JP5307299B2 - Fluid mixing apparatus including a plurality of fluid mixers - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a fluid mixing apparatus including a plurality of fluid mixers.

  Various fluid mixers that mix a plurality of fluids in a desired ratio are known. For example, a fluid mixer having a T-shaped tube structure is known as a simple structure among various fluid mixers for mixing two kinds of gases at a desired ratio.

  For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-136716 (Patent Document 1), Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-205349 (Patent Document 2), and Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 60-124631 (Patent Document 3) ) To find out more specifically. In each of the conventional T-shaped fluid mixers described in these three documents, two kinds of fluids are mixed.

  In the fluid mixer having a T-shaped tube structure described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-136716, the tube wall of the first tube that extends linearly in one direction intersects the extending direction of the first tube. One end portion of the second tube extending in the direction to be inserted is inserted. And in the fluid mixer of the T-shaped tube structure described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-136716, the tip of the one end portion of the second tube is substantially the center of the flow path of the first tube. It is bent toward the downstream of the flow path. Then, while the first fluid (gas) is flowing through the flow path of the first tube, the second fluid (gas) is flowed through the flow path of the second tube, so that The second fluid (gas) is mixed with the first fluid (gas) in the approximate center of the flow path.

  However, in the fluid mixer having a T-shaped tube structure described in JP-A-2009-136716, a part of the second fluid (gas) is a layer relative to the first fluid (gas) in the flow path of the first tube. It is known that the second fluid (gas) is not completely mixed with the first fluid (gas). Therefore, in the conventional fluid mixer having a T-shaped tube structure, the first fluid (gas) and the second fluid (in the flow path of the second pipe are downstream of the connection position of the flow path of the second pipe. A mixed fluid (mixed gas) stirring mechanism is arranged to promote mixing of the first fluid (gas) and the second fluid (gas) in the mixed fluid (gas).

  Further, in the fluid mixer having a T-shaped tube structure described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-136716, the end portion of one end portion of the second tube is bent as described above, so that the one end portion of the second tube is After being incorporated into the first tube, it is difficult to replace either the first tube or the second tube. If a structure for facilitating the replacement operation is employed, the structure of the fluid mixer having a T-shaped tube structure described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2009-136716 becomes complicated.

  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-205349 discloses a first tube extending linearly in one direction, similar to the fluid mixer having a T-shaped tube structure described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2009-136716. One end portion of the second tube extending in the direction intersecting the extending direction of the first tube is inserted into the wall, and the tip of the one end portion of the second tube is the flow path of the first tube. A fluid mixer having a T-shaped tube structure is described which is bent toward the downstream of the flow path of the first tube at the approximate center.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-205349 further discloses that the tip of one end portion of the second tube disposed substantially at the center of the flow path of the first tube is bent toward the downstream of the flow path of the first tube. The downstream side of the tip portion directed downstream of the flow path of the first tube is inclined with respect to the cross section of the first tube, and the opening of the tip portion is the flow of the first tube. Also described is a T-shaped fluid mixer directed downstream of the channel.

  The former T-tube structure fluid mixer of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-205349 having the same configuration as the T-tube structure fluid mixer described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-136716 is the first one. Although one fluid is a gas and the second fluid is not a gas but a liquid, it naturally has the same disadvantages as the fluid mixer having the T-tube structure described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-136716. Further, after the one end portion of the second tube is incorporated into the first tube, it is difficult to replace either the first tube or the second tube, and the structure for facilitating the replacement operation. Is the same as the structure of the fluid mixer having the T-shaped tube structure described in JP-A-2005-205349.

  In the latter T-tube structure fluid mixer disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-205349, the fluid (gas) flowing through the first tube flows through the first tube at the tip of one end portion of the second tube. It collides with the upstream side that is directed upstream of the turbulent flow to form turbulent flow. Then, the fluid (liquid) discharged from the opening that is inclined to the downstream side of the distal end portion of the one end portion of the second tube is involved in this turbulent flow, so that the one end portion of the second tube is The fluid (liquid) discharged from the opening at the tip is mixed with the fluid (gas) flowing through the first tube. However, the turbulent flow is weakened at the center of the opening downstream of the tip of the one end portion of the second tube, and is discharged from the opening downstream of the tip of the one end portion of the second tube ( It cannot be said that the portion located at the center in the liquid) is sufficiently mixed with the fluid (gas) flowing through the first pipe.

  In the fluid mixer having a T-shaped tube structure described in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 60-124631, the extending direction of the first tube with respect to the tube wall of the first tube extending linearly in one direction; One end portion of the second tube extending in the intersecting direction is inserted. In the fluid mixer having the T-shaped tube structure described in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 60-124631, the tip of the one end portion of the second tube is located at the first tube at the approximate center of the flow path of the first tube. It is bent toward the upstream of the flow path. Then, the second fluid is caused to flow to the flow path of the second tube while the first fluid is being flowed to the flow path of the first tube, so that it is approximately at the center of the flow path of the first tube. A second fluid is mixed in the first fluid.

  In the fluid mixer having a T-shaped tube structure described in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 60-124631, the tip of the one end portion of the second tube is substantially at the center of the flow channel of the first tube. The first fluid flowing in the flow path of the first pipe is directly directed to the opening at the tip of the one end portion of the second pipe, and substantially in the center of the flow path of the first pipe. Since it collides and generates turbulent flow in the opening, the second fluid discharged from the opening is well mixed with the turbulent first fluid.

  However, in the fluid mixer having the T-shaped tube structure described in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 60-124631, the fluid mixer having the T-shaped tube structure described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-136716 and the above-described Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-2005. Similarly to the former fluid mixer having the T-shaped tube structure of Japanese Patent No. 205349, the end portion of one end portion of the second tube inserted into the first tube is bent, so that one end portion of the second tube After the first tube is incorporated into the first tube, it is difficult to replace both the first tube and the second tube. Naturally, the structure of the fluid mixer having a T-shaped tube structure described in Japanese Patent No. 124631 is also complicated.

JP 2009-136716 A JP 2005-205349 A Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 60-124631

  In the conventional various fluid mixers described above, mixing of the fluid is not good, or replacement of either the first tube or the second tube is difficult.

  In recent years, there is a need for a smaller fluid mixing apparatus that can perform mixing of various fluids with higher accuracy and that has a simple configuration and can be easily disassembled, assembled, and combined.

  The present invention has been made under the circumstances described above, and an object of the present invention is to use a plurality of fluid mixers, which has a simpler configuration than the conventional one, and therefore can be easily disassembled, assembled and combined, and more easily downsized. Furthermore, the present invention is to provide a fluid mixing apparatus including a plurality of fluid mixers with high mixing accuracy of the mixed fluid.

  In order to achieve the above-mentioned object of the present invention, a fluid mixing device according to one concept of the present invention is: extending in one direction, with a longitudinal centerline along the one direction and the longitudinal centerline. A first tube having a flow path extending along the first fluid; and extending in a direction intersecting the longitudinal centerline of the first tube; An end portion that has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the flow path, is inserted into the tube wall of the first pipe and is exposed to the flow path of the first pipe, and a flow path through which the second fluid flows through the end portion. A longitudinal center line of the flow path at the end portion of the second pipe is a longitudinal center line of the flow path of the first pipe. Extending in an intersecting direction, the opening at the end portion facing upstream of the flow of the first fluid in the flow path of the first tube. And which includes a plurality of fluid mixers.

