JP4298671B2 - Micro device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a microdevice, and more particularly to a microdevice that mixes at least two fluids, particularly a micromixer. Such a microdevice can be used in the chemical industry or the pharmaceutical industry, for example, when various products are produced by mixing or reacting fluid materials.

  In this specification, the term “fluid” is used to include a liquid (including a solution) and a liquid mixture that can be handled as a liquid. Examples of such a mixture include a liquid containing a solid and / or a gas, and may be a liquid mixture containing a fine solid such as a powder (for example, metal fine particles) and / or fine bubbles. Further, the liquid may include other types of liquid that is not dissolved, and may be, for example, an emulsion. In another aspect, in the present invention, the fluid may be a gas, and the gas may contain solid particulates.

  Various microdevices have been proposed for the purpose of mixing fluids. Mixing in such a microdevice mainly utilizes the diffusion phenomenon of substances between fluids to be mixed. “Mixing” means that a plurality of types of fluids are mixed with each other, and the degree of mixing may be macro-mixing of various orders or micro-mixing. Also, the fluid may react as a result of mixing. In order to perform such mixing quickly and uniformly, for example, the following microdevice has been proposed.

  There has been proposed a microdevice capable of continuously producing maltion by supplying a dispersed phase to a continuous phase from fine grooves or holes formed by a semiconductor processing technique (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2). When fluids are mixed by a device, it is desired that the residence time distribution of each fluid in the device is sharper. In particular, when mixing and reacting fluids, it is desirable that the difference in the reaction conversion rate is small for any fluid mass regarding the fluid discharged from the device with a sharp residence time distribution of the fluid. Note that the “fluid mass” is used to mean individual small portions constituting the fluid as a whole, as opposed to the concept of the whole fluid.

  However, in the device as described above, the dispersed phase inlet to the mixing region where the continuous phase exists is unevenly distributed with respect to the mixing region, and the emulsion outlet generated by mixing is also unevenly distributed to the mixing region. Therefore, it is considered difficult to control the mixing of the fluid while keeping the residence time distribution sharp.

In addition, many of the proposed micro devices mix two kinds of liquids. When mixing three or more kinds of fluids, after mixing two kinds of liquids in the first device, another micro device is used. Must be used to mix the third fluid, and as a result, the two devices must be connected by a connecting tube. In this case, it is necessary to make the diameter and length of the connecting pipe used for connection as small as possible. However, in this case, the pressure loss when sending the fluid becomes large, so the amount of sending the fluid is limited. .
JP 2003-71261 A JP 2002-119841 A

  Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is that when mixing at least two kinds of fluids, more uniform mixing can be achieved and the residence time of the fluid can be precisely controlled, resulting in a smaller residence time distribution. It is to provide a microdevice that can be achieved.

  As a result of intensive studies on the above-mentioned problems, the inventors have found that the diffusion phenomenon in the microdevice is affected by various factors. In order to achieve more uniform mixing when mixing at least two kinds of fluids, It has been found that by reducing the difference between each fluid mass as much as possible with respect to the distance that the fluid mass constituting the fluid flows, the residence time distribution of each fluid can be made sharper and the above-described problems of the present invention can be solved. It was.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a mixing device for mixing fluids, the device comprising:
A flat channel in which the fluid flows from upstream to downstream,
A first fluid inlet into which the first fluid flows, which is located upstream of the flat channel,
A second fluid inlet port into which the second fluid flows, which is positioned downstream of the first fluid inlet port, and a side surface which is formed downstream of the second fluid inlet port and is formed by dividing the flat plate-like channel Having a constricted portion,
The second fluid inflow port is composed of a plurality of perforations that lead into the flat channel, and the arrangement profile of the plurality of perforations is convex with respect to the flow direction of the bulk of the fluid in the flat channel. Features.

  The mixing device of the present invention is preferably a microdevice. In this specification, the “micro device” has a micro flow channel (micro channel) through which a fluid flows, where at least two kinds of fluids are merged to perform operations such as mixing, reaction, and heat exchange. It is a general term for devices for this purpose. In particular, a microdevice whose main purpose is mixing is called a micromixer, a microdevice whose main purpose is reaction is called a microreactor, and a microdevice whose main purpose is heat exchange is called a microheat exchanger (microheat exchanger). The microdevice of the present invention has a flat microchannel.

