JP7386498B2 - Atomizer unit - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an atomizer unit.

BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, an atomizer unit is known as a homogenizer unit that atomizes and homogenizes a sample.
As such an atomizer unit, for example, the following Patent Document 1 discloses that the atomizer unit is equipped with an atomizer having an atomizer flow path formed inside, and the sample supplied from the container is atomized by the atomizer using a high-pressure pump. A configuration is disclosed in which a sample is homogenized by being supplied into a flow path and passed through it.

Patent No. 3149371

However, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, there is a limit to the pressure that the high-pressure pump can apply, especially when the viscosity of the sample is high. There was a risk that it would not be possible.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an atomization device unit that can sufficiently homogenize a sample.

In order to solve the above problems, an atomization device unit according to the present invention includes an atomization device having an atomization channel that atomizes a sample by passing the sample therein; A first plunger pump connected to one end of the flow path, a second plunger pump connected to the other end of the atomization flow path in the atomization device, and a sample passing through the atomization flow path. A control unit that controls each of the first plunger pump and the second plunger pump so as to reciprocate.

Further, a supply container may be provided that is connected to at least one of one end and the other end of the atomization channel and supplies the sample to the atomization channel.

Furthermore, a pressure pump may be provided that pumps the sample supplied from the supply container to at least one of the first plunger pump and the second plunger pump.

In the atomization device unit of the present invention, a first plunger pump and a second plunger pump are connected to the atomization device. Then, the control unit controls each of the first plunger pump and the second plunger pump, so that the sample reciprocates in the atomization channel. Thereby, the sample can be passed through the atomization channel multiple times, and even if the output of the pump is limited, the sample can be sufficiently homogenized.
Further, even if the atomization device is clogged by large coarse particles contained in the sample, the blockage can be easily cleared by applying pressure from the opposite direction.

Furthermore, for example, as a prior art, a configuration is known in which the sample is circulated through a flow path and the sample is supplied to the atomization device multiple times. In such a case, for example, if the sample has high viscosity, it is difficult to circulate the sample throughout the flow path using one pump.
On the other hand, with the configuration of the present application, the control unit controls each of the first plunger pump and the second plunger pump, so that the sample reciprocates in the atomization flow path, so the pressure of either one of the plunger pumps is This allows the sample to be supplied to the other plunger pump, which is particularly effective when passing a highly viscous sample through the atomization channel multiple times.

FIG. 1 is a schematic system diagram of an atomization device unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the atomization device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA, FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B, and FIG.

An atomization device unit 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1.
As shown in FIG. 1, the atomizer unit 1 is a homogenizer unit that atomizes and homogenizes a sample. The atomizer unit 1 includes an atomizer 10, a supply container 30, a take-out container 31, and a pipe 40 connecting these.

The atomization device 10 has an atomization channel that atomizes the sample by passing the sample therein. Here, the structure of the atomization device 10 will be explained in detail using FIGS. 2 and 3.
2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the atomization device 10, the cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 2 is FIG. 3(a), and the cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 2 is FIG. 3(b). 3(c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG.

The atomization device 10 is formed by a first block 21, a second block 22, and a third block 23 interposed between the first block 21 and the second block 22. In the first block 21, a plurality of one-end flow path portions 11 and 12 are formed (see FIGS. 2 and 3(a)). Further, in the second block 22 as well, a plurality of other end side flow passage portions 18 and 19 are formed.

A first gap 14 is intentionally formed at the joint surface between the first block 21 and the third block 23. This first gap portion 14 becomes a gathering portion 13 that gathers the plurality of one-end side flow path portions 11 and 12 into a single unit (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 3(b)). Among the gathering portions 13 (first void portions 14), the side opposite to the one end side flow path portions 11 and 12 in the flow path direction becomes a third block 23, and an orifice flow path portion 15 is formed within the third block 23. (See Figures 2 and 3(c)).

On the downstream side of the orifice passage section 15, a second void section 16 is also intentionally formed at the joint surface between the third block 23 and the second block 22. This second cavity portion 16 serves as a branch portion 17 that branches the orifice flow path portion 15 and connects to a plurality of other end side flow path portions 18 and 19.
That is, the atomization flow path includes flow path portions 11 and 12 on one end side, an orifice flow path portion 15, and flow path portions 18 and 19 on the other end side.

The inner diameters (D1) of the one-end flow passage portions 11 and 12 and the other end-side flow passage portions 18 and 19 are the same and larger than the inner diameter (D2) of the orifice flow passage portion 15. Specifically, the inner diameter (D1) is 5 to 7 times the inner diameter (D2). Further, the distance (D3) of the first cavity 14 is defined to be equal to the inner diameter (D1). Therefore, the orifice passage section 15 is a small diameter passage section.

Next, the operation when using the atomization device 10 will be explained. A sample in which the object to be treated is dispersed in an organic solvent enters the gathering part 13 (first cavity part 14) via the one-end flow passage parts 11 and 12. Here, since the orifice channel section 15 is narrower than the one end side channel sections 11 and 12, the flow rate of the sample decreases. Then, a pressure change occurs in the sample (forced fluid), and the samples flowing from the respective one-end flow passages collide at the collecting section 13 . At this time, the objects to be processed in the sample are crushed by the energy of the collision. In this way, each time the sample flows from the one-end side flow path sections 11 and 12 to the orifice flow path section 15, the objects to be processed in the sample collide with each other, and as a result, the sample is crushed.

