JPWO2006109741A1 - Mixed flow generator and mixed flow generation method - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a mixed flow generator capable of rotating a rotor without providing a drive shaft. A mixed flow generator for mixing two or more kinds of liquids to generate a mixed flow includes a pipe P having liquid inlets IN1 and IN2 on the upstream side and a liquid delivery port OUT1 on the downstream side, and a pipe P And a magnetic field generating means C for generating a rotating magnetic field centered on the central axis L0 of the pipe P, and rotating around the central axis L0 by the generation of the rotating magnetic field. And a cylindrical rotor R.

Description

  The present invention relates to a mixed flow generator for mixing two or more liquids to generate a mixed flow, and a mixed flow generation method using the mixed flow generator.

  Conventionally, various mixed flow generators have been proposed. For example, in Patent Document 1, a rotor is accommodated in a pipe into which a plurality of types of liquids are introduced, and the rotor is driven to rotate. An apparatus for chemical reaction is described in which liquid flowing through a gap between an inner peripheral surface of a pipe and an outer peripheral surface of the rotor is mixed. In this apparatus, the rotor is connected to a motor provided outside the pipe via a drive shaft, and the rotor is rotationally driven by driving the motor.

  However, in the apparatus of Patent Document 1, it is necessary to provide a through hole for pivotally supporting the drive shaft in a pipe or a lid attached to the pipe, and the gap between the drive shaft and the through hole is outside the pipe. It was necessary to provide some kind of seal so that no liquid leaks. However, if the seal is highly liquid-tight, the frictional force acting on the drive shaft increases, and the rotor does not rotate smoothly, and new problems such as wear of the seal and heat generated thereby occur. There was also a fear. In addition, the device of Patent Document 1 has difficulty in reducing the size because the presence of the drive shaft and the seal becomes an obstacle.

  With the recent progress of MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical System), miniaturization of devices has been actively carried out in the fields of chemical engineering and biotechnology, and the dimensions of the reaction field have been miniaturized. Chemical reactors called microreactors are gaining attention. The microreactor not only saves space and reduces the environmental burden, but also exhibits excellent performance as a chemical reactor as follows. Therefore, it is expected to be put to practical use in synthetic reaction tests and research and development of new chemical processes.

  That is, in the microreactor, (1) the size of the reaction field is small, so that the time required for mixing and extraction can be shortened, and (2) the ratio of the surface area to the volume of the liquid flowing through the reaction field is increased. , It enables efficient reaction and molecular movement at the interface between liquids and liquids, and (3) the heat capacity of the liquid flowing through the reaction field is small and heat exchange is performed quickly, making precise temperature control easy. There are also advantages such as being able to be performed.

  However, when the size of the reaction field is reduced, a flow phenomenon different from the reaction at the conventional macro scale appears. For example, since the Reynolds number of the liquid flowing through the reaction field becomes small, the laminar flow becomes dominant, and the ratio of the surface area to the volume of the liquid flowing through the reaction field becomes large, so the influence of the surface tension becomes large. And so on. In this way, when the reaction field size is reduced, a phenomenon that is significantly different from the generation of turbulent flow due to mechanical agitation at a macro scale will appear, so it is important to control it well. .

  In a microreactor, a number of methods for adjusting the flow state of a liquid flowing through a reaction field have been proposed. Among them, two types of liquids that are not compatible with each other are simultaneously flowed into a flow path that is a reaction field. That generate a parallel two-phase flow, and those that cause two types of liquids that are not compatible with each other to flow alternately in a flow path as a reaction field to generate an alternating flow in the flow path (see Non-Patent Document 1). reference.). In particular, it has been found that the method of generating the alternating flow can increase the extraction rate compared with the method of generating the parallel two-phase flow, and this superiority or inferiority makes the pitch of the alternating flow much longer than the channel diameter. It has also been confirmed in some cases.

  This is surprising considering the distance of molecular movement to the contacting interface, but it is a special advantage that is advantageous for molecular movement in alternating flow in a fine channel where the Reynolds number is small and laminar flow is dominant. It is thought that a proper flow state is expressed. For example, a circulation flow is generated in each phase, and the same effect as stirring is obtained. As a result, a phenomenon occurs in which the thickness of the boundary membrane at the interface decreases and the molecular movement speed at the interface increases. Can be estimated.

