KR101329693B1 - Device for conducting micro flow reaction - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a microflow reactor which accommodates different kinds of chips and performs reactions. The microflow reactor includes a support plate, rail parts which are separated from the support plate and are parallelly arranged with each other, a holding block which is inserted between the rail parts, contacts the support plate, is formed with a reactant inlet and a reactant outlet on the surface of an insertion groove opened between the rail parts, and into which a reactor chip having a reaction space is detachably inserted, a pair of fixed panels which are fixed to the holding block and are formed with an inlet unit which connects to the inlet and an outlet unit which connects to the outlet, and a thermoelectric module which contacts the support plate and controls the reaction temperature of the reactor chip by absorbing or discharging heat.

Description

Device for conducting micro flow reaction

The present invention relates to a micro flow reactor for accommodating a micro flow reactor chip having a microcavity therein and performing a reaction, and more particularly, by selectively replacing different kinds of reactor chips in a single device. It relates to a micro flow reactor for use.

Micro flow reactors have been developed relatively recently due to the advances in microfabrication technology. They use a continuous and fine flow of reactants, which are significantly more efficient and precise than conventional unit metered chemical reactions. It is a kind of reactor made to be able to carry out the reaction. Micro flow reactors can be used for both pure research and industrial use, and can be especially effective when combined with bioreactor technology that uses biochemical reactors for the production of eco-friendly and efficient medicines.

Such micro flow reactors are usually in the form of small chips, and there is a space including a channel or a channel having a width of several tens to hundreds of micrometers therein, and reactants introduced into the space It constitutes a reaction system. The space inside the reactor may be formed as one or more flow paths that cross each other, as disclosed in Korean Patent No. 10-0898065.

However, since the shape of the reactor internal space is not standardized, it is possible to form a completely different shape according to the use place of the reactor, that is, the type of the desired reaction. In addition, even if the form is similar to each other, some of the parts may take different forms so as to increase the yield of the reaction product (Product), or to facilitate a smooth reaction between the reactants (Reactant).

On the other hand, the micro flow reactor having such characteristics is difficult to be used alone, and is provided to support the reaction process of the reactor, such as to stably maintain the reactor while the reaction is performed, and to properly maintain the reaction temperature inside the reactor. Used with the reactor. Such a reaction device may be a device such as a temperature control cooler or an injection pump for injecting a reactant, or may be formed by assembling each of the modular devices.

However, conventional reactors are constructed with only one type of micro flow reactor each carrying out one reaction, and thus, it is difficult for one reactor to be universally applied to different reactors having different reactions. There was a downside. In other words, a reaction device that has already been configured cannot carry out other reactions except one reaction. Therefore, in order to perform other types of reactions, the device must be dismantled and reconfigured or newly manufactured. There was a problem in that it is not flexible to apply to the manufacture or development of medicines, including a complex reaction process.

Republic of Korea Patent No. 10-0898065 (2009.05.15), Figure 3b

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and is intended to provide a micro flow reactor capable of selectively using different types of micro flow reactor chips by replacing them in one reactor.

The technical problem of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

The micro flow reaction apparatus according to the present invention includes a support plate, a rail portion disposed parallel to each other at regular intervals on the support plate, and slidably inserted between the rail portions and in close contact with the support plate, wherein the support plate An insertion groove opened between the rail parts is formed on the opposite side of the contact surface, and a reaction space is formed in the insertion groove, and a reactant inlet and a reaction product outlet are provided on a surface thereof, and the reactant is introduced therein to generate the reaction product. A holding block into which the formed reactor chip is removably inserted, and an inlet portion fixed to the holding block, at least a portion of which overlaps the reactor chip, and connected to the inlet portion or an outlet portion connected to the outlet portion at an overlapping portion A pair of fixed panels formed and opposite the holding block; The thermoelectric module may be in close contact with the support plate and endothermic or exothermic to control the reaction temperature of the reactor chip.

The micro flow reaction apparatus includes an inlet part formed by cutting a part of the support plate located between the holding block and the thermoelectric module, and an electric heat inserted between the holding block and the thermoelectric module interposed between the holding block and the thermoelectric module. (Iii) It may further include a panel.

The micro flow reaction apparatus is disposed between the rails and positioned in the sliding direction of the holding block, and formed in a block shape extending to have a predetermined width in the sliding direction of the holding block, and the injection hole of the reactor chip and the When the inlet part overlaps each other and the outlet and the outlet part overlap each other, the spacing module may be further in contact with the holding block to prevent sliding of the holding block.

The holding block may be formed in the inner side of the insertion groove and the thickness of the bottom surface in close contact with the reactor chip may be formed relatively thinner than other parts.

The rail portion includes a guide groove indented along a contact surface in contact with the holding block, wherein the holding block extends along a side portion in contact with the rail portion and protrudes toward the rail portion to be slidably inserted into the guide groove. It may include.

The rail unit may include a flow hole formed at one side of the contact surface in contact with the holding block and opened toward the holding block, a locking protrusion inserted into the flow hole so as to be flowable, and interposed between the locking protrusion and the flow hole. And an elastic member for closely contacting the locking protrusion toward the holding block, wherein the holding block includes a fixing groove indented at one point of the side portion corresponding to the flow hole, and the holding protrusion is inserted into the fixing groove. The block can be fixed elastically.