  In the device of the present invention, the term “flat” means that the thickness dimension of the flow path extending in the fluid flow direction is smaller than the length of the flow path and the width dimension perpendicular thereto. A road means that it can be considered as a plate (that is, thin) as a whole even if the width varies in the length direction. For example, the thickness of the flat channel of the present invention is about 1/2 or less, preferably about 1/5 or less, more preferably about 1/50 or less of the width (width of the narrowest part). And, for example, about 20 times or less of the length (distance between the upstream end portion and the downstream end portion of the flat plate-like channel), preferably about 1/50 or less, more preferably about 500 It is less than 1 / min.

  Specifically, in the device of the present invention, the thickness of the flat channel is, for example, 1 to 5000 μm, preferably 10 to 1000 μm, and more preferably 50 to 200 μm. Such a flow channel is usually a closed flow channel (that is, when the flow channel cross section perpendicular to the flow direction is viewed, all the spaces constituting the flow channel are surrounded by walls). In FIG. 1 to be described later, the thickness direction of the flat channel is indicated by a broken line arrow A, and the width direction is indicated by a broken line arrow B. The length direction is perpendicular to these directions.

  In the mixing device of the present invention, the flat channel through which a fluid flows has a first fluid inlet, a second fluid inlet, and a laterally contracted portion, and the first fluid inlet is a second fluid stream. The side contracted portion is located upstream from the inlet, and the side contracted portion is located downstream from the second fluid inlet. These inlets open to the flat channel, so that each fluid can flow into the flat channel via the inlet. In this specification, the terms “upstream” and “downstream” are used with reference to the bulk flow direction of the fluid in the flat channel. The term “bulk” is used in the sense of capturing the fluid as a whole, not individual fluid masses of the fluid flowing through the flat channel. Thus, for example, referring to FIG. 1 described later, each microscopic fluid mass moves in various directions depending on the conditions in which it appears, but the fluid flows from left to right as a whole. That is, in FIG. 1, the horizontal rightward direction corresponds to the bulk flow direction of the fluid.

  The side contracted flow portion is a flow path portion formed by dividing a flat flow path through which a fluid flows into two toward the sides on both sides of the bulk flow direction of the fluid (therefore, accordingly) The fluid passage surface of each flow passage portion (located at the edge of the flat flow passage) means a flow passage portion smaller than the fluid passage surface of the flow passage before branching (therefore, the fluid passage surface is reduced). To do. The “fluid passage surface” means a cross section along the width direction of the flat channel through which the fluid passes. The contracted part formed by branching may join downstream. Such a constricted part is arranged so that the flow of the fluid in the central part is blocked by arranging the flow shielding means in the central part of the flat channel so that the fluid flows on the edge side of the channel, that is, the side. Can be formed.

  In the mixing device of the present invention, the second fluid inflow port through which the second fluid flows into the flat channel is composed of a plurality of perforations, usually at least three, preferably more. The perforated part is an opening formed through a wall constituting the flat plate-like channel, and the shape thereof may be any shape. For example, it may be a cylindrical shape or a rectangular tube shape. The second fluid flows into the flat channel through the perforated part. In the present specification, the “perforation portion arrangement profile” means a virtual line connecting the locations of the perforated portions (more specifically, the centers of the perforated portions). It may be a virtual broken line formed by connecting with line segments, or may be a virtual curve that smoothly connects the locations of adjacent perforated portions. An example of a preferable arrangement profile is a sector shape having a center on the central axis of the flat channel.

  In the mixing device of the present invention, "the arrangement profile of the perforations is convex with respect to the flow direction of the bulk of the fluid in the flat channel" means that the positions of the perforations at both ends constituting the above-described arrangement profile. It means that the other perforated part is located on the downstream side of the straight line (however, some may be located on the straight line). The “other perforated portions” are most preferably all perforated portions except for the perforated portions at both ends constituting the arrangement profile, but are not necessarily all, for example, the perforations in the central portion of the arrangement profile. (If there is no perforated part in the central part, two perforated parts located on both sides of the center) and at least one, preferably at least two, more preferably at least three, especially at least four adjacent to both sides One, for example five or more perforations. Also, the number of such other perforations is preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 90%, especially at least 95% of the total number of perforations.