  Patent Document 2 is an apparatus that stirs and mixes two or more substances introduced into a container. The container is formed of a non-magnetic material, and a magnetic body is attached to a stirrer disposed inside the container, and rotated. There is a description in which windings for generating a magnetic field are arranged outside a container. In this apparatus, the stirrer housed in the container is rotated by a rotating magnetic field generated from the winding, and the substance to be stirred and mixed is supplied from an inlet provided on the lower surface of the container. It is like that. Patent Document 2 also describes that the stirrer is rotated in a state where the tip provided at the center of the lower surface of the stirrer (the center of the upstream end) is in contact with the lower inner wall surface of the container. Yes.

  Since the stirrer is rotated by a rotating magnetic field, the apparatus of Patent Document 2 has a structure in which the stirrer is supported by its own weight although it does not have the disadvantages found in the apparatus of Patent Document 1. . For this reason, if the stirrer is lightened, the tip of the stirrer may be lifted from the inner wall of the lower side of the container due to the substance supplied from the lower side of the container, and the central axis of the stirrer may be shaken. The child was not supposed to be able to rotate stably. Therefore, it has been difficult to reduce the size of the apparatus by making the stirring bar light and small in size.

US Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0013587 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 03-181324 Yasuo Sonoda and three others, “Control of the flow state in the three-dimensional microreactor and the effect of the flow state on the reaction rate”, Proceedings of the 70th Annual Meeting of the Chemical Society of Japan (CD-ROM), February 2005, Lecture Number J215

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a mixed flow generator capable of rotating a rotor without providing a drive shaft. It is another object of the present invention to provide a mixed flow generator that has a simple structure, is suitable for miniaturization, and can be suitably used as a chemical reaction apparatus. Furthermore, it is also an object of the present invention to provide a method for generating a mixed flow that is preferably performed using these mixed flow generators.

The above-described problem is a mixed flow generator for mixing two or more liquids to generate a mixed flow, [1] having a plurality of liquid inlets on the upstream side and a liquid delivery port on the downstream side. a pipe P having, disposed on the outer peripheral portion of the [2] pipe P, a magnetic field generating means C for generating a rotating magnetic field with respect to the center axis L ₀ of the pipe P, it is housed inside the [3] pipe P Te, the downstream end is formed in the tapered arrangement between the a cylindrical rotor R which rotates around the center axis L ₀ by the generation of the rotating magnetic field, [4] a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet This is solved by providing a mixed flow generating device including a pivot bearing B that supports the downstream end of the rotor R.

This not only makes it possible to rotate the rotor R without providing a drive shaft, but also reduces the frictional force acting on the rotor R, and the central axis of the rotor R by the liquid flowing around the rotor R. it becomes possible to automatically coincide with the center axis L ₀ of the pipe P with high precision (automatic alignment effect).

  Here, the “mixed flow” includes not only a flow in which each liquid is uniformly mixed but also a flow in which each liquid is not mixed uniformly and an interface exists. It is assumed to be a concept. Especially, the mixed flow generator of this invention is suitable as what adjusts the flow under laminar flow control. Examples of the flow under laminar flow include an alternating flow in which the interfaces between the liquids repeatedly appear in the flow direction, and a spiral flow in which the interfaces between the liquids appear in a spiral shape.

  “Rotating magnetic field” may mean a magnetic field that rotates around a certain axis at a constant rotational speed while maintaining a constant strength, but is not limited to this, and the rotational speed and strength change. The concept also includes a rotating magnetic field.

  In the above mixed flow generator, it is preferable that a through hole for allowing the liquid introduced into the pipe P from the liquid inlet to be provided in the pivot bearing B. As a result, it is assumed that the liquid flowing inside the pipe P can be cut at the peripheral portion of each through-hole H, and the mixed flow flowing through the flow path connected to the downstream side of the liquid delivery port can be made to be an alternating flow. Is done.

  The liquid supplied to the plurality of liquid inlets varies depending on the type of the mixed flow generated by the mixed flow generator and is not particularly limited. However, it is preferable to introduce liquids that are not compatible with each other from the respective liquid inlets. In such a case, the situation of the interface formed between each liquid in the flow path can be adjusted, and the significance of adopting the microreactor of the present invention is enhanced.

Orientation of the pipe P is not particularly limited, preferably the center axis L ₀ is arranged to be vertically parallel. This prevents eccentricity of rotor R due to gravity, it is possible to match the central axis of the rotor R with high accuracy to the central axis L ₀ of the pipe P. In this case, it is preferable to arrange the pipe P so that the side on which the liquid inlet is provided is vertically upward.

