniformly distributed in the continuous phase to form stable emulsion; the latter injects the dispersed phase into a porous membrane with micron-sized orifices under the action of fluid pressure difference, and emulsifies the dispersed phase into liquid drops to form emulsion. The traditional method is limited by the proportion of the formula, and has the application of a plurality of emulsifiers, so that the size and the shape of discrete phase droplets in the emulsion cannot be accurately regulated and controlled.

In recent years, the micro-fluidic emulsion method of shearing and emulsifying multiphase fluid in a micro-channel is widely concerned, the size and the structure of a liquid drop in the emulsion can be accurately regulated and controlled based on a micro-fluidic chip with high space ratio and high integration, the method greatly reduces the consumption of raw materials, and a new thought is provided for preparing the uniformly dispersed emulsion. In addition, emulsion does not need to be added in the preparation process, so that the feasibility of finely regulating and controlling the emulsion is improved. There are three main physical parameters that determine the dispersion of an emulsion (or foam): continuous phase flow, discrete phase flow, and droplet (or bubble) diameter. However, in the existing microfluidic emulsion preparation device and method, the control of the flow rate of the continuous phase in the emulsion (or foam) and the control of the size distribution of multiple dispersed phases are neglected, with the emphasis on controlling the size and morphology of the monodisperse discrete phase droplets (with uniform droplet diameter).

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention aims to provide a generating device which can solve the above-mentioned technical problems to some extent.

The invention is realized by the following steps:

a generating device, comprising: generating a structure, a trunk channel and a continuous phase adjuster; the trunk channel is used for allowing emulsion or foam to pass through; the generating structure comprises a continuous phase micro-channel and a discrete phase micro-channel, the continuous phase micro-channel is used for allowing a continuous phase to enter, the discrete phase micro-channel is used for allowing a discrete phase to enter, the discrete phase is liquid or gas, the generating structure is communicated with the trunk channel, and a medium introduced into the continuous phase micro-channel and a medium in the discrete phase micro-channel form emulsion or foam in the trunk channel; the continuous phase regulator is communicated with the main channel and used for supplementing or overflowing a continuous phase in the liquid drops, and the communication position of the continuous phase regulator and the main channel is positioned at the downstream of the communication position of the generating structure in the main channel.

In a possible embodiment, the number of the generating structures is multiple, and multiple generating structures are communicated with the trunk channel after being communicated in parallel.

In one possible embodiment, the continuous phase conditioner is provided with a capillary communication end having a plurality of communication ports having a smaller diameter than the diameter of the droplet, the length of the capillary communication end in the length direction of the main channel being greater than the length of the droplet.

In a possible embodiment, the capillary connecting end is a net structure, and the bottom surface of the net structure forms a plurality of the connecting openings.

In one possible embodiment, the net structure comprises a grid-shaped pipeline formed by vertically converging a plurality of transverse pipelines and a plurality of longitudinal pipelines.

In one possible embodiment, a pumping mechanism is connected to the continuous phase regulator.

In a possible embodiment, the inlet of the continuous phase microchannel, the inlet of the discrete phase microchannel, the inlet of the continuous phase regulator, and the inlet of the main channel are each connected with an external connection port having a larger aperture than the aperture of the inlet of the continuous phase microchannel, the inlet of the discrete phase microchannel, the inlet of the continuous phase regulator, or the inlet of the main channel corresponding thereto.

In one possible embodiment, the distance between the continuous phase regulator and the outlet of the main channel is smaller than the distance between the continuous phase regulator and the inlet of the main channel.

In a possible embodiment, the material of the continuous phase adjuster and the material of the main channel are the same as the material of the generating structure.

In one possible embodiment, a flow regulator is connected to both the continuous phase microchannel and the discrete phase microchannel.

