JP2013081911A - Fluid mixer and fluid mixing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve a fluid mixer in which spread of a component to be detected in a flow direction is small and which can improve analytical precision of an analytical apparatus.SOLUTION: Fluid flows in a +X axis direction in a flow path 115 before branching and branches to a +Y axis direction flow and a -Y axis direction flow at a branch flow path 116. The flow thereof bends in an X axis direction downstream and the flow bends in the +Y axis direction and the -Y axis direction further downstream. Even further downstream, the flow joins and bends in the -X axis direction. Furthermore, the flow bends in the +Z axis direction even further downstream and the flow bends in the +Xaxis direction even further downstream. Even further downstream, the flow bends in the -Z axis direction and the flow bends in the +X axis direction even further downstream. In the fluid mixer 921, stay time of the component to be detected flowing in the fluid mixer 921 is identical regardless of the place where the component to be detected flows in at an entrance cross-section of the fluid mixer 921. Thus, spread of the component to be detected in the flow direction is smaller at the downstream position in the fluid mixer 921 than that at the upstream position in the fluid mixer 921.

Description

  The present invention relates to a fluid mixer that mixes two or more kinds of liquids.

  For example, there is an amino acid analyzer using a post-column reaction of a liquid chromatograph. This amino acid analyzer is an apparatus for measuring the content of amino acids in a sample and identifying the type.

  The amino acid analyzer passes the sample solution through a separation column, separates the amino acid that is the detection target component in the sample solution, mixes the separated amino acid with a reagent solution such as a ninhydrin reagent, and heats the mixture to react. The reaction product is detected by a detector.

  Conventional amino acid analyzers use a T-shaped connector and piping to mix the reagent solution and the detection target component. The reagent solution and the component to be detected are merged by a T-shaped connector and mixed by concentration diffusion in the downstream pipe.

  In this case, since the time required for mixing is long, the pipe length required for mixing becomes long, and the component to be measured spreads in the flow direction in the pipe. In the liquid chromatograph, if the detection target component spreads in the pipe in the flow direction, the time from the detection target component flowing into the detector until it flows out becomes longer, so the peak width of the chromatogram that is the analysis result is expanded. Analytical accuracy decreases.

  Accordingly, a fluid mixer is used to shorten the time required for mixing the reagent solution and the detection target component.

  As an example of the fluid mixer in the analyzer, there is a technique described in Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 discloses a fluid mixer in which a tubular reagent flow channel in which a reagent solution flows and a tubular sample flow channel in which a sample solution from a separation column of a liquid chromatograph apparatus merges at a connecting portion. It is a vessel.

  The fluid mixer includes a connecting portion, a downstream confluence channel, a large-diameter portion having a larger channel cross-sectional area and a shorter channel length than the reagent channel and the sample channel, and a larger-diameter portion than the large-diameter portion. This is a structure in which a small-diameter portion having a small channel cross-sectional area and a long channel length is sequentially connected.

  In this fluid mixer, since the width of the large diameter portion is different from that of the merged flow path, a vortex is generated in the large diameter portion, and liquid is mixed by this vortex.

  As another example of the fluid mixer, there is a technique described in Patent Document 2. The fluid mixer described in Patent Document 2 has a structure in which the flow path repeats branching and mixing. In this flow path structure, a turbulent flow is generated by collision of two fluids, a change in flow direction, a change in flow velocity, etc., and as a result, the fluid mixer is a mixture of the two fluids.

JP 2002-131326 A JP 2008-246283 A

  In the fluid mixer described in Patent Document 1, the liquid is mixed by the vortex. In this case, the detection target component that is involved in the vortex and the detection target component that is not involved in the vortex are contained in the fluid mixer. The residence time at is different. Therefore, the flow direction of the detection target component increases in the downstream of the fluid mixer compared to the upstream of the fluid mixer.

  As a result, the peak width of the chromatogram which is the analysis result is widened, and the analysis accuracy is lowered.

  In the fluid mixer described in Patent Document 2, the fluid repeats branching and merging when the fluid flows through the channel before branching, the branch channel, and the channel after merging. This fluid mixer has a flow velocity distribution in which the flow is fast at the center of the flow channel and the flow is slow near the wall surface of the flow channel.

  Further, in the fluid mixer described in Patent Document 2, the fluid in the position of the fast flow in the center of the flow path in the flow path before branching becomes the position of the slow flow near the wall surface in the branch flow path, and the flow after the merging In the path, it becomes the position of the fast flow at the center of the flow path again.

  In addition, the fluid in the middle of the flow rate in the middle of the channel near the channel wall in the channel before branching becomes the position of the fast flow in the center of the channel in the branch channel. In this flow path, the flow position at a medium speed between the center of the flow path and the wall surface of the flow path is once again located.

  On the other hand, the fluid in the position of the slow flow near the wall surface in the channel before branching is in the position of the slow flow near the wall surface in the branch channel, and the position of the slow flow near the wall surface in the channel after joining. There is always a slow flow position.

  Therefore, the time during which the detection target component flowing into the position of the slow flow near the wall surface in the flow path before branching stays in the flow path before branching and the branch flow path flows in the flow path before branching. It is longer than the time during which the detection target component flowing into the fast flow position in the center of the path stays in the flow path before branching, the branch flow path, and the flow path after merging.