The inner radius r ₁ of the pipe P and the outer radius r ₂ of the rotor R vary depending on the liquid introduced from the liquid inlet and the type of mixed flow to be generated, and are not particularly limited. When a mixed flow is generated, the difference between the inner radius r ₁ and the outer radius r ₂ is normally set to be 2 mm or less.

A flow path for flowing a mixed flow generated inside the pipe P is usually connected to the downstream side of the liquid delivery port. The channel connected to the downstream side of the liquid delivery port can be used as a reaction channel for advancing chemical reaction and extraction. The cross-sectional area of the flow path connected to the downstream side of the liquid delivery port is not particularly limited, but is usually set to 10 mm ² or less in order to control the flow in the flow path as laminar flow.

  The arrangement of the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet is not particularly limited as long as the liquid inlet is positioned upstream of the liquid outlet, but at least one liquid inlet of the plurality of liquid inlets is connected to the pipe P. It is preferable to provide at the upstream end, provide at least one liquid inlet among the remaining liquid inlets at the side periphery of the pipe P, and provide the liquid outlet at the downstream end of the pipe P. As a result, the liquid introduced from the liquid inlet provided at the upstream end of the pipe P and the liquid introduced from the liquid inlet provided in the side periphery of the pipe P It becomes possible to make it easy to get entangled in a spiral. Therefore, it becomes easy to generate an alternating flow and a spiral flow, which will be described later, neatly.

  At this time, it is preferable that the liquid inlet provided in the side periphery of the pipe P is formed in a slit shape. Thereby, it becomes possible to introduce a belt-like flow into the inside of the pipe P from the liquid inlet provided in the side peripheral portion of the pipe P, and from the liquid inlet provided in the upstream end of the pipe P. It becomes easier to spirally entangle the introduced liquid and the liquid introduced from the liquid introduction port provided in the side periphery of the pipe P inside the pipe P.

Magnetic field generating means C is not particularly limited as long as it can generate a rotating magnetic field with respect to the center axis L ₀ of the pipe P, for example, like a permanent magnet for mechanically rotating the outer periphery of the pipe P it may be, but preferably a plurality of coils disposed in rotational symmetry about the central axis L _0. Thereby, the structure of the magnetic field generation means C can be simplified, and the mixed flow generation device can be further downsized. Further, since the strength and rotation speed of the rotating magnetic field can be adjusted only by changing the magnitude and frequency of the alternating current flowing through each coil, the rotor R can be easily controlled. Become. The number of coils used as the magnetic field generating means C is not particularly limited as long as it is 2 or more, but is usually set to 3 or more, more preferably 3n.

  The rotor R is not particularly limited as long as it is rotated by the generation of the rotating magnetic field, and a rotor provided with a conductor (such as a coil) for flowing an induced current is used like a rotor used in an induction motor. However, it is preferable to use a magnetized one such as a rotor used in a synchronous motor. Thereby, not only the mixed flow generator can be easily controlled without slipping of the rotor R, but also a large torque can be easily produced. However, “the rotor R is magnetized” is a concept including both the case where the entire rotor R is made of a magnetized magnetic body and the case where the magnetized magnetic body is fixed to the rotor R. It shall be. The rotor R is normally magnetized so that the magnetic poles appear rotationally symmetric with respect to the central axis.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to rotate the rotor R without providing a drive shaft, and the special seal structure for the drive shaft can be omitted, and the structure of the mixed flow generator is simplified. be able to. Therefore, not only can the production cost of the mixed flow generator be reduced, but also the mixed flow generator can be greatly reduced in size. Therefore, it is also possible to provide a mixed flow generator suitable for incorporation into a small reactor called a microreactor.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the mixed flow generator of the present invention is cut along a vertical plane including a central axis L ₀ of a pipe P. The mixed flow generating apparatus of the present invention is a cross-sectional view showing a state taken along a Y ₁ -Y ₁ in Fig. The mixed flow generating apparatus of the present invention is a cross-sectional view showing a state taken along a Y ₂ -Y ₂ in FIG. 1. The mixed flow generating apparatus of the present invention is a cross-sectional view showing a state taken along a Y ₃ -Y ₃ in Fig. Is a diagram showing the liquid F _A and the liquid F _B flowing intertwined inside of the pipe P spirally. It is a diagram showing the liquid F _A flowing inside the downstream-connected flow path of the liquid delivery port OUT ₁ intertwined spirally and the liquid F _B. Is a diagram showing the liquid F _A and the liquid F _B flowing inside the downstream-connected flow path of the liquid delivery port OUT ₁ alternately at short pitches. The internal flow passage connected to the downstream side of the liquid outlet OUT ₁ is a diagram showing the liquid F _A and the liquid F _B flowing to the alternating long pitch.