  On the other hand, as described later, “the arrangement profile of the perforated part is concave with respect to the flow direction of the bulk of the fluid in the flat channel” means that the straight line connecting the perforated parts at both ends constituting the arrangement profile. On the other hand, it means that the other perforated part is located upstream of the straight line (however, a part may be located on the straight line). In this case, the other perforations are the same as above.

  In the present specification, even when the number of perforations is three, the arrangement profile is convex when the central perforation is located downstream from the perforations at both ends constituting the arrangement profile. It is included in the aspect, and the reverse case is included in the aspect in which the arrangement profile is concave.

  In the mixing device of the present invention, the first fluid inlet may be arranged in any suitable form in the flat channel. For example, the first fluid inlet may be formed so that the first fluid flows in parallel to the bulk flow direction of the fluid in the flat channel, or the first fluid is in the fluid of the flat channel. The first fluid inlet may be formed so as to flow in perpendicular to the bulk flow direction. In the latter case, it is preferable that the first fluid inflow port is formed on the upper wall surface and / or the lower wall surface defining the flat plate-like channel. Instead of these wall surfaces, an inflow port may be formed so as to flow in from a wall surface that defines the side surface of the flow path. In still another aspect, the first fluid inlet may be formed such that the first fluid flows in an oblique direction with respect to the bulk flow direction of the fluid in the flat plate flow path. Other fluid inlets other than the first fluid inlet, such as the second fluid inlet, the third fluid inlet and the fourth fluid inlet described later, are arranged in the direction of the bulk flow of the fluid in the flat channel. The fluid inlet is preferably formed so as to flow vertically or obliquely.

  In addition, this invention also provides the method of mixing at least 2 types of fluid using the mixing device of this invention mentioned above and the below-mentioned. Moreover, when the mixed fluid reacts, this invention also provides the method of making it react by mixing at least 2 sorts of fluid using the mixing device of this invention mentioned above and below-mentioned.

  In the mixing device of the present invention, the end portion and the side of the arrangement profile of the piercing portion are provided by combining the side constricted flow portion and the arrangement profile of the piercing portion serving as the second fluid inflow port being concave. The distance between the side contracted flow portions can be made closer to the distance between the central perforated portion and the side contracted flow portion of the arrangement profile. In addition, the distance between the perforated part and the laterally contracted part located between them in the arrangement profile is similarly approached.

  In the mixing device of the present invention, the flow of the second fluid flowing in from the second fluid inlet flows as a whole toward the side contracted flow portion. For example, a fluid mass composed of the second fluid and the first fluid flowing in the vicinity of the center of the arrangement profile flows toward the laterally contracted flow portion, while the second fluid and the second fluid flowing into the end portion of the arrangement profile of the perforated portion A fluid mass composed of one fluid also flows toward the laterally contracted portion. The same applies to the second fluid flowing from the perforated part between them.

  When the fluid flows in this way, there is no great difference in the distance between each of the perforated portions that are the second fluid inflow ports and the laterally contracted flow portions, so that the perforation can be performed in as much time as possible for any fluid mass. As a result, the residence time distribution of the first fluid and the second fluid contained in any fluid mass is compared with the case where the above combination of the present invention is not applied. And become sharper.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

  FIG. 1 schematically shows the mixing device of the present invention in an exploded state. The illustrated device has a flat channel 10, and the vertical direction of the drawing is the thickness direction (see broken line arrow A) and the front-rear direction corresponds to the width direction (see broken line arrow B). However, the fluid flows from left to right as a whole, and therefore the direction from right to left corresponds to the flow direction of the fluid bulk (the direction of the white arrow). FIG. 2 schematically shows a plan view of the flat channel 10, that is, a plan view.

  The flat channel 10 includes an upper plate 12 that defines the upper wall surface of the channel, a lower plate 14 that defines the lower wall surface (that is, the bottom) of the channel, and the side of the channel sandwiched between these plates. It is comprised by the flow-path frame 16 which prescribes | regulates a side wall surface. The illustrated embodiment is a state in which the mixing device of the present invention is disassembled in the vertical direction, and the plate-like flow is maintained by holding the plates above and below the frame 16 in a liquid-tight or air-tight state depending on the fluid to be mixed. A path 10 is formed.