The beneficial effects of the invention at least comprise:

the generating device provided by the embodiment is used for preparing emulsion or foam, and in the using process, when the generating device is used for preparing the emulsion, the continuous phase is introduced into the continuous phase micro-channel, and the discrete phase is introduced into the discrete phase micro-channel, and specifically, the continuous phase and the discrete phase are both liquid. The discrete phase generates liquid drops at the intersection of the continuous phase micro-channel and the discrete phase micro-channel, and the liquid drops and the continuous phase form emulsion in the main channel. Different flow ratios of the continuous and discrete phases can achieve different droplet diameters. The regulation and control of the effective diameter and the flow of the liquid drop can be realized by respectively regulating the flow of the continuous phase micro-channel and the flow of the discrete phase micro-channel. The emulsion flows downstream along the main channel after being generated, when the emulsion flows to the continuous phase regulator, the continuous phase regulator can realize the overflow or supplement of the continuous phase, and therefore the total flow of the continuous phase in the emulsion can be further adjusted after the emulsion is generated. Further, when the number of the generating structures is multiple and the generating structures are communicated in parallel, the sizes of the liquid drops generated in different generating structures can be respectively regulated and controlled, and the accurate regulation and control of the size distribution of the liquid drops in the emulsion can be realized through the parallel combination of the branch generating structures.

When using the generating device that this application provided to prepare the foam, then let in the continuous phase to the continuous phase microchannel, let in the discrete phase to the discrete phase microchannel, specifically, the continuous phase is liquid, and the discrete phase is gaseous, and gaseous bubble is generated at the intersection of continuous phase microchannel and discrete phase microchannel, and the bubble forms the foam at trunk passageway with the continuous phase. Different flow ratios of gas to continuous phase can achieve different bubble diameters. The regulation and control of the effective diameter and the flow of the bubbles can be realized by respectively regulating the flow of the continuous phase micro-channel and the flow of the discrete phase micro-channel. After the foam is generated, the foam flows downstream along the main channel, when the foam flows to the continuous phase regulator, the continuous phase regulator can realize overflow or supplement of the continuous phase, and therefore the total flow of the continuous phase in the foam can be further adjusted after the foam is generated. Furthermore, when the number of the generating structures is multiple and the generating structures are communicated in parallel, the sizes of the bubbles generated in different generating structures can be respectively regulated and controlled, and the accurate regulation and control of the size distribution of the bubbles in the foam can be realized through the parallel combination of the branch generating structures.

In summary, the generating device provided by the application can be used for generating emulsion and foam, and the flow rate, the phase ratio (the ratio of continuous phase to discrete phase) and the size distribution of liquid drops of the emulsion can be more accurately regulated and controlled simultaneously when the generating device is used for generating the emulsion; when the device is used for generating foam, the flow rate, the gas-liquid ratio and the size distribution of bubbles of the foam can be simultaneously and more accurately regulated and controlled.

Drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings needed to be used in the embodiments will be briefly described below, it should be understood that the following drawings only illustrate some embodiments of the present invention and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope, and for those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained according to the drawings without inventive efforts.

Fig. 1 is a first schematic structural diagram of a first generation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a continuous phase regulator in a generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a mesh structure in a continuous phase conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention at a first viewing angle;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a mesh structure in a continuous phase conditioner at a second viewing angle according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a first generation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a first generating device provided by an embodiment of the present invention manufactured using 3D printing techniques;

FIG. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of a second generation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a distribution diagram of the droplet diameter of a one-component polydisperse emulsion.

In the figure:

10-generating a structure; 11-discrete phase microchannels; 12-a continuous phase microchannel;

20-trunk channels;

30-continuous phase regulator; 31-capillary communication end;

40-external connection port;

50-droplet.

Detailed Description

In order to make the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention, and it is obvious that the described embodiments are some, but not all, embodiments of the present invention. The components of embodiments of the present invention generally described and illustrated in the figures herein may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations.

Thus, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention, presented in the figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but is merely representative of selected embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments, which can be derived by a person skilled in the art from the embodiments given herein without making any creative effort, shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

It should be noted that: like reference numbers and letters refer to like items in the following figures, and thus, once an item is defined in one figure, it need not be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc. indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the drawings or the orientations or positional relationships that the products of the present invention are conventionally placed in use, and are only used for convenience in describing the present invention and simplifying the description, but do not indicate or imply that the equipment or elements that are referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and thus, should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," "third," and the like are used solely to distinguish one from another and are not to be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

Furthermore, the terms "horizontal", "vertical", "overhang" and the like do not imply that the components are required to be absolutely horizontal or overhang, but may be slightly inclined. For example, "horizontal" merely means that the direction is more horizontal than "vertical" and does not mean that the structure must be perfectly horizontal, but may be slightly inclined.

