JP5081487B2 - Ultrasonic disperser - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic dispersion apparatus that can be reduced in weight and size.

The technique of emulsifying and dispersing using ultrasonic waves is generally well known.
For example, Patent Document 1 proposes an ultrasonic continuous emulsification apparatus that performs continuous emulsification by passing two liquid phases to be emulsified in a narrow flow path. Patent Document 2 discloses an ultrasonic emulsification apparatus using an ultrasonic vibrator made of bolted Langevin. Furthermore, Patent Document 3 discloses a tubular ultrasonic processing apparatus in which a collar is provided on the outer periphery of a metal tube and an ultrasonic transducer is fixed to the outer periphery of the collar. Patent Document 4 discloses an ultrasonic vibration of an ultrasonic transducer. Is transmitted to the ultrasonic radiator in the processing tank via the ultrasonic transmission body, and an apparatus for ultrasonically processing the fluid to be processed in the processing tank by the ultrasonic wave irradiated from the ultrasonic radiator is disclosed. .
However, all of these ultrasonic treatment devices mix a plurality of liquids in advance and then allow the mixed liquid to pass through the pipe or the tank. It was not emulsified or dispersed.
Furthermore, known ultrasonic emulsification apparatuses such as Patent Documents 2 to 4 require a large amount of energy (several hundreds to 1 kW), and are therefore wired, so that there is a problem that the handling of the lines and the usage scenes are limited. .

Japanese Patent Publication No. 35-14000 JP-A-4-59032 Japanese translation of PCT publication No. 6-504843 JP 2005-192113 A

  It is an object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic dispersion apparatus that can be mixed, emulsified or dispersed with low vibration by contacting and sonicating a plurality of different liquids at the same time, and capable of being reduced in weight and size. To do.

  The present invention includes a piezoelectric body that generates ultrasonic waves, and a structure that is in surface contact with the piezoelectric body and mixes, emulsifies, or disperses two or more liquids. The structure includes two or more inflow pipes, 1 Two outflow pipes, and a mixing section formed by connecting the inflow pipe and the outflow pipe, and two or more liquids respectively flow into the mixing section through the inflow pipe. The present invention provides an ultrasonic dispersion device configured such that a liquid agent mixed, emulsified or dispersed after being collided while being subjected to ultrasonic waves and mixed, emulsified or dispersed, flows out through an outflow pipe.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an ultrasonic dispersion apparatus capable of mixing, emulsifying, or dispersing with low vibration by simultaneously contacting a plurality of different liquids and performing ultrasonic treatment. Furthermore, in addition to low vibration, it is vibrated from the outside of the structure and the ultrasonic energy is concentrated inside the entire structure, making it easy to use with dry batteries and rechargeable batteries. It is possible to provide an ultrasonic dispersion device that is eliminated and can be reduced in weight and size.

Embodiments of the ultrasonic dispersion apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of the ultrasonic dispersion apparatus of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic dispersion apparatus 1 includes a piezoelectric body 10 that generates ultrasonic waves, and a structure 20 that is in surface contact with the piezoelectric body 10 and mixes, emulsifies, or disperses two or more liquids. The structure 20 includes two or more inflow pipes 21, 21 ′, one outflow pipe 22, and a mixing unit 30 formed by connecting the inflow pipes 21, 21 ′ and the outflow pipe 22.
The inflow pipes 21 and 21 ′ are arranged in a direction substantially parallel to the surface where the piezoelectric body 10 and the structure 20 are in contact with each other. Further, the outflow pipe 22 is preferably arranged so as to extend in the out-of-plane direction from the vicinity of the surface where the piezoelectric body 10 and the structure 20 are in contact with each other, and as shown in FIG. It is particularly preferable to be disposed so as to extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface in contact with.
In addition, the surface where the piezoelectric body 10 and the structure 20 are in contact is usually bonded and fixed with an adhesive to a strength that can withstand ultrasonic vibration.
The in-tube cross-sectional shapes of the inflow pipes 21, 21 ′ and the outflow pipe 22 may be any of circular, elliptical, square, rectangular, and the like.
The mixing part 30 shows a part surrounded by a dotted line in FIG. 1, and not only the connecting part 23 between the inflow pipes 21 and 21 ′ and the outflow pipe 22, but also a part of the inflow pipes 21 and 21 ′ and the outflow pipe. A part of 22 is also included.
In the present invention, the liquid before mixing, emulsification or dispersion is referred to as “liquid”, and the liquid after mixing, emulsification or dispersion is referred to as “liquid agent”.