  The upstream ends of the flow paths of the first pipes of the plurality of fluid mixers are connected to a first fluid supply source, and the first fluid mixer of the plurality of fluid mixers is connected to the first fluid supply source. In the second pipe, the opening of the flow path at the end portion opposite to the end portion is connected to the second fluid supply source, and the second and subsequent fluid mixers of the plurality of fluid mixers are connected. In each second pipe, the opening of the flow path at the end part opposite to the end part is connected to the downstream end of the flow path of the first pipe of the fluid mixer in the preceding order and the mixed fluid discharge destination. The downstream end of the flow path of the first pipe of the final fluid mixer in the plurality of fluid mixers is open toward the mixed fluid supply destination.

  A fluid mixing device including a plurality of such fluid mixers according to one concept of the present invention, characterized in that it is configured as described above, is simpler in construction than conventional ones, and therefore is disassembled and assembled. Can be easily combined with each other, and can be made more compact, and the mixing accuracy of the fluid mixture is also high.

FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of one of a plurality of identically configured fluid mixers used in a fluid mixing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic enlarged view of a first modification of the end portion of the second tube of the fluid mixer of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic enlarged view of a second modification of the end portion of the second tube of the fluid mixer of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is an overall schematic view of a fluid mixing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention including a plurality of the fluid mixers of FIG. 1 and combining the fluid mixers in multiple stages. FIG. 5 shows the relationship between the desired dilution ratio set in advance and the actually obtained dilution ratio (β-damagenone concentration) when the fluid mixing apparatus of FIG. 4 is used as a gas dilution apparatus. In the gas diluter used here, the second gas (β-damasenone) in which the diameter of the first tube through which the first gas (air) for dilution flows is diluted by the first gas flows It is larger than the diameter of the tube. FIG. 6 shows in advance a case where a plurality of fluid mixers in FIG. 1 are combined in a different arrangement from that in the fluid mixing apparatus in FIG. 4 and a fluid mixing apparatus not included in the present invention is used as a gas dilution apparatus. The relationship between the set desired dilution ratio and the actually obtained dilution ratio (β-damagenone concentration) is shown, in which the first tubes of a plurality of fluid mixers are connected in a straight line. The upstream end of the first pipe of the first fluid mixer located at the uppermost stream of the flow of the first gas (air) flowing through the plurality of first pipes connected to each other, and the second and later of the flow The first gas (air) for dilution is caused to flow at the end opposite to the end portion of each of the plurality of second tubes positioned at the position, and the end portion of the second tube of the first fluid mixer is defined as The second gas for dilution (β-damasenone) is flowed to the opposite end, The surplus mixed gas is discharged from the interconnecting sites of the plurality of first tubes of the fluid mixer, and the first gas and the second gas mixed gas (diluted from the downstream end of the first tube of the final fluid mixer) Gas) is discharged. FIG. 7 shows a first tube and a second tube each having the same outer diameter, and the end portion of the second tube does not protrude into the flow path of the first tube. A fluid mixing apparatus not included in the present invention, in which a plurality of conventional fluid mixers having a T-shaped T-tube structure are combined in a multistage manner instead of the plurality of fluid mixers of the fluid mixing apparatus of FIG. The relationship between the preset desired dilution rate and the actually obtained dilution rate (β-damasenone concentration) in the case where is used as a gas dilution device is shown. FIG. 8 includes a first tube and a second tube, each having the same outer diameter, and the end portion of the second tube does not protrude into the flow path of the first tube. In the case where a fluid mixing device that is not included in the present invention is used as a gas diluting device, a plurality of conventional fluid mixers having a T-tube structure are combined by linearly connecting the first tubes. The relationship between the preset desired dilution rate and the actually obtained dilution rate (β-damagenone concentration) is shown. 9 uses a sniffing port known as a mixed fluid supply destination connected to the first pipe of the fourth downstream fluid mixer among the plurality of fluid mixers in the fluid mixing apparatus of FIG. When the fluid mixing device of FIG. 4 is used as a smell sniffing device (olfactometer), it was supplied from a known sniffing port by sensory evaluation of 20 odor specialist evaluators of the company to which the inventor of the present application belongs. It shows the threshold value for β-damasenone. FIG. 10 shows a connection of a known sniffing port to the mixed fluid supply destination in the above-described fluid mixing apparatus not included in the present invention used for obtaining the experimental result of FIG. When the above-described fluid mixing device not included in the present invention is used as an odor sniffer (olfactometer), it is known by sensory evaluation of 20 odor specialist evaluators of the company to which the inventor of the present application belongs. It shows the threshold value of β-damasenone supplied from the sniffing port. FIG. 11 shows a first tube with an outer diameter of 6.4 mm and an inner diameter of 4.6 mm and a second tube with an outer diameter of 3.8 mm and an inner diameter of 1.7 mm in the fluid mixing device of FIG. Four fluid mixers each containing a tube are used, a known sniffing port is connected to the mixed fluid supply destination, and the fluid mixing device of FIG. 4 is used as an odor device (olfactometer). Of guaiacol supplied from a known sniffing port by sensory evaluation of 10 odor specialist evaluators of the company to which the inventor of the present application belongs when the dilution ratio of the mixed fluid created in the vessel is 10 to 20 times The threshold is shown. FIG. 12 shows a first tube with an outer diameter of 6.4 mm and an inner diameter of 4.6 mm and a second tube with an outer diameter of 3.8 mm and an inner diameter of 0.9 mm in the fluid mixing apparatus of FIG. Four fluid mixers each containing a tube are used, a known sniffing port is connected to the mixed fluid supply destination, and the fluid mixing device of FIG. 4 is used as an odor device (olfactometer). Of guaiacol supplied from a known sniffing port by sensory evaluation of 10 odor specialist evaluators of the company to which the inventor of the present application belongs when the dilution ratio of the mixed fluid created in the vessel is 10 to 20 times The threshold is shown. FIG. 13 illustrates a first tube having an outer diameter of 6.4 mm and an inner diameter of 4.6 mm and a second tube having an outer diameter of 3.8 mm and an inner diameter of 1.7 mm in the fluid mixing apparatus of FIG. Four fluid mixers each containing a tube are used, a known sniffing port is connected to the mixed fluid supply destination, and the fluid mixing device of FIG. 4 is used as an odor device (olfactometer). DL-limonene supplied from a known sniffing port by sensory evaluation of 10 odor specialists of the company to which the inventor of the present application belongs when the dilution rate of the mixed fluid created in the vessel is less than 10 times The threshold value is shown. FIG. 14 illustrates a first tube having an outer diameter of 6.4 mm and an inner diameter of 4.6 mm and a second tube having an outer diameter of 3.8 mm and an inner diameter of 0.9 mm in the fluid mixing apparatus of FIG. Four fluid mixers each containing a tube are used, a known sniffing port is connected to the mixed fluid supply destination, and the fluid mixing device of FIG. 4 is used as an odor device (olfactometer). DL-limonene supplied from a known sniffing port by sensory evaluation of 10 odor specialists of the company to which the inventor of the present application belongs when the dilution rate of the mixed fluid created in the vessel is less than 10 times The threshold value is shown.