Explanation of symbols

B pivot bearing C field generating means C ₁ -C ₃ coils _{F A,} F B, F _AB Liquid H through-hole L ₀ central axis of the pipe P P pipe P ₁ pipe upstream portion P ₂ pipe midstream portion P ₃ pipe downstream portion P ₄ Flow path connected to the downstream side of the liquid delivery port OUT ₁ R Rotor IN ₁ , IN ₂ Liquid introduction port OUT ₁ Liquid delivery port

A preferred embodiment of the mixed flow generator of the present invention will be described more specifically with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the mixed flow generator of the present invention is cut along a vertical plane including the central axis L ₀ of the pipe P. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the mixed flow generator of the present invention is cut along Y ₁ -Y ₁ in FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the mixed flow generator of the present invention is cut along Y ₂ -Y ₂ in FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the mixed flow generator of the present invention is cut along Y ₃ -Y ₃ in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the mixed flow generator of the present invention includes a pipe P for flowing a liquid, magnetic field generating means C for generating a rotating magnetic field, and a rotor R for adjusting the flow of the liquid. , Has become.

[Pipe P]
Pipe P, as shown in FIG. 1, adjusting the pipe upstream portion _{P 1} having a liquid inlet port _IN 1, IN _2, a liquid inlet port _IN 1, the liquid introduced from IN _{2 F} A, the flow of _{F B} The pipe midstream portion P ₂ for performing the above and the pipe downstream portion P ₃ having the liquid delivery port OUT ₁ are separately formed. Pipe upstream portion P ₁ and the pipe downstream portion P ₃ is adapted as a funnel-shaped with a large diameter opening and the small diameter opening at both ends, the pipe midstream portion P ₂ has at both ends an equal opening diameters It has a cylindrical shape. Large diameter opening of the pipe upstream portion P ₁ and the pipe downstream portion P ₃ is a respective opening and substantially the same dimensions provided at both ends of the pipe midstream portion P _2, respectively of the pipe midstream portion P ₂ Connected to each opening.

The material of the pipe P is not particularly limited, but if it is a ferromagnetic material such as iron, the rotor R is magnetically shielded by the pipe P, and the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating means C is significantly weakened inside the pipe P. Since there is a possibility, normally nonmagnetic materials, such as glass, ceramics, plastics, aluminum, copper, and stainless steel, are selected. The specific material to be selected is appropriately determined in consideration of the compatibility with the liquids F _A and F _B. In mixed flow generator of the present embodiment employs the austenitic stainless steel of the pipe upstream portion P ₁ and the pipe downstream portion P ₃ material, employs a quartz glass pipe midstream P ₂ material.

[Pipe upstream part P ₁ ]
Liquid inlets IN ₁ and IN ₂ for introducing liquids F _A and F _B are provided in the pipe upstream portion P ₁ . The liquid inlets IN ₁ and IN ₂ may be provided at a total of two or more places, and the arrangement thereof is not particularly limited, but in the mixed flow generator of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. as the liquid F _B introduced from the liquid F _a and the liquid inlet iN ₂ introduced from the mouth iN ₁ intersect perpendicularly with the pipe upstream portion P _1, the pipe upstream portion P ₁ of the liquid inlet port iN ₁ The liquid inlet IN ₂ is provided in the side peripheral portion of the pipe upstream portion P ₁ . The inner peripheral surface of the liquid introduction port IN ₁ near the pipe upstream portion P _1, as the liquid F _A can be smoothly guided, and is formed in a tapered shape. The liquid inlets IN ₁ and IN ₂ may be arranged not inclined to each other but inclined.