In the description of the present invention, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified or limited, the terms "disposed," "mounted," "connected," and "connected" are to be construed broadly and may, for example, be fixedly connected, detachably connected, or integrally connected; can be mechanically or electrically connected; they may be connected directly or indirectly through intervening media, or they may be interconnected between two elements. The specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood in specific cases to those skilled in the art.

Some embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described below and the features of the embodiments can be combined with each other without conflict.

First embodiment

Referring to fig. 1 to 6, the present embodiment provides a generating device, which includes: the continuous phase generating structure comprises a generating structure 10, a main channel 20 and a continuous phase regulator 30, wherein the generating structure 10 comprises a continuous phase micro-channel 12 and a discrete phase micro-channel 11, the continuous phase micro-channel 12 and the discrete phase micro-channel 11 are both communicated with the generating structure 10, the continuous phase regulator 30 is communicated with the main channel 20 and used for supplementing or overflowing a continuous phase in emulsion or foam in the main channel 20, and the continuous phase regulator 30 is located at the downstream of the generating structure 10.

This example is particularly useful for single component monodisperse emulsion or foam preparation regulation.

It is worth noting that the generating device provided in this example can be used to generate an emulsion, as well as to generate foam. The generating device for generating the emulsion has the same structure as the generating device for generating the foam, and is different in that when the generating device is used for generating the emulsion, a continuous phase is introduced into the continuous phase micro-channel, a discrete phase is introduced into the discrete phase micro-channel, the continuous phase and the discrete phase are both liquid, the discrete phase of the liquid generates liquid drops at the intersection of the continuous phase micro-channel and the discrete phase micro-channel, and the liquid drops and the continuous phase form the emulsion in the main channel; and when using the generating device to generate the foam, let in the continuous phase microchannel, let in the discrete phase microchannel, the continuous phase is liquid, and the discrete phase is gaseous, and gaseous discrete phase generates the bubble at the intersection of continuous phase microchannel and discrete phase microchannel, and the bubble forms the emulsion with the continuous phase in trunk passageway. That is, the generating device generates an emulsion or foam in that the medium introduced into the discrete phase microchannel is a gas or a liquid, and is not different from the structure of the device. Therefore, for the convenience of describing the structure of the generating device, the following description will be made by taking the generating device for generating the emulsion as an example. When the foam is generated by using the generating device, the preparation process and the control mode of the foam can be deduced by replacing the dispersed phase with gas from liquid and replacing the part described as liquid drops with gas bubbles.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the number of the generating structure 10 is one, and the generating structure 10 includes one continuous phase microchannel 12 and one discrete phase microchannel 11.

The generation structure 10 may be a classic T-junction (T-junction), a Co-Flow (Co-Flow), or a Flow focusing (Flow focusing) microchannel, and the generation structures 10 in fig. 1 and 5 to 7 are all T-type microchannels, and the generation structure 10 will be described below by taking a T-type microchannel as an example. In the resulting structure 10, a continuous phase microchannel 12 and a discrete phase microchannel 11 are included, and the continuous phase microchannel 12 and the discrete phase microchannel 11 are vertically connected at a junction, and specifically, as shown in fig. 1, the continuous phase microchannel 12 is a linear-type channel, the discrete phase microchannel 11 is a bent-type microchannel, and the discrete phase microchannel 11 includes a first channel parallel to the continuous phase microchannel 12 and a second channel perpendicular to the continuous phase microchannel 12, the first channel communicates with one end of the second channel, and the other end of the second channel communicates with the continuous phase microchannel 12 perpendicularly. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the continuous phase microchannel 12 and the discrete phase microchannel 11 are both linear channels, and the continuous phase microchannel 12 is perpendicular to and communicates with the discrete phase microchannel 11.