  First, referring to FIG. 1, a plurality of fluid mixers 10 having the same structure and used in a plurality of fluid mixing apparatuses according to an embodiment of the present invention described later with reference to FIG. 4 will be described.

  The fluid mixer 10 is: a first extending in one direction and having a longitudinal center line along the one direction and a flow path 12a extending along the longitudinal center line and through which the first fluid F1 flows. And the tube 12; and extends in a direction intersecting the longitudinal center line of the first tube 12, and has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the flow path 12a of the first tube 12. A second end portion 14a that is inserted into the tube wall of the first tube 12 and exposed to the flow passage 12a of the first tube 12, and a second flow passage 14b that opens into the end portion 14a and through which the second fluid F2 flows. Tube 14;

  The longitudinal center line of the flow path 14b in the end portion 14a of the second pipe 14 extends in a direction crossing the longitudinal center line of the flow path 12a of the first pipe 12, and the opening 14c in the end section 14a is formed. It faces upstream of the flow of the first fluid F1 in the flow path 12a of the first pipe 12.

  Specifically, in this embodiment, the outer diameter of the end portion 14 a of the second pipe 14 is not less than ½ of the inner diameter of the flow path 12 a of the first pipe 12.

  In this embodiment, the longitudinal center line of the end portion 14 a of the second tube 14 is arranged to be orthogonal to the longitudinal center line of the flow path 12 a of the first tube 12. The end portion 14a of the second pipe 14 is inclined so that the side facing the upstream of the flow of the first fluid F1 in the flow path 12a of the first pipe 12 becomes thinner as it goes toward the end of the end portion 14a. ing.

  The end of the end portion 14 a of the second tube 14 is preferably as close as possible without contacting the inner peripheral surface of the tube wall of the first tube 12.

  The fluid mixer 10 flows in the flow path 12a of the first pipe 12 by flowing the second fluid F2 in the flow path 14b of the second pipe 14 into the flow path 12a of the first pipe 12. The first fluid F1 can be mixed. Here, the flow rate of the first fluid F1 is larger than the flow rate of the second fluid F2, and the above mixing can also be called dilution.

  The outer diameter of the end portion 14 a of the second tube 14 is smaller than the inner diameter of the flow path 12 a of the first tube 12, and the end of the end portion 14 a of the second tube 14 is the tube wall of the first tube 12. In the flow path 12a of the first tube 12, the end portion 14a of the second tube 14 functions like an orifice. Moreover, the end portion 14a causes a large turbulent flow including various vortices in the first fluid F1 including the second fluid F2 on the side facing the downstream of the flow of the first fluid F1, and the first fluid F1 and the first fluid F1 Sufficient mixing with the two fluids F2 is promoted.

  The fluid mixer 10 can function as a gas diluter when the first fluid F1 is a predetermined dilution gas and the second fluid F2 is a predetermined gas to be diluted.

  The supply amount of the first fluid F1 to the flow path 12a of the first pipe 12 can be set to an arbitrary value using a known flow rate control device FC1, and the first flow F1 to the flow path 14b of the second pipe 14 can be set. The supply amount of the two fluids F2 can be set to an arbitrary value using a known flow rate control device FC2. That is, using these two flow control devices FC1 and FC2, the mixing ratio (or dilution ratio) of the first fluid F1 and the second fluid F2 in the fluid mixer 10 can be set to an arbitrary value. Further, the two flow control devices FC1 and FC2 can be connected to a well-known integrated control device MC, and the operations of the two flow control devices FC1 and FC2 can be arbitrarily integrated and controlled.

  In the fluid mixer 10, the end portion 14 a of the second tube 14 is further detachably attached to the first tube 12 via a detachable mechanism 15. The detachable mechanism 15 can be a known sealing coupling mechanism. In FIG. 1, an annular female connector 15 a and a second connector 15 a are attached to the peripheral wall of the first tube 12 so as to be airtightly rotatable so as to surround a through-hole formed at a predetermined position on the peripheral wall of the first tube 12. An example of a known hermetic coupling mechanism is shown, which is composed of an annular male connector 15b that is airtightly fixed at a predetermined position on the peripheral wall of the tube 14 of the tube. In this known hermetic coupling mechanism, the end portion 14a of the second tube 14 is connected to the peripheral wall of the first tube 12 through an inner hole of an annular female connector 15a that is airtightly rotatable. After being inserted into the through hole in the peripheral wall of the tube 12, the annular female connector 15a is rotated in a predetermined direction. Then, when the female screw on the inner peripheral surface of the inner hole of the annular female connector 15a is screwed with the male screw on the outer peripheral surface of the annular male connector 15b at a predetermined position on the peripheral wall of the second pipe 14, The annular female connector 15a on the peripheral wall of the first tube 12 and the annular male connector 15b on the peripheral wall of the second tube 14 are detachably connected to each other in an airtight state. On the other hand, it means that the end portion 14 a of the second tube 14 is detachably attached via the detachable mechanism 15. Furthermore, the female screw on the inner peripheral surface of the inner hole of the annular female connector 15a is screwed to the male screw on the outer peripheral surface of the male connector 15b at a predetermined position on the peripheral wall of the second tube 14 to a predetermined position. Thus, the end portion 14a of the second tube 14 can be accurately arranged at a predetermined position in the radial direction of the conduit 12a of the first tube 12.

  Note that the annular female connector 15a on the peripheral wall of the first tube 12 and the annular male connector 15b on the peripheral wall of the second tube 14 are detachably connected to each other in a sealed state by a so-called snap connection. It may be configured to be able to

  In this embodiment, the end portion 14 a of the second tube 14 is detachably attached to the first tube 12 via the detachable mechanism 15. The second tube 14 having an outer diameter and / or an inner diameter can be selectively attached easily. That is, the second tube 14 attached to the first tube 12 can be easily replaced with another second tube 14 having a different outer diameter and / or inner diameter.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic enlarged view of a first modification of the end portion 14a of the second tube 14 of the fluid mixer 10 of FIG. Here, in the end portion 14a of the second pipe 14, the side facing the upstream of the flow of the first fluid F1 in the flow path 12a of the first pipe 12 faces the downstream of the flow of the first fluid F1. The side DS is cut out along the longitudinal center line of the end portion 14a. In this modified example, the flow path 14b is opened on the upstream side cut out as described above in the end portion 14a, and as a result, the opening 14c of the flow path 14b is the first fluid in the flow path 12a of the first tube 12. Facing upstream of F1 flow. Here, the flow path 14b may or may not open at the end of the end portion 14a.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic enlarged view of a second modification of the end portion 14a of the second tube 14 of the fluid mixer 10 of FIG. Here, in the end portion 14a of the second pipe 14, an opening 14c communicating with the flow path 14b is provided on the side US facing the upstream side of the flow of the first fluid F1 in the flow path 12a of the first pipe 12. A plurality are formed. Here, the flow path 14b may or may not open at the end of the end portion 14a.

  Next, a fluid mixing device 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention including a plurality of fluid mixers 10 described above with reference to FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  A plurality (four in FIG. 4) of fluid mixers 10 used in the fluid mixing device 20 are combined in a multistage manner.