  In addition, the time during which the detection target component flowing into the position of the slow flow near the wall surface in the channel before branching stays in the channel before branching and the channel after branching is determined in the channel before branching. The detection target component that flows into the middle of the flow path near the flow path center and near the flow path wall is longer than the residence time in the flow path before branching and the flow path after merging. .

  That is, in the cross section of the inlet (flow path before branching) of the fluid mixer, the residence time in the fluid mixer varies depending on where the detection target component flows. As a result, in the downstream of the fluid mixer, the flow direction of the detection target component increases in comparison with the upstream of the fluid mixer.

  As a result, the peak width of the chromatogram, which is the analysis result of the amino acid analyzer, widens, and the analysis accuracy decreases.

  An object of the present invention is to realize a fluid mixer and a fluid mixing method in which the flow direction of the detection target component is small and the analysis accuracy of the analyzer can be improved.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is configured as follows.

  It has a fluid flow path for mixing at least two kinds of fluids, and when the three axes orthogonal to each other in the orthogonal coordinate system are defined as the first axis, the second axis, and the third axis, the fluid extends in the + first axis direction. The fluid from the inlet is + flowed in the first axial direction, the fluid is branched from the first channel to the second channel and the third channel, and the second channel and the third channel The fluid branched into the flow path is merged at the merge portion, the fluid merged at the merge portion is flowed in the first axis direction, and the fluid is led out to the outlet.

  It is possible to realize a fluid mixer and a fluid mixing method in which the flow direction of the detection target component is small and the analysis accuracy of the analyzer can be improved.

It is a schematic block diagram of the amino acid analyzer to which the fluid mixer of the present invention is applied. It is an assembly exploded perspective view of the fluid mixer of the present invention. It is a different example from this invention, and is a figure which shows the expansion of the detection target component in a flow path for the comparison with this invention. It is a figure which shows the suppression effect of the expansion of a detection target component for the principle description of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example which combined multiple fluid mixers in the 1st Example of this invention. It is a figure explaining the state of the detection target component, eluent, and reagent solution in the piping. It is a figure which shows the simulation result of the relationship between a mixing rate and the distance from a confluence | merging part. It is explanatory drawing of the fluid mixer by the 2nd, 3rd Example of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the amino acid analyzer to which the fluid mixer in the 4th Example of this invention was applied.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited to the Example demonstrated below.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration of an amino acid analyzer when the fluid mixer of the present invention is applied. 1, the amino acid analyzer includes a sample liquid container 1, an eluent container 2, an autosampler 3, an eluent liquid feed pump 4, a reagent liquid container 5, a reagent liquid feed pump 6, and a sample liquid. And a separation column 7 for separating the components to be detected therein.

  In addition, the amino acid analyzer has a fluid mixer 13, a reaction part pipe 9, and a reaction part pipe 9, and a warming machine 10 for heating and reacting the detection target component and the reagent solution, The detector 11 which detects the reaction product produced in the reaction part piping 9, the piping 17, and the waste liquid container 18 is provided. 12 is a waste liquid that has passed through the detector 11, 14 is a sample liquid, 15 is an eluent, and 16 is a reagent liquid.

  In the amino acid analyzer shown in FIG. 1, the eluent 15 is fed from the eluent container 2 by the eluent feed pump 4. The sample solution 14 joins the eluent 15 from the sample solution container 1 by the autosampler 3 and flows to the separation column 7. In the separation column 7, the detection target component in the sample solution is separated due to the difference in charge, and the separated detection target component is merged in the reagent solution 16 and the fluid mixer 13. As will be described later, the fluid mixer 13 is formed by laminating an A substrate 407, a B substrate 408, and a C substrate 409.

  The reagent solution 16 is fed from the reagent solution container 5 by the reagent solution feed pump 6. The detection target component separated by the separation column 7 and the reagent solution 16 are mixed by the fluid mixer 13 and then reacted in the reaction section pipe 9. Then, the reaction product generated in the reaction section pipe 9 is detected by the detector 11 and sent to the waste liquid container 18.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the distribution in the piping of the detection target component 19 (amino acid A21, amino acid B22, amino acid C23) separated by the separation column 7, the eluent 15, and the mixed liquid 27 of the eluent and the reagent liquid. In FIG. 6, the inside of the pipe 17 is formed by the reaction of amino acid A21, amino acid B22, amino acid C23, eluent 15, reaction product 24 obtained by reacting amino acid A21 with the reagent solution, and amino acid B22 and reagent solution. The reaction product 25, the reaction product 26 formed by the reaction of the amino acid C and the reagent solution, and the mixed solution 27 of the eluent and the reagent solution are present.

  6A shows the inside of the pipe 17 before the detection target component 19 and the eluent 15 are mixed, and the detection target components 19 (amino acid A21, amino acid B22, amino acid C23) are respectively contained in the eluent 15. Flow separated.

  The amino acid A21, amino acid B22, and amino acid C23 are mixed with the reagent solution 16 in the fluid mixer 13. FIG. 6B shows the inside of the pipe 17 after the detection target component 19 and the eluent 15 are mixed. In the pipe 17 after the mixing, an amino acid is contained in the mixed liquid 27 of the eluent and the reagent liquid. There is a reaction product 24 formed by reacting A21 with the reagent solution, a reaction product 25 formed by reacting the amino acid B22 with the reagent solution, and a reaction product 26 formed by reacting the amino acid C23 with the reagent solution 16. It becomes like this.

  FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the fluid mixer 13 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the fluid mixer 13 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is formed of an A substrate 407, a B substrate 408, and a C substrate 409. By passing a screw (not shown) through the screw hole 411 and turning it into the screw hole 410, the three substrates are stacked and fixed, and the fluid mixer 13 is formed. In the A substrate 407, an inlet 404 for the A liquid 401, an inlet 405 for the B liquid 402, and an outlet 406 for the mixed liquid 403 are formed.

  As the material of the A substrate 407, the B substrate 408, and the C substrate 409, for example, stainless steel, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyether ether ketone, or the like can be used. The flow channel shape shown in FIG. 5 is formed by the fluid mixer shown in FIG.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a fluid mixer based on a principle different from that of the present invention, and is a diagram showing a comparative example with the present invention.

  (A) of FIG. 3 is a flow-path schematic sectional drawing for demonstrating the expansion of the flow direction of the detection target component within one flow path. In FIG. 3A, when the detection target component 19 enters one flow path 901 and passes through the flow path, the flow velocity distribution in the flow path is the center line in the fluid flow direction of the flow path as indicated by 902. It becomes a parabolic shape in which the flow velocity becomes slower toward the wall surface of the flow path. For this reason, the distribution of the detection target component is also a parabolic distribution 904, and the spread in the flow direction of the detection target component is 905.

  FIG. 3B shows the expansion of the flow direction of the detection target component in the fluid mixer 911 in the comparative example including the flow path 111 before branching the flow path, the branch flow path 112, and the merge flow path 113. It is a flow-path schematic sectional drawing which shows a mode.

  In FIG. 3B, when the detection target component 19 enters the pre-branch flow path 111 and passes through the pre-branch flow path 111, the detection target component is upstream upstream of the branch portion 62 by the parabolic flow velocity distribution 903. Then, it has a parabolic distribution 930. The component to be detected in the distribution 930 is a branching unit 62 that branches in the + Y-axis direction and the −Y-axis direction (component 60 and component 61) shown in FIG. It moves fast in the center of the flow path (central component 908), and moves slowly in the vicinity of the wall surface (wall surface component 906). Therefore, on the upstream side immediately before the merging portion 33, the detection target component spreads in the flow direction like the component 30 and the component 31.

  In the merging portion 33, the component 30 and the component 31 merge and flow in the + X-axis direction shown in FIG.

  Here, with regard to the component 30, the slow-flow component near the wall surface in the flow path (wall surface component 906 (the wall surface component far from the merge flow path 113)) moves to the center in the merge flow path (center Component 907), a component having a fast flow at the center of the flow channel (central component 908) moves to the wall surface side in the merged flow channel (wall surface side component 909).

  On the other hand, the slow flow component 933 near the wall surface in the channel 111 before branching is in the slow flow position 913 near the wall surface also in the branch channel 112, and the slow flow near the wall surface also in the merge channel 113. It is in position 914.

  Therefore, the spread of the component distribution 910 in the merge channel 113 is 912.

  In the flow path 111 before branching, the fluid 934 at the position of fast flow in the center of the flow path is in the position 935 of slow flow near the wall surface in the branch flow path 112, and again in the flow path 113 after merging. It is at a fast flow position 907 in the middle of the channel.

  In addition, in the flow path 111 before branching, the fluid 936 at the middle speed flow position in the middle of the flow path center and near the flow path wall surface in the branch flow path 112 has a fast flow position in the middle of the flow path. The flow path 113 after merging is again at the middle flow speed position 909 near the flow path center and the wall surface of the flow path.

  On the other hand, the fluid 933 at the slow flow position near the wall surface in the channel 111 before branching is at the slow flow position 913 near the wall surface in the branch channel 112 and also near the wall surface in the channel 113 after joining. It is in the slow flow position 914 and always flows through the slow flow position.

  Therefore, the time during which the detection target component 933 flowing into the position of the slow flow near the wall surface in the channel 111 before branching stays in the channel 111, the branch channel 112, and the merge channel 113 before branching is the flow before the branch. In the channel 111, the detection target component 934 that flows into the fast flow position in the center of the channel is longer than the residence time in the channel 111, the branch channel 112, and the merge channel 113 before branching. Further, the detection target component 933 flows into the middle flow speed position between the center of the flow path and the vicinity of the flow path wall in the flow path 111 before branching. This is longer than the time spent in the branch flow path 112 and the merge flow path 113.

  In other words, the time during which the detection target component flowing in the fluid mixer 911 stays in the fluid mixer 911 differs depending on the location where the detection target component flows in the cross section of the inlet (flow path 111 before branching) of the fluid mixer. Therefore, the spread 912 in the flow direction of the detection target component is larger in the downstream of the fluid mixer 911 than in the upstream of the fluid mixer 911. As a result, the peak width of the chromatogram, which is the analysis result of the amino acid analyzer, widens, and the analysis accuracy decreases.