  The first fluid flows into the flat channel 10 from the first fluid inlet 18 provided through the upper plate 12, and the second fluid flows through the lower plate 14 through the second fluid flow. It flows into the flat channel 10 from the inlet 20. As shown in FIG. 1, the second fluid inflow port 20 includes a plurality of (preferably many) lower perforations that penetrate the lower plate 14. In FIG. 2, the second fluid inlets 20 are not shown individually, but are shown as inlet arrangement profiles 20 (however, only one profile corresponding to one row of perforations is shown) and will be described later. The form of the flow shielding means is also different. The plurality of perforated portions are preferably arranged so as to be symmetric with respect to the central axis in the longitudinal direction of the flat channel 10.

  In addition, the plurality of perforations may be integrally connected to each other by providing a plurality of the perforations, and in this case, the second fluid inlet may be in the form of a narrow slit. It can be considered that the arrangement profile shown in FIG. 2 shows such a slit. The description of the second fluid inlet similarly applies to the third fluid inlet and the fourth fluid inlet described later. In the mixing device of the present invention, the fluid inlet may be provided so that the arrangement profile is not one, but a plurality of, for example, two or three, or more than one, which are spaced apart in the flow direction. (See, for example, FIG. 5 with two rows of perforations). The perforated portion constituting the fluid inlet is provided on at least one of the upper wall surface and the lower wall surface that define the fluid flow path, that is, one or both. For example, when fluid inlets are provided on the respective wall surfaces, the inlets provided on the respective wall surfaces may be provided opposite to each other or alternately.

  In the mixing device of the present invention, the arrangement profile 20 is convex with respect to the bulk flow direction of the fluid as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the other perforation part is located downstream of the broken line 21 with respect to the straight line connecting the perforation parts at both ends of the arrangement profile 20 (shown by the broken line 21) (if necessary, one of the perforation parts). Part may be present on the broken line 21). In FIG. 1, for the sake of simplicity, the perforated portions are shown as if they were arranged in a straight line, but in the device of the present invention, they are arranged in a convex shape as shown in FIG.

  A laterally contracted flow portion 22 is located downstream of the second fluid inlet 20. By arranging the flow shielding means 24 at the center of the flat channel 10, the contracted flow part 22 is particularly preferably arranged so as to be symmetric with respect to the central axis in the longitudinal direction of the flat channel, Can be formed. The flow shielding means 24 is a means for blocking the flow of the central portion of the flat flow path, and has a structure that completely closes the central portion of the flow path and allows the fluid to flow only on both sides thereof. Such a lateral contracted portion may have any suitable form, for example, a rectangular shape in the plan view as shown in FIG. 2 (therefore, the contracted portion may have a rectangular parallelepiped shape). (See FIGS. 3 to 6), the length along the length direction of the flat channel may be very short like the contracted portion 22 shown in FIG. 1, or the contracted portion shown in FIG. The length may be substantially close to zero, such as 22, or may be relatively long, as shown in FIG. It is preferable that the shape of both the contraction parts is symmetric with respect to the central axis in the longitudinal direction of the flat channel.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the flow shielding means may be a wall-like structure that extends along the width direction of the flat channel 10 and closes the central portion of the channel. In this case, when a cross section of the flow path along the width direction of the flow path including the flow shielding means is considered, the central portion of the cross section is in a closed state, and both side portions thereof are in an open state.

  In a preferred form of the flow shielding means, the wall surface 24a of the flow shielding means, which is configured to oppose the bulk flow direction of the fluid in the flat channel 10 (the direction indicated by the white arrow in FIG. 1), It is preferable to have a concave wall surface with respect to the fluid flow direction. Here, with respect to the term “concave”, the above description of the arrangement profile of the perforated part applies in the same manner. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the flow shielding means is a thin square column structure having a square bottom surface and a top surface, and the wall surface 24a facing the fluid flow direction is in a bent state, and thus has a concave shape. Wall.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the flow shielding means is square in the plan view of the flow path, but any other suitable form (for example, rhombus, polygon (see FIGS. 3 to 5), circle, ellipse) Or a part of the shape exemplified in this way. The corners may be chamfered as necessary. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the flow shielding means may be only the wall surface 24a bent in a concave shape with respect to the fluid flow direction, instead of the thin regular quadrangular prism structure as illustrated. 24a may be in a curved state. In addition, it is preferable to arrange | position such a flow shielding means so that it may become symmetrical with respect to the central axis of a flat flow path.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the distance traveled by the second fluid flowing in from the second fluid inlet 20 until reaching the side contracted portion 22 after meeting the first fluid is possible for any fluid mass. As a result, the time from when the second fluid flows into the flow path 10 until it reaches the contracted portion 22 is made as equal as possible for any fluid mass. As a result, with respect to the fluid exiting the contracted flow part 22 (that is, a fluid mixture in which the first fluid and the second fluid are mixed, hereinafter also referred to as a mixture m), the first fluid constituting any fluid mass. The residence time distribution of the second fluid is as sharp as possible. That is, a fluid mixture m having a smaller residence time distribution width can be obtained immediately downstream of the contracted flow portion 22. The mixture m may be taken out from any location downstream of the side contracted portion 22, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, after the contracted portion 22 merges downstream thereof, the mixture m is provided through the upper plate. The fluid may be taken out from the fluid outlet 26. In another aspect, the mixture m may be taken out immediately after the fluid constriction part 22.