  Specifically, the upstream ends of the pipe lines 12 a of the first pipes 12 of the plurality of fluid mixers 10 are connected to the first fluid supply source 22. A known flow rate adjusting device 24 is interposed between the first fluid supply source 22 and the upstream end of the pipe 12 a of the first pipe 12 of each of the plurality of fluid mixers 10. Adjusts the flow rate of the first fluid F1 supplied from the first fluid supply source 22 to the upstream end of the pipe 12a of the first pipe 12 of each of the plurality of fluid mixers 10 to a desired predetermined amount.

  In the second pipe 14 of the first fluid mixer 10-1 in the plurality of fluid mixers 10, the opening of the flow path 14 b at the end portion opposite to the end portion 14 a is connected to the second fluid supply source 26. Has been. The second fluid supply source 26 is accompanied by a known flow rate adjusting device, and a desired predetermined amount is supplied from the second fluid supply source 26 to the upstream end of the flow path 14ba of the second pipe 14 of the first fluid mixer 10-1. The second fluid F2 can be supplied at a flow rate.

  Second and subsequent fluid mixers 10 in the plurality of fluid mixers 10 (second fluid mixer 10-2, third fluid mixer 10-3, and fourth fluid mixer 10 in FIG. 4). 4), the opening of the flow path 14b in the end part 14d opposite to the end part 14a in each second pipe 14 is the flow path 12a of the first pipe 12 of the fluid mixer 10 in the preceding order. Are connected to the downstream end and the mixed fluid discharge destination 28. The upstream end of the flow path 14b in the end portion 14d on the opposite side of the second pipe 14 of the mixed fluid discharge destination 28 and the second and subsequent fluid mixers 10 (or the first of the fluid mixers 10 in the previous order). A known flow rate adjusting device 24 is also interposed between the first pipe 12 and the downstream end of the flow path 12a of the first pipe 12, and the flow rate adjusting device 24 is connected to each second pipe 14 of the second and subsequent fluid mixers 10. The first fluid F1 and the second fluid F2 flow in from the downstream end of the flow channel 12a of the first tube 12 of the fluid mixer 10 in the preceding order with respect to the opening of the flow channel 14b at the end portion 14d on the opposite side. The flow rate of the mixed fluid is adjusted to a desired predetermined amount.

  The aforementioned known flow rate adjusting devices of the flow rate adjusting device 24 and the second fluid supply source 26 are connected to a known integrated control device (not shown), and their operations are arbitrarily controlled by this known integrated control device. Can be configured.

  The downstream end of the flow path 12a of the first pipe 12 of the final fluid mixer 10 (fourth fluid mixer 10-4 in FIG. 4) of the plurality of fluid mixers 10 is connected to the mixed fluid supply destination 30. It is open across the street.

  The mixed fluid supply destination 30 can be, for example, a known mixed fluid storage container, and if necessary, a known mixed fluid component analyzer and / or an odor called the olfactometer. When used as a sniffing device, it can be a known sniffing port.

  The fluid mixing device 20 can function as a gas dilution device when the first fluid F1 is a predetermined dilution gas and the second fluid F2 is a predetermined gas to be diluted.

  In this fluid mixing apparatus 20, the multistage combination of the plurality of fluid mixers 10 as shown in FIG. 4 reduces the volume of space required for the arrangement of the fluid mixing apparatus 20 including the plurality of fluid mixers 10. This means that the fluid mixing device 20 is downsized.

  In a fluid mixing apparatus 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention that includes a plurality of fluid mixers 10 combined in multiple stages as shown in FIG. 4, a first tube of the plurality of fluid mixers 10. The mixing ratio (dilution ratio) of the mixed fluid of the first fluid F1 and the second fluid F2 discharged from the downstream end of the 12 flow paths 12a becomes a desired value every time it sequentially passes through the plurality of fluid mixers 10. It changes precisely in steps.

  FIG. 5 shows the relationship between a preset desired dilution factor and the actually obtained dilution factor (β-damagenone concentration) when the fluid mixing device 20 of FIG. 4 is used as an actual gas dilution device. It is shown.

  Here, each first tube 12 of the four fluid mixers 10 is formed of stainless steel having an outer diameter of 6.4 mm and an inner diameter of 4.6 mm, The tube 14 is made of stainless steel having an outer diameter of 3.8 mm and an inner diameter of 1.7 mm. Air is used as the first fluid F1 that acts as the dilution gas, and β-damascenone is used as the second fluid F2 that acts as the gas to be diluted. β-Damasenone is filled in the second fluid supply source 26 accompanied by the above-described known flow control device together with nitrogen as the carrier gas. As such second fluid supply source 26, for example, a silonite canister manufactured by Entech Instruments Inc. of the United States can be used. Silonite is a registered trademark of Entech Instruments Inc.

  A known low vacuum pressure exhaust pump is used as the mixed fluid discharge destination 28.

  As the mixed fluid supply destination 30, for example, a Tenax tube manufactured by GERSTEL Gmbh & CO, KG is used. Here, Tenax is a registered trademark of Enka Research Institute Amhem, Amhem, the Netherlands.

In the fluid mixing apparatus 20 of FIG. 4 used as an actual gas dilution apparatus, desired dilution ratios of the gas to be diluted to be finally obtained at the mixed fluid supply destination 30 are 10 ⁻¹ , 10 ⁻² , and 10 ^−3. , 10 ⁻⁴ , 10 ⁻⁵ , and 10 ⁻⁶ , Tenax as the mixed fluid supply destination 30 is supplied to the final mixed gas at each dilution rate at a flow rate of 100 mL / min for 60 seconds. (Tenax) was captured in a tube. Then, the concentration (ppm) of β-damascenone as a dilution gas in the actual mixed gas finally obtained at each of the plurality of dilution ratios captured as described above is known. The gas concentration analyzer was used. This concentration measurement is performed five times at each dilution factor, and the average value of the above-mentioned concentration at each dilution factor is shown in FIG.

  Here, a gas chromatograph mass spectrometry system (GC / MS) with a thermal desorption device (TDS) was used as a gas concentration analyzer.

  FIG. 5 shows the following.

  Between the desired dilution ratio of the dilution gas to be finally obtained and the concentration (ppm) of β-damascenone as the dilution gas in the actual mixed gas finally obtained Can see a high correlation with very little variation along a straight line with a slope of 0.97. When the actual concentration of the gas to be diluted coincides with the desired dilution factor, the slope becomes 1. Therefore, in the case shown in FIG. This means that the dilution ratio of the gas to be diluted was obtained with very high accuracy.