FIG. 4 is a principle explanatory diagram of the fluid mixer of the present invention, and shows the effect of suppressing the spread of the detection target component in the flow path structure 921. The axes orthogonal to each other in the orthogonal coordinates are defined as a first axis, a second axis, and a third axis. These will be described as an X axis, a Y axis, and a Z axis.
However, the first axis can be set to any of the X, Y, and Z axes. Similarly, the second axis and the third axis can be set to any of the X, Y, and Z axes.

  In FIG. 4A, the flow direction of the flow path 115 before branching is taken as the X axis, the direction perpendicular to the flow direction of the flow path 115 before branching is taken as the Y axis and the Z axis, and the direction perpendicular to the paper surface is taken as the direction. The Z axis is assumed.

  In FIG. 4B, the flow direction of the flow path 115 before branching is taken as the X axis, the direction perpendicular to the flow direction of the flow path 115 before branching is taken as the Y axis and the Z axis, and the direction perpendicular to the paper surface is taken as the direction. The Y axis is assumed.

  4B shows a side view of the flow path, and FIG. 4A shows a cross section taken along the line AA in FIG. 4B.

  In the flow path structure 921, as shown in FIG. 4A, the fluid flows in the + X axis direction in the flow path 115 (first flow path) before branching, and the branch flow path 116 (second flow path) downstream thereof. The third flow path) branches into a flow in the + Y-axis direction and the −Y-axis direction, the flow bends in the X-axis direction downstream, and the flow in the + Y-axis direction and −Y-axis direction downstream. Bend. And the 2nd flow path and the 3rd flow path are connected to the confluence | merging part in the downstream, and the branched fluid merges in this confluence | merging part. This confluence portion is connected to the fourth flow path, the fourth flow path extends in the −X axis direction, and the flow of the fluid also bends in the −X axis direction.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4B, the fourth flow path is connected to a fifth flow path (lead-out path) that leads to a lead-out port that leads out the fluid. In the fifth flow path, the flow is bent in the + Z-axis direction, the flow is bent in the + X-axis direction downstream thereof, the flow is bent in the −Z-axis direction downstream thereof, and the flow is bent in the + X-axis direction downstream thereof. The fifth flow path extends in the + X axis direction, and the fluid flows in the + X axis direction.

  In FIG. 4A, the detection target component 19 flowing into the flow channel structure 921 becomes a component 940 having a parabolic distribution on the upstream side immediately before the branching portion 52 due to the flow velocity distribution 915. The component 940 branches in the + Y-axis direction and the −Y-axis direction at the branch portion 52 (component 50 and component 51), and moves fast in the center of the flow path due to the flow velocity distribution 915 in the branch flow path 116 (central component 918). Since it moves slowly in the vicinity of the wall surface (wall surface component 923), it spreads in the flow direction like the component 53 and the component 54.

  In the merging portion 55, the component 53 and the component 54 are merged, and the flow is bent in the −X axis direction to become the component 56. For the component 56, the slow flow component (wall surface component 923) near the wall surfaces of the component 53 and the component 54 moves to the center of the flow path (central component 917), and the fast flow component of the component 53 and the component 54 at the center of the flow path. (Center component 918) moves to the wall surface side (wall surface component 919). Further, the slow flow component (wall surface component 916) near the wall surfaces of the component 53 and the component 54 becomes a flow component 920 on the wall surface. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 4B, the flow direction of the fluid changes in the + Z axis direction, the + X axis direction, the −Z axis direction, and the + X axis direction.

  Therefore, the slow flow component 943 near the wall surface of the channel 115 before branching is located in the fast flow at the center of the channel after branching and merging (central component 917). The spread of the component distribution 926 at the fluid mixer outlet is 922. This spread 922 is smaller than the spread 905 by one flow path 901 shown in FIG. 3 and smaller than the spread 912 by the fluid mixer 911 that branches and merges. The distribution 926 is such that the wall surface component is located upstream of the central portion 925 component, and the distance between the central portion 925 component and the wall surface component decreases as the fluid mixer exits. .

  In the flow channel structure 921 of the present invention, in the flow channel 115 before branching, the fluid 945 at the fast flow position in the center of the flow channel is in the slow flow position 946 near the wall surface in the branch flow channel 116, and after the merging. In the flow path 117, the flow is located at a slow flow position 920 near the wall surface.

  Further, in the flow channel 115 before branching, the fluid 947 located at a medium speed flow position in the middle of the flow channel center and near the flow channel wall surface is located in the branch flow channel 116 at a fast flow position in the middle of the flow channel. In the flow channel 117 after merging, the flow channel 117 is again at the middle flow velocity position 919 near the flow channel center and the wall surface of the flow channel.

  On the other hand, in the flow channel 115 before branching, the fluids 943 and 944 in the slow flow position near the wall surface are also in the slow flow position 923 near the wall surface in the branch flow channel 116 and in the flow channel 117 after joining. It is at a fast flow position 917 in the middle of the channel.

  Therefore, in the flow channel 115 before branching, the time during which the detection target components 943 and 944 flowing into the slow flow position near the wall surface stay in the flow channel 115, the branch flow channel 116, and the merge flow channel 117 before branching is branched. This is equivalent to the time during which the detection target component 945 flowing into the fast flow position in the center of the flow path in the previous flow path 115 stays in the flow path 115, the branch flow path 116, and the merge flow path 117 before branching.