The continuous phase and discrete phase flow ratio is an important factor in controlling the size and flow rate of the droplets 50, and the discrete phase is pinched off by the neck of the droplets 50 by the shearing force of the continuous phase, thereby generating the droplets 50. The flow ratio of the continuous phase and the discrete phase should be matched, if the flow of the continuous phase is far larger than that of the discrete phase, the discrete phase cannot flow out, and the liquid drop 50 is not easy to generate; if the discrete phase flow is greater than the continuous phase, a continuous laminar flow is readily established. Because the effective diameter and the frequency of the droplet 50 are increased along with the increase of the flow ratio of the discrete phase to the continuous phase, the effective diameter and the flow of the droplet 50 can be regulated and controlled by adjusting the flow of the two micro-channels.

Specifically, flow regulators may be provided upstream of the discrete-phase microchannel 11 and upstream of the continuous-phase microchannel 12, respectively, to perform flow regulation of the continuous phase and the discrete phase, respectively.

In one possible embodiment, pumping structures comprising flow regulators for flow input and regulation may be connected to the continuous phase microchannel 12 and the discrete phase microchannel 11, respectively. That is, when the continuous phase microchannel 12 and the discrete phase microchannel 11 are connected to a pumping structure, the above-described flow regulator belongs to the pumping structure and is a part of the pumping structure.

Alternatively, in another possible embodiment, the flow regulator is present independently of the pumping structure. For example, the flow regulator may employ a regulating structure such as a flow regulating valve. The flow control valve may be specifically a solenoid valve.

In an alternative embodiment, the continuous phase microchannel 12 and the discrete phase microchannel 11 meet the main channel 20 at a junction, and the droplet 50 is generated in the main channel 20 and continues to move downstream along the main channel 20.

Alternatively, in another alternative embodiment, the continuous phase microchannel 12 continues at the intersection with the discrete phase microchannel 11, and the region of the continuous phase microchannel 12 downstream of the intersection with the discrete phase microchannel 11 forms the trunk channel 20, i.e., the continuous phase microchannel 12 is integral with the trunk channel 20.

Of course, further, the discrete phase microchannel 11 and the continuous phase microchannel 12 may be of an integral structure.

To further condition the continuous phase, a continuous phase conditioner 30 is provided in the main channel 20, the continuous phase conditioner 30 being capable of overflowing or replenishing the continuous phase.

Preferably, the continuous phase regulator 30 has a capillary communication end 31, the capillary communication end 31 has a plurality of communication ports, the aperture of the communication ports is smaller than the diameter of the liquid droplet 50, and the length of the capillary communication end 31 along the length direction of the main channel 20 is larger than the length of the liquid droplet 50. The arrangement is such that at the capillary communication end 31, the continuous phase can overflow or replenish at the capillary communication end 31 under the action of capillary forces without the discrete phase droplets 50 entering the capillary communication end 31. It is noted that when the foam is prepared using the generating device, the aperture of the communicating port is smaller than the diameter of the air bubbles, and the length of the capillary communicating end 31 in the length direction of the trunk passage 20 is larger than the length of the air bubbles.

Preferably, the distance between the continuous phase adjuster 30 and the outlet of the trunk passage 20 is smaller than the distance between the continuous phase adjuster 30 and the inlet of the trunk passage 20. That is, the continuous phase adjuster 30 is disposed at a position closer to the outlet of the trunk passage 20. Alternatively, the generating structure 10 is disposed in an upstream region of the main channel 20, and the continuous phase adjuster 30 is disposed in a downstream region of the main channel 20.

Preferably, the continuous phase regulator 30 comprises a regulating channel and a capillary communication end 31, the continuous phase regulator 30 being arranged perpendicular or inclined to the main channel 20, in particular the regulating channel being arranged perpendicular or inclined to the main channel 20.

In fig. 1, 5-7, the continuous phase adjuster 30 is perpendicular to the main channel 20.

In one possible embodiment, when the main channel 20 is horizontally disposed, the capillary connecting end 31 may be formed by a plurality of longitudinal channels, and the connecting position of the longitudinal channels and the main channel 20 is a connecting opening, and the diameter of the connecting opening is smaller than the diameter of the liquid drop 50.