  Referring now to FIG. 6, the present invention combines a plurality of fluid mixers 10 of FIG. 1 in a different arrangement than the fluid mixing device 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention of FIG. The relationship between a desired dilution ratio set in advance when a fluid mixing apparatus not included is used as a gas dilution apparatus and a dilution ratio (β-damagenone concentration) actually obtained is shown. Here, the first pipes 12 of the plurality of fluid mixers 10 are connected in a straight line, and the first pipe located in the uppermost stream of the first gas flowing through the plurality of first pipes 12 connected to each other. A known flow rate control at the upstream end of the first pipe 12 of the fluid mixer 10 and at the end opposite to the end portion 14a of each of the plurality of second pipes 14 located after the second of the flow. A first gas (air) for dilution is flowed from the first fluid supply source through the vessel, and a known flow rate is provided at the end opposite to the end portion 14a in the second pipe 14 of the first fluid mixer 10. A second gas (β-damasenone) to be diluted is caused to flow from the second fluid supply source via the regulator, and a known flow rate is obtained from the interconnecting portions of the plurality of first tubes 12 of the plurality of fluid mixers 10. The surplus mixed gas is discharged to the mixed fluid discharge destination via the regulator, and the final fluid mixed First first gas from the downstream end of the tube 12 and the mixed gas of the second gas vessels 10 (dilution gas) is supplied to the mixing fluid supply destination.

  The following can be seen from FIG.

  Between the desired dilution ratio of the dilution gas to be finally obtained and the concentration (ppm) of β-damascenone as the dilution gas in the actual mixed gas finally obtained Can see a low correlation with a large variation along a straight line with a slope greater than 1.1. A slope larger than 1.0 means that the actual concentration of the gas to be diluted is smaller than the desired dilution factor.

  That is, when a fluid mixing device that is configured by connecting the first tubes 12 of a plurality of fluid mixers 10 in a straight line is not used as the gas dilution device, the fluid mixer shown in FIG. It is not possible to obtain the same result as when a plurality of 10 are connected in multiple stages as in the fluid mixing device 20 of FIG. 4 of one embodiment of the present invention and used as a gas dilution device.

  Next, referring to FIG. 7, the first tube and the second tube, each having the same outer diameter, and the end portion of the second tube is the flow path of the first tube. A plurality of conventional T-shaped T-tube structure fluid mixers that do not protrude into a multi-stage configuration instead of the plurality of fluid mixers 10 of the fluid mixing device 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention of FIG. When a fluid mixing apparatus that is not included in the present invention configured in combination with the above is used as a gas dilution apparatus, a desired dilution ratio that is set in advance and a dilution ratio that can actually be obtained (β-damasenone concentration) The relationship is shown.

  FIG. 7 shows the following.

  Between the desired dilution ratio of the dilution gas to be finally obtained and the concentration (ppm) of β-damascenone as the dilution gas in the actual mixed gas finally obtained Can see a low correlation with a large variation along a straight line with a large slope of 1.3. A slope larger than 1.0 means that the actual concentration of the gas to be diluted is smaller than the desired dilution factor.

  That is, in this case as well, the same result cannot be obtained with the fluid mixing apparatus 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.

  Next, referring to FIG. 8, the first tube and the second tube each having the same outer diameter are provided, and the end portion of the second tube is the flow path of the first tube. A type of fluid mixing apparatus not included in the present invention, which is constituted by combining a plurality of conventional T-tube-type fluid mixers that do not protrude into the respective first pipes connected in a straight line. The relationship between the preset desired dilution factor and the actually obtained dilution factor (β-damasenone concentration) in the gas dilution apparatus is shown. Here, the first fluid mixture is located in the uppermost stream of the flow of the first gas flowing through the plurality of first tubes connected in a straight line, with the first tubes of the plurality of fluid mixers connected in a straight line. The first fluid is connected to the upstream end of the first pipe of the vessel and the end opposite to the connection end of each of the plurality of second pipes located after the second of the flow via a known flow regulator. The first gas (air) for dilution flows from the supply source, and the second fluid supply source is connected to the second pipe of the first fluid mixer via a known flow regulator at the end opposite to the connection end. The second gas (β-damasenone) to be diluted is caused to flow from and the surplus mixed gas is discharged from the interconnected portions of the plurality of first tubes of the plurality of fluid mixers via a known flow controller. First gas and second gas mixed from the downstream end of the first pipe of the final fluid mixer discharged first Scan (dilution gas) is supplied to the mixing fluid supply destination.

  FIG. 8 shows the following.

  Between the desired dilution ratio of the dilution gas to be finally obtained and the concentration (ppm) of β-damascenone as the dilution gas in the actual mixed gas finally obtained Can see a low correlation with a large variation along a straight line with a large slope of 1.3. A slope larger than 1.0 means that the actual concentration of the gas to be diluted is smaller than the desired dilution factor.

  This is the second fluid F2 (diluted gas) that has flowed out from the opening at the connection end of the second pipe of the fluid mixer arranged at the most upstream into the flow path of the first pipe of the same fluid mixer. End of the plurality of second tubes of the second and subsequent plurality of fluid mixers until the mixed fluid supply destination is reached through the plurality of first tubes of the second and subsequent plurality of fluid mixers It means that it is layered without being sufficiently mixed by the first fluid F1 (dilution gas) flowing out from the opening of the part into the flow path of the first pipe of the same fluid mixer.

  That is, in this case as well, the same result cannot be obtained with the fluid mixing apparatus 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.

  Referring now to FIG. 9, in the fluid mixing device 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 4, the most downstream fourth fluid mixer 10-in the plurality of fluid mixers 10. When a known sniffing port is connected as a mixed fluid supply destination 30 to be connected to the downstream end of the first pipe 12 of the fourth tube 12 and the fluid mixing device 20 is used as an odor device (olfactometer), The threshold value of β-damagenone supplied from a known sniffing port by sensory evaluation of 20 odor specialist evaluators of the company to which the inventor belongs is shown.

  In this case, the threshold value of β-damasenone, that is, the threshold value of β-damasenone when 20 odor specialists can recognize the smell of β-damasenone, is between 0.028 ppm and 0.055 ppm. Well organized.

  Next, referring to FIG. 10, in the above-described fluid mixing apparatus not included in the present invention used to obtain the experimental result of FIG. 8, the downstream end of the first pipe 12 of the most downstream fluid mixer is provided. When a known sniffing port is connected as a connected fluid supply destination, and the fluid mixing device is used as an odor sniffer (olfactometer), the odor specialty evaluation of 20 companies of the company to which the inventors of the present application belong It shows the threshold value of β-damasenone supplied from a known sniffing port according to the sensory evaluation of the person.

  In this case, the threshold value of β-damasenone, that is, the threshold value of β-damasenone when 20 odor specialists can recognize the smell of β-damasenone, is between 0.0028 ppm and 0.15 ppm. It is relatively widely distributed. This means that the above-described fluid mixing apparatus that is not included in the present invention used to obtain the experimental results of FIG.

  In each of the plurality of fluid mixers 10 used in the fluid mixing device 20 according to one embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 4, as described above with reference to FIG. The end portion 14 a of the second tube 14 is detachably attached to the first tube 12 through a detachable mechanism 15 in a sealed state. That is, in each of the plurality of fluid mixers 10 used in the fluid mixing device 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. This means that at least one of the tubes 14 can be easily exchanged for one having a different outer diameter and / or inner diameter.