  In addition, the detection target components 943 and 944 that flow into the position of the slow flow near the wall surface flow into the middle flow speed position near the channel center and the wall surface of the flow channel 115 before branching. This is equivalent to the time during which the detection target component 947 stays in the flow channel 115, the branch flow channel 116, and the merge flow channel 117 before branching.

  That is, the time during which the detection target component flowing in the fluid mixer 921 stays in the fluid mixer 921 depends on the place where the detection target component flows in the cross section of the inlet (flow path 115 before branching) of the fluid mixer 921. Are equivalent. As a result, the spread in the flow direction of the detection target component downstream of the fluid mixer 921 with respect to the upstream of the fluid mixer 921 is reduced.

  Therefore, the peak width of the chromatogram that is the analysis result of the amino acid analyzer does not widen, and the analysis accuracy of the amino acid analyzer can be improved.

  In the flow path shown in FIG. 4B, after extending in the + Z-axis direction, the channel extends in the + X-axis direction, and then extends in the −Z-axis direction, but the extension distance in the + Z-axis direction, + X The extension distance in the axial direction and the extension distance in the -Z-axis direction are determined in consideration of the cross-sectional area of the flow path, the flow rate of the fluid, etc. Can be set so as to be closest to each other at the outlet portion of the fluid mixer, that is, the spread 922 is the smallest.

  The fluid mixer 921 shown in FIG. 4 interchanges the position of the fast flow and the position of the slow flow in the XY plane between the pre-branch channel 115 and the merge channel 117. However, the flow of the detection target component in the XZ plane due to the flow velocity distribution of the XZ plane exists, and the position of the detection target component in the XZ plane is changed by performing the change of the flow position shown in FIG. The spread in the flow direction can be suppressed.

  In order to change the position of the flow in the XZ plane, the fluid may be flowed through a flow channel structure in which the flow channel 921 in FIG. 4 is rotated by an angle of 90 degrees around the X axis. A fluid mixer that exchanges the position of the fast flow and the slow flow in the XY plane and a fluid mixer that exchanges the position of the fast flow and the slow flow in the XZ plane are connected to each other. There can be two fluid mixers.

  The flow path structure for changing the position of the flow in the XZ plane will be described below.

  With the Y-axis shown in FIG. 4 as the Z-axis and the Z-axis as the Y-axis, the fluid flows in the + X-axis direction in the channel 115 (first channel) before branching, and the branch channel 116 (first The second flow path and the third flow path), the flow branches in the + Z-axis direction and the −Z-axis direction, and the flow is bent downstream in the X-axis direction, and downstream in the + Z-axis direction and −Z-axis direction. Turns. And the 2nd flow path and the 3rd flow path are connected to the confluence | merging part in the downstream, and the branched fluid merges in this confluence | merging part. This confluence portion is connected to the fourth flow path, the fourth flow path extends in the −X axis direction, and the flow of the fluid also bends in the −X axis direction.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, the fourth flow path is connected to the fifth flow path, and the flow of the fifth flow path is bent in the + Y-axis direction, and the downstream of the + X-axis The flow bends in the direction, the flow bends in the −Y-axis direction downstream thereof, and the flow bends in the + X-axis direction downstream thereof.

  The fifth flow path extends in the + X axis direction, and the fluid flows in the + X axis direction.

  Further, when the fluid flows in from the Y-axis direction on the XY plane, the flow path structure is obtained when the X axis and the Y axis in FIG. 4 are interchanged. In this case, the fluid flow in the flow path 117 after joining is in the −Y direction.

  Further, in the YZ plane, when the fluid flows in from the + Z axis direction, the flow path structure is obtained when the X axis and the Z axis are interchanged in FIG. In this case, the fluid flow in the flow path 117 after joining is in the −Z direction. In the YZ plane, when the fluid flows in from the −Z axis direction, the flow of the fluid in the flow path 117 after joining is in the + Z direction.

  A fluid mixer that swaps fast and slow flow positions in the XY plane, a fluid mixer that swaps fast and slow flow positions in the XZ plane, and a YZ plane It is also possible to connect a fluid mixer that exchanges the position of the fast flow and the position of the slow flow to form one fluid mixer. It is also possible to configure a fluid mixer by providing a plurality of fluid mixers and connecting six or more fluid mixers.

  Here, as an example of the flow path in the fluid mixer, a pipe having a square cross-sectional shape and a side dimension of 100 to 1000 micrometers can be used.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the flow channel shape of the fluid mixer according to the first example of the present invention. Elements 101 to 106 to be described later are formed according to the principle of the present invention shown in FIG. 4. However, for convenience of illustration, immediately after the branched fluids merge, the −X axis direction, −Y axis direction, or A flow path for flowing fluid in the + Z-axis direction is omitted.

  In FIG. 5, assuming that the three axes of the orthogonal coordinate system are the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis, the fluid mixer in the first embodiment of the present invention has a liquid A (corresponding to a sample liquid) 401 and a liquid B. (Equivalent to reagent solution) 402 is introduced in the −Z axis direction from the A liquid inlet 404 and the B liquid inlet 405 which are the respective inlets, the A liquid 401 flows in the + X axis direction, and the B liquid 402 is − They flow in the X-axis direction, merge with each other at the merging portion 801, and then flow in the -Z-axis direction.