Each of the illustrated one-end flow passage portions 11 and 12 and the other end-side flow passage portions 18 and 19 are formed in pairs, but the one-end flow passage portions 11 and 12 and the other end-side flow passage portion 18, The number of formations of 19 may be 1 or more since it is sufficient that the sample flows. However, in order to encourage collision of the objects to be processed in the sample, it is more desirable that the number of one-end flow path sections 11, 12 and the other end-side flow path sections 18, 19 be two or more. Since the illustrated atomizing device 10 has a symmetrical shape on both one end side and the other end side, the atomizing device 10 can function with inflow from either direction. Therefore, the sample may flow in from the other end side channels 18 and 19, pass through the orifice channel section 15, and flow out from the one end side channels 11 and 12.

The supply container 30 supplies the sample to the atomization channel. The supply container 30 is connected to the most upstream side of the piping 40.
Further, the supply container 30 is connected to at least one of one end and the other end of the atomization channel via a pipe 40. In the illustrated example, the supply container 30 is connected to one end of the atomization channel.

The take-out container 31 is a container for taking out a sample after the sample has been completely homogenized. The supply container 30 is connected to the most downstream side of the piping 40.
Note that the atomization device unit 1 may be configured such that it does not include the extraction container 31 and takes out the homogenized sample from the most downstream part of the piping 40 via a drain or the like.

The atomizer unit 1 also includes a first plunger pump 51, a second plunger pump 52, a pressure pump 53, and a control section 60 that controls these pumps.
The first plunger pump 51 is connected to one end of the atomization channel in the atomization device 10 via a pipe 40. The second plunger pump 52 is connected to the other end of the atomization channel in the atomization device 10 via piping 40.

The first plunger pump 51, the second plunger pump 52, and the pressure pump 53 are each composed of a cylinder and a plunger. By reciprocating the plunger inside the cylinder, the inside of the cylinder can be filled with a sample, and the sample inside the cylinder can be sent out to the outside.

The pressure pump 53 forces the sample supplied from the supply container 30 to the first plunger pump 51 . In the illustrated example, the pressure pump 53 pumps the sample supplied from the supply container 30 to the first plunger pump 51 .
Note that the pressure pump 53 may force-feed the sample supplied from the supply container 30 to the second plunger pump 52, and the atomizer unit 1 may use the pressure pump 53, for example, when the viscosity of the sample is low. It is not necessary to have

In this embodiment, the control unit 60 controls each of the first plunger pump 51 and the second plunger pump 52 so that the sample reciprocates through the atomization channel.
That is, when the first plunger pump 51 sends out the sample toward the atomization device 10, the first plunger 51B is pushed into the first cylinder 51A of the first plunger pump 51, and the second plunger 51B of the second plunger pump 52 is pushed into the first cylinder 51A. The second plunger 52B is pulled out from inside the cylinder 52A.
As a result, the sample in the first plunger pump 51 passes through the atomization channel of the atomization device 10 and is delivered into the second plunger pump 52.

On the other hand, when the second plunger pump 52 sends out the sample toward the atomization device 10, the second plunger 52B is pushed into the second cylinder 52A of the second plunger pump 52, and the first plunger 52B of the first plunger pump 51 is pushed into the second cylinder 52A. The first plunger is pulled out from inside the cylinder 51A.
As a result, the sample in the second plunger pump 52 passes through the atomization channel of the atomization device 10 and is delivered into the first plunger pump 51.

In this way, the control unit 60 controls the first plunger pump 51 and the second plunger pump 52 to be synchronized in opposite phases, so that the sample reciprocates in the atomization channel. Thereby, the sample is homogenized by repeatedly passing through the atomization channel.

The pipe 40 is provided with a plurality of valves 71 to 73. Of these, a first valve 71 is provided between the supply container 30 and the pressure pump 53. Further, a second valve 72 is provided between the pressure pump 53 and the first plunger pump 51. Further, a third valve 73 is provided between the second plunger pump 52 and the extraction container 31. By opening and closing these valves, a part of the piping 40 can be opened or shut off.

The atomizer unit 1 also includes a heat exchanger 80 . The heat exchanger 80 is provided between the second plunger pump 52 and the extraction container 31 in the piping 40 . The heat exchanger 80 can release heat from the sample by passing through the atomization channel.

Next, a processing procedure for atomizing the sample will be explained.
First, the object to be processed is dispersed in an organic solvent to become a sample. Dispersion takes place in a supply container 30.
The objects to be atomized include a wide variety of substances, such as cellulose, graphite, graphene, carbon nanotubes, and composite metal oxides (crystalline materials such as spinel and perovskite). Atomization through dispersion improves uniform dispersibility when mixed into resins and the like. Therefore, it is expected that the performance of the material will improve.

