JP3939556B2 - Micro mixer - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention introduces fluids from a plurality of fluid supply channels into one mixing channel, and mixes the fluids while mixing the fluids as a laminar laminar flow in the mixing channel. And a micromixer to be reacted.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, in the chemical industry related to the manufacture of emulsions used in photographic materials and the pharmaceutical industry related to the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, reagents, etc., development of new manufacturing processes using micro containers called micromixers or microreactors has progressed. It has been. The micromixer and the microreactor are provided with a plurality of microchannels having an equivalent diameter of several μm to several hundred μm when the cross section is converted into a circle, and a mixing space connected to these microchannels. In a micromixer and a microreactor, a plurality of solutions are introduced into a mixing space through a plurality of microchannels to mix the plurality of solutions or cause a chemical reaction together with the mixing. The micromixer and the microreactor have the same basic structure. In particular, a microreactor may be referred to as a microreactor that involves a chemical reaction when mixing a plurality of solutions. From this, the following description will be made assuming that the micromixer includes a microreactor. Examples of such a micromixer include those disclosed in JP-T-9-512742 and PCT International Publication WO 00/62913. Each of these micromixers passes two kinds of solutions through a fine liquid supply channel called a microchannel or the like, and supplies them into the mixing space as an extremely thin laminar laminar flow. Two types of solutions are mixed and reacted.
[0003]
Next, the difference in the mixing and reaction by the micromixer as described above from the batch method using a tank or the like will be described. In other words, a chemical reaction in the liquid phase generally occurs when molecules meet at the interface of the reaction solution. Therefore, when the reaction is performed in a minute space, the area of the interface is relatively large, and the reaction efficiency is remarkably increased. . In addition, the diffusion time of the molecule itself is proportional to the square of the distance. This means that even if the reaction solution is not actively mixed as the scale is reduced, mixing proceeds by molecular diffusion and the reaction is likely to occur. Also, in the micro space, since the scale is small, the flow is dominated by laminar flow, and the solutions are in a laminar flow state and are diffused and mixed with each other.
[0004]
Using a micromixer with the characteristics described above, for example, it is possible to precisely control the reaction time and temperature between solutions compared to conventional batch systems that use large-capacity tanks for mixing and reaction. become. In the case of the batch method, the reaction proceeds at the reaction contact surface in the initial stage of mixing, particularly between solution rings having a high reaction rate, and the primary product generated by the reaction between the solutions continues to be reacted in the container. Therefore, there is a possibility that the product is non-uniform and aggregation or precipitation occurs in the mixing container. On the other hand, according to the micromixer, the solution continuously flows with almost no stagnation in the mixing container, so that the primary product generated by the reaction between the solutions continues while staying in the mixing container. It is possible to suppress the reaction, and it becomes possible to take out a pure primary product that has been difficult to take out in the past, and it is difficult to cause aggregation and precipitation in the mixing vessel.
[0005]
In addition, when a small amount of chemical substances produced by an experimental production facility is manufactured (scaled up) in a large amount by a large-scale production facility, a large-scale batch method is conventionally used. It took a lot of labor and time to obtain reproducibility at the manufacturing facility, but this reproducibility can be achieved by parallelizing production lines using micromixers according to the required production volume. The effort and time to obtain can be greatly reduced.
[0006]
However, in the micromixer as described above, depending on the type of solution supplied to each of the plurality of liquid supply channels, the time until these solutions are uniformly mixed (mixing time), or the chemical mixing with the mixing of the solutions. The time until the reaction is substantially completed (reaction time) varies. That is, the higher the viscosity of the solution, the more generally the mixing time and reaction time are delayed, and when aggregation or precipitation occurs due to the chemical reaction between solutions, the aggregate or precipitate is mixed. It becomes an inhibiting factor, that is, it causes a decrease in diffusivity for the solution, and changes the mixing time and reaction time.
[0007]
On the other hand, in the micromixer, since the path length along the flow direction of the solution in the mixing space is constant, the time (passing time) for the solution to pass through the mixing space is constant when the flow rate of the solution is constant. . Therefore, when the mixing time or reaction time of the solution in the mixing space is longer than the passage time, it is necessary to reduce the flow rate of the solution in the mixing space, so that the processing speed of the solution by the micromixer decreases. At this time, in order to prevent a decrease in the processing speed of the solution, it is conceivable to extend the path length of the mixing space. However, when such measures are taken, the size of the micromixer is increased, the manufacturing cost is increased, etc. Give rise to In addition, when the path length of the mixing space is extended more than necessary, there is a problem that the clogging of the mixing space is generated by promoting the aggregation and precipitation of the solution and the maintenance of the micromixer becomes troublesome.
[0008]
In order to solve the above problems, in the micromixer disclosed in the above-mentioned WO 00/62913, a block-like mixer element in which a liquid supply path branched in a comb-tooth shape from the solution supply unit is formed. The actuator is coupled to the mixer element, and the mixer element is vibrated by the actuator, and the mixing of a plurality of solutions is adjusted by the vibration.
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the micro mixer of WO 00/62913 applies vibration only to the mixer element in which a plurality of liquid supply paths are formed, and propagates the vibration to the solution in the mixing space via the solution in the liquid supply path. By doing so, the mixing of the solution in the mixing space is adjusted. For this reason, in such a micromixer, it is difficult to control the progress of the mixing of the solution in the mixing space and the progress of the chemical reaction accompanying the mixing with high accuracy. For example, the chemical reaction between the solutions in the mixing space can be controlled. When it is desired to proceed in a stepwise manner or when it is desired to diffusely mix the solution and reaction product over the entire length of the mixing space, such mixing or progress of chemical reaction cannot be realized.