The holding block may include at least one vent hole opened to connect an inner side of the insertion groove and an outer side of the holding block, and a grip part exposed to the outside of the support plate when the holding block completely overlaps the support plate. It may include.

The reactor chip further includes at least one inlet and the outlet, at least one inlet channel connecting the inlet and the reaction space to each other, and at least one outlet channel connecting the reaction space and the outlet to each other. can do.

The reaction product is obtained by continuously separating from the reactant through a catalytic reaction, the reaction space is formed relatively wider than the inlet channel, the outlet channel and the immobilization enzyme for the catalysis is filled therein It may be to include a reaction chamber.

The reaction space connects the inflow channel and the reaction chamber to each other and extends from the inflow channel toward the reaction chamber, and the outflow channel and the reaction chamber are connected to each other and the outflow channel from the reaction chamber. It may further include a second connection path that is reduced toward.

The first connection path includes a plurality of partition partition walls arranged to connect the inflow channel and the reaction chamber in parallel with each other, and a plurality of partition partition walls formed between the partition partition walls to evenly distribute the reactants introduced into the inflow channel. It may include a distribution channel.

The partition bulkhead may have a relatively wider width of the central partition opposite to the inflow channel, but the widths of the distribution channels may be kept constant.

The reaction product is formed by reacting two or more of the reactants with each other, and the reaction space has one end connected to the inflow channel and the other end connected to the outlet channel, thereby repeatedly crossing the inside of the reactor chip. It is formed in a pentine shape, the inlet channel may be formed in two or more branched from the reaction space.

The reactor chip includes a flat body portion and a cover portion bonded to the main body portion, and formed with the inlet and the outlet, wherein each of the inflow channel, the outflow channel, and the reaction space is the main body or the cover. It may be formed indented in any one of the bonding surface.

The micro flow reaction device may further include a filter part interposed between the main body part and the cover part and disposed between at least one of the inflow channel and the reaction space and between the outlet channel and the reaction space. have.

The filter part is a porous glassy sintered body, and may be inserted into a groove part connected to at least one of the inflow channel, the outflow channel, and the reaction space and formed on a bonding surface of any one of the main body part and the cover part.

 The micro flow reactor may further include a cooler that is in close contact with the heat generating surface of the thermoelectric module and prevents overheating of the thermoelectric module through the circulation of the fruit.

The micro flow reaction device may further include a nozzle part inserted into the inlet part and connected to the inlet, and connected to a syringe pump for injecting the reactant into the inlet.

The micro flow reactor according to the present invention may selectively accommodate different kinds of micro flow reactor chips in which different kinds of reactions are performed in one device, and perform different reactions from time to time.

Accordingly, there is an effect that can be easily used in the manufacture and development of a drug, including a complex reaction process. Also,

The interaction between the structure of easy heat transfer and the temperature control unit can easily maintain the reaction temperature inside the reactor chip.

1 is a perspective view of a micro flow reaction apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an example of the reactor of FIG. 1 and a reactor chip mounted thereto.
3 is an exploded perspective view of the reaction apparatus of FIG. 1.
4 is a cross-sectional view of the reactor of FIG. 1 terminated.
5a and 5b is an operation of the holding block shown by cutting the reactor of Figure 1 with a-a 'line.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a thermoelectric module of the reactor of FIG. 3.
7A and 7B illustrate different examples of a reactor chip mounted in the reactor of FIG. 1.
FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram briefly illustrating an internal structure of the reactor chip of FIG. 7A.
FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the reactor of FIG. 1 and a reactor chip mounted thereon. FIG.

Advantages and features of the present invention and methods for accomplishing the same will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Is provided to fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art, and the present invention is only defined by the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.

Hereinafter, a microflow reaction apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9.

1 is a perspective view of a micro flow reaction apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the reactor chip and the reactor chip mounted on the reaction apparatus of FIG.

1 and 2, the micro flow reaction apparatus 1 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention has a heat transfer panel 500 and a thermoelectric module 600 under the support plate 200. The cooler 700 is sequentially stacked, and the fixing panels 410 and 420 having the inlet part 411 or the outlet part 421 are coupled to the upper side of the support plate 200. In addition, the rail portion 210 is formed on the support plate 200, the holding block 300 is inserted between the rail portions 210, and the nozzle portion N is positioned adjacent to the inlet portion 411. .

At this time, the holding block 300 is not fixed while being inserted between the rails 210, as shown in Figure 2, by sliding along the rails 210 separated to the outside of the support plate 200 Can be. That is, the holding block 300 may be attached to or detached from the support plate 200.

Meanwhile, an insertion groove 310 is formed inside the holding block 300 so that the reactor chip 100 may be detachably coupled. The reactor chip 100 is a micro flow reactor including a reaction space 130 having a fine structure therein, and an injection hole 110 into which a reactant is injected, and a reaction product on the surface thereof. The outlet 120 which flows out is provided.

A micro flow reactor is simply called a micro reactor or a micro channel reactor and can form a continuous flow of reactants through an internal microstructure. Chemical reactor. The micro flow reactor is capable of precisely mixing the reactants at high speed using a continuous and finely formed flow of reactants, and it is possible to finely control the reaction temperature of the reaction system formed by localization in a small chip. In addition, the microstructure inside the reactor may be formed in various forms, including a channel or channel having a narrow width of several tens to hundreds of micrometers, and depending on the form, for example, mixing different reactants Alternatively, on the contrary, different kinds of chemical reactions, such as separating one or more products from one reactant, may be performed inside the microflow reactor.