  FIG. 11 shows the first tube 12 and 3.8 mm having an outer diameter of 6.4 mm and an inner diameter of 4.6 mm in the fluid mixing device 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. Are used, and four fluid mixers 10 each including a second tube 14 having an inner diameter of 1.7 mm and an inner diameter of 1.7 mm are used. A sniffing port known as a mixed fluid supply destination connected to the downstream end of the first pipe 12 of the most downstream fluid mixer is connected, and the fluid mixing device 20 is connected to a sniffing device (olfact). Meter), the threshold of guaiacol supplied from a known sniffing port by sensory evaluation of 10 odor specialists of the company to which the inventor of this application belongs, that is, 10 odors It shows a threshold, of guaiacol when the evaluators were able to recognize the smell of guaiacol.

  FIG. 12 shows the fluid mixing device 20 used to obtain the experimental result of FIG. 11, and the inner diameter of the second tube 12 of each fluid mixer 10 is changed from 1.7 mm to 0.9 mm. The result is shown in which the same experiment was performed under the same conditions except that the second pipe 12 was replaced.

  From the experimental results shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, the threshold value of guaiacol is better organized in the experimental result of FIG. 12 than in the experimental result of FIG.

  FIG. 13 shows the first tube 12 and 3.8 mm having an outer diameter of 6.4 mm and an inner diameter of 4.6 mm in the fluid mixing device 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. And four fluid mixers 10 each including a second tube 14 having an inner diameter of 1.7 mm, and the dilution ratio of the mixed gas produced in each fluid mixer 10 is less than 10 times. And a sniffing port known as a mixed fluid supply destination connected to the downstream end of the first pipe 12 of the most downstream fluid mixer 10 is connected, and this fluid mixing device 20 is connected to a smell device (olfactometer). ) Threshold of DL-limonene supplied from a known sniffing port by sensory evaluation of 10 odor specialists of the company to which the inventor of the present application belongs, that is, 10 odor specialists It shows a threshold, of DL- limonene when was able to charge user to recognize the smell of DL- limonene.

  FIG. 14 shows the fluid mixing device 20 used for obtaining the experimental result of FIG. 13, in which only the inner diameter of the second tube 12 of each fluid mixer 10 is changed from 1.7 mm to 0.9 mm. The result is shown in which the same experiment was performed under the same conditions except that the second pipe 12 was replaced.

  From the experimental results shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, the DL-limonene threshold is better integrated in the experimental result in FIG. 13 than in the experimental result in FIG. 14.

  From the experimental results shown in FIG. 11 to FIG. 14, the dilution fluid (first gas) required to achieve high accuracy of the dilution rate of the mixed fluid (mixed gas) in each fluid mixer 10 is found. The inner diameter of the flow path 12a of the first pipe 12 to be flown and the flow path 14b of the end portion 14a of the second pipe 14 through which the fluid to be diluted (the second gas or a mixed gas of the first gas and the second gas) flows. It is shown that the dilution ratio changes at the boundary of 10, assuming that the outer diameter of the end portion 14a of the second tube 14 and the inner diameter of the flow path 12a of the first tube 12 do not change. ing.

  This is because, for example, when the dilution rate is increased, the flow rate of the dilution gas flowing through the flow path 12a of the first pipe is constant (the inner diameter of the flow path 12a of the first pipe is constant). Since the flow rate of the dilution gas flowing through the flow path 14b of the end portion 14a of the second pipe 14 is decreased, the dilution gas (the second gas F2 or the second gas F2 flowing through the flow path 14b of the end portion 14a of the second pipe 14 is reduced. Difference in flow velocity between the gas F2 and the first gas F1) and the dilution gas (the first gas F1 or the mixed gas of the first gas F1 and the second gas F2) flowing through the flow path 12a of the first pipe. This is because it is difficult to obtain good dilution accuracy in a relatively short time.

  Therefore, when the dilution rate is increased, the ratio of the inner diameter of the flow path 12a of the first tube to the inner diameter of the flow path 14b of the end portion 14a of the second tube 14 is set to some extent so that the difference in flow rate is not increased. In other words, it means that the ratio of the inner diameter of the flow path 14b of the end portion 14a of the second pipe 14 to the inner diameter of the flow path 12a of the first pipe needs to be smaller than a certain degree. ing.

  From such experimental results, the inventors of the present application have the first flow through which the diluted fluid (first gas) flows in order to achieve high accuracy of the dilution rate of the mixed fluid (mixed gas) in each fluid mixer 10. Between the inner diameter of the flow path 12a of the pipe 12 and the inner diameter of the flow path 14b of the end portion 14a of the second pipe 14 through which the fluid to be diluted (the second gas or a mixed gas of the first gas and the second gas) flows. It is preferable to set the relationship as follows with the dilution factor 10 as a boundary, assuming that the outer diameter of the end portion 14a of the second tube 14 and the inner diameter of the flow path 12a of the first tube 12 do not change. I found

When the dilution rate of the second fluid F2 by the first fluid F1 in each of the plurality of fluid mixers 10-1, 10-2, 10-3, 10-4 is less than 10, the second The inner diameter of the channel 12a of the first tube 12 is less than 3.3 times the inner diameter of the channel 14b of the end portion 14a of the tube 14; and
When the dilution rate of the second fluid F2 by the first fluid F1 in each of the plurality of fluid mixers 10-1, 10-2, 10-3, 10-4 is 10 or more, the second pipe The inner diameter of the flow path 12a of the first tube 12 is 3.3 times or more than the inner diameter of the flow path 14b of the 14 end portions 14a.

  When the fluid mixing device 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention is used as an odor sniffer (olfactometer), when conducting an odor smell experiment on a plurality of scent components, a fluid of a certain scent component is flowed. Then, before flowing the fluid of the next different scent component, the fluid of the certain scent component is the first of each of the plurality of fluid mixers 10-1, 10-2, 10-3, 10-4. It is necessary to clean the fluid mixing device 20 so as not to remain in the flow path 12a of the second pipe 12 and the flow path 14b of the second pipe 14.

  In each of the plurality of fluid mixers 10-1, 10-2, 10-3, and 10-4 of the fluid mixing device 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the tube wall of the first tube 12 is used. Since the end portion 14a of the second tube 14 is inserted, the removal of the end portion 14a of the second tube 14 from the tube wall of the first tube 12 for the cleaning and the first tube after the cleaning The end portion 14a of the second tube 14 is easily attached to the 12 tube walls. Furthermore, in each of the plurality of fluid mixers 10-1, 10-2, 10-3, 10-4 of the fluid mixing device 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the tube wall of the first tube 12 is used. On the other hand, the end portion 14a of the second tube 14 is detachably attached in a sealed state via the detachable mechanism 15, so that the second tube with respect to the tube wall of the first tube 12 for cleaning is used. The end portion 14a of the second tube 14 is further easily attached to the tube wall of the first tube 12 after the removal of the 14 end portions 14a and the cleaning.

  When the fluid mixing device 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention is used as a smell device (olfactometer), another scent must be presented while remembering the impression of the previous scent. is there. In this case, after flowing the fluid of the previous scent component, before flowing the fluid of the next different scent component, the fluid of the certain scent component becomes the fluid mixers 10-1 and 10-2. , 10-3, 10-4, the fluid mixing device 20 needs to be cleaned as soon as possible so as not to remain in the flow path 12a of the first pipe 12 and the flow path 14b of the second pipe 14. In addition, in the case where the same scent component fluid is flowed a plurality of times in order to conduct the experiment under the same conditions a plurality of times, the measurement is performed in a very small concentration region. Even if it remains very slightly, there may be subtle differences in the results of experiments performed under the same conditions.