  At that time, the liquid A 401 and the liquid B 402 are located on the left and right when viewed from the Y-axis direction (flow path cross section A). On the downstream side, the branch portion 802 branches in the −Y axis direction and the + Y axis direction, and flows in the + X axis direction (channel cross section B). After that, it flows in the −Y axis direction and the + Y axis direction, merges at the merge portion 803, flows from the −X axis direction to the + Z axis direction, and then flows in the + X axis direction, and at the branch portion 804, the + Z axis direction and − After branching in the Z-axis direction and flowing in the + X-axis direction (channel cross section C), the flow flows in the + Z-axis direction and the −Z-axis direction and merges at the junction 805. Then, after flowing in the -X axis direction, flowing in the + Y axis direction, branching in the + X axis direction and the -X axis direction at the branching portion 806, and flowing in the + Y axis direction (channel cross section D), the + X axis direction , Flows in the −X axis direction, and merges at the merge portion 807. Then, after flowing in the −Y-axis direction, it flows in the + Z-axis direction, branches in the + Y-axis direction and the −Y-axis direction at the branch portion 808, flows in the −Z-axis direction (channel cross section E), -Flows in the Y-axis direction and merges at the junction 809.

  Then, after flowing in the + Z-axis direction, it flows in the + X-axis direction, and then flows in the + Z-axis direction and then in the + X-axis direction, and then branches at the branching unit 810 in the + Z-axis direction and the −Z-axis direction. Then, after flowing in the + X axis direction (channel cross section F), it flows in the + Z axis direction and the −Z axis direction, merges at the merging portion 811, flows in the −X axis direction, then flows in the + Y axis direction, and + X Branches in the axial direction and −X axis direction at the branch portion 812, flows in the + Y axis direction, + X axis direction, and −X axis direction, then merges in the merge portion 813, flows in the −Y axis direction, and then + Z axis Flow in the direction. Then, the liquid mixture 403 is led out from the liquid mixture outlet 406.

  The A liquid 401 and the B liquid 402 form a layer in the flow path, and the A liquid 401 and the B liquid 402 are positioned vertically or horizontally. Then, the distance between the two liquids of the liquid A 401 and the liquid B 402 is shortened and mixed with each other.

  In this way, by connecting the elements 101 to 106 in the XY-axis direction and the XZ-axis direction, the first element 101, the third element 103, and the sixth element 106 are spread by the flow velocity distribution in the XY-axis direction. The second element 102, the fourth element 104, and the fifth element 105 can suppress the spread due to the flow velocity distribution in the XZ-axis direction and suppress the spread of the component distribution at the outlet 406. .

The number of elements to be joined determines the ease of mixing the liquid A and the liquid B. When the flow path width (119) is 0.2 mm and the flow path length (118) of one element is 1.0 mm, the thickness (120) of the multilayer flow of the fifth element number is 0.00625 mm. Become. Since the diffusion coefficient of glycine, which is a kind of amino acid to be detected, in water is 1.04 × 10 ⁻⁹ m ² / s, the thickness of the multilayer flow of the fifth element in water is 0.00625 mm. The diffusion time is 0.009 s. When the flow rate is 0.75 mL / min, the average time for the fluid to pass through one element is 0.0137 s, so that glycine completely mixes with the reagent solution when it passes through the sixth element.

  In this way, if the number of elements is set according to the diffusion coefficient, flow path dimensions, and flow rate of the detection target component, the detection target component and the reagent liquid are completely mixed by passing through the fluid mixer of the present invention. .

  FIG. 7 is a graph showing a simulation result of the relationship between the mixing ratio and the distance from the junction.

  The horizontal axis of FIG. 7 shows the distance (m) from the confluence | merging part of A liquid and B liquid, and a vertical axis | shaft shows the mixing rate showing whether A liquid and B liquid spread uniformly in the flow-path cross section. . The mixing rate is 100%.

  When the change 111 (solid line) in the fluid mixer of the present invention is compared with the change 112 (broken line) in the T-connector unlike the present invention, in the present invention, in the vicinity of 0.008 m, Whereas the mixing rate is almost 100%, in the case of the T-shaped connector, about 2 m is required for the mixing rate to be almost 100%. Thus, it can be seen that the fluid mixer of the present invention can mix at a shorter distance than the T-shaped connector.

  Therefore, when the fluid mixer of the present invention is applied to an amino acid analyzer, the length of piping necessary for mixing the detection target component and the reagent is shortened. Therefore, the analysis is performed more than the amino acid analyzer that does not use the fluid mixer of the present invention. Time can be shortened.

  Further, when the fluid mixer of the present invention is applied to an amino acid analyzer, the length of piping necessary for mixing the detection target component and the reagent is shortened, so that the pump is more pumped than the amino acid analyzer not using the fluid mixer of the present invention. The liquid feeding pressure can be reduced.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of a fluid mixer in the second and third embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 8A shows a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8B shows a third embodiment of the present invention.

  The shape of the branch flow path is not limited to a square flow path when viewed from the Z-axis direction as shown in FIG. 4, but is a circular or elliptical shape shown in FIG. The shape of a rhombus or triangle shown in FIG. That is, the bent portion of the flow path may be bent at an angle other than a right angle or a curved shape.