The reactor chip 100 coupled to the insertion groove 310 may be selected from one or more reactor chips 100 in which reaction spaces 130 of different types are formed as necessary. It may be produced independently according to the purpose of solving any research project to be used or the manufacture or development of the material.

The reactor chip 100 is selectively and detachably coupled to the insertion groove 310. Therefore, it is possible to perform one or more chemical / physiological or other reactions in the microflow reaction apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, which is a complex process of different heterogeneous reactions. It can be usefully applied in the manufacture or development of the included drugs.

Meanwhile, as described above, the heat transfer panel 500, the thermoelectric module 600, and the cooler 700 are sequentially stacked on the lower portion of the support plate 200. The heat transfer panel 500 is coupled to the inlet 240 to be described later may be located directly below the holding block 300, the lower portion of the cooler 700, the circulation pipe 710 for circulation of the heat (Heat medium) This can be formed.

The holding block 300 is inserted between the rail portions 210 while being coupled with the reactor chip 100 and is in close contact with the support plate 200. As a result, the reaction heat generated inside the reactor chip 100 is supported. The heat transfer panel 500 positioned below the plate 200, the thermoelectric module 600, and the cooler 700 may be easily eliminated through interaction. In particular, the heat transfer panel located between the holding block 300 and the thermoelectric module 600 is formed of a material having high thermal conductivity, so that the reaction heat transferred to the holding block 300 is transferred to the thermoelectric module 600. It can be quickly moved to the cooling surface of the, thereby, the reaction temperature of the reactor chip 100 can be properly maintained in an optimal state.

3 and 4, each component of the micro flow reaction apparatus will be described in more detail.

3 is an exploded perspective view of the reaction apparatus of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the reaction apparatus of FIG. 1 terminated.

As shown in FIG. 3, the support plate 200 is formed of a plate, and serves as a body in which other components of the micro flow reaction apparatus 1 are directly or indirectly supported. On the support plate 200, rail portions 210 are formed to be spaced apart from each other and arranged in parallel to each other. In the drawings, the rails 210 are arranged side by side on both side ends of the support plate 200. The rail unit 210 may be formed in a bar shape parallel to each other, the support plate 200 is refracted one or more times to be integrally formed with the support plate 200, or separately manufactured and bonded to the support plate 200. It may have been done.

The rail unit 210 includes a guide groove 220 indented inward along a contact surface in contact with the holding block 300. The guide groove 220 may slidably receive the extension 320 extending along the side surface of the holding block 300.

A locking protrusion 230 is formed at one side of the contact surface in contact with the holding block 300. The locking protrusion 230 is elastically movable, and when the holding block 300 is inserted between the rails 210, the locking protrusion 230 is inserted into the fixing groove 321 formed in the holding block 300 to hold the holding block 300. Fix it. The insertion process of the locking protrusion 230 and the holding block 300 will be described later in more detail.

The holding block 300 is a rectangular block and is slidably inserted between the rail portions 210 to be in close contact with the support plate 200. Insertion groove 310 is formed by the opposite side of the surface in contact with the support plate 200 is formed, when the holding block 300 is inserted between the rail portion 210, it is opened between the rail portion 210.

Insertion groove 310 may be formed as a rectangular or rectangular groove having a predetermined depth, but is not limited to this shape, it is to be transformed into another shape corresponding to the shape of the reactor chip (see 100 of FIG. 2). Can be. As shown in FIG. 4, the bottom surface of the insertion groove 310 may be formed relatively thinly compared to other parts so that the reaction heat of the reactor chip 100 may be easily transferred.

At least one vent hole 311 opened to be connected to the outside of the holding block 300 is formed inside the insertion groove 310. Vent hole 311 is the reactor chip 100 is coupled to the insertion groove 310, or when separated again, by flowing the air inside the insertion groove 310, the inside of the insertion groove 310 is maintained in a low pressure state It can be prevented, and the separation and coupling of the reactor chip 100 can be made smoothly.

The holding block 300 extends along the side portion in contact with the rail portion 210, protrudes toward the guide groove 220 formed in the rail portion 210, in particular, the rail portion 210, and slides in the guide groove 220. An extension 320 is formed which is possibly inserted. By combining the extension part 320 and the guide groove 220, the holding block 300 may be stably slid without being separated from the support plate 200. A fixing groove 321 is formed at one side of the side surface of the holding block 300, in particular, at one side of the extension part 320 protruding from the side portion. The fixing groove 321 is fixed to the holding block 300 by the hooking protrusion 230 described above.

The grip part 330 is formed at one end of the holding block 300. As shown in FIG. 4, the grip part 330 protrudes out of the support plate 200 even when the holding block 300 is inserted between the rail parts 210 and overlaps the support plate 200. Therefore, the user using the micro flow reaction apparatus 1 can easily detach the holding block 300 by holding the grip 330.

The grip part 330 may extend stepwise in the longitudinal direction of the holding block 300 and may be integrally formed with the holding block 300. In this case, the grip part 330 may be connected to the extension part 320 formed on the side part of the holding block 300 and may be placed on the same plane.