  In many conventional olfactometers, the inside of a pipe is usually cleaned by flowing clean dry air into the pipe of the fluid mixing device. However, this cleaning method is effective to remove at least the fluid component flowing through the pipe. Not only does it take a relatively long time of approximately 10 minutes, but there are many cases where the fluid component cannot be completely removed even after washing.

  Moreover, after disassembling the piping of the fluid mixing apparatus, the inside of the piping is washed with a solvent such as ethanol. This cleaning method has a higher cleaning effect than the cleaning method using clean dry air, but it not only requires a relatively long time for drying after cleaning, but also after the work of disassembling the pipe of the fluid mixing device or after cleaning. Assembly work is complicated.

  In order to solve the problems related to the conventional cleaning, in the fluid mixing apparatus 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of fluid mixers 10-1, 10-2, 10 included in the fluid mixing apparatus 20 are used. Surface treatment that does not react with the first fluid F1 and the second fluid F2 respectively flowing through the flow path 12a of the first pipe 12 and the flow path 14b of the second pipe 14 of −3 and 10-4, respectively. It can be coated with a material.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the surface treatment material may be a first of a plurality of fluid mixers 10-1, 10-2, 10-3, and 10-4 included in the fluid mixing device 20. A surface treatment material storage container STS in which a switching valve CV is interposed at each upstream end of the flow path 12a of the pipe 12 and the flow path 14b of the second pipe 14 and the surface treatment material is stored via the switching valve CV. To the flow path 12a of each first tube 12 and the flow path 14b of each second tube 14, thereby the flow of the flow path 12a of each first tube 12 and the flow of each second pipe 14. Each of them can be covered with the surface treatment material by being attached to the path 14b.

  The surplus surface treatment material after flowing through the flow path 12a of each first tube 12 and the flow path 14b of each second tube 14 is the downstream end of the flow path 12a of each first tube 12. In addition, a switching valve CV is interposed at the downstream end of the flow path 14b of each second pipe 14, and the surplus surface treatment material is recovered in the surplus surface treatment material recovery container STC via the switching valve CV. I can do it.

  The surface treatment material attached to and covering the flow paths 12a of the respective first tubes 12 and the flow paths 14b of the respective second tubes 14 of the respective first tubes 12 is formed in the flow paths 12a of the respective first tubes 12. A predetermined process including flowing a third fluid not including the first fluid F1 and the second fluid F2 through the switching valve CV at the upstream end and the upstream end of the flow path 14b of each second pipe 14 is performed. As a result, the adhesion is eliminated, and discharge can be performed via the switching valve CV at the downstream end of the flow path 12a of each first pipe 12 and the downstream end of the flow path 14b of each second pipe 14.

  The surface treatment material may be a silane coupling agent. In addition, each first tube 12 and each second tube 14 can be made of a light transmitting material such as glass, and the predetermined treatment can include ultraviolet irradiation.

  The silane coupling agent attached to and coated on the flow path 12a of each first tube 12 and the flow path 14b of each second tube 14 is the flow path 12a of each first tube 12 and The component of the first fluid F1 and the component of the second fluid F2 flowing through the channel 14b of each second tube 14 are the channel 12a of each first tube 12 and the channel 14b of each second tube 14. Prevents from adhering to.

  By using such a surface treatment material, it becomes possible to finish the cleaning of the piping in a very short time of approximately 1 minute by flowing clean dry air into the piping of the fluid mixing device 20. Furthermore, once the surface treatment material is attached, the fluid of the same scent component and the fluid of another scent component are repeatedly obtained by performing the cleaning as described above with the clean dry air after the end of one smell smelling experiment. It has been confirmed that the effect of the surface treatment material is not affected even if it flows through the flow path 12a of each first tube 12 and the flow path 14b of each second tube 14 (by contact angle measurement).

  Note that the silane coupling agent does not react to the components of the first fluid F1 and the components of the second fluid F2 that flow through the flow channel 12a of each first tube 12 and the flow channel 14b of each second tube 14. Is selected, which is the component affinity of the first fluid F1 and the component of the second fluid F2 flowing through the flow path 12a of each first tube 12 and the flow path 14b of each second tube 14. Means to select a silane coupling agent having a low molecular end group. For example, when a hydrophilic component is used as the component of the first fluid F1 and the component of the second fluid F2, the silane coupling agent having a fluorine atom at the terminal, the component of the first fluid F1, and the components of the second fluid F2 When a hydrophobic component is used as the component, a silane coupling agent having a carbonyl group at the terminal is used.

  The coating of the silane coupling agent is washed with sulfated water through the switching valve CV at the upstream end of the flow path 12a of each first pipe 12 and the upstream end of the flow path 14b of each second pipe 14, It can be easily removed by rinsing with pure water and, for example, ultraviolet ozone treatment by ultraviolet irradiation from an ultraviolet irradiation source UVS using an excimer lamp or a low-pressure mercury lamp.

  The inventors of the present application cleaned the inside of a stainless steel pipe with distilled water and methylene chloride, and after performing ultraviolet ozone treatment by irradiation with a low-pressure mercury lamp, It was immersed for a certain time. Thereafter, the pipe was pulled up from the solution, washed with methylene chloride, acetone, and pure water in that order, and dried at 80 ° C. for 1 hour to coat the surface treatment material. Whether the coating treatment was properly performed was evaluated by measuring the contact angle of water droplets.

  Subsequently, the fluid mixing apparatus 20 shown in FIG. 4 is assembled using the pipe that is not coated with the surface treatment material, and the pipe that is coated with the surface treatment material as described above is used. 4 is assembled, a known sniffing port is installed at the mixed fluid supply destination 30 of each fluid mixing device 20, and the β-damasenone stock solution vaporized from the second fluid supply source 10 for 10 minutes. It flowed into the pipe in an undiluted state. Subsequently, when the air from the first fluid supply source 22 flows into the pipe, the remaining scent of β-damasenone cannot be detected by the odor specialist evaluator in the company to which the inventors of the present application belong. An experiment was conducted to measure the time. As a result, in the fluid mixing apparatus 20 using the pipe that is not coated with the surface treatment material, the time is approximately 10 minutes, and the fluid mixing apparatus 20 using the pipe that is coated with the surface treatment material. The above time was about 1 minute.

  As a result, the fluid mixing apparatus 20 using the pipe subjected to the surface treatment material coating treatment is compared with the fluid mixing apparatus 20 using the pipe not subjected to the surface treatment material coating treatment. This indicates that the component of the fluid that has flowed into the pipe hardly remains in the pipe.

  In addition, although each 1st pipe | tube 12 and 2nd pipe | tube 14 of the several fluid mixer 10 of the fluid mixing apparatus 20 according to one Embodiment of this invention mentioned above were formed with stainless steel, 1st The material of the pipe 12 and the second pipe 14 is flowed through the flow path 12a of the first pipe 12 and the flow path 14b of the second pipe 14, and the flow of these fluids F1 and F2 is further increased. Any material may be used as long as it does not affect the fluid that may flow through the channels 12a and 14b, for example, glass.