  In FIG. 2 (and FIGS. 3 and 4 to be described later), the first fluid inlet 18 is not shown directly, but the first fluid is supplied on the left side of the flat channel of the illustrated device, and the white fluid is outlined. It is assumed that the first fluid flows as indicated by an arrow.

  FIG. 3 schematically shows another embodiment of the mixing device of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, after the first fluid and the second fluid are mixed as described above, the side contracted flow portion 22 merges downstream thereof, and the third fluid flows into the third fluid inlet 28 at the merged portion. To be supplied into the flat channel 10. The mixture m of the first fluid and the second fluid passes through the lateral contracted portion 22, then meets the third fluid at the third fluid inlet 28, and flows toward the central contracted portion 30. Mixed with fluid. The central contraction portion is a portion where the width of the flat channel through which the fluid flows is narrow, and is positioned so as to be symmetric with respect to the central axis of the flat channel.

  Mixing between the mixture m and the third fluid proceeds downstream of the deployment profile 28, and these fluids flow toward the central constriction 30 and from the central constriction 30 or downstream thereof, the first fluid, The mixture n in which the second fluid and the third fluid are mixed can be taken out. As shown in the drawing, the arrangement profile of the plurality of perforated portions constituting the third fluid inlet is concave with respect to the bulk flow direction of the fluid in the flat channel 10. Since the central contraction portion 30 is disposed downstream of the third fluid inlet 28, the distance from each perforated portion of the third fluid inlet to the central contraction portion is acceptable for any fluid mass. As a result, regarding the fluid mass constituting the mixing part n obtained by mixing the mixture m and the third fluid, the residence time distribution becomes sharper for each fluid constituting the fluid mass.

  In addition, by making the arrangement profile 28 of the third fluid inlet concave, as can be easily understood from FIG. 3, the distance that the mixture m moves until it meets the third fluid, and accordingly, the constricted portion 22 and the second flow passage 22 are arranged. The distance between the three fluid inlets 28 is made as equal as possible for any fluid mass. Therefore, the mode shown in FIG. 3 has an advantage that the time until the fluid mass meets the third fluid after exiting the side contracted flow part 22 is made as equal as possible between the fluid masses.

  FIG. 4 schematically shows another embodiment of the mixing device of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the fourth fluid is supplied from the fourth fluid inlet 32 between the first fluid inlet 18 and the second fluid inlet 20. The fourth fluid meets the first fluid flowing from the upstream side of the fourth fluid inlet 32 and flows toward the central contraction portion 34, while the first fluid and the fourth fluid are mixed and mixed. k is obtained.

  As shown in the drawing, the arrangement profile 32 of the fourth fluid inflow port is concave with respect to the flow direction of the flow path, and the central flow contracting portion 34 is arranged downstream thereof. The relationship between the arrangement profile 32 and the central current reducing portion 34 is the same as the relationship between the arrangement profile 28 and the central current reducing portion 30 described above with reference to FIG. Therefore, regarding the fluid passing through the central contracted portion 34, the residence time distribution of the first fluid and the fourth fluid included in the fluid mass constituting the fluid mass becomes sharp.

  In the mixing device of FIG. 4, the second fluid supply port 20 having a convex arrangement profile is disposed downstream of the central contraction section 34, and the side contraction section 22 is positioned downstream thereof. As shown in the figure, the central contraction part 34 is extended downstream along the flow direction of the bulk of the fluid downstream, and then branches toward the side contraction part 22.