[0010]
In view of the above facts, the object of the present invention is to make it possible to effectively promote the mixing of the fluid introduced into the mixing channel through the plurality of supply ports and the progress of the chemical reaction, and to be controlled with sufficiently high accuracy. To provide a mixer.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  The micromixer described in claim 1 of the present invention introduces fluids into a single mixing channel through a plurality of supply ports, and distributes the fluids as a laminar laminar flow, while allowing the fluids to flow between each other. A micromixer that diffuses and mixes in the normal direction of the contact interface, and a plurality of fluid supply paths through which fluid supplied from the outside flows from one end to the other end, and the plurality of fluid supplies A plurality of supply ports that are respectively open at the other end of the channel and are adjacent to each other along a predetermined diffusion direction perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow in the fluid supply channel; A mixing channel that discharges the fluid introduced through the plurality of supply ports from the other end, and transmits the vibration along the diffusion direction to the fluid that flows through the mixing channel.Vibration generatorAndAt least a pair of the vibration generators are arranged symmetrically with respect to the cross-sectional center of the mixing channel.It is characterized by that.
[0012]
  According to the micromixer of the first aspect, each of the plurality of fluid supply paths opens to the other end, and is adjacent to each other along a predetermined diffusion direction orthogonal to the fluid flow direction in the fluid supply path. A plurality of disposed supply ports, and one end portion on the upstream side of the mixing channel is connected to the plurality of supply ports; andAt least a pair of vibration generatorsBy transmitting vibration along the diffusion direction to the fluid flowing in the mixing channel, multiple types of fluid introduced into the mixing channel through the plurality of supply ports respectively correspond to the opening width of the supply port As a stratified flow flows through the mixing channel, the movement of minute fluid masses in the diffusion direction is promoted at the interface between adjacent stratified flows, and the molecular motion of each fluid increases. The opening width of each supply port is sufficiently smallWidthIn this case, a plurality of types of fluids introduced into the mixing channel through the plurality of supply ports can be efficiently mixed by moving a small fluid mass, and the molecules of the fluid flowing in the mixing channel ExerciseVibration generatorThese vibrations can increase mainly along the diffusion direction between fluids, increasing the movement of molecules in the diffusion direction near the contact interface between the stratified flows formed by the fluid, and mixing and mixing between fluids in the mixing channel Can effectively promote the chemical reaction involved.
  At this time, since at least a pair of vibration generators are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center of the cross section of the mixing flow path, the stratified flow formed by a plurality of types of fluids supplied into the mixing flow path includes: Since the vibrations generated by the pair of vibration generators are transmitted, the movement in the diffusion direction of molecules in the vicinity of the contact interface between the stratified flows formed by the fluid can be generated by vibrations transmitted from two directions.
  Moreover, the Icromixer described in claim 2 of the present invention is2. The micromixer according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of vibration generators are arranged along the flow direction, and the plurality of vibration generators can be independently driven and controlled.
[0013]
As a result, according to the type, fluid temperature, viscosity, flow rate, etc. of the fluid introduced into the mixing channel, by appropriately controlling the frequency, intensity (vibration energy), etc. of the vibration transmitted to the fluid by the diffusion control means, It becomes possible to precisely control the mixing between the fluids in the mixing channel and the progress of the chemical reaction accompanying the mixing. Here, controlling the progress of mixing and the progress of chemical reaction mainly means controlling the mixing speed and chemical reaction speed between fluids. Control of properties such as the shape and size of the product and the promotion and suppression of coalescence or aggregation of the reaction products is also included.
[0017]
  Moreover, the Icromixer described in claim 3 of the present invention is described in claim 1 or 2.In the micromixer, an opening width of the plurality of supply ports along the diffusion direction is set to 1 μm or more and 500 μm or less.
[0018]
  In addition,The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3.In the micromixer, the fluid supplied to the plurality of fluid supply paths from the outside includes, for example, a liquid, a gas, a solid-liquid mixture in which metal fine particles are dispersed in the liquid, and a solid in which metal fine particles are dispersed in the gas. Gas mixtures, gas-liquid mixtures in which gas is not dissolved in liquid, etc. are also targeted, and the types of fluids are different not only when the chemical composition is different, but also, for example, the state of temperature, solid-liquid ratio, etc. The case where is different is also included.
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  Hereinafter, a micromixer according to an embodiment of the present invention, andEach of the micromixers according to the reference examples not included in the present inventionThis will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0020]
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows an example of a micromixer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The micromixer 10 is for mixing two kinds of solutions L1 and L2 and supplying a solution LM in which these solutions L1 and L2 are uniformly mixed to the outside. Here, when the solutions L1 and L2 are mixed by the micromixer 10, there may be a case where a chemical reaction occurs between the solutions L1 and L2, and a case where the chemical reaction does not occur. However, the micromixer according to the present embodiment is in any case. Can also be used.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 1, the micromixer 10 is formed in a substantially prismatic shape as a whole, and includes a thin-walled cylindrical mixer body 12 that constitutes an outer shell portion of the apparatus. Here, a straight line S in the figure indicates an axis connecting the center of the cross section of the mixer body 12. The mixer main body 12 has a rectangular cross section perpendicular to the axis, and in this mixer main body 12, a partition plate 14 that divides the internal space of the mixer main body 12 on the base end side (left side in FIG. 1) along the axial direction. Has been placed. The partition plate 14 divides the space in the mixer main body 12 into approximately two equal parts in the short direction of the cross section, and thereby the first liquid supply path 16 extending linearly in the mixer main body 12 along the axial direction. And the 2nd liquid supply path 18 is formed.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 1A, the base end portion of the mixer body 12 is closed by a lid plate 20, and two liquid supply pipes 38 and 39 are connected to the lid plate 20. Through these liquid supply pipes 38 and 39, in the liquid supply passages 16 and 18, respectively, the solutions brought into a pressurized state from two liquid supply sources (not shown) installed on the upstream side of the micromixer 10 respectively. The liquid supply source includes, for example, another micromixer that generates the solutions L1 and L2, a storage tank and a pump that store the solutions L1 and L2, and the like.