On the other hand, the heat transfer panel 500 is placed below the support plate 200 in parallel with the support plate 200, also formed of a plate body. The panel holder 510 for fixing the heat transfer panel 500 is coupled to the lower portion of the heat transfer panel 500.

The heat transfer panel 500 may be inserted into the inlet portion 240 formed by cutting a part of the support plate 200 positioned between the holding block 300 and the heat transfer panel 500 to be coupled to the support plate 200. . That is, the inlet 240 is an open space connecting the holding block 300 and the heat transfer panel 500 as shown in FIG. 3, and the heat transfer panel 500 is held through the inlet 240. It may be in direct contact with block 300.

The heat transfer panel 500 is formed of a material having high thermal conductivity. This material may be a metal material, preferably made of copper. The heat transfer panel 500 is placed directly below the insertion groove 310 of the holding block 300, it is possible to quickly conduct the reaction heat between the reactor chip 100 and the thermoelectric module 600. On the other hand, if the reaction heat of the reactor chip 100 is excessively generated, if all of the reaction heat is transferred to the thermoelectric module 600, the cooling capacity of the thermoelectric module 600 may be rather deteriorated, and thus the inside of the reactor chip 100 In addition to difficult to perform a proper reaction may damage the thermoelectric module 600. The heat transfer panel 500 is relatively wider than the thermoelectric module 600, and also has an appropriate thickness, so as to quickly absorb the reaction heat of the reactor chip 100 and transfer it to the cooling surface of the thermoelectric module 600. It acts as a thermal buffer. Therefore, this risk can be prevented by the heat transfer panel 500 in advance.

The thermoelectric module is in close contact with the support plate 200 on the opposite side of the holding block 300 inserted into the rail unit 210, the heat transfer panel 500 is interposed as in the embodiment of the present invention. Is in close contact with the heat transfer panel 500. The thermoelectric module 600 may simultaneously form a cooling surface and a heating surface on the surface of the thermoelectric module 600 by a thermoelectric effect, and closely contact the cooling surface with the heat transfer panel 500 to form the reactor chip 100. The heat of reaction transferred from can be eliminated. When mounted as shown in Figure 4, the cooling surface is the upper surface, the heat generating surface is the lower surface on the opposite side. The thermoelectric module 600 may be connected with an electrode for supplying current.

On the other hand, when the current supply direction of the thermoelectric module 600 is changed, the heat generating surface and the cooling surface are reversed. Therefore, the thermoelectric module 600 may also operate as a heat source, and even when the reaction inside the reactor chip 100 is an endothermic reaction, the reaction system may easily perform the reaction by absorbing thermal energy from the thermoelectric module 600. . The temperature control action of the thermoelectric module 600 will also be described in more detail below.

The cooler 700 is placed under the thermoelectric module 600 again. The cooler 700 may also be fixed by the cooler holder 720 coupled to the lower portion of the cooler 700, similarly to the heat transfer panel 500. The cooler 700 may be in contact with the heating surface of the thermoelectric module 600 to provide a thermoelectric module 600. Cool. That is, the reaction heat generated by the reaction inside the reactor chip 100 reaches the cooling surface of the thermoelectric module 600 through the heat transfer panel 500 and is primarily resolved. However, the heating surface of the thermoelectric module 600 is the cooling surface. It is another heat source while it is being maintained. The cooler 700 may improve the cooling efficiency of the thermoelectric module 600 by contacting the heat generating surface and re-relieving heat generated from the heat generating surface again.

The cooler 700 may include a heat medium circulating inside and outside of the cooler 700 through the circulation pipe 710, and may use a thermoelectric module (eg, an endothermic or exothermic process generated in the fruit circulation). The heat generated from the heat generating surface of 600) can be effectively eliminated.

Although not shown in the drawings, the panel holder 510 and the cooler holder 720 may be firmly coupled to the support plate 200 through screwing, and thus, the heat transfer panel 500, the thermoelectric module 600, and the like. In addition, the coolers 700 may be stably fixed to each other while being stacked on the bottom of the support plate 200.

The plate-shaped fixing panels 410 and 420 are coupled to the upper portion of the support plate 200. The fixing panels 410 and 420 may also be coupled to the support plate 200, in particular, the rail unit 210 formed on the support plate 200 through screw coupling, and the holding block 300 inserted between the rail units 210. It is in close contact with the holding block 300 to be fixed. At this time, at least a portion of the fixing panels 410 and 420 overlap the reactor chip 100 coupled to the holding block 300, and an injection hole formed on the surface of the reactor chip 100 at the overlapping portion (110 in FIG. 2). An inlet portion 411 connected to the outlet) or an outlet portion 421 connected to the outlet (see 120 of FIG. 2) is formed.

The inlet portion 411 and the outlet portion 421 may be formed as holes penetrating the fixing panels 410 and 420, and may have a suitable width for inserting the nozzle portion (see N in FIG. 2). have.

A block-shaped spacing module 412 is formed under the fixed panel 410 on which the inlet portion 411 is formed. The spacing module 412 may be formed integrally with the fixing panel 410, and is interposed between the rail portions 210 when the fixing panel 410 is coupled to the rail portion 210. Accordingly, the spacing module 412 is placed in the sliding direction of the holding block 300 (the sliding direction is the longitudinal direction of the rail portion 210 since the holding block 300 slides along the rail portion 210). It may have a constant width along the sliding direction to prevent the sliding of the holding block 300 at an appropriate position.