  As can be easily understood, the first fluid described above with reference to FIG. 2 corresponds to the mixture k in the case of FIG. After the mixture k meets the second fluid flowing in from the second fluid inflow port 20, it is the same as the case described with reference to FIG. That is, the mode of FIG. 4 corresponds to a mode in which the fluid supply port 32 and the central flow contracting portion 34 are provided on the upstream side of the mode of FIG.

  After the central constricted section 34, the flat plate-like channel is expanded in a transitional manner, and the mixture k flows further downstream. Meanwhile, the second fluid is supplied, and the first fluid, the fourth fluid, and the second fluid flow toward the side contracted flow portion 22. With regard to such a flow, the description of the mixing of the first fluid (corresponding to the mixture k of the first fluid and the fourth fluid in FIG. 4) and the second fluid described with reference to FIG. 2 is applicable. Maru.

  By arranging the second fluid inflow arrangement profile 20 in a convex shape and disposing the central constricted portion 34 on the upstream side thereof, as can be easily understood from FIG. 4, until the mixture k meets the second fluid. Therefore, the distance between the central constriction 34 and the second fluid inlet 20 is made as equal as possible for any fluid mass. Therefore, in the aspect shown in FIG. 4, there is an advantage that the time until the fluid mass meets the second fluid after exiting the central flow-reducing portion 34 becomes as equal as possible between the fluid masses.

  FIG. 5 schematically shows still another embodiment of the mixing device of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 and the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 are combined. That is, the mixing device shown in FIG. 5 corresponds to the aspect in which the fluid inlet 32 and the central constricted part 34 in FIG. 4 are provided on the upstream side in the aspect of FIG. Therefore, the matter described with reference to FIG. 3 and the matter described with reference to FIG. 4 apply to the mixing device of FIG. Further, in the mixing device shown in FIG. 5, when four types of fluids, that is, the first to fourth fluids are mixed, for each fluid mass, a sharper residence time distribution is provided for each fluid contained therein. be able to. In FIG. 5, the direction in which each fluid mass flows is schematically indicated by an arrow.

  In the mixing device of the present invention shown in FIG. 5, the central contracted portion 34, the second fluid inlet 20, the side contracted portion 22, and the third fluid inlet 28 are provided downstream from the fourth fluid inlet 32. Is arranged. As can be easily understood, when the unit from the fourth fluid inlet 32 to the front of the third fluid inlet 28 is considered as one unit u0, and another fluid is desired to be mixed, A part of the embodiment of FIG. 3 (that is, the element u1 corresponding to the third fluid inlet 28 and the central constricted portion 30) is combined on the downstream side of the fluid inlet 32, or upstream of the third fluid inlet 32. The other part of the embodiment of FIG. 3 (that is, the element u2 corresponding to the side contracted flow part 22 and the second fluid inlet 20) may be combined on the side. The mode illustrated in FIG. 5 corresponds to a mode in which u1 is coupled to the downstream side of u0.

  As can be easily understood, u0, which can mix other two fluids in addition to the first fluid, is used as a repeating unit, and a plurality (n, n is an integer of 2 or more) are connected in series. Thus, a mixing device capable of mixing (2 × n + 1) types of fluids (that is, odd numbers of 5 or more) can be obtained. If the required number does not equal (2 × n + 1), combine multiple units u0 so that one more fluid than the desired number can be mixed and positioned at either end of the resulting device. What is necessary is just to shave the fluid supply port to do. For example, when six kinds of fluids are mixed, three units u0 may be connected in series, and one of the inlets located at the end may be deleted.

  In the mixing device of the present invention, it is preferable that the baffle plate portion is present at least one downstream of the other fluid inlet other than the first fluid inlet, preferably immediately downstream. The baffle plate partly reduces the dimension in the thickness direction of the flow path through which the fluid can pass by shortening the dimension of the thickness part of the flat channel over at least part of its length direction, i.e. It has a function of partially reducing the thickness of the channel. In this baffle plate portion, the flow rate of the fluid in that portion is increased by partially reducing the thickness of the flow path, and as a result, mixing of the fluids is promoted. For example, a baffle plate portion functioning as a weir can be provided by arranging a protruding portion extending in the width direction at the bottom of the flat channel.