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 1 (B), a substantially rectangular first liquid supply port 22 and second liquid supply port 24 are respectively provided at the front end surfaces of the two liquid supply paths 16 and 18 in the mixer body 12. These liquid supply ports 22 and 24 are adjacent to each other along the diffusion direction (arrow D direction) of the solutions L1 and L2. Here, the diffusion direction is a direction orthogonal to the flow direction of the solutions L1 and L2 in the liquid supply paths 16 and 18 (arrow F direction), and in this embodiment, the short direction in the cross section perpendicular to the axis of the mixer body 12 Match. Moreover, the liquid supply ports 22 and 24 are each made into the elongate rectangle in the interface direction (arrow B direction) orthogonal to a diffusion direction.
[0024]
As shown in FIG. 1 (A), in the mixer body 12, a prismatic space is formed in the mixer main body 12 where the liquid supply paths 16, 18 are merged downstream of the liquid supply paths 16, 18 along the flow direction. This space serves as a mixing flow path 26 in which the solutions L1 and L2 supplied from the liquid supply paths 16 and 18 are mixed or a chemical reaction accompanying the mixing is performed. The mixing flow channel 26 is connected to a liquid outlet 28 whose upstream end along the flow direction is connected to the liquid supply ports 22 and 24 and whose downstream end is open to the front end surface of the mixer body 12. ing. An annular flange 30 is provided at the tip of the mixer body 12 so as to extend to the outer peripheral side of the liquid outlet 28.
[0025]
Here, the opening width W1 along the diffusion direction of the first liquid supply port 22 is appropriately set in the range of 1 μm or more and 500 μm or less according to the supply amount, type, and the like of the solution L1 to the first liquid supply path 16. Is done. The opening width W2 along the diffusion direction of the second liquid supply port 24 is also set as appropriate according to the supply amount, type, and the like of the solution L2 to the second liquid supply path 18 in the range of 1 μm to 500 μm. . Further, the opening width WB along the interface direction of the liquid supply ports 22 and 24 is set to at least the opening widths W1 and W2 or more. These opening widths W1, W2, and WB define the opening areas of the liquid supply ports 22 and 24, respectively, and the liquid supply ports 22 according to the opening areas of the liquid supply ports 22 and 24 and the supply amounts of the solutions L1 and L2. , 24, the initial flow rates of the solutions L1, L2 introduced into the mixing channel 26 are determined. Of these opening widths W1, W2, and WB, the opening widths W1 and W2 are set so that the flow rates of the solutions L1 and L2 supplied into the mixing channel 26 through the liquid supply ports 22 and 24 are equal to each other, for example. Is done. However, when considering shortening the time until the solutions L1 and L2 are uniformly mixed (mixing time), naturally, the smaller the opening widths W1 and W2 are, the more advantageous it is, and along the diffusion direction of the partition plate 14 It is desirable to make the thickness as thin as possible.
[0026]
In the micromixer 10, the solutions L <b> 1 and L <b> 2 are mixed in the mixing channel 26, or the solution LM that has undergone a chemical reaction with the mixing is discharged from the liquid outlet 28. When the solution LM is generated only by mixing the solutions L1 and L2, it is necessary that the solutions L1 and L2 are mixed substantially uniformly by the outlet of the mixing flow path 26, and the solution LM is the solution L1, When generated by the mixing and chemical reaction of L2, the solutions L1 and L2 are mixed almost uniformly by the outlet of the mixing channel 26, and the chemical reaction between the solutions L1 and L2 is almost completely completed. Need to be. Therefore, the path length PF along the flow direction of the mixing channel 26 (see FIG. 1A) is set to such a length that the mixing of the solutions L1 and L2 is completed or the mixing and the chemical reaction are completed. There is a need. The mixer body 12 is always filled with the solutions L1 and L2 and the solution LM in which these are mixed without gaps, and circulates from the liquid supply paths 16 and 18 to the liquid outlet 28 side. .
[0027]
Here, a liquid discharge pipe (not shown) having a flange portion that is paired with the flange portion 30 is connected to the distal end portion of the mixer main body 12, and the solution LM discharged from the liquid discharge port 28 of the mixer main body 12 is The liquid is sent to a storage container for temporary storage, another micromixer for performing the next processing on the solution LM, and the like through the outlet pipe. Here, the flange portion 30 of the mixer main body 12 and the flange portion of the liquid discharge pipe include a threaded joint using bolts and nuts, a full joint for inserting a ring-shaped connecting member from the outer peripheral side of the pair of flange portions, and the like. It can be connected by various joint structures, or may be connected by welding. As the outlet pipe, a general cylindrical metal pipe or the like is used as long as the flange provided at the downstream end thereof matches the shape of the flange 30 of the micromixer 10. be able to.