Further, in the mixed flow generating device of the present embodiment, the liquid inlet port IN ₂ is formed in a slit shape in a direction parallel to the central axis L ₀ of the pipe P, and the pipe upstream portion from the liquid inlet port IN _2. flow of the liquid F _B which is introduced into the P ₁ is set to be strip-shaped. The width of the liquid inlet IN ₂ along the short direction is the difference δr between the inner radius r ₁ of the pipe P (pipe upstream portion P ₁ ) and the outer radius r ₂ of the rotor R, the liquid F _A and the liquid F _B. It is appropriately adjusted depending on the flow ratio of, but not limited, to prone to helical flow in the pipe upstream portion P ₁ is typically set below [delta] r. In the mixed flow generation device of this embodiment, the width of the liquid inlet IN ₂ along the short direction is δr / 2 (= 0.5 mm). Further, the width along the longitudinal direction of the liquid inlet IN ₂ is 3 mm.

Furthermore, in the mixed flow generating device of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, one surface constituting the inner wall of the liquid inlet IN ₂ is connected so as to be in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the pipe upstream portion P _1. cage, which is a liquid F _B to be able to introduce the tangential direction of the inner peripheral surface from the liquid inlet iN ₂ of the pipe upstream portion P _1. Thus, the outer peripheral portion of the liquid F _A which is introduced from the liquid introduction port IN ₁ flows become annularly gap between the inner and outer circumferential surfaces of the rotor R of the pipe upstream portion P _1, the liquid F _B It becomes possible to apply at a smooth angle, and a spiral flow can be easily generated inside the pipe P. In FIG. 2, the rotor R rotates in the direction of arrow A.

[Pipe midstream part P ₂ ]
The inner radius r ₁ of the pipe midstream portion P ₂ (pipe P) varies depending on the outer radius r ₂ of the rotor R, the flow rates of the liquids F _A and F _B , and is not particularly limited, but the mixed flow of the pipe midstream portion P ₂ In general, it is preferable to set the difference between the inner radius r ₁ and the outer radius r ₂ to be 2 mm or less. The difference between the inner radius r ₁ and the outer radius r ₂ is more preferably 1.5 mm or less, and even more preferably 1 mm or less. In the mixed flow generator of this embodiment, the inner radius r ₁ is set to 4 mm, the outer radius r ₂ is set to 3 mm, and the difference between the inner radius r ₁ and the outer radius r ₂ is set to 1 mm. The length of the pipe midstream portion P ₂ are also different depending on the length of the rotor R, is not particularly limited, in the pipe P of the present embodiment has a 26 mm. The thickness of the pipe P is 1 mm.

[Pipe downstream part P ₃ ]
The pipe downstream portion P ₃ is provided with a liquid outlet OUT ₁ for sending out the liquid F _AB in which the liquids F _A and F _B are mixed. The liquid delivery port OUT ₁ only needs to be provided at one or more places, and the arrangement thereof is not particularly limited, but in the mixed flow generation device of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. The liquid delivery port OUT ₁ is provided at the small diameter opening of the pipe downstream portion P ₃ so that the liquids F _A and F _B flowing annularly through the gap between the rotor R and the outer peripheral surface of the rotor R can be sent straight out of the pipe P. . The inner peripheral surface of the liquid outlet OUT ₁ near the pipe downstream portion P _3, the liquid F _A, as the F _B can be smoothly guided, and is formed in a tapered shape.

[Magnetic field generating means C]
Magnetic field generating means C, as shown in FIG. 3, are arranged on the outer periphery of the pipe midstream portion P _2, and intended to generate a rotating magnetic field with respect to the center axis L ₀ of the pipe midstream portion P ₂ It has become. In the mixed flow generating device of the present embodiment, three coils C _{1 to} C ₃ arranged in a rotational symmetry of 120 ° about the central axis L ₀ of the pipe P are used as the magnetic field generating means C. The central axes L _{1 to} L ₃ of the coils C _{1 to} C ₃ are perpendicular to the central axis L ₀ of the pipe midstream portion P ₂ . This magnetic field generating means C is configured to maintain a constant rotational speed around the central axis L ₀ of the pipe P when a sinusoidal three-phase alternating current having a phase delayed by 120 ° is passed through the coils C _{1 to} C ₃ . A rotating magnetic field that rotates while maintaining the strength is generated. The rotational speed of the rotating magnetic field can be easily adjusted by changing the frequency of the alternating currents I _{1 to} I ₃ , and the strength of the rotating magnetic field changes the magnitude of the alternating currents I _{1 to} I _3. Can be adjusted easily.