When the holding block 300 is in contact with the spacing module 412 and sliding is prevented, the injection hole (see 110 in FIG. 2) of the reactor chip coupled to the holding block 300 (see 110 in FIG. 2) is fixed to the panel 410. The inlet portion 411 overlaps, and the outlet port (see 120 of FIG. 2) overlaps the outlet portion 421 of the fixed panel 420. Therefore, the nozzle unit (see N in FIG. 2) is connected to the injection hole 110 through the inlet portion 411 to inject the reactant into the reactor chip 100. The reaction performance of the micro flow reaction apparatus 1 including the injection of the reactants will be described in more detail below.

Hereinafter, the sliding process of the holding block and the internal structure and operation of the thermoelectric module will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5A to 6.

5a and 5b is an operation of the holding block shown by cutting the reactor of Figure 1 with a-a 'line.

5A and 5B, the rail unit 210 includes a flow hole 231 formed at one side of a contact surface in contact with the holding block 300 and opened toward the holding block 300, and includes a locking protrusion ( 230 is inserted into the flow hole 231 to be flowable. In addition, an inner side of the flow hole 231 is interposed between the locking projection 230 and the flow hole 231 is provided with an elastic member 232 to close the locking projection 230 toward the holding block 300. At this time, the open end of the flow hole 231 and the end of the locking projection 230 are formed to protrude stepwise toward each other, so that the locking projection 230 is separated from the flow hole 231 It can be prevented, the elastic member 232 may be made of a spring that is contracted or extended in the longitudinal direction of the flow hole 231 as shown.

Accordingly, the locking protrusion 230 may move elastically along the flow hole 231, and may be retracted inward when the locking protrusion 230 is in close contact with the extension 320 of the holding block 300 as shown in FIG. 5A. In this state, the holding block 300 may be inserted between the rails 210, but not completely inserted.

 In this case, the locking protrusion 230 is in close contact with the holding block 300 by the elasticity of the elastic member 232.

Subsequently, when the holding block 300 is completely inserted between the rail portions 210 as shown in FIG. 5B, the locking protrusion 230 is also inserted into the fixing groove 321, and the holding block 300 is elastically fixed. . To this end, the fixing groove 321 is indented in a position corresponding to the flow hole 231 is formed, as described above, one side of the holding block 300, in particular, when the extension 320 is formed, It may be formed on the extension 320. By using such a structure, the holding block 300 can be properly fixed while being inserted between the rails 210.

6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of a thermoelectric module of the reaction device of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 6, the thermoelectric module 600 includes a pair of electrode plates 620 disposed side by side with each other, and the thermoelectric materials 610 are uniformly spaced between the electrode plates 620. It is placed repeatedly. The heat transfer layer 630 made of a metal or a ceramic material is formed outside the electrode plate 620.

The thermoelectric effect refers to the effect of electromotive force or current flow to cause a temperature difference or heat flow. Specifically, when a current is flowed by joining different dissimilar metals, one side of the contact generates heat and the other The side refers to the Peltier effect, which is a phenomenon in which heat is reversed. The thermoelectric module 600 may configure a compact temperature controller using a thermoelectric effect, in particular, a Peltier effect.

As illustrated, thermoelectric materials 610 are arranged between the electrode plates 620. The thermoelectric materials 610 may be P-type and N-type semiconductor devices selected to maximize the thermoelectric effect. When the thermoelectric material 610 is arranged between the electrode plates 620, one electric circuit is formed, and each of the electrode plates 620 becomes a contact. Therefore, when a current (direct current) flows through the electrode connected to the electrode plate 620, the electrode plate 620 located at the upper end is endothermic, that is, cooled, and the electrode plate 620 located at the lower side generates heat, thereby providing a thermoelectric module 600. ) Is to act as a cooler with a heat generating surface at the bottom. When the reaction performed inside the reactor chip (see 100 of FIG. 2) is an exothermic reaction, the thermoelectric module 600 may act as a cooler in this way to maintain the temperature of the reaction system appropriately.

On the other hand, if the direction of the current flowing through the electrode is reversed, the endothermic and heat generating processes generated at the contacts are reversed, and the thermoelectric module 600 acts as a heat source having an endothermic surface formed at the bottom thereof. When the reaction inside the reactor chip 100 is an endothermic reaction, since the thermal energy required for the reaction must be absorbed from the surroundings, the thermoelectric module 600 may also supply the thermal energy to properly maintain the temperature of the reaction system.

This endothermic heat conversion process of the thermoelectric module 600 allows the thermoelectric module 600 to operate as a temperature control device, not simply a cooler, and to facilitate various kinds of reactions in the reactor chip 100. It works.

7A to 9, the structure and operation of the reactor chip and the reaction process of the microflow reactor equipped with the reactor chip will be described in detail.

 7A and 7B illustrate different examples of reactor chips mounted in the reactor of FIG. 1, and FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram schematically illustrating an internal structure of the reactor chip of FIG. 7A.