The ultrasonic dispersion apparatus 1 of the present invention is configured so that two or more liquids flow into the mixing unit 30 through the inflow pipes 21 and 21 ′ and receive ultrasonic waves in the mixing unit 30. It is characterized by mixing, emulsifying or dispersing by colliding, and the mixed, emulsified or dispersed liquid flowing out through the outflow pipe 22. When a plurality of liquids activated by ultrasonic pressure and vibration collide with each other and easily mixed, emulsified or dispersed, the mixture, emulsification or dispersion progresses all at once, and the mixed, emulsified or dispersed liquid agent flows out. In 22, a more stable mixed, emulsified or dispersed state is obtained by ultrasonic vibration.
In order to concentrate the ultrasonic vibration energy on the mixing unit 30, the distance from the surface where the piezoelectric body 10 and the structure 20 are in contact to the center of the mixing unit (particularly, the center of the connecting unit 23) is set to the wavelength of the ultrasonic wave. It is preferable to make it an integral multiple of 1/8 of the length of.

The shape of the piezoelectric body 10 and the structure 20 used in the ultrasonic dispersion apparatus 1 of the present invention may be a cube, a rectangular parallelepiped, a quadrangular prism, or the like, but a disk shape, a disk shape, or a donut shape is preferable. The outer diameter of the piezoelectric body 10 may be smaller than or equal to the outer diameter of the structure 20.
The piezoelectric body 10 may be a piezoelectric vibrator alone, or a piezoelectric vibrator with an amplifying horn attached thereto. It is preferable that an oscillation circuit and a power source (battery or the like) for operating the piezoelectric vibrator are installed outside the ultrasonic dispersion apparatus 1.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the ultrasonic dispersion apparatus of the present invention. 2A to 2G, the inflow pipes 21 and 21 ′ are arranged in a direction substantially parallel to the surface where the piezoelectric body 10 and the structure body 20 are in contact with each other. 2A to 2D, 2F, and 2G, the outflow pipe 22 is arranged so as to extend in a direction substantially orthogonal to the surface where the piezoelectric body 10 and the structure 20 are in contact. It is installed. In FIG. 2E, the outflow pipe 22 is disposed in a direction substantially parallel to the surface where the piezoelectric body 10 and the structure 20 are in contact.

In FIG. 2A, in order to increase the residence time of the liquid and the liquid agent, the mixing part 30 is provided with a pot-like liquid and liquid agent retention part. As a result, the time during which the liquid and the liquid agent are subjected to ultrasonic vibration becomes longer, so that a more stable mixed, emulsified or dispersed liquid agent can be obtained.
In FIG. 2B, the in-tube cross-sectional area (inner diameter) of the inflow pipes 21 and 21 ′ is made smaller than the in-tube cross-sectional area (inner diameter) of the outflow pipe 22, thereby increasing the impact level at the collision of the liquid, and mixing and emulsification. Or dispersibility is improved. Although not shown, conversely, by making the in-tube cross-sectional area of the inflow pipes 21 and 21 ′ larger than the in-tube cross-sectional area of the outflow pipe 22, clogging of the pipe can be prevented.
In FIG. 2C, the in-tube cross-sectional area (inner diameter) of the inflow pipes 21 and 21 ′ is made larger than the in-tube cross-sectional area (inner diameter) of the outflow pipe 22, and the inflow pipes 21 and 21 ′ are bent, respectively. Before the collision, the respective liquids are preliminarily collided alone to increase the activity of the liquid and improve the mixing, emulsification or dispersibility.

In FIG. 2D, since the piezoelectric body 10 has a large-diameter disk shape and the outer diameter is the same as the outer diameter of the structure 20, the ultrasonic waves are applied to the inflow pipe 21 for a longer time before each liquid collides. Since it receives, it becomes more activated and improves mixing, emulsification or dispersibility.
In FIG. 2E, since the outflow tube 22 is disposed in a direction substantially parallel to the surface where the piezoelectric body 10 and the structure 20 are in contact, the time during which the liquid agent is subjected to ultrasonic vibration in the outflow tube 22 is short. Thus, in terms of the stability of mixing, emulsification, or dispersion of the liquid agent, it does not reach FIGS. 2-a to 2-d and FIGS. 2-f to 2-g.
On the other hand, in FIG. 2-f and FIG. 2-g, since the length of the outflow tube 22 in the structure 20 is increased, two portions in the tube having strong ultrasonic vibration energy can be obtained. The obtained liquid agent is particularly preferable because it is subjected to stronger ultrasonic vibration in the outflow pipe 22 and becomes a more stable mixed, emulsified or dispersed state.