[0028]
A thick plate-like vibration generator 32 is attached to the mixer body 12 so as to be in close contact with the downstream side of the upper surface portion and the lower surface portion thereof. The pair of vibration generators 32 have a length along the flow direction substantially equal to the length of the mixing flow path 26 and a width along the interface direction substantially equal to the opening width of the mixing flow path 26. Here, the vibration generator 32 is arranged such that its upstream end coincides with the upstream end of the mixing flow path 26. Accordingly, the pair of vibration generators 32 are directly opposed to the entire upper surface portion and the entire lower surface portion of the mixing channel 26. In addition, the vibration generator 32 is provided with a vibration part 34 on a surface closely contacting the mixer body 12, and the vibration part 34 vibrates at a predetermined frequency via the mixer body 12 when the vibration generator 32 is driven. This is transmitted to the solutions L1 and L2 and the solution LM in the mixing channel 26. At this time, the vibration from the vibration part 34 is transmitted to the solutions L1, L2 and the solution LM along the diffusion direction as indicated by an arrow V in FIG. 1, and the molecules of the solutions L1, L2, LM are transmitted by the transmitted vibration. Since the movement increases along the diffusion direction, mixing between the solutions L1 and L2 or a chemical reaction accompanying the mixing is promoted.
[0029]
The vibration generator 32 uses, for example, a piezo element as a vibration generation source, and generates vibration corresponding to the current frequency from the vibration unit 34 by supplying an alternating current to the piezo element. At this time, the vibration frequency generated from the vibration unit 34 is controlled within a range of 1 KHz to 10 MHz, that is, in a high frequency and ultrasonic band. Specifically, mainly, when the solutions L1 and L2 flowing through the mixing channel 26 undergo a chemical reaction with mixing or mixing, vibrations are generated according to the desired mixing speed or chemical reaction speed of the solutions L1 and L2. The frequency is set as appropriate. At this time, unless the resonance effect in the mixer main body 12 and the solutions L1, L2, and LM to which vibration is transmitted is taken into account, the vibration energy (kinetic energy) usually increases as the vibration frequency increases. The mixing of the solutions L1 and L2 and the progress of the chemical reaction are promoted.
[0030]
As shown in FIG. 1A, the micromixer 10 is provided with a drive control unit 36 that controls the drive of the pair of vibration generators 32. When the solutions L1, L2, and LM flow through the mixing channel 26, the drive control unit 36 sets the on / off state of the vibration generator 32, the duty ratio that is the ratio of the on time and the off time, and the vibration frequency. Control is performed in accordance with control conditions preset in an internal memory or the like. This control condition is basically the reaction of the types of the solutions L1 and L2, that is, the chemical components of the solutions L1 and L2, the liquid temperature, the viscosity, etc., and the mixing between the solutions L1 and L2 involves a chemical reaction. It varies depending on the nature of the product, etc., and also varies depending on the changes in the supply amount of the solutions L1, L2, that is, the flow rates of the solutions L1, L2 in the mixing channel 26. Such control conditions are set, for example, by an operator of a production line where the micromixer 10 is arranged using an operation terminal or the like, or by a host process computer that controls the entire production line based on a production schedule or the like. Set to.
[0031]
In the micromixer 10 configured as described above, the solutions L1 and L2 in a pressurized state are supplied to the liquid supply passages 16 and 18 through the liquid supply pipes 38 and 39, respectively. The liquid flows in the liquid supply paths 16 and 18 and is introduced into the mixing flow path 26 as a liquid flow having a predetermined flow velocity through the liquid supply ports 22 and 24. At this time, since the opening widths W1 and W2 of the liquid supply ports 22 and 24 are set to a very small width of 1 μm to 500 μm, the solutions L1 and L2 introduced into the mixing channel 26 through the liquid supply ports 22 and 24 are While flaky laminar flow having a width corresponding to each of the opening widths W1 and W2 flows toward the outlet 28 side, molecular diffusion occurs along the normal direction at the contact interface of each stratified flow. Then, the mixing of the solutions L1 and L2 proceeds. At the same time, in the micromixer 10, the vibration from the pair of vibration generators 32 is transmitted along the diffusion direction to the solutions L 1, L 2 and LM in the mixing channel 26, and thus flows in the mixing channel 26. Since the movement and molecular motion of the minute fluid mass of the solutions L1 and L2 can be increased by transmission vibration, the movement speed of the molecules in the diffusion direction near the contact interface between the stratified flows formed by the solutions L1 and L2 is increased. Thus, the mixing between the solutions L1 and L2 in the mixing channel 26 and the chemical reaction accompanying the mixing can be efficiently promoted.
[0032]
Therefore, according to the micromixer 10 according to the present embodiment, the vibration generator 32 transmits the solution L1, L2, LM to the solutions L1, L2, LM according to the type, liquid temperature, viscosity, and the like of the solutions L1, L2 introduced into the mixing channel 26. By appropriately controlling the frequency of the vibration to be performed, the mixing between the solutions L1 and L2 in the mixing channel 26 and the progress of the chemical reaction accompanying the mixing can be precisely controlled. As a result, it becomes possible to precisely control the mixing speed and the chemical reaction speed between the solutions L1 and L2 to a desired speed, and particularly when the mixing between the solutions L1 and L2 involves a chemical reaction, By precisely controlling the mixing rate and reaction rate, or by transmitting vibrations to the reaction products in the solutions L1, L2, and LM, the properties such as the shape and size of the reaction products, It is also possible to control the promotion or suppression of aggregation or aggregation.
[0033]
Further, in the micromixer 10, the mixing and chemical reaction between the solutions L1 and L2 in the mixing channel 26 can be promoted by vibration from the vibration generator 32, so that the solutions L1 and L2 are compared with the case without the vibration generator 32. The apparatus can be reduced in size by shortening the path length PF of the mixing flow path 26 required to uniformly mix the chemicals or to complete the chemical reaction accompanying the mixing.