Alternatively, in a preferred embodiment, the capillary connecting end 31 is a net structure, and a plurality of connecting openings are formed on the bottom surface of the net structure. Further, the net-shaped structure comprises a grid-shaped pipeline formed by vertically meeting a plurality of transverse pipelines and a plurality of longitudinal pipelines.

Further, in a preferred embodiment, a pumping mechanism is connected to the continuous phase regulator 30, the pumping mechanism can be a piston pump, the continuous phase regulator 30 and the pumping mechanism can be directly bonded through an 1/16-inch transparent pipe or connected through a 10-32 UNF conical thread, and the pumping mechanism pumps in or out the continuous phase at a fixed flow rate according to the requirement of the continuous phase in the emulsion, so that the precise regulation and control of the emulsion system are realized. The pumping mechanism is fabricated with the resulting structure 10 without post-sealing treatment and is made of the same material as the resulting structure 10.

In one possible embodiment, the generating structure 10, the continuous phase regulator 30, the pumping mechanism and the main channel 20 may be an integral structure, and are integrally formed during the manufacturing process.

Specifically, the generating device provided by the embodiment can be prepared by direct printing through a 3D printing technology. Referring to fig. 6, fig. 6 is a structural diagram of a generating device printed by a 3D printing technique, and specifically, a transparent material is used for performing 3 printing operations, so that the printed generating device is transparent, thereby ensuring the transparency requirement of the whole structure, facilitating recording of internal fluid flow and droplet 50 distribution phase by a high-speed camera, and satisfying measurement and accurate regulation of an internal system of an emulsion. Specifically, the generating means may be made of glass, organic glass, PDMS (Polydimethylsiloxane), photosensitive resin, or the like.

Of course, the generating device provided in this embodiment may also be manufactured by other methods, such as glass etching, organic glass assembly, and hot-pressing polymer, or other microfluidic technologies may also be adopted to realize the production and manufacturing of the generating device provided in this embodiment.

Specifically, in the present embodiment, the production device may be prepared from a plurality of materials, wherein the continuous phase microchannel 12, the discrete phase microchannel 11, the trunk channel 20, and the continuous phase adjuster 30 employ a support material, and the support material is removed after the mold printing is finished, so that the requirement of high precision in the integrated formation can be satisfied.

As shown in FIG. 5, the continuous phase microchannel 12 has a size of 200 μm, the discrete phase microchannel 11 has a size of 200 μm, the continuous phase regulator 30 has a regulating channel having a size of 100 μm, the capillary communication port 31 has a size of 200 μm, and the capillary communication port 31 has a mesh structure specifically composed of 20 meshes of 50 μm × 50 μm. When the net-shaped structure is prepared, in order to ensure the mechanical strength of the filter screen structure, the net-shaped structure is designed into a transverse pipeline and a vertical and vertical staggered net-shaped pipeline. The grid transverse length is 1000 μm, the grid longitudinal height is 500 μm, the grid holes are 50 μm × 50 μm, the requirement that the diameter size of the liquid drop 50 is in the range of 50-1000 μm is met, and the front and back width of the grid array is larger than the length of the liquid drop 50, so that the overflow or supplement of the continuous phase can be realized by capillary force, but the discrete phase liquid drop 50 cannot pass through the structure.

To facilitate connection with an external piping (e.g., a conventional capillary interface), the inlet of the continuous phase microchannel 12, the inlet of the discrete phase microchannel 11, the inlet of the continuous phase regulator 30, and the inlet of the main channel 20 are connected with external connection ports 40, and the diameter of each of the external connection ports 40 is larger than the diameter of the inlet of the continuous phase microchannel 12, the inlet of the discrete phase microchannel 11, the inlet of the continuous phase regulator 30, or the inlet of the main channel 20 corresponding thereto.

For example, when the size of the upper continuous phase microchannel 12 is 200 μm, the size of the discrete phase microchannel 11 is 200 μm, and the size of the adjustment line of the continuous phase adjuster 30 is 100 μm, the size of the external connection port 40 is 500 μm, and the continuous phase adjuster 30 can be connected to the pumping means through the external connection port 40, specifically, it can be directly bonded with a transparent tube of 500 μm and 1/16 inches or connected to the pumping mechanism through a tapered thread of 10 to 32 UNF.