As shown in each of the figures, the reactor chips 100a and 100b are provided with at least one injection hole 110 and at least one outlet port 120 on a surface thereof, and reaction spaces 130a and 130b and the injection hole therein. At least one inlet channel 111 connecting the 110 to each other and at least one outlet channel 121 connecting the reaction spaces 130a and 130b and the outlet 120 to each other are formed. The shape or number of the inlet 110, the outlet 120, the inlet channel 111, and the outlet channel 121 may be appropriately adjusted as necessary.

The reaction spaces 130a and 130b may also be formed in completely different shapes as shown.

First, referring to FIG. 7A, the reaction space 130a of the reactor chip 100a may include a reaction chamber 131 that is relatively wider than the inflow channel 111 and the outflow channel 121. ,

The reaction chamber 131 and the inflow channel 111 are connected by a first connection path 134 extending from the inflow channel 111 toward the reaction chamber 131, and the reaction chamber 131 and the outflow channel 121 are connected to each other. The back may be connected to each other by a second connection path 135 is reduced from the reaction chamber 131 toward the outlet channel 121.

At this time, the horizontal width (width) of the inflow channel 111 and the outlet channel 121 may be formed of 250 ~ 500 micrometers, the vertical width (depth) may be formed of 1 ~ 2 millimeters. On the other hand, the reaction chamber 131 may have a horizontal width of about 30 millimeters, and a vertical width (depth) of about 5 millimeters may be relatively wider.

The reactor chip 100a formed in such a shape may be used to continuously separate one or more reaction products from the reactant injected into the injection hole 110 through a catalytic reaction. In this case, the reaction chamber 131 may include a catalytic reaction ( Immobilized Enzyme for Catalysis can be filled.

That is, as mentioned above, a biochemical method such as an enzyme reaction may be used to prepare a medicament. To this end, immobilized enzyme particles obtained by immobilizing an active enzyme in the body using chemical or physical methods may be used in the reaction chamber 131. Can be placed and used repeatedly. In addition, the immobilized enzyme inhibits pharmacological action or unnecessary activity in the human body when preparing a chiral compound (compound consisting of molecules having enantiomers having different activities) having an increasing demand in the pharmaceutical market. By selectively removing a specific isomer (Enantiomer) having a specific drug that was conventionally provided in a racemate form (mixture of two isomers) with each other in the form of a single enantiomer of high purity and excellent pharmacological activity It can also be used effectively.

The reactor chip 100a having the reaction chamber 131 may be used to manufacture such medicines in an environmentally friendly and efficient manner through the catalytic reaction of the immobilized enzyme packed therein.

In addition, referring to FIG. 8, the reactor chip 100a of this type has a first connection path 134 extending from the inflow channel 111 toward the reaction chamber 131, and having the inflow channel 111 therein. It may include a plurality of partition partition 132 disposed to connect the reaction chamber 131 in parallel with each other, and a plurality of distribution channels 133 also formed side by side between the partition partition 132.

In this case, each of the plurality of partition bulkheads 132 may have a width (width) of about 2 millimeters and a width of about 5 millimeters (length), which are directly opposed to the inflow channel 111 as shown. The central portion of the partition wall may be formed wider by about 4 millimeters in width.

On the other hand, each of the plurality of distribution channels 133 may be formed with a width of about 500 micrometers and a vertical width (depth) of about 5 millimeters, preferably, the inner distribution disposed adjacent to the central portion of the partition wall The horizontal width of each of the distribution channels 133 may be formed to widen in turn toward the outer distribution channel 133 away from the channel 133.

Therefore, when the reactant A is injected, the reactant A entering the first connection passage 134 through the inlet channel 111 on one side (in this case, the inlet channel on the opposite side may be closed). The flow is divided by 132 to form different flows, and each flow may flow into the reaction chamber 131 while being uniformly distributed along the distribution channel 133.

That is, the partition partition 132 may easily prevent a pressure drop of the reactant A discharged into the rapidly expanding first connection path 134 by forming a narrow flow path in the extended first connection path 134. At the point where the first connection passage 134 and the inflow channel 111 are connected to each other, the central portion of the partition wall facing the inflow channel 111, that is, the central partition is formed to correspond to the discharged reactant A, thereby forming a reactant ( It is also possible to easily prevent A) from flowing into the reaction chamber 131 at once and form a uniform flow.

On the other hand, referring to Figure 7b, the reactor chip 100b of another type may be formed in a narrow channel form of the entire reaction space 130b, one end of the channel-shaped reaction space 130b It is connected to the (111), the other end is connected to the outlet channel 121, it is formed in a serpentine shape (serpentine shape, zigzag shape) that repeatedly crosses the inside of the reactor chip (100b) Can be.

In this case, each of the inflow channel 111 and the outlet channel 121 connected to the reaction space 130b may be formed in two or more branches from the reaction space 130b, and the reaction space 130b and the inflow channel in the form of a channel. Both the 111 and the outlet channels 121 may have the same width as the width (width) of 250 to 500 micrometers and the vertical width (depth) of 10 to 500 micrometers.

The reactor chip 100b having the reaction space 130b having such a shape can secure a relatively large surface area in a narrow space, allowing two or more reactants to continuously contact each other, and reacting each reactant with each other. It can be effectively used to obtain at least one reaction product. In particular, the above-mentioned immobilized enzyme can be prepared using such a reactor chip (100b), the immobilized enzyme particles produced in the channel of the micrometer unit is smaller and uniform in diameter than the particles prepared in the conventional manner, Because of the large surface area, it can be excellent in activity.