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view showing the flow path of the liquid and the flow of the liquid in the structure of the embodiment of the ultrasonic dispersion apparatus of the present invention. In FIGS. 3A to 3H, inflow pipes 21, 21 ′, 21 ″, 21 ′ ″ are arranged in a direction substantially parallel to a surface where the piezoelectric body 10 and the structure 20 are in contact with each other. Yes. 3A to 3F, the outflow pipe 22 is disposed so as to extend in the out-of-plane direction from the vicinity of the surface where the piezoelectric body 10 and the structure 20 are in contact with each other.
3A and 3B, there are two inflow pipes 21 and 21 ', and FIG. 3A is arranged so that the inflow pipes 21 and 21' face each other and form the same straight line. In FIG. 3B, the inflow pipes 21 and 21 'are arranged so as to form a V shape. The angle formed by the two inflow pipes 21 and 21 ′ can be freely set to 5 to 180 °, preferably 30 to 180 °.

In FIGS. 3C to 3E, there are three inflow pipes 21, 21 ′ and 21 ″. In FIG. 3C, the inflow pipes 21, 21 ′ and 21 ″ form a Y-shape. In FIG. 3D, they are arranged so as to form a T shape. In FIG. 3E, three inflow pipes 21, 21 ′, 21 ″ are arranged so as to form an arrow shape. Of the three inflow pipes 21, 21 ', 21'', the angle formed by two can be freely selected from 5 to 350 °, preferably 30 to 300 °.
In FIG. 3F, there are four inflow pipes 21, 21 ′, 21 ″, 21 ′ ″, which are arranged so as to form a substantially cross shape.
In FIG. 3G, two inflow pipes 21 and 21 ′ and one outflow pipe 22 are arranged in a direction substantially parallel to the surface where the piezoelectric body 10 and the structure 20 are in contact with each other.
FIG. 3H shows a preliminarily mixed liquid that flows smoothly without colliding from the inflow pipe 21 connected in a straight line to the outflow pipe 22, and corresponds to a comparative example.

Examples of the material of the structure 20 used in the ultrasonic dispersion apparatus 1 of the present invention include acrylic resin (transmission speed: 2,700 m / s, amplitude: 0.97 μmp-p, Young's modulus: 9 MPa), acrylonitrile-butadiene- Styrene (ABS) resin (transmission speed: 2,210 m / s, amplitude: 1.15 μmp-p, Young's modulus: 4 MPa), polyethylene resin (transmission speed: 1,950 m / s, amplitude: 1.48 μmp-p, Young Rate: 3 MPa), polyurethane resin (hardness 40) (transmission speed: 1,600 m / s, amplitude: 0.02 μmp-p, Young's modulus: 2 MPa), aluminum alloy 5056 (transmission speed: 5,211 m / s, amplitude: 0.02 μmp-p, Young's modulus: 71 MPa) or the like is used. The material may be a single material, but may be a composite system (such as a material integrally formed of resin or metal). In addition, the material of the structure is particularly good when it has a high transmission speed and a low Young's modulus.
Here, the transmission speed and the amplitude were measured using a vibration velocimeter at a vibration speed measurement location (distance: L) shown in FIG. FIG. 4A is a schematic cross-sectional view of the ultrasonic dispersion apparatus 1 of the present invention. FIG. 4B is a schematic plan view of the device 1 in FIG.

For example, in the case of producing an emulsified liquid as the liquid used in the ultrasonic dispersion apparatus 1 of the present invention, an aqueous phase component liquid and an oil phase component liquid are preferably used. For example, salad oil is used as the oil phase component, and purified water is used as the water phase component to produce an emulsion of (oil 5-20%). Examples of mixing aqueous phase components include a case where purified water and water-soluble 1,3-butylene glycol are mixed to produce, for example, a 5% aqueous solution. As a case where oil phase components are mixed together, there is a case where 2-ethylhexyl paramethoxycinnamate and methylcyclopolysiloxane are mixed to produce a mixture having a mass ratio (1: 1).
Further, at least one of the oil phase component and the water phase component may be a multi-liquid or a solid component. For example, the oil phase component may be a mixture of 2-methoxyhexyl paramethoxycinnamate and methylcyclopolysiloxane in which solid cetanol is dissolved, and a mixture of 2-ethylhexyl paramethoxycinnamate and methylcyclopolysiloxane, The case where a mixture of purified water and 1,3-butylene glycol is used as a phase component, and these three liquids are mixed to produce an emulsion liquid.
By using the ultrasonic dispersion apparatus 1 of the present invention, two or more liquids are mixed, emulsified or dispersed to produce one type of liquid, which can be produced immediately before using the emulsified liquid. Moreover, an emulsified liquid agent, a fine particle dispersion liquid agent, etc. can be manufactured in the form which does not contain surfactant.