[0034]
When the solutions L1 and L2 are supplied to the mixing flow path 26, the vibration generator 32 does not always need to be driven. If the chemical reaction between the solutions L1 and L2 is desired to be performed slowly, the vibration generator 32 is used. The driving may be stopped. The mixer body 12 is made of a metal material such as stainless steel, copper, titanium alloy, aluminum alloy, gold, or platinum, which has high chemical stability and low vibration damping, and has corrosion resistance. In consideration, the contact portions with the solutions L1, L2, and LM may be coated or plated with other substances such as glass and ceramics. When the mixer main body 12 cannot be sufficiently thinned or needs to be formed of a material having a large vibration damping, an opening is formed in the mixer main body 12 so as to face the mixing flow path 26, and this opening The vibration generator 32 may be arranged so that the vibration part 34 is inserted into the mixing channel 26 from the part.
[0035]
Next, a modification of the micromixer according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 shows a modification of the micromixer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 2 is different from the micromixer 10 shown in FIG. 1 in that three vibration generators 42, 44, and 46 are attached to the mixer main body 12 along the flow direction. The only difference is the number of generators, and the structure of the micromixers 10 and 40 is shared in other respects. The structure of the vibration generators 42, 44, 46 is also shared with the vibration generator 32.
[0036]
As described above, three vibration generators 42, 44, and 46 are attached to the mixer body 12 so as to be in close contact with the downstream side of the upper surface portion and the lower surface portion, respectively. These vibration generators 42, 44, 46 are adjacent to each other along the flow direction, and the length along the flow direction is set to about の of the length of the mixing channel 26, along the interface direction. The width is substantially equal to the opening width of the mixing channel 26. Here, the upstream end of the vibration generator 42 disposed on the most upstream side is disposed so as to coincide with the upstream end of the mixing flow path 26, and the downstream end of the vibration generator 46 disposed on the most downstream side is the mixing flow. It arrange | positions so that it may correspond with the downstream end of the path | route 26 substantially. Thus, the three upper and lower vibration generators 42, 44, 46 face the entire upper surface portion and the entire lower surface portion of the mixing channel 26.
[0037]
As shown in FIG. 2A, the micromixer 40 is provided with a drive control unit 48 that controls the drive of the vibration generators 42, 44, and 46. When the solutions L1, L2, and LM flow through the mixing channel 26, the drive control unit 48 is a duty ratio that is a ratio of the on and off states, the on time and the off time of the vibration generators 42, 44, and 46. The vibration frequency is controlled so as to follow control conditions preset in an internal memory or the like. At this time, the drive control unit 48 can control the vibration generators 42, 44, and 46 located at different positions along the flow direction according to different control conditions.
[0038]
The control conditions set in the drive control unit 36 are basically the same as those of the micromixer 10 shown in FIG. 1, such as the types of the solutions L1 and L2, that is, the chemical components of the solutions L1 and L2, the liquid temperature, the viscosity, etc. When the mixing between the solutions L1 and L2 involves a chemical reaction, it varies depending on the nature of the reaction organisms, and the supply amount of the solutions L1 and L2, that is, the solution L1 in the mixing channel 26 is different. , L2 varies depending on the flow velocity. Such control conditions are set, for example, by an operator of a production line where the micromixer 10 is arranged using an operation terminal or the like, or by a host process computer that controls the entire production line based on a production schedule or the like. Set to.
[0039]
In the micromixer 40 configured as described above, the solutions L1 and L2 in a pressurized state are supplied to the liquid supply passages 16 and 18 through the liquid supply pipes 38 and 39, respectively, so that the micromixer 10 shown in FIG. Similarly, the solutions L1 and L2 introduced into the mixing channel 26 through the liquid supply ports 22 and 24 become flaky stratified flows having widths corresponding to the opening widths W1 and W2, respectively. While moving to the side, at the contact interface of each stratified flow, the movement of a minute fluid mass is promoted along the normal direction, and the molecular motion is increased and the mixing of the solutions L1 and L2 proceeds. At the same time, vibrations from the vibration generators 42, 44, 46 are transmitted along the diffusion direction to the solutions L 1, L 2, LM in the mixing channel 26, so that the molecules of the solutions L 1, L 2 in the mixing channel 26 are diffused. The chemical reactions associated with mixing and mixing by increasing the moving speed of the direction can be efficiently promoted.
[0040]
Furthermore, in the micromixer 40, the vibration generators 42, 44, 46 arranged at different positions along the flow direction can be driven under different control conditions, so that the solutions L1, L2 flowing in the mixing channel 26 and The vibration transmitted to the solution LM can be changed stepwise along the flow direction. As a result, the chemical reaction accompanying mixing or mixing of the solutions L1 and L2 in the mixing channel 26 can be promoted under different vibration conditions corresponding to the three vibration generators 42, 44, and 46, respectively. Compared to the micromixer 10, the mixing between the solutions L1 and L2 in the mixing channel 26 and the progress of the chemical reaction accompanying the mixing can be controlled more precisely.
[0041]
In addition, when supplying the solutions L1 and L2 to the mixing channel 26, it is not necessary to drive all the three vibration generators 42, 44, 46 at the same time, and any one of the three vibration generators 42, 44, 46 is required. May be selectively driven or stopped. In the present embodiment, the micromixers 10 and 40 use the vibration generators 32, 42, 44, and 46 having a piezoelectric element as a vibration generation source, but any one that can generate vibrations of about 1 KHz to 10 MHz. Such a vibration generation source may be used. For example, an eccentric cam driven by a motor, an electromagnetic actuator, an air pressure actuator, or the like may be used as the vibration generation source. In the micromixers 10 and 40 according to the present embodiment, the vibration generators 32, 42, 44, and 44 are used to change the intensity of vibration (vibration energy) transmitted to the solutions L 1, L 2, and LM into the mixing channel 26. Although the frequency of vibration generated by 46 is changed, the vibration energy may be changed by changing the amplitude of vibration.