The structure for attaching the coils C _{1 to} C ₃ is not particularly limited, but in the magnetic field generating means C of this embodiment, the sheet S with the coils C _{1 to} C ₃ fixed at equal intervals is attached to the outer peripheral portion of the pipe midstream portion P ₂ . It is attached by winding on. As a result, the coils C _{1 to} C ₃ can be densely arranged in a narrow space, and the mixed flow generator can be further downsized. The sheet S is usually wound with the surface on the side to which the coils C _{1 to} C ₃ are fixed facing inward. The material of the sheet S is not particularly limited, but in order to prevent the magnetic field generated in each of the coils C _{1 to} C ₃ from propagating through the sheet S and affecting the magnetic field generated in the other coils C _{1 to} C _3. Usually, a non-magnetic material is selected. If a core material made of a ferromagnetic material such as iron is provided inside the coils C _{1 to} C ₃ , the strength of the rotating magnetic field generated inside the pipe P can be ensured.

[Rotor R]
The rotor R is cylindrical. The downstream end of the rotor R is tapered and is supported by a pivot bearing B described later. Further, the upstream end of the rotor R is also formed in the tapered flow of introduced liquid F _A from the liquid inlet port IN ₁ is prevented disturbed. In the rotor R of this embodiment, the tapered surfaces forming the upstream end portion and the downstream end portion of the rotor R are such that the generatrix thereof forms an angle of 30 ° with the central axis of the rotor R. Is formed. The length of the rotor R is not particularly limited, but in the rotor R of this embodiment, the length from the upstream end to the downstream end is about 40 mm.

  The material of the rotor R is not particularly limited as long as it is rotated by a rotating magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating means C, but in the mixed flow generating device of this embodiment, it is formed by a permanent magnet. Examples of permanent magnets used for the rotor R include compound magnets such as samarium cobalt magnets and ferrite magnets, and alloy magnets such as KS magnet steel and MK magnet steel. In the mixed flow generating apparatus of this embodiment, a samarium cobalt magnet that is excellent in corrosion resistance and formed into a cylindrical shape is used as the rotor R. The rotor R of the present embodiment is integrally molded as a whole, and is magnetized so that one side divided by a plane passing through the central axis is an N pole and the opposite side is an S pole. However, it is not limited to this. For example, when the rotor R is formed by bonding a plurality of permanent magnets, the number of magnetic poles can be three or more.

[Pivot bearing B]
The pivot bearing B is for supporting a downstream end (pivot) formed in a tapered shape of the rotor R. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the pivot bearing B of this embodiment has a disk shape, and is provided with a pivot hole at the center of one surface thereof. In the pivot bearing of this embodiment, the pivot hole has an opening diameter of 0.5 mm and a depth of about 0.4 mm, and its inner wall surface is formed in a tapered shape. The tapered surface forming the inner wall surface of the pivot hole is formed so that the generatrix thereof forms an angle of 32.5 ° with respect to the central axis of the pivot bearing B, and the downstream end of the rotor R is substantially 1 It is to support in terms of points.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the pivot bearing B is provided with a through hole H for allowing the liquids F _A and F _B to pass through. By adopting such a configuration, the liquids F _A and F _B flowing inside the pipe P are cut at the peripheral portions of the respective through holes H, and the mixed flow flowing from the liquid delivery port OUT ₁ of the pipe downstream portion P ₃ is obtained. It is presumed that F _AB can be made to alternate flow. The number and arrangement of the through holes H are not particularly limited, but it is preferable that the plurality of through holes H be provided rotationally symmetrically about the central axis L ₀ of the pipe P. Accordingly, the liquids F _A and F _B flowing inside the pipe P are regularly cut at the peripheral portions of the respective through holes H, and the mixed flow F _AB flowing from the liquid delivery port OUT ₁ of the pipe downstream portion P ₃ is aligned with the pitch. This is because it is presumed that alternate flow is possible. In the pivot bearing B of this embodiment, the four through holes H _{1 to} H ₄ are provided rotationally symmetrically about the pivot hole. The total opening area of the through holes H _{1 to} H ₄ varies depending on the flow rates of the liquids F _A and F _B and is not particularly limited, but is about 21 mm ² in the pivot bearing B of the present embodiment.