The generating device provided in this embodiment is specifically used for preparing and controlling a mono-component monodisperse emulsion or a foam, and the total independent physical parameters of the prepared mono-component monodisperse emulsion system are 3, which are continuous phase flow (q)_c) Discrete phase flow (q)_d) And the diameter (d) of the droplet 50. The droplet 50 generation device has three degrees of freedom (df), namely: an inlet for a continuous phase microchannel 12, an inlet for a discrete phase microchannel 11, and an inlet for a downstream continuous phase conditioner 30. Therefore, the single-component monodisperse emulsion of any system can be realized by the production device provided by the embodiment, and the requirement of accurately regulating and controlling any physical parameter in the single-component monodisperse emulsion system is met.

The production device provided by the application can be widely applied to industries such as food, cosmetics, chemical industry, petroleum and the like, for example, a plurality of foods (baked food, emulsion, frozen products and the like) and cosmetics comprise a dispersion system of a plurality of components, and in the fields of chemical industry and petroleum, emulsion or foam provides a new thought and method for micro-displacement oil extraction and the like, so that the aim of improving the oil extraction rate is fulfilled.

Second embodiment

Referring to fig. 2-4 and 7, the present embodiment provides another generating apparatus, which includes: the continuous phase generating structure comprises a generating structure 10, a main channel 20 and a continuous phase regulator 30, wherein the generating structure 10 comprises a continuous phase micro-channel 12 and a discrete phase micro-channel 11, the continuous phase micro-channel 12 and the discrete phase micro-channel 11 are both communicated with the generating structure 10, the continuous phase regulator 30 is communicated with the main channel 20 and used for supplementing or overflowing a continuous phase in emulsion or foam in the main channel 20, and the continuous phase regulator 30 is located at the downstream of the continuous phase micro-channel 12 and the discrete phase micro-channel 11.

This example is specifically for single or multicomponent polydisperse emulsion (or foam) preparation control, and for the same reasons as in the first example above, the following description will be given taking the example of a generating device for generating an emulsion for the sake of convenience in describing the structure of the generating device.

The following are described separately:

a one-component polydisperse emulsion is an emulsion of the same discrete phase but having a range of droplet 50 diameters. The multicomponent polydisperse emulsion means having a plurality of discrete phases and a plurality of diameters of the discrete phase droplets 50, which is different from the one-component polydisperse emulsion in the kind of the discrete phases.

Firstly, when the generating device provided by the embodiment is used for preparing and controlling the single-component polydisperse emulsion, the generating device comprises a plurality of generating structures 10, each generating structure 10 is communicated in parallel and then communicated with a main channel 20, and the main channel 20 is provided with a continuous phase regulator 30.

Specifically, the specific structures of the generating structure 10, the trunk channel 20, and the continuous phase adjustor 30 provided in this embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment, except that the number of the generating structures 10 is different, and therefore, the specific structures of the generating structure 10, the trunk channel 20, and the continuous phase adjustor 30 are not described herein again.

When the generating device provided in this embodiment is used for preparing and controlling a single-component polydisperse emulsion (or foam), the number of generating structures 10 is N (N is any positive integer), any monodisperse or polydisperse emulsion system is split into a composite of N monodisperse emulsions, the total independent physical parameters are 2N +1, and the degree of freedom of the generating device is 2N +1 for polydisperse emulsions with N different diameters of liquid droplets 50, which is a principle that the generating device provided in this embodiment can accurately generate polydisperse emulsions.