[0042]
  (First reference example)
  In FIG.First reference exampleA micromixer according to is shown. As with the micromixers 10 and 40 according to the first embodiment, the micromixer 110 mixes two types of solutions L1 and L2 at the same time, and these solutions L1 and L2 are uniformly mixed or chemicals associated with the mixing. This is for supplying the solution LM having completed the reaction to the outside.
[0043]
As shown in FIG. 3, the micromixer 110 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape as a whole, and includes a cylindrical mixer body 112 that constitutes an outer shell portion of the apparatus. Here, the straight line S in the figure indicates the axial center of the apparatus, and the following description will be made with the direction along the axial center S as the axial direction of the apparatus. The mixer main body 112 has a large-diameter portion 114 whose base end portion along the axial direction has a large diameter with respect to the distal end portion. A pair of first header part 116 and second header part 118 that receive the supply of L2 are provided. The mixer main body 112 has a circular tube portion 120 having a constant inner diameter at the tip side with respect to the large diameter portion, and a liquid outlet port 122 for the solution LM is opened at the tip surface of the circular tube portion 120. A ring-shaped flange portion 124 is provided at the distal end portion of the circular pipe portion 120 so as to extend to the outer peripheral side of the liquid outlet port 122.
[0044]
Here, a liquid discharge pipe (not shown) having a flange portion that is paired with the flange portion 124 is connected to the distal end portion of the mixer main body 112, and the solution LM discharged from the liquid discharge port 122 of the mixer main body 112 is The liquid is sent to a storage container for temporary storage, another micromixer for performing the next processing on the solution LM, and the like through the outlet pipe. Here, the flange portion 124 of the mixer main body 112 and the flange portion of the liquid discharge pipe are a threaded joint using bolts and nuts, a full joint for inserting a ring-shaped connecting member from the outer peripheral side of the pair of flange portions, and the like. It can be connected by various joint structures, or may be connected by welding.
[0045]
The base end surface of the large-diameter portion 114 in the mixer main body 112 is closed by a disc-shaped lid plate 126, and a circular fitting hole 128 is formed in the center portion of the lid plate 126. A round bar-shaped rectifying member 130 is coaxially disposed in the mixer body 112 so as to protrude from the inside of the large diameter portion 114 into the circular pipe portion 120. The base end portion of the rectifying member 130 is inserted and supported in the insertion hole 128 of the lid plate 126. Further, a conical portion 132 whose diameter decreases toward the distal end side is formed at the distal end portion of the rectifying member 130. Here, the outer diameter of the rectifying member 130 is smaller than the inner diameter of the circular pipe portion 120, and the dimensional difference from the inner diameter of the circular pipe portion 120 is based on the circulation amount of the solutions L 1 and L 2 in the circular pipe portion 120. Is set.
[0046]
In the large-diameter portion 114 of the mixer main body 112, a disk-shaped partition plate 134 is arranged to divide the space in the large-diameter portion 114 so as to be divided into approximately two equal parts along the axial direction. Spaces on the proximal end side and the distal end side defined by the plate 134 are a first header portion 116 and a second header portion 118, respectively. The header portions 116 and 118 are connected to liquid supply pipes 136 and 138, respectively. Through these liquid supply pipes 136 and 138, the header portions 116 and 118 are supplied with a solution L1 and a solution L2 that are pressurized from two liquid supply sources (not shown) installed upstream of the micromixer 110. Is supplied. These liquid supply sources include, for example, other micromixers that generate the solutions L1 and L2, storage tanks and pumps that store the solutions L1 and L2, and the like.
A circular opening having an opening diameter that is an intermediate dimension between the inner diameter of the circular pipe portion 120 and the outer diameter of the rectifying member 130 is formed in the center of the partition plate 134. A pipe-shaped partition member 140 that protrudes into the circular pipe part 120 from the peripheral part of the part is integrally formed. The partition member 140 is arranged coaxially with the circular pipe part 120 and the rectifying member 130, and divides the space between the circular pipe part 120 and the rectifying member 130 into an inner peripheral side and an outer peripheral side. . Here, the space on the outer peripheral side and the inner peripheral side partitioned by the partition wall member 140 is a first liquid supply path 142 and a second liquid supply path 144, respectively, and these first and second liquid supply paths 142, 144 are The first and second header portions 116 and 118 communicate with each other on the base end side. Further, in the circular pipe portion 120 of the mixer main body 112, the thickness is made thicker with respect to the liquid supply paths 142 and 144 on the distal end side than the partition wall member 140 and on the proximal end side relative to the conical portion 132 of the rectifying member 130. A cylindrical space is formed, and this cylindrical space is a mixing channel 146 in which the solution L1 and the solution L2 supplied from the liquid supply channels 142 and 144 are mixed or mixed and subjected to a chemical reaction. .