  In the elliptical channel shown in FIG. 8A, the stagnation and eddy current at the bent portion are smaller than those in the rectangular channel shown in FIG. For this reason, the spread of the flow direction of the detection target component in the flow path is reduced, the peak width of the chromatogram which is the analysis result of the amino acid analyzer is reduced, and the analysis accuracy is improved.

  In addition, in the rhombus shape shown in FIG. 8B, since the number of bends is smaller than that in the square flow path shown in FIG. 4, the flow of the detection target component in the flow path due to stagnation or vortex flow at the bends. Directional spread is reduced. For this reason, the peak width of the chromatogram which is the analysis result of the amino acid analyzer is reduced, and the analysis accuracy is improved.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram of an example in which a fluid mixer according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is applied to an amino acid analyzer.

  The difference between the example shown in FIG. 1 and the example shown in FIG. 9 is that, in the example shown in FIG. 1, the fluid mixer 13 and the warming machine 10 having the reaction section pipe 9 are separately provided. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the fluid mixer / heater 30 is combined with the fluid mixer / heater by combining the fluid mixer of the present invention with the reaction pipe. It is a point that has been configured. The fluid mixing / warming machine 30 includes, for example, a heating mechanism in the flow path having the configuration shown in FIG.

  The fourth embodiment has the same effects as the first embodiment, and can simplify the structure of the amino acid analyzer by integrating the fluid mixer and the warmer.

  In the fluid mixer of the present invention, the flow path distance until the fluids are merged after branching from each other and the flow path distance until the fluids are merged and branched again are the same in cross-sectional area and material. The conditions are basically the same. However, in consideration of the fluid flow rate and the flow path cross-sectional area, the flow path distance after merging can be extended to less than the distance at which the flow velocity distribution is the same as the flow velocity distribution before branching.

  In the above-described embodiment, the fluid flowing in the + X axis direction is branched into two, and after joining, the flow channel central component is set to the downstream side of the wall surface side component by flowing in the −X axis direction. Although it is set as the structure which flows in the direction-> + X-axis direction->-Z-axis direction and straddles the flow path which became the downstream, this invention is not limited to this structure.

  For example, the fluid flowing in the + X-axis direction is branched into two, merged, then flowed in the + Z-axis direction, then flowed in the -X-axis direction, and then flowed in the + Z-axis direction → + X-axis direction → -Z-axis direction It is also possible to adopt a configuration straddling the flow path on the downstream side.

  As described above, when the fluid mixer or the fluid mixing method of the present invention is applied to an amino acid analyzer, the peak width of the chromatogram is small and the analysis accuracy is improved as compared with the amino acid analyzer using a conventional fluid mixer. .

  In addition, when the fluid mixer or the fluid mixing method of the present invention is applied to an amino acid analyzer, the length of the pipe necessary for mixing the detection target component and the reagent is shortened, so that the amino acid analyzer does not use a fluid mixer. Analysis time is shortened.

  Furthermore, when the fluid mixer or the fluid mixing method of the present invention is applied to an amino acid analyzer, the length of piping necessary for mixing the component to be detected and the reagent is shortened, so that the amino acid analyzer does not use a fluid mixer. The pumping pressure is reduced.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Sample liquid container, 2 ... Eluent liquid container, 3 ... Autosampler, 4 ... Eluent liquid feed pump, 5 ... Reagent liquid container, 6 ... Reagent liquid feed pump , 7 ... Separation column, 9 ... Reaction section piping, 10 ... Heating machine, 11 ... Detector, 12 ... Waste liquid, 13 ... Fluid mixer, 14 ... Sample Liquid, 15 ... eluent, 16 ... reagent solution, 17 ... piping, 18 ... waste liquid container, 19 ... component to be detected, 30 ... fluid mixing and heating machine, 115 ...・ Flow path before branching, 116... Branching flow path, 117... Flow path after joining, 407 to 409.

Claims (12)