Specifically, the total independent physical parameters of the single-component polydisperse emulsion system are 2N +1, and the total independent physical parameters are respectively 1 continuous phase flow (q)_c) N discrete phase flows (q)_d) And the diameter (d) of N droplets 50_i). The generating device provided by the embodiment has 2N +1 degrees of freedom (df) for adjustment, namely: n continuous phase microchannels 12, N discrete phase microchannels 11 and 1 continuous phase conditioner 30 inlet. The size of the channel droplets 50 is adjusted by adjusting the two-phase flow of each of the generating structures 10And the flow can be accurately controlled; the total continuous phase flow may be further regulated by a downstream continuous phase regulator 30. The single-component polydisperse emulsion of any system can be realized by the generating device provided by the embodiment, and any physical parameter in the single-component polydisperse emulsion system can be precisely regulated and controlled. Therefore, the generation device provided by the embodiment can also realize the reverse deduction of the device unit structure according to the physical parameters of the emulsion system.

As shown in FIG. 8, a continuous line of the diameters of the droplets 50 in a single-component polydisperse emulsion can be fitted by a bar/step curve. One-component polydisperse emulsion systems can be achieved by grouping several generating structures 10 together by the following formula (1). Specifically, firstly, a single-component polydisperse emulsion continuous spectral line is divided into a set of a plurality of droplets 50 with different diameters, the diameter of a certain droplet 50 is multiplied by the proportion (namely weight) of the number of droplets 50 with the diameter to the total number of droplets 50, then the diameters of different droplets 50 are multiplied by the numerical value of the weight, and finally a discrete single-component polydisperse emulsion system is formed, namely, the fitting result of the single-component polydisperse emulsion continuous spectral line is obtained.

In the formula (d)_iThe diameter of the ith generated droplet; p (d)_i) Is a droplet having a diameter d_iThe amount of (A) is proportional to the total number of droplets; f (d)_i) "is a collection of discrete, single-component, monodisperse emulsions; f (d)_i) Is a one-component polydisperse emulsion system. The formula can be applied to discretization processing of a certain range of continuous spectral lines. The method is simple to operate and can flexibly adjust the generating structure 10.

As shown in FIG. 8, the droplets 50 in the emulsion ranged from 60 μm to 440 μm and were divided into 20 types of droplets 50 by a discrete method. Then 20 generating structures 10 can be arranged according to the types of the liquid drops 50 and respectively connected with the downstream continuous phase regulator 30 in series, the flow rates of the continuous phase and the discrete phase of each generating structure 10 are determined, liquid drops 50 with different diameters are generated, and finally, the total flow rate of the continuous phase is accurately regulated through the continuous phase regulator 30, so that the polydisperse emulsion system is accurately controlled.

Secondly, when the generating device provided by the embodiment is used for preparing and controlling the multi-component multi-dispersion emulsion (or foam), the generating device comprises a plurality of generating structures 10, each generating structure 10 is communicated with the main channel 20 after being connected in parallel, and the main channel 20 is provided with the continuous phase regulator 30. Specifically, the specific structure of the generating device is the same as that of the generating device used for the single-component polydisperse emulsion (or foam) preparation regulation, except that the generating device provided in this embodiment is different in the kind of the discrete phase medium that is introduced into the discrete phase micro-channels 11 of different generating structures 10 during the use process. Therefore, the detailed structure of the generating device is not described in detail.

When the generating device provided in this embodiment is used for preparing and controlling a multi-component polydisperse emulsion (or foam), the number of generating structures 10 is N, the total independent physical parameters of the multi-component polydisperse emulsion system are 2N +1, and the total independent physical parameters are 1 continuous phase flow (q)_c) N discrete phase flows (q)_d) And the diameter (d) of N droplets 50_i ^r). The generating device provided by the embodiment has 2N +1 degrees of freedom (df) for adjustment, namely: n continuous phase microchannels 12, N discrete phase microchannels 11 and 1 continuous phase conditioner 30 inlet. By adjusting the two-phase flow rate of each generating structure 10, the size and flow rate of the channel droplets 50 can be precisely controlled; the total continuous phase flow through may be further regulated by a downstream continuous phase regulator 30. The multi-component polydisperse emulsion of any system can be realized by the generating device provided by the embodiment, and any physical parameter in the multi-component polydisperse emulsion system can be precisely regulated and controlled. Therefore, the generation device provided by the embodiment can also realize the reverse deduction of the device unit structure according to the physical parameters of the emulsion system.