[Generation method of mixed flow]
Next, a method for generating a mixed flow suitable for use with the mixed flow generator of the present invention will be described. The mixed flow generation method of the present invention is suitable for generating a mixed flow such as an alternating flow or a spiral flow. In this case, it is preferable to select liquids that are incompatible with each other as the liquids F _A and F _B supplied to the liquid inlets IN ₁ and IN ₂ . This is because the situation of the interface formed between the liquid F _A and the liquid F _B can be easily adjusted. In the following, a case where alternating flow, which is a particularly preferable example, is generated will be described as an example.

The pitch of the alternating flow to be generated is not necessarily uniform, but is preferably substantially uniform. Thus, it is possible to increase the reproducibility of the chemical reaction and extraction carried out in a flow path connected to the downstream side of the liquid outlet OUT _1. Here, the “alternate flow pitch” means from the tip of one droplet flowing through the flow path connected to the downstream side of the liquid outlet OUT ₁ to the tip of the same type of droplet that flows next. It means distance. The pitch of the alternating flow can be adjusted by changing the cross-sectional area of the flow path P ₄ connected to the downstream side of the liquid delivery port OUT ₁ and the flow rates of the liquid F _A and the liquid F _B.

Specifically, how much the pitch of the alternating flow is set depends on the cross-sectional area of the flow path P ₄ connected to the downstream side of the liquid delivery port OUT ₁ , the type of chemical reaction or extraction, but is set short. If it is too large, it may be difficult to separate and collect the liquid F _AB flowing through the flow path P _4, and therefore, it is usually set to be 0.01 mm or more. The pitch of the alternating flow is preferably 0.05 mm or more, and more preferably 0.2 mm or more. However, if the pitch of the alternating flow is too long, not the rate of a chemical reaction or extraction conducted in the flow path P ₄ is so fast, the significance of generating alternating flow to decrease, typically set to 30mm or less. The pitch of the alternating flow is preferably 20 mm or less, and more preferably 10 mm or less.

The cross-sectional area of the flow path P ₄ connected to the downstream side of the liquid delivery port OUT ₁ is not particularly limited, but if it is too small, it may be difficult to separate and recover the liquid F _AB flowing through the flow path P _4. Usually, it is set to 1 × 10 ⁻⁴ mm ² or more. The cross-sectional area of the flow path P ₄ is preferably 1 × 10 ⁻³ mm ² or more, more preferably 1 × 10 ⁻² mm ² or more, and further preferably 5 × 10 ⁻² mm ² . However, if the cross-sectional area of the flow path P ₄ is too large, the speed of the chemical reaction and extraction performed in the flow path P ₄ will not be so high, and the liquid F _AB may be turbulent in the first place and there is a possibility that alternating flow will not occur. Therefore, it is usually set to 10 mm ² or less. Sectional area of the flow path _{P 4} is preferably 5 mm ² or less, more preferably 3 mm ² or less.

The flow ratio of the liquids F _A and F _B is not particularly limited, but is preferably 1/9 to 9/1, more preferably 2/8 to 8/2, in order to stabilize the flow state.

[Experimental result]
Next, in order to confirm the operation of the mixed flow generator of the present invention, an experiment was performed under the following initial conditions.
Liquid F _A : Tap water (colored blue), flow rate 50 mL / min Liquid F _B : Silicone oil, viscosity 10 cst, flow rate 50 mL / min Rotor R rotation speed: 300 rpm

As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, in the pipe P, the interface of the liquid F _A and the liquid F _B was confirmed that flows is formed in a spiral shape. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, in the interior of the liquid delivery port OUT ₁ on the downstream side is connected to the flow path P _4, the interface of the liquid F _A and the liquid F _B is flowing spirally formed Was confirmed. Thus, by generating a spiral flow in the flow path connected to the inside of the pipe P or the downstream side of the liquid delivery port OUT ₁ , the liquid F _A and the liquid F _B are compared with the case of the parallel two-phase flow. It is considered that the reaction efficiency can be improved because the area of the interface can be increased.

Subsequently, crushed tip of the connected flow path downstream of the fluid outlet OUT ₁ (the end on the side not connected to the liquid delivery port OUT _1), to increase the internal pressure of the flow path Looking, as shown in FIG. 7, the interrupted surface which has been formed in a spiral shape, the liquid F _a and alternating stream and repeatedly appearing liquid F _B was confirmed that has occurred. Moreover, increasing the flow rate of the liquid F _A, as shown in FIG. 8, alternate flow volume ratio was higher in the liquid F _A was confirmed that has occurred. As described above, by generating an alternating flow in the flow path connected to the downstream side of the liquid delivery port OUT ₁ , a special flow state advantageous for the molecular movement described above is expressed, and in the case of the parallel two-phase flow and In comparison, it is considered that the reaction efficiency between the liquid F _A and the liquid F _B can be improved.