  In the mixing device of the present invention, in the flat channel, it branches to form a laterally contracted portion, and such laterally contracted portions merge to return to the original channel, A central constricted portion is formed in which the width of the flow path is narrowed. In another aspect, before the side contracted portion is formed, the flat channel is narrowed to become the central contracted portion, which returns to the original channel, and then the channel branches off. As a result, a laterally contracted portion is formed. As described above, the flat channel has a flat plate shape as a whole, but its width changes along the flow direction in the channel. This change in width is preferably transitional. That is, when the width changes, it is preferable to change continuously rather than discontinuously.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the width W <b> 1 of the flow path gradually decreases toward the downstream side from the second fluid inlet 20 toward the side contracted part 22, and Toward the third fluid inlet 28, the width W2 of the flow path gradually increases toward the downstream. Further, the width W3 or W4 of the flow path gradually decreases toward the downstream from the third or fourth fluid inlet 28 toward the central contracted portion 30 or 34. Furthermore, the width W5 of the flow path gradually increases toward the downstream from the central contraction portion 34 toward the second fluid inlet 22. Such changes are referred to herein as transitive. In contrast, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the change in width is referred to herein as discontinuous.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the mixing device shown in the plan view in FIG. 5 is schematically disassembled. However, details of the flat channel are omitted, so refer to FIG. In FIG. 6, the supply system of the 2nd-4th fluid is shown typically. In the illustrated embodiment, each fluid holding chamber 42, 44 and 46 is formed by a fluid chamber forming frame 40 provided adjacent to the lower side of the lower plate 14, and each fluid is supplied to each holding chamber. Each fluid is supplied from each holding chamber to the fluid flow path through a plurality of perforations provided through the lower plate 14. About the perforated part shown in FIG. 6, the uneven | corrugated shape of an arrangement | positioning profile is abbreviate | omitted for simplicity.

  In the mixing device of the present invention, when it is desired to control the temperature of the fluid being mixed, for example, when it is desired to mix the fluid at a predetermined temperature, as shown in FIG. A heating medium having a predetermined temperature is allowed to flow adjacent to. Specifically, the frame 50 and the plate 52 are arranged on the upper plate 12 to form the heat medium passage 54, and the first fluid described with reference to FIG. In the same manner as described above, a heating medium having a predetermined temperature is supplied from the inlet 56 provided in the plate 52 to the heating medium passage 54, and the heating medium is taken out from the outlet 58.

  The mixed device of the present invention can be manufactured using a metal microfabrication technique that is conventionally employed in the manufacture of microdevices. Accordingly, various elements constituting the mixing device shown in FIG. 6 are made of metal, and as a result, the fluid flow path is formed by flowing a heat medium having a predetermined temperature adjacent to the wall surface constituting the flat flow path. The temperature of the flowing fluid can be controlled. In the illustrated embodiment, the heat medium flow channel 54 is formed on the upper wall surface of the fluid flow channel, but the heat medium may flow adjacent to the other wall surface. Such other wall surface may be a wall surface that is not involved in the fluid supply or a part thereof. For example, the heat medium flow path adjacent to the lower plate 14 can be formed by reducing each holding chamber. Further, a heat medium flow path can be provided adjacent to the side surface of the fluid flow path.

  The mixing device of the present invention described above can be used as a reactor when a reaction occurs between fluids as a result of mixing of fluids, that is, it can function as a microreactor. That is, the present invention provides a mixing device as a microreactor. Moreover, although the fluid is not specifically limited in the mixing device of this invention, When the fluid is a liquid, the device of this invention can be utilized suitably. In the above description, the terms “first to fourth” are used to distinguish fluids. These terms indicate that fluid is supplied to the fluid flow path via different inlets. I mean. Thus, these fluids may all be of different types, but not all fluids need necessarily be different.

  In the mixing device of the present invention, when the fluid is mixed, the residence time distribution of each fluid contained in the fluid mass can be made sharper. Therefore, when the fluid is mixed, a more uniform mixed state can be achieved. When the reaction is carried out using such a mixing device, the reaction conversion rate becomes as equal as possible for any fluid mass, so that the reaction can be carried out uniformly, and as a result, the conversion rate and yield of the reaction are improved. Can be made.