[0047]
  In the mixer main body 112, a plurality of (in between the inner peripheral surface of the circular pipe portion 120 and the outer peripheral surface of the partition wall member 140 (Reference example4 spacers 148 are interposed, and a plurality of spacers 148 are also provided between the inner peripheral surface of the partition wall member 140 and the outer peripheral surface of the rectifying member 130 (see FIG.Reference exampleIn this case, four spacers 150 are interposed. The plurality of spacers 148 and 150 are each formed in a rectangular plate shape, and are supported so that the front and back surface portions thereof are parallel to the flow direction (arrow F direction) of the solutions L1 and L2 in the circular tube portion 120. The plurality of spacers 148 and 150 are arranged at 90 ° intervals along the circumferential direction around the axis S, and the positions in the circumferential direction coincide with each other. Here, the spacer 148 on the outer peripheral side connects the partition member 140 to the circular pipe portion 120, and the spacer 150 on the inner peripheral side connects the rectifying member 130 to the partition member 140, and in the radial direction of the liquid supply paths 142 and 144. Opening widths W1 and W2 (see FIG. 3A) are set. As a result, the partition member 140 and the rectifying member 130 are connected and fixed to the circular pipe portion 120 with sufficient strength, and are prevented from being displaced or deformed from a predetermined position due to the liquid pressure or gravity of the solutions L1 and L2. In addition, the opening widths W1 and W2 are reliably maintained at preset dimensions.
[0048]
As shown in FIG. 3B, the first liquid supply port 152 and the second liquid supply opening that open into the mixing flow path 146 are respectively provided at the distal ends of the first liquid supply path 142 and the second liquid supply path 144. A mouth 154 is formed. Each of these liquid supply ports 152 and 154 opens along a circular locus centered on the axis S and is arranged so as to be concentric with each other. Here, the opening width W1 along the radial direction of the first liquid supply port 152 is appropriately set in the range of 1 μm or more and 500 μm or less according to the supply amount, type, and the like of the solution L1 to the first header portion 116. The In addition, the opening width W2 along the radial direction of the second liquid supply port 154 is also set as appropriate according to the supply amount, type, and the like of the solution L2 to the second header portion 118 in the range of 1 μm to 500 μm.
[0049]
Here, the opening widths W1 and W2 define the opening areas of the liquid supply ports 152 and 154, respectively, and according to the opening area of the liquid supply ports 152 and 154 and the supply amounts of the solutions L1 and L2, the liquid supply ports 152 are provided. , 154, the initial flow rates of the solutions L1, L2 introduced into the mixing channel 146 are determined. These opening widths W1 and W2 are set so that, for example, the flow rates of the solutions L1 and L2 supplied into the mixing channel 146 through the liquid supply ports 152 and 154 are equal to each other. However, when considering shortening of the time until the solutions L1 and L2 are uniformly mixed (mixing time), naturally, the smaller the opening widths W1 and W2 are, the more advantageous it is, and along the radial direction of the partition wall member 140 It is desirable to make the thickness as thin as possible.
[0050]
In the space on the tip side of the mixing channel 146 in the circular pipe part 120, the solutions L1 and L2 are mixed in the mixing channel 146, or the solution LM in which mixing and chemical reaction are performed is the liquid outlet 122. The liquid discharge path 156 flows toward the front. Here, when the solution LM is generated only by mixing the solutions L1 and L2, it is necessary that the solutions L1 and L2 are mixed substantially uniformly at the outlet of the mixing channel 146, and the solution LM is the solution LM. When generated by mixing and chemical reaction of L1 and L2, the solutions L1 and L2 are mixed almost uniformly at the outlet of the mixing channel 146, and the chemical reaction between the solutions L1 and L2 is also almost completely completed. Need to be. Accordingly, the path length PF (see FIG. 3A) along the flow direction of the solutions L1 and L2 in the mixing channel 146 is such that the mixing of the solutions L1 and L2 is completed or the mixing and chemical reaction are substantially completed. It is necessary to set to a long length. It is assumed that the mixer body 112 is always filled with the solutions L1 and L2 and the solution LM in which these are mixed without any gap and flows from the header portions 116 and 118 to the liquid outlet 122 side.
[0051]
As shown in FIG. 3A, the circular pipe portion 120 of the mixer main body 112 has a plurality of openings 158 so as to face the mixing channel 146. These openings 158 are formed in portions corresponding to the upstream, intermediate, and downstream portions of the mixing flow path 146 in the flow direction, and at 90 ° intervals in the circumferential direction around the axis S. Has been placed. Accordingly, the circular pipe portion 120 is provided with four openings 158 at portions corresponding to the upstream portion, the intermediate portion, and the downstream portion of the mixing channel 146, respectively, and a total of twelve openings 158 are provided. ing. A plurality of microwave generators 160 are attached on the outer peripheral surface of the circular pipe portion 120 so as to correspond to the openings 158, respectively. These microwave generators 160 are provided with a cylindrical protrusion-like insertion portion 162 on the inner peripheral side thereof. The microwave generator 160 inserts the insertion portion 162 into the opening 158 and inserts it. The distal end surface of the insertion portion 162 is exposed into the mixing channel 146.
[0052]
The microwave generator 160 irradiates the solutions L 1, L 2, and LM in the mixing channel 146 with microwaves from the distal end surface of the insertion portion 162 during driving. At this time, the microwaves from the microwave generator 160 are irradiated to the solutions L1, L2 and the solution LM along the radial direction coinciding with the diffusion directions of the solutions L1, L2, as indicated by the broken lines in FIG. . Because the microwaves increase the molecular motion of the solutions L1, L2, and LM along the diffusion direction, mixing between the solutions L1 and L2 or a chemical reaction accompanying the mixing is promoted.
[0053]
The microwave generator 160 uses, for example, a magnetron as a microwave generation source, and generates a microwave having an intensity corresponding to the current value by supplying a drive current to the magnetron. At this time, a microwave having a frequency of 10 MHz or more is selected as the microwave generated by the microwave generator 160. Specifically, the frequency of the microwave efficiently increases the molecular motion of the solutions L1, L2, and LM without causing excessive heat generation in the solutions L1, L2, and LM flowing through the mixing flow path 146. A possible frequency is selected.