  A first tube and a second tube each having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the first tube and having an end portion inserted into the tube wall of the first tube are combined in a multi-story shape. The fluid mixing device according to the present invention including a plurality of fluid mixers can be used to precisely mix, eg, dilute, two desired fluids, eg, gases, to a desired ratio.

  This means that the fluid mixing device according to the present invention is useful for use as a so-called scent smell device (olfactometer) used for human odor sensory evaluation in a minute concentration region. . In human odor sensory evaluation in a minute density region, only a slight dilution error greatly affects the result of sensory evaluation. Therefore, it is important to be able to precisely adjust the density in a minute density region. In addition, in order to avoid external influences as much as possible, such human odor sensory evaluation is normally performed in a closed laboratory, so a fluid mixing device used as an odor sniffer (olfactometer) Is preferably as small as possible.

  Furthermore, the second tube of each of the plurality of fluid mixers included in the fluid mixing device according to the present invention has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the first tube, and the first tube. Having the end portion plugged into the wall facilitates the removal and attachment of the second tube to the first tube, so that the fluid mixing device according to the present invention provides a scent device. When used as a meter), it is necessary to facilitate cleaning of the fluid mixing device that is required every time a fluid having a different component flows.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Fluid mixer, 12 ... 1st pipe | tube, 12a ... Flow path, 14 ... 2nd pipe | tube, 14a ... End part, 14b ... Flow path, 14c ... Opening, 14d ... Opposite side end part, F1 ... 1st Fluid, F2 ... second fluid, FC1 ... flow rate control device, FC2 ... flow rate control device, MC ... integrated control device, 15 ... removable mechanism, 15a ... annular female connector, 15b ... annular male connector, DS ... Downstream side, US ... upstream side, 20 ... fluid mixing device, 10-1 ... first fluid mixer, 10-2 ... second fluid mixer, 10-3 ... third fluid mixer, 10-4 ... fourth Fluid mixer, 22 ... first fluid supply source, 24 ... flow rate adjusting device, 26 ... second fluid supply source, 28 ... mixed fluid discharge destination, 30 ... mixed fluid supply destination, CV ... switching valve, STS ... surface treatment material Containment vessel, STC: Surplus surface treatment material recovery container.

Claims (8)

A first tube extending in one direction and having a longitudinal center line along the one direction and a flow path (12a) extending along the longitudinal center line and through which the first fluid (F1) flows. (12); and
The first tube extends in a direction intersecting the longitudinal center line, has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the flow path of the first tube, and is inserted into the tube wall of the first tube. A second pipe (14) having an end portion (14a) exposed in the flow path of one pipe and a flow path (14b) that opens to the end portion and through which the second fluid (F2) flows;
With
The longitudinal center line of the flow path (14b) at the end portion (14a) of the second pipe (14) intersects the longitudinal center line of the flow path (12a) of the first pipe (12). Extending in the direction, the opening (14c) in the end portion (14a) faces the upstream of the flow of the first fluid (F1) in the flow path (12a) of the first pipe (12),
Including a plurality of fluid mixers (10-1, 10-2, 10-3, 10-4),
The upstream end of the flow path (12a) of the first pipe (12) of each of the plurality of fluid mixers (10-1, 10-2, 10-3, 10-4) is a first fluid supply source (22). ) In the second pipe (14) of the first fluid mixer (10-1) in the plurality of fluid mixers (10) and opposite to the end portion (14a). The opening of the flow path (14b) in the end portion (14d) is connected to the second fluid supply source (26), and the plurality of fluid mixers (10-1, 10-2, 10-3, 10-). 4) In the second pipe (14) of each of the second and subsequent fluid mixers (10-2, 10-3, 10-4), the end part opposite to the end part (14a) The opening of the flow path (14b) in (14d) is the downstream end of the flow path (12a) of the first pipe (12) of the fluid mixer in the preceding order. And a final fluid mixer (10-) in the plurality of fluid mixers (10-1, 10-2, 10-3, 10-4). 4) The downstream end of the flow path (12a) of the first pipe (12) is open toward the mixed fluid supply destination (30).
A fluid mixing apparatus. The flow path (12a) and the second pipe (14) of the first pipe (12) of each of the plurality of fluid mixers (10-1, 10-2, 10-3, 10-4). Each of the flow paths (14b) is coated with a surface treatment material that does not react with the first fluid (F1) and the second fluid (F2) that flow through the flow paths (12a or 14b).
The fluid mixing apparatus according to claim 1. The surface treatment material is caused to flow in each of the flow path (12a) of the first pipe (12) and the flow path (14b) of the second pipe (14), whereby the first pipe ( 12) are attached to and cover each of the flow path (12a) of the second pipe (14) and the flow path (14b) of the second pipe (14), and
The surface treatment material attached to and covering each of the flow path (12a) of the first pipe (12) and the flow path (14b) of the second pipe (14), The flow path (12a) of the first pipe (12) and the flow path (14b) of the second pipe (14) do not include the first fluid (F1) and the second fluid (F2), respectively. By performing a predetermined process including flowing a third fluid, the adhesion is eliminated, and the flow path (12a) of the first pipe (12) and the flow path of the second pipe (14) ( Discharged from each of 14b),
The fluid mixing apparatus according to claim 2. The surface treatment material is a silane coupling agent,
The predetermined treatment includes ultraviolet irradiation;
The fluid mixing apparatus according to claim 3. The outer diameter of the end portion (14a) of the second pipe (14) of each of the plurality of fluid mixers (10-1, 10-2, 10-3, 10-4) is the first It is 1/2 or more of the inner diameter of the flow path (12a) of the pipe (12).
The fluid mixing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the fluid mixing apparatus is characterized in that: The inner diameter of the flow path of the end portion (14a) of the second pipe (14) of each of the plurality of fluid mixers (10-1, 10-2, 10-3, 10-4) and the first The relationship between the inner diameter of the flow path (12a) of the pipe (12) is that the outer diameter of the end portion (14a) of the second pipe (14) and the flow path of the first pipe (12). As each of the inner diameters of (12a) does not change,
The dilution ratio of the second fluid (F2) by the first fluid (F1) in each of the plurality of fluid mixers (10-1, 10-2, 10-3, 10-4) is less than 10. In this case, the inner diameter of the flow path (12a) of the first pipe (12) is less than 3.3 times the inner diameter of the flow path of the end portion (14a) of the second pipe (14). Yes, and
The dilution ratio of the second fluid (F2) by the first fluid (F1) in each of the plurality of fluid mixers (10-1, 10-2, 10-3, 10-4) is 10 or more. In this case, the inner diameter of the flow path (12a) of the first pipe (12) is 3.3 times or more than the inner diameter of the flow path of the end portion (14a) of the second pipe (14). is there,
The fluid mixing apparatus according to claim 5. The end portion (14a) of the second pipe (14) is detachably attached to the first pipe (12) via a detachable mechanism.
The fluid mixing apparatus according to claim 6. The first pipe (12) at the end portion (14a) of the second pipe (14) of each of the plurality of fluid mixers (10-1, 10-2, 10-3, 10-4). The side of the flow path (12a) facing the upstream of the flow of the first fluid (F1) is inclined so as to become narrower toward the end of the end portion (14a).
The fluid mixing apparatus according to claim 7.

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