Hereinafter, the internal structure of the reactor chip 100 and the reaction process of the microflow reactor 1 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 9.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the reactor of FIG. 1 and a reactor chip mounted thereon. FIG.

The reactor chip 100 is stably maintained in the horizontal direction while being coupled to the holding block 300. As described above, when the holding block 300 is completely inserted between the rail portions (see 210 in FIG. 3), the inlet 110 completely overlaps the inlet portion 411, and the outlet 120 is the outlet portion 421. ) Is completely nested. In this state, the nozzle part N is inserted into the inlet part 411 and connected to the injection hole 110. An O-ring (r) for preventing leakage of the reactant (A) may be inserted at the end of the nozzle portion (N).

On the other hand, the outlet 120 may be provided with an outlet port (P) for discharging the reaction product (B) to the outside of the micro flow reaction device (1). The outlet port P may be detachably inserted into the outlet portion 421 and connected to the outlet 120, or may be fixed to the outlet portion 421. Although not shown, when the outlet port P is detachably formed, the O-ring may also be inserted at the end of the outlet port P. FIG.

After such a connection, the reactant A is injected through the nozzle part N. The nozzle unit N may be connected to a syringe pump disposed around the micro flow reactor 1 to inject the reactant A at an appropriate pressure.

The injected reactant A is introduced into the inlet channel 111 through the inlet 110. In this case, the reactor chip 100 may be formed of a flat body portion 140 disposed below and a cover portion 150 bonded to an upper portion of the body portion 140, and the cover portion 150 may be formed of quartz glass or the like. Is formed of a transparent material of the reactor chip 100 can be easily exposed inside.

In this case, the inlet 110 and the outlet 120 are respectively formed in the cover portion 150, while the inlet channel 111, outlet channel 121 and the reaction space 130, respectively, the main body portion 140 Alternatively, the cover unit 150 may be formed by being indented in any one of the bonding surfaces. In the drawing, the inflow channel 111 and the outflow channel 121 are formed on the bonding surface of the cover portion 150 side, and the reaction space 130 is formed on the bonding surface of the main body portion 140 side of the reactor chip 100. This was shown.

Meanwhile, the filter unit 160 may be interposed between the cover unit 150 and the main body unit 140 to filter out impurities introduced / outflowed together with the reactant A or the reaction product B. The filter unit 160 may be formed of a porous glassy sintered body (Sintered body), it may be inserted into the groove portion 151 formed also indented on the joint surface of the body portion 140 side or the cover portion 150 side. As shown, the groove 151 is connected to at least one of the inflow channel 111, the outflow channel 121, or the reaction space 130.

Therefore, the reactant A introduced into the inflow channel 111 passes through the filter unit 160 and then enters the reaction space 130. As illustrated, when the reaction space 130 includes the reaction chamber 131, the immobilization enzyme C may be filled in the reaction chamber 131, and the reactant A may react with the reaction chamber 131. While passing through it is successively separated by the catalysis of the immobilized enzyme (C) to obtain a reaction product (B). At this time, the reaction chamber 131 may be connected to the inlet channel 111 and the outlet channel 121 by the first connecting passage 134 and the second connecting passage 135, as described above, and the immobilized enzyme. (C) may be in contact with the partition partition 132 provided for the distribution of the reactant (A).

The heat of reaction generated while the reaction product (B) is obtained can raise the temperature of the reaction system including the reactant (A) and the immobilizing enzyme (B), thereby lowering the efficiency of the performance reaction. The heat transfer panel 500 which is in direct contact with the bottom surface of the holding block 300 quickly absorbs the reaction heat and transfers it to the cooling surface of the thermoelectric module 600. The transferred heat is transferred to the thermoelectric module. It can be suitably solved by the cooling action of (600).

In addition, the thermoelectric module 600 may operate as a heat source by inverting the cooling surface and the heat generating surface, thereby maintaining the temperature control function properly even when the reaction performed inside the reactor chip 100 is an endothermic reaction.

At this time, the cooler 700 in close contact with the heat generating surface of the thermoelectric module 600 may further improve the cooling efficiency of the thermoelectric module 600.

The reaction product (B) obtained through this process is again filtered through the filter unit 160 connected to the outlet channel 121 and then again introduced into the outlet channel 121 and the outlet connected to the outlet 120. It may be discharged to the outside of the micro flow reaction device 1 through the port (P). This completes the reaction process. Although not shown in the drawings, the outlet port P may be connected to an automated sampler and the like, and may be formed to distribute and store the discharged reaction product B in appropriate units.

While the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains can realize that the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features. I can understand. It is therefore to be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative in all aspects and not restrictive.