1. Shape / material such as piezoelectric material used in examples, ultrasonic conditions and evaluation method Piezoelectric Tablet (shape: donut) type piezoelectric vibrator (trade name “TBLE1507” manufactured by Tamura Corporation) and dish (shape: disk-like) type piezoelectric vibrator (same trade name: “TDSE20”), two epoxy liquids The structure was bonded using a curable adhesive. Examples 1-3, 6, 8, 9 and Comparative Example 2 were tablet-type, and 4, 5, 7, and 10 were dish-type. In Comparative Example 1, only the tablet type was used without attaching the structure.
Comparative Examples 3 to 5 were bolt-clamped Langevin type (BLT) vibrators.
2. Liquids and Liquids In Examples 1 to 10, an emulsion liquid of 10% oil was produced using salad oil as the oil phase component and purified water as the water phase component. In each of Comparative Examples 1 to 5, a liquid in which salad oil as an oil phase component and purified water as an aqueous phase component were previously shaken by hand and mixed was used.
3. Shape and Material of Structure Examples 1 to 4 and 6 to 8 are all the shapes described in FIGS. 2-f and 3-a (a composite shape of a thick cylinder and a thin cylinder), and the diameter of the thick cylindrical portion is 20 mm. The thickness was 16.6 mm, the diameter of the thin cylindrical portion was 10 mm, and the thickness was 5.5 mm. In Examples 1 to 4 and 7, the material is ABS resin (transmission speed: 2,210 m / s, amplitude: 1.15 μmp-p, Young's modulus: 4 MPa), and in Example 6, polyethylene resin (transmission speed: 1,950 m). / S, amplitude: 1.48 μmp-p, Young's modulus: 3 MPa), Example 8 uses aluminum alloy 5056 (transmission speed: 5,211 m / s, amplitude: 0.02 μmp-p, Young's modulus: 71 MPa) It was. Example 5 has the shape shown in FIGS. 2F and 3A, the diameter of the thick cylindrical portion is 20 mm and the thickness is 20.3 mm, the diameter of the thin cylindrical portion is 10 mm, and the thickness is 6.8 mm. there were. Acrylic resin (transmission speed: 2,700 m / s, amplitude: 0.97 μmp-p, Young's modulus: 9 MPa) was used as the material.
Examples 9 and 10 are examples in which the wavelength of the structure is shifted, and in the shapes described in FIGS. 2-f and 3-a, the diameter of the thick cylindrical part is 20 mm, the thickness is 18 mm, and the diameter of the thin cylindrical part. Was 10 mm and the thickness was 5.5 mm. ABS resin was used as the material.
In Comparative Examples 1 and 3-5, the liquid was measured in a 100 ml beaker. In Comparative Example 1, a waterproof element was contacted with the liquid directly. In Comparative Examples 3-5, bolted Langevin type (BLT) The vibrator was brought into direct contact with the liquid. Comparative Example 2 has the shape described in FIGS. 2E and 3H, and the liquid was allowed to pass through the thick cylindrical portion with a diameter of 20 mm and a thickness of 11.1 mm.
4). Ultrasonic Conditions Examples 1 to 10 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 both generated ultrasonic waves of 100 kHz, and Comparative Examples 3 to 5 generated ultrasonic waves of 70 kHz with bolted Langevin type (BLT) transducers. Moreover, in Examples 1-7, 9, 10 and Comparative Example 5, four AA-type rechargeable batteries were used, and a power source with 2 W output was used. For the power sources of Example 8 and Comparative Examples 3 and 4, the W numbers are shown in Tables 1 and 2.
5. Evaluation of emulsified state It evaluated visually by the following evaluation criteria.
Good: The obtained liquid was cloudy and was well emulsified.
Slightly good: Although slight separation was observed in the obtained liquid agent, it was emulsified almost satisfactorily, and there was no practical problem.
Slightly poor: Separation was observed in the obtained liquid agent, and emulsification was insufficient.
Poor: The obtained liquid was separated and not emulsified.