Next, the first valve 71 and the second valve 72 are opened to supply the sample into the pressure feeding cylinder 53A. Then, with the first valve 71 closed, the sample is supplied into the first cylinder 51A of the first plunger pump 51 by pushing the pressure plunger 53B of the pressure pump 53 into the pressure cylinder 53A.

Next, after the sample has been supplied into the first cylinder 51A, the first plunger 51B of the first plunger pump 51 is pushed into the first cylinder 51A with the second valve 72 and the third valve 73 closed. At the same time, the second plunger 52B of the second plunger pump 52 is pulled out from the second cylinder 52A. As a result, the sample in the first cylinder 51A and the sample located between the first plunger pump 51 and the atomization device 10 among the piping 40 pass through the atomization channel of the atomization device 10, It is supplied into the second cylinder 52A.

Next, with the second valve 72 and the third valve 73 closed, the second plunger 52B of the second plunger pump 52 is pushed into the second cylinder 52A, and the second plunger 52B of the first plunger pump 51 is pushed into the second cylinder 52A. Pull it out from the first cylinder 51A. As a result, the sample in the first cylinder 51A and the sample located between the first plunger pump 51 and the atomization device 10 among the piping 40 pass through the atomization channel of the atomization device 10, It is supplied into the first cylinder 51A.

By repeating this operation multiple times, the sample moves back and forth through the atomization channel. As a result, the sample passes through the atomization channel multiple times.
Then, by opening the third valve 73 and applying pressure from either the first plunger pump 51 or the second plunger pump 52, the sample is supplied into the heat exchanger 80. Thereafter, the sample whose heat has been radiated within the heat exchanger 80 is supplied into the extraction container 31. By collecting the sample from within the extraction container 31, the entire series of processing is completed.

As explained above, according to the atomization device unit 1 according to the present embodiment, the first plunger pump 51 and the second plunger pump 52 are connected to the atomization device 10. Then, the control unit 60 controls each of the first plunger pump 51 and the second plunger pump 52, so that the sample reciprocates in the atomization channel. Thereby, the sample can be passed through the atomization channel multiple times, and even if the output of the pump is limited, the sample can be sufficiently homogenized.
Further, even if the atomization device 10 is clogged by large coarse particles contained in the sample, the blockage can be easily cleared by applying pressure from the opposite direction.

Further, for example, as a prior art, a configuration is known in which the sample is circulated through a flow path and the sample is supplied to the atomization device 10 by a pump multiple times. In such a case, for example, if the sample has high viscosity, it is difficult to circulate the sample throughout the flow path using one pump.
On the other hand, with the configuration of the present application, the control section 60 controls the first plunger pump 51 and the second plunger pump 52, so that the sample reciprocates in the atomization channel, so that only one plunger The sample can be supplied to the other plunger pump by the pressure of the pump, which is particularly effective when passing a highly viscous sample through the atomization channel multiple times.

Furthermore, since the atomization channel is provided with the supply container 30 for supplying the sample, by filling the supply container 30 with the sample, a large amount of processing can be performed at one time.
Further, since the pressure pump 53 is provided to force-feed the sample supplied from the supply container 30 to the first plunger pump 51, even if the sample has high viscosity, it is possible to reliably transfer the sample from the supply container 30 to the first plunger pump 51. A sample can be supplied into the pump 51.

Note that the above-described embodiments are merely illustrative of typical embodiments of the present invention. Therefore, various modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

For example, in the embodiment described above, a configuration is shown in which the sample from the supply container 30 is supplied to the first plunger pump 51, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. Sample from supply container 30 may be supplied to second plunger pump 52 .

Alternatively, for example, the sample that has passed through the heat exchanger 80 may be supplied again to the supply container 30 and the series of treatments may be repeated. This makes it possible to homogenize the sample even more effectively. Further, the structure of the flow path of the atomization device 10 can be arbitrarily changed.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned modifications, and these modifications may be selected and combined as appropriate, or other modifications may be made.

1 Atomization device unit 10 Atomization device 30 Supply container 31 Takeout container 51 First plunger pump 52 Second plunger pump 53 Pressure pump 60 Control section

Claims (3)

an atomization device having an atomization channel that atomizes the sample by passing the sample therein;
a first plunger pump connected to one end of the atomization channel in the atomization device;
a second plunger pump connected to the other end of the atomization channel in the atomization device;
a control unit that controls each of the first plunger pump and the second plunger pump,
The atomization flow path includes a plurality of one end flow path portions at the one end, and a plurality of other end flow path portions at the other end. The plurality of other end side flow passages are both symmetrical, are provided between the plurality of one end side flow passage parts and the plurality of other end side flow passage parts, and are connected at one end to the plurality of one end side flow passages. and an orifice flow path portion connected to the plurality of other end side flow path portions at the other end,
The control section is an atomization device unit that controls the sample to reciprocate through the atomization channel by synchronizing the first plunger pump and the second plunger pump in opposite phases. A supply container is provided that is connected to at least one of the one end and the other end of the atomization channel and supplies the sample to the atomization channel. The atomizer unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fine particles according to claim 2, further comprising a pressure pump that pumps the sample supplied from the supply container to at least one of the first plunger pump and the second plunger pump. conversion equipment unit.

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