When the generation device provided by this embodiment is used for the control of the preparation of the multi-component polydisperse emulsion (or foam), the multi-component polydisperse emulsion is split into several groups of single-component monodisperse emulsions. A multi-component polydisperse emulsion system can be achieved by bringing together several generating structures 10 by the following formula (2). Specifically, firstly, the multi-component polydisperse emulsion is divided into a plurality of single-component monodisperse emulsion sets of droplets 50 with different dispersivity and different diameters, secondly, calculation is performed on the same component of droplets 50, for example, the diameter of a certain droplet 50 is multiplied by the proportion (namely weight) of the number of droplets 50 with the diameter to the total number of droplets 50, then the diameters of different droplets 50 are multiplied by the numerical value of the weight, and in the same way, calculation is performed on different component droplets 50, the condition of accumulating different component droplets 50 is accumulated, and finally a discrete multi-component disperse emulsion system is formed, namely, the result of continuous spectral line fitting of the multi-component polydisperse emulsion is obtained.

In the formula, di^rA droplet 50 diameter generated for the ith distinct phase r; r is a discrete phase of different nature; n1 and N2 are the number of different droplets 50 diameter and the number of different component droplets 50, respectively, where N1 · N2 is N; p (di)^r) The diameter of the droplet 50 is di^rThe number of the drops accounts for 50 of the total drops; f (di)^r) "is a collection of discrete, multiple monodisperse emulsions; f (di)^r) Is a multi-component multi-dispersed emulsion system. The formula can be applied to discretization processing of a certain range of continuous spectral lines. The formula can be applied to discretization processing of a certain range of continuous spectral lines. The method is simple to operate and can flexibly adjust the generating structure 10.

The above is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention, and various modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. Any modification, equivalent replacement, or improvement made within the spirit and principle of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A generation apparatus, comprising: generating a structure, a trunk channel and a continuous phase adjuster; the trunk channel is used for allowing emulsion or foam to pass through; the generating structure comprises a continuous phase micro-channel and a discrete phase micro-channel, the continuous phase micro-channel is used for allowing a continuous phase to enter, the discrete phase micro-channel is used for allowing a discrete phase to enter, the discrete phase is liquid or gas, the generating structure is communicated with the trunk channel, and a medium introduced into the continuous phase micro-channel and a medium in the discrete phase micro-channel form emulsion or foam in the trunk channel; the continuous phase regulator is communicated with the main channel and used for supplementing or overflowing a continuous phase in the emulsion or the foam, and the communication position of the continuous phase regulator and the main channel is positioned at the downstream of the communication position of the generating structure in the main channel.

2. The generating device according to claim 1, wherein the generating structures are plural in number, and the plural generating structures are connected in parallel and then connected to the trunk channel.

3. The generating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the continuous phase conditioner is provided with a capillary communication end having a plurality of communication ports having a smaller diameter than the diameter of the droplet, the length of the capillary communication end in the length direction of the main channel being larger than the length of the droplet.

4. The generating device of claim 3, wherein the capillary communicating end is a mesh structure, and a bottom surface of the mesh structure forms a plurality of the communicating openings.

5. The generating device according to claim 4, wherein the net-like structure comprises a grid-like tube formed by a plurality of transverse tubes and a plurality of longitudinal tubes which are vertically joined together.

6. A generating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a pumping mechanism is connected to the continuous phase regulator.

7. The generating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an inlet of the continuous phase microchannel, an inlet of the discrete phase microchannel, an inlet of the continuous phase regulator, and an inlet of the main channel are each connected with an external connection port having a larger aperture than an aperture of the inlet of the continuous phase microchannel, the inlet of the discrete phase microchannel, the inlet of the continuous phase regulator, or the inlet of the main channel corresponding thereto.

8. The generating device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the distance between the continuous phase adjuster and the outlet of the trunk channel is smaller than the distance between the continuous phase adjuster and the inlet of the trunk channel.

9. The generating device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the continuous phase adjuster and the trunk channel are made of the same material as the generating structure.

10. The generating device of claim 1 or 2, wherein a flow regulator is connected to both the continuous phase microchannel and the discrete phase microchannel.