It is a typical perspective view which shows the state which decomposed | disassembled the mixing device of this invention. It is a typical top view of a fluid channel of a mixing device of the present invention. It is a schematic top view of another aspect of the fluid flow path of the mixing device of this invention. It is a typical top view of another mode of a fluid channel of a mixing device of the present invention. It is a typical top view of another mode of a fluid channel of a mixing device of the present invention. It is a typical perspective view which shows the state which decomposed | disassembled the mixing device of another aspect of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Flat flow path, 12 ... Upper plate, 14 ... Lower plate, 16 ... Flow path frame,
18 ... first fluid inlet, 20 ... second fluid inlet,
21: Line connecting both ends of the arrangement profile, 22 ... Side constricted portion, 24 ... Flow shielding means,
24a ... Wall surface facing the flow, 26 ... Fluid outlet, 28 ... Third fluid inlet,
30 ... Central contraction part, 32 ... 4th fluid inflow port, 34 ... Central contraction part,
40 ... Fluid chamber forming frame, 42, 44, 46 ... Fluid holding chamber,
50 ... Frame, 52 ... Plate, 54 ... Heat medium flow path, 56 ... Heat medium inlet,
58 ... Heat medium outlet.

Claims (16)

A mixing device for mixing fluids,
A flat channel in which the fluid flows from upstream to downstream,
A first fluid inlet into which the first fluid flows, which is located upstream of the flat channel,
A second fluid inlet port into which the second fluid flows, which is positioned downstream of the first fluid inlet port, and a side surface which is formed downstream of the second fluid inlet port and is formed by dividing the flat plate-like channel Having a constricted portion,
The second fluid inlet is a plurality of perforations that communicate into the flat channel, and the arrangement profile of the plurality of perforations is convex with respect to the flow direction of the bulk of the fluid in the flat channel. Feature mixing device. The third fluid inlet into which the third fluid flows is located in a region where they are merged on the downstream side of the side contracted flow portion, and the central contraction of the flat plate-like channel located on the downstream side of the third fluid inlet. Further comprising a flow part,
The third fluid inflow port is a plurality of perforations connected to the flat channel, and the arrangement profile of the plurality of perforations is concave with respect to the bulk flow direction of the fluid in the flat channel. The mixing device according to claim 1. A first fluid inflow port and a second fluid inflow port, further including a fourth fluid inflow port through which the fourth fluid flows and a central contraction portion located downstream thereof;
The fourth fluid inflow port is a plurality of perforations connected to the flat channel, and the arrangement profile of the plurality of perforations is concave with respect to the bulk flow direction of the fluid in the flat channel. The mixing device according to claim 1 or 2.   Mixing according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that there is a baffle plate part downstream of at least one fluid inlet, thereby narrowing the cross-section of the flat channel. device.   The at least one fluid inlet (excluding the first fluid inlet) is located on at least one of an upper wall surface and a lower wall surface constituting the flat channel, A mixing device according to any one of the above.   6. The at least one fluid inlet (excluding the first fluid inlet) is present in the form of a plurality of arrangement profiles adjacent along the flow direction. A mixing device according to any of the above.   7. The heating medium flows on the outside of the flat channel adjacent to the wall surface or a part of the wall surface that does not participate in the inflow of the fluid with respect to the wall surface constituting the flat channel. A mixing device as described in.   The mixing device according to claim 1, wherein the number of perforations constituting the arrangement profile is at least three.   The adjacent two or more perforations in the plurality of perforations are substantially connected to each other so that these perforations are in the form of a single slit. A mixing device according to any one of -8.   The mixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the arrangement profile of the concave or convex perforations is a fan-like shape whose center is located at the center of the flat plate-like flow path.   11. The flow path contractive transition to the lateral flow contraction part of the flat channel or the flow path expansion from the lateral contraction part is continuous. A mixing device according to any one of the above.   The mixing device according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the flat channel is 1 μm to 5000 μm.   The mixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the side contracted portion is formed on the side of the flat flow path by a flow shielding means located at the center.   The mixing device according to claim 1, wherein at least two kinds of fluids are reacted by mixing.   15. A fluid mixing method, wherein at least two kinds of fluids are supplied to the mixing device according to claim 1 from respective supply ports. The fluid mixing method according to claim 15, wherein the fluid is a liquid.