  From the above experimental results, the mixed flow generator of the present invention can generate a mixed flow preferable for chemical reaction and extraction, such as spiral flow and alternating flow, under the control of laminar flow by changing each condition. I understood that.

[Usage]
The mixed flow generator of the present invention can be used for various applications, but can be suitably used as a device for generating a mixed flow for performing a chemical reaction or extraction. Among them, it is suitable for generating a mixed flow such as an alternating flow and a spiral flow under the control of a laminar flow, and particularly suitable for generating an alternating flow. In addition, since it can be easily miniaturized, it can be put to practical use as a microreactor. In particular, it is expected to be put to practical use as a microreactor used in synthetic reaction tests for screening chemicals, and as a new reactor for research and development of new chemical processes. In addition, it is expected to be put into practical use as a microreactor for industrial production of products, which is being researched and developed in some fine chemical fields.

Claims (15)

A mixed flow generator for mixing two or more liquids to generate a mixed flow,
[1] A pipe P having a plurality of liquid inlets on the upstream side and a liquid outlet on the downstream side;
[2] arranged on the outer periphery of the pipe P, a magnetic field generating means C for generating a rotating magnetic field with respect to the center axis L ₀ of the pipe P,
[3] is accommodated in the pipe P, the downstream end is formed in a tapered, a cylindrical rotor R which rotates around the center axis L ₀ by the generation of the rotating magnetic field,
[4] A pivot bearing B disposed between the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet and supporting the downstream end of the rotor R;
A mixed flow generator comprising:   The mixed flow generator according to claim 1, wherein the pivot bearing B is provided with a through hole through which the liquid introduced into the pipe P from the liquid inlet is passed.   At least one liquid inlet among the plurality of liquid inlets is provided at the upstream end of the pipe P, and at least one liquid inlet among the remaining liquid inlets is provided at the side periphery of the pipe P, The mixed flow generator according to claim 1, wherein the liquid delivery port is provided at an end portion on the downstream side of the pipe P.   The mixed flow generator according to claim 3, wherein the liquid inlet provided in the side periphery of the pipe P is formed in a slit shape. Magnetic field generating means C is mixed flow generating apparatus according to any one of the center axis L ₀ comprising a plurality of coils disposed in rotational symmetry around the claims 1-4.   The mixed flow generator according to claim 1, wherein the rotor R is magnetized. Mixed flow generating apparatus according to claim 6, wherein any one of the center axis L ₀ of the pipe P is arranged in the vertical direction. Mixed flow generator of difference claims 1-7, wherein one is 2mm or less between the outer radius r ₂ of the inner radius r ₁ and the rotor R of the pipe P. The mixed flow generator according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a flow path having a cross-sectional area of 10 mm ² or less is connected to the downstream side of the liquid delivery port.   A mixed flow generation method for generating a mixed flow using the mixed flow generation device according to claim 1.   The method for generating a mixed flow according to claim 10, wherein liquids that are not compatible with each other are introduced from a plurality of liquid inlets.   A spiral flow in which the interface between the liquids appears spirally in the gap between the inner peripheral surface of the pipe P and the outer peripheral surface of the roller R is caused to flow through a flow path connected to the downstream side of the liquid delivery port. The method for generating a mixed flow according to claim 11.   A spiral flow in which the interface between the liquids appears spirally in the gap between the inner peripheral surface of the pipe P and the outer peripheral surface of the roller R, and the spiral flow is changed into an alternating flow in which the interface between the liquids repeatedly appears in the flow direction. The method for generating a mixed flow according to claim 11, wherein the mixed flow is passed through a flow path connected downstream of the liquid delivery port.   A chemical reaction method in which an alternating flow or a spiral flow is generated by the mixed flow generation method according to claim 12 or 13 and a chemical reaction is advanced in a flow path connected to the downstream side of the liquid delivery port.   An extraction method in which an alternating flow or a spiral flow is generated by the mixed flow generation method according to claim 12 or 13, and the extraction proceeds in a flow path connected to the downstream side of the liquid delivery port.