In a fluid mixer having a fluid flow path for mixing at least two kinds of fluids,
When the three orthogonal axes of the orthogonal coordinate system are the first axis, the second axis, and the third axis,
A first flow path extending in the first axial direction and flowing fluid from the fluid inlet in the first axial direction;
A second channel and a third channel branched from the first channel;
A merging portion connected to the second flow path and the third flow path;
A fourth flow path connected to the junction and extending in the first axial direction;
A lead-out path that is connected to the fourth flow path and leads to a lead-out port that leads the fluid;
A fluid mixer comprising: The fluid mixer according to claim 1.
The second flow path extends from the first flow path in the + second axial direction, extends in the first axial direction, extends in the second axial direction, and is connected to the junction.
The third flow path extends from the first flow path in the −second axial direction, extends in the + first axial direction, extends in the + second axial direction, and is connected to the merging portion. Fluid mixer. The fluid mixer according to claim 1.
The second channel extends from the first channel in the + third axial direction, extends in the first axial direction, extends in the third axial direction, and is connected to the junction.
The third flow path extends from the first flow path in the −third axial direction, extends in the + first axial direction, extends in the + third axial direction, and is connected to the junction. Fluid mixer.   A fluid mixer, wherein the fluid mixers according to claim 2 and claim 3 are connected to each other. The fluid mixer of claim 2 wherein
A first element that is a fluid mixer having the X axis as the first axis, the Y axis as the second axis, and the Z axis as the third axis;
A fluid mixer having the X axis as the first axis, the Z axis as the second axis, and the Y axis as the third axis, and a second element connected to the lead-out path of the first element;
A fluid mixer having the first axis as the Y-axis, the second axis as the X-axis, and the third axis as the Z-axis, and a third element connected to the lead-out path of the second element;
A fluid mixer having the first axis as the Z axis, the second axis as the Y axis, and the third axis as the X axis; a fourth element connected to the lead-out path of the third element;
A fluid mixer having the X axis as the first axis, the Z axis as the second axis, and the Y axis as the third axis, and a fifth element connected to the lead-out path of the fourth element;
A fluid mixer having the first axis as the Y axis, the second axis as the X axis, and the third axis as the Z axis, and a sixth element connected to the lead-out path of the fifth element;
A fluid mixer comprising: In an amino acid analyzer for analyzing amino acids,
An autosampler that combines the sample solution and the eluent,
A separation column for separating the detection target component from the mixture supplied from the autosampler;
It is a fluid mixer that mixes the test target component separated by the separation column and the reagent solution, and when the three orthogonal axes of the orthogonal coordinate system are defined as the first axis, the second axis, and the third axis, A first flow path extending in the first axial direction and flowing the fluid from the fluid inlet in the first axial direction; a second flow path and a third flow path branched from the first flow path; A merge portion connected to the second flow channel and the third flow channel; a fourth flow channel connected to the merge portion and extending in the first axial direction; and connected to the fourth flow channel. A fluid mixer having a lead-out path for leading the fluid to a lead-out port for leading the fluid;
A heater for heating the reagent solution and the component to be inspected mixed by the fluid mixer;
A detector for detecting a reaction product generated in the warmer;
An amino acid analyzer comprising: The amino acid analyzer according to claim 6,
The second flow path of the fluid mixer extends from the first flow path in the + second axial direction, extends in the + first axial direction, extends in the −second axial direction, and is connected to the merge portion. ,
The third flow path of the fluid mixer extends from the first flow path in the second axial direction, extends in the first axial direction, extends in the second axial direction, and is connected to the merge portion. An amino acid analyzer characterized by that. The amino acid analyzer according to claim 6,
The second flow path of the fluid mixer extends from the first flow path in the +3 axis direction, extends in the +1 axis direction, extends in the −3 axis direction, and is connected to the merge portion. ,
The third flow path of the fluid mixer extends from the first flow path in the −3rd axial direction, extends in the + 1st axial direction, and extends in the + 3rd axial direction and is connected to the merging portion. An amino acid analyzer characterized by that. In an amino acid analyzer for analyzing amino acids,
An autosampler that combines the sample solution and the eluent,
A separation column for separating the detection target component from the mixture supplied from the autosampler;
A fluid mixing and heating device that mixes and heats the component to be inspected and the reagent solution separated by the separation column, and the three axes orthogonal to each other in the orthogonal coordinate system are represented by a first axis, a second axis, and a third axis. When a shaft is used, the first flow path extends in the first axial direction and allows the fluid from the fluid inlet to flow in the first axial direction, the second flow path branched from the first flow path, and the second flow path 3, a merging section connected to the second and third flutes, a fourth chan- nel connected to the merging section and extending in the first axial direction, and the fourth And a fluid mixing / heating device having a fluid mixing section having a lead-out path for leading the fluid to a lead-out port for leading the fluid, and a heating section for heating the fluid mixing section,
A heater for heating the reagent solution and the component to be inspected mixed by the fluid mixer;
A detector for detecting a reaction product generated in the warmer;
An amino acid analyzer comprising: The amino acid analyzer according to claim 9,
The second flow path of the fluid mixing section extends from the first flow path in the + second axial direction, extends in the + first axial direction, extends in the −second axial direction, and is connected to the merge section. ,
The third flow path of the fluid mixer extends from the first flow path in the second axial direction, extends in the first axial direction, extends in the second axial direction, and is connected to the merge portion. An amino acid analyzer characterized by that. The amino acid analyzer according to claim 9,
The second flow path of the fluid mixing unit extends from the first flow path in the +3 axis direction, extends in the +1 axis direction, extends in the −3 axis direction, and is connected to the merge portion. ,
The third flow path of the fluid mixer extends from the first flow path in the −3rd axial direction, extends in the + 1st axial direction, and extends in the + 3rd axial direction and is connected to the merging portion. An amino acid analyzer characterized by that. In a fluid mixing method having a fluid flow path for mixing at least two kinds of fluids,
When the three orthogonal axes of the orthogonal coordinate system are the first axis, the second axis, and the third axis,
+ Extending in the first axial direction, flowing fluid from the fluid inlet + flowing fluid in the first axial direction,
Branching the fluid from the first flow path to the second flow path and the third flow path;
The fluid branched into the second flow path and the third flow path is merged at the merge section,
The fluid merged at the merging portion is flowed in the first axial direction,
A fluid mixing method, wherein the fluid is led out to a lead-out port.

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