[0054]
As shown in FIG. 3A, the micromixer 110 is provided with a drive control unit 164 that controls the driving of the microwave generator 160. When the solutions L1, L2, and LM flow through the mixing channel 146, the drive control unit 164 controls the on / off state of the microwave generator 160 and the intensity of the microwave set in advance in the internal memory or the like. Control to comply with conditions. This control condition is basically the reaction of the types of the solutions L1 and L2, that is, the chemical components of the solutions L1 and L2, the liquid temperature, the viscosity, etc., and the mixing between the solutions L1 and L2 involves a chemical reaction. It varies depending on the nature of the product, etc., and also varies depending on changes in the supply amount of the solutions L1, L2, that is, the flow rates of the solutions L1, L2 in the mixing flow path 146. Such control conditions are set, for example, by an operator of the production line where the micromixer 110 is arranged using an operation terminal or the like, or by a host process computer that controls the entire production line based on a production schedule or the like. Set to. Moreover, the drive control part 164 can control the microwave generator 160 in a different position along a distribution direction according to respectively different control conditions.
[0055]
  Configured as aboveReference exampleIn the micromixer 110 according to the first embodiment, as in the micromixers 10 and 40 according to the first embodiment, two types of solutions L1 and L2 introduced into the mixing channel 146 through the liquid supply ports 152 and 154 are supplied. The laminar flows in the form of flakes corresponding to the opening widths W1 and W2 of the ports 152 and 154 flow through the mixing channel 146, and the molecules of the solutions L1 and L2 are mutually connected at the interface between the adjacent laminar flows. Therefore, the two types of solutions L1 and L2 introduced into the mixing channel 146 can be uniformly mixed in a short time, or a chemical reaction accompanying the mixing can be completed, and the solution LM can be supplied to the outside. At this time, since the microwaves from the microwave generator 160 are irradiated to the solutions L1, L2, and LM in the mixing channel 146, the diffusion rate of the molecules of the solutions L1 and L2 in the mixing channel 146 is increased. The chemical reaction accompanying mixing and mixing can be accelerated | stimulated efficiently.
[0056]
Further, in the micromixer 110, the microwave generators 160 arranged at different positions along the flow direction can be driven under different control conditions, so that the solutions L1, L2 and the solution LM flowing in the mixing flow path 146 are used. The irradiated microwave can be changed stepwise along the flow direction. As a result, mixing of the solutions L1 and L2 in the mixing channel 146 or chemical reaction accompanying mixing can be promoted under different vibration conditions corresponding to the microwave generators 160 at different positions. It is possible to precisely control the mixing between the solutions L1 and L2 and the progress of the chemical reaction accompanying the mixing. At this time, since the microwave has a strong directivity compared with the vibration, the solutions L1, L2, and LM existing in the region corresponding to the microwave generator 160 at a certain position are located at other positions along the flow direction. It is possible to suppress the influence of the microwave from the microwave generator 160 in the above. As a result, compared to the micromixers 10 and 40 according to the first embodiment, the mixing of the solutions L1, L2, and LM in the mixing flow path 146 and the progress of the chemical reaction accompanying the mixing can be controlled more precisely. Become.
[0057]
  In addition, it concerns on embodiment of this invention demonstrated above.Micromixer 10, 40 or micromixer 110 according to the first reference exampleMixes two types of solutions L1 and L2 in the mixing channels 26 and 146OrIt was a chemical reaction with mixing, but 3 or more types of solutions were mixed in the mixing channel.OrEven in a micromixer that chemically reacts with mixing, mixing or chemical reaction of the solution can be promoted by applying vibration or microwave to three or more kinds of solutions that circulate in the mixing flow path. By appropriately controlling the generator, the mixing of the solution or the progress of the chemical reaction in the mixing channel can be precisely controlled.
[0058]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the micromixer of the present invention, the mixing and chemical reaction of the fluid introduced into the mixing channel through the plurality of supply ports can be effectively promoted, and the mixing of the fluid in the mixing channel can be performed. In addition, the progress of the chemical reaction can be controlled with sufficiently high accuracy.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view along an axial direction and a direction perpendicular to an axis showing a configuration of an example of a micromixer according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view along an axial direction and a direction perpendicular to the axis showing a configuration of a modification of the micromixer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[Fig. 3]First reference exampleIt is sectional drawing along the axial direction and axial orthogonal direction which show the structure about the micromixer which concerns on.

Claims (3)

Introducing a fluid into a single mixing channel through a plurality of supply ports, and diffusing the fluids in the normal direction of their contact interface while mixing these fluids as a laminar laminar flow. A mixer,
A plurality of fluid supply paths through which fluid supplied from the outside flows from one end to the other end;
A plurality of supply ports that are respectively opened to the other end portions of the plurality of fluid supply paths, and are adjacent to each other along a predetermined diffusion direction orthogonal to the fluid flow direction in the fluid supply paths;
One end portion is connected to the plurality of supply ports, and a mixing flow path for discharging the fluid introduced through the plurality of supply ports from the other end portion;
A vibration generator that transmits vibration along the diffusion direction to the fluid flowing through the mixing flow path;
A micromixer characterized in that at least a pair of the vibration generators are arranged symmetrically with respect to the cross-sectional center of the mixing channel.   2. The micromixer according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the vibration generators are arranged along the flow direction, and the plurality of vibration generators can be independently driven and controlled. The opening width of the plurality of supply ports along the diffusion direction is 1 μm. m Above, 500μ m The micromixer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein:

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