Examples 1-10 and Comparative Examples 1-5
Using the above, under the conditions shown in Tables 1 and 2, the emulsified state of 15 types of the obtained emulsions of Examples 1 to 10 and Comparative Examples 1 to 5 was evaluated. The results are shown in Tables 1 and 2.

As is clear from Tables 1 and 2, the ultrasonic dispersion apparatus of the present invention of Examples 1 to 10 is different from the ultrasonic dispersion apparatuses of Comparative Examples 1 and 2 in the collision and ultrasonic treatment of different liquids. Because of the synergistic effect of the simultaneous operation, dispersion and emulsification are possible with low vibration, making it easy to use in dry batteries and rechargeable batteries, so there is no need to select the place of use, and the ultrasonic dispersion device can be reduced in weight and size Could be provided. Furthermore, by using the ultrasonic dispersion apparatus of the present invention, it was possible to produce a fresh emulsion liquid, fine particle dispersion liquid, etc. in a form not containing a surfactant.
Since Examples 9 and 10 shifted the wavelength of the structure from an integer multiple of 1/8 of the wavelength of the ultrasonic wave, compared to the good emulsified state of Examples 2 and 4, the level of the emulsified state was slightly better. Although it stayed, it was in an emulsified state with no practical problems.
By using eight AA type rechargeable batteries, it is possible to add 10 W of electric power to the piezoelectric body, but the weight of the rechargeable battery is approximately 250 g. In the device aiming at light weight and downsizing, if the weight of the main body is 200 g or more, it becomes heavy and the operability deteriorates. Therefore, in Examples 1 to 10, power of 10 W or less, particularly in Examples 1 to 7, 9 and 10 Obtaining a good emulsified state with a power of 2 W is a surprising effect.
On the other hand, Comparative Examples 3 and 4 using a bolted Langevin type (BLT) vibrator obtained a good emulsified state without colliding a plurality of liquids, but required an AC power source, and installed an ultrasonic dispersion device. It was not possible to reduce the weight and size. In Comparative Example 5, since the applied power was low, the BLT vibrator could not be operated effectively, and the emulsified state was insufficient.

  The ultrasonic dispersion apparatus of the present invention is suitably used as an ultrasonic dispersion apparatus for simply producing liquid products such as cosmetics, medicines, foods, and hair care products immediately before use.

It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram which shows one embodiment of the ultrasonic dispersion apparatus of this invention. It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram which shows the other embodiment of the ultrasonic dispersion apparatus of this invention. It is a plane schematic diagram which shows the path | route of the inflow of the liquid of the structure of the embodiment of the ultrasonic dispersion apparatus of this invention, and the outflow path of a liquid agent. It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram which shows the measurement location of the vibration speed of the ultrasonic dispersion apparatus of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1: Ultrasonic dispersion device 10: Piezoelectric body 20: Structure 21: Inflow pipe 22: Outflow pipe 23: Connection part 30: Mixing part

Claims (5)

A piezoelectric body that generates ultrasonic waves and a structure that is in surface contact with the piezoelectric body and mixes, emulsifies, or disperses two or more liquids;
The structure has a composite shape in which a thick cylinder and a thin cylinder are concentrically connected to each other at the end surfaces of the cylinders , and two or more inflow pipes, one outflow pipe, the inflow pipe, the outflow pipe, And a mixing part formed by coupling,
The piezoelectric body is in surface contact with the thick cylindrical end surface of the structure,
The inlets of the two or more inflow pipes are respectively on the outer circumference of the thick cylinder;
The outlet of the outlet pipe is at the end of the thin cylinder;
Two or more liquids each flow into the mixing section through the inflow pipe,
Furthermore, an ultrasonic dispersion apparatus configured such that a liquid agent mixed, emulsified or dispersed is collided while receiving ultrasonic waves in the mixing unit and mixed, emulsified or dispersed, and then the mixed, emulsified or dispersed liquid flows out through the outflow pipe.   The ultrasonic dispersion apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the outflow pipe is disposed so as to extend in an out-of-plane direction from a vicinity of a surface where the piezoelectric body and the structure are in contact with each other.   The ultrasonic dispersion apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the outflow pipe is disposed so as to extend in a direction substantially orthogonal to a surface where the piezoelectric body and the structure are in contact with each other.   The ultrasonic dispersion apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inflow pipe is disposed in a direction substantially parallel to a surface where the piezoelectric body and the structure are in contact with each other.   The ultrasonic dispersion apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a distance from a surface where the piezoelectric body and the structure are in contact to a center of the mixing unit is an integral multiple of 1/8 of an ultrasonic wavelength. .

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