1: micro flow reactor 100, 100a, 100b: reactor chip
110: inlet 120: outlet
111: inflow channel 121: outflow channel
130, 130a, 130b: reaction space 131: reaction chamber
132: partition bulkhead 133: distribution channel
134: first connecting passage 135: second connecting passage
140: main body 150: cover
151: groove portion 160: filter portion
200: support plate 210: rail portion
220: guide groove 230: jamming
231: flow hole 232: elastic member
240: inlet 300: holding block
310: insertion groove 311: vent hole
320: extension portion 321: fixing groove
330: grip 410, 420: fixed panel
411: Inlet portion 412: Spacing module
421: outlet portion 500: heat transfer panel
510: panel holder 600: thermoelectric module
610: thermoelectric material 620: electrode plate
630: heat transfer layer 700: cooler
710: circulation tube 720: cooler holder
N: nozzle part r: O-ring
P: Outflow Port A: Reactant
B: reaction product C: immobilized enzyme

Claims (18)

Support plate;
Rail parts spaced apart at regular intervals on the support plate and disposed in parallel to each other;
Slidably inserted between the rail portion and in close contact with the support plate, the insertion groove is formed between the rail portion on the opposite side of the surface in contact with the support plate,
A holding block having a reactant inlet and a reaction product outlet formed on a surface of the insertion groove, and a reactor chip having a reaction space formed therein for generating the reaction product by introducing the reactant therein;
A pair of fixing panels fixed on the holding block, at least a portion of which overlaps with the reactor chip, and an inlet portion connected to the inlet or an outlet portion connected to the outlet at an overlapping portion; And
A thermoelectric module in close contact with the support plate opposite the holding block and endothermic or exothermic to control a reaction temperature of the reactor chip; Micro flow reaction apparatus comprising a. The method of claim 1,
A lead portion formed by cutting a portion of the support plate located between the holding block and the thermoelectric module;
And a heat transfer panel inserted between the holding block and interposed between the holding block and the thermoelectric module. The method of claim 1,
Interposed between the rail parts and placed in a sliding direction of the holding block;
Is formed in a block shape extending to have a constant width in the sliding direction of the holding block,
And a spacing module that prevents sliding of the holding block in contact with the holding block when the injection hole and the inlet portion of the reactor chip overlap each other, and the outlet and the outlet portion overlap each other. The method of claim 1,
The holding block is a micro flow reaction apparatus which is formed inside the insertion groove and the thickness of the bottom surface in close contact with the reactor chip is relatively thin compared to other parts. The method of claim 1,
The rail unit includes a guide groove indented along a contact surface in contact with the holding block,
The holding block includes a micro-extensions extending along the side portion in contact with the rail portion and protruding toward the rail portion is slidably inserted into the guide groove. The method of claim 1,
The rail unit may include a flow hole formed at one side of the contact surface in contact with the holding block and open toward the holding block;
A locking projection inserted into the flow hole so as to be movable;
An elastic member interposed between the locking protrusion and the flow hole to close the locking protrusion toward the holding block;
The holding block includes a fixing groove formed indented at one point of the side portion corresponding to the flow hole,
And the holding block is elastically fixed when the locking projection is inserted into the fixing groove. The method of claim 1,
The holding block may include at least one ventilation hole opened to connect an inner side of the insertion groove and an outer side of the holding block;
And a grip portion exposed to the outside of the support plate when the holding block completely overlaps the support plate. The method of claim 1,
The reactor chip is provided with at least one of the inlet and the outlet,
At least one inlet channel connecting the inlet and the reaction space to each other;
And at least one outlet channel connecting the reaction space and the outlet to each other. The method of claim 8,
The reaction product is obtained by continuously separating from the reactant through a catalytic reaction,
The reaction space is a micro flow reaction apparatus comprising a reaction chamber formed relatively wider than the inlet channel and the outlet channel and the immobilization enzyme for the catalytic reaction is filled therein. The method of claim 9,
The reaction space connects the inlet channel and the reaction chamber with each other and extends from the inlet channel toward the reaction chamber;
And a second connection path connecting the outlet channel and the reaction chamber to each other and contracting from the reaction chamber toward the outlet channel. The method of claim 10,
The first connection path, a plurality of partition partitions arranged to connect in parallel between the inlet channel and the reaction chamber, and
And a plurality of distribution channels formed between the partitioned partition walls to distribute the reactants evenly introduced into the inflow channels. 12. The method of claim 11,
The split bulkhead has a relatively wider width of the central bulkhead facing the inflow channel,
The width of the distribution channel is a micro flow reaction apparatus that is kept constant with each other. The method of claim 8,
The reaction product is produced by reacting two or more of the reactants with each other,
The reaction space has one end portion connected to the inflow channel, the other end portion connected to the outlet channel, and is formed in a serpentine shape that crosses the inside of the reactor chip repeatedly.
The inflow channel is formed of two or more micro flow reaction device branching from the reaction space. 14. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 13,
The reactor chip is a flat body portion,
Bonded to the main body portion, including the cover portion formed with the inlet and the outlet,
Each of the inflow channel, the outflow channel, and the reaction space,
Micro flow reaction apparatus that is formed indented in the bonding surface of any one of the main body portion or the cover portion. The method of claim 14,
Interposed between the body portion and the cover portion,
And a filter unit disposed between at least one of the inlet channel and the reaction space and between the outlet channel and the reaction space. 16. The method of claim 15,
The filter portion is a porous glassy sintered body,
The micro-flow reaction apparatus is formed on the bonding surface of any one of the main body portion or the cover portion and inserted into the groove portion connected to at least one of the inlet channel, the outlet channel and the reaction space. The method of claim 1,
The micro flow reaction device is in close contact with the heat generating surface of the thermoelectric module, and further comprises a cooler to prevent overheating of the thermoelectric module through the circulation of the fruit. The method of claim 1,
And a nozzle part inserted into the inlet part and connected to the inlet, and connected to a syringe pump for injecting the reactant into the inlet.

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