WO2000062918A2

WO2000062918A2 - Microreactor module

Info

Publication number: WO2000062918A2
Application number: PCT/DE2000/001213
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wolfgang Ehrfeld; Holger LÖWE; Frank Michel; Astrid Lohf; Christian Hofmann
Original assignee: INSTITUT FüR MIKROTECHNIK MAINZ GMBH
Priority date: 1999-04-16
Filing date: 2000-04-14
Publication date: 2000-10-26
Also published as: DE19917330B4; DE19917330A1; WO2000062918A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a microreactor module (100) comprising reactor elements such as fluid channels, reaction chambers, heating devices, mixing devices and such like. To be able to configure a microsystem from a plurality of identical and different types of microreactor modules (100) the microreactor module is provided with connecting elements (120, 122) which when two microreactor modules (100) are joined connect with a form fit in such a way that fluid channels leading from one module to the next are linked such that they are sealed off to the exterior.

Description

ICROREACTOR MODULE

description

The invention relates to an icroreactor module with reactor elements such as fluid channels, reaction chambers, heating devices, mixing devices and the like, wherein a number of microreactor modules of the same and different types can be assembled to form a microreactor system which is connected to one another via fluid channels.

Such systems can be used, for example, for individual operations, such as carrying out chemical, biochemical and physicochemical reactions, distilling, mixing, separating, etc., or for setting up an entire chain of operations up to a miniaturized chemical factory.

A chemical microreactor is known from EP-A-0 688 242, which consists of a number of superimposed, thin, structured plates. The plates are connected to one another. The microreactor can comprise a whole number of operating units such as mixers, distributors, heat exchangers, separators and reaction chambers and can be provided with sensors, valves, pumps and the like. Although several of these known microreactors can be arranged in parallel or in series, the microreactor is above all a complete reaction unit for a complete process. On the other hand, there has recently been a trend to assemble relatively simple modular modules into reactors for the desired process. The individual components of the modular microsystem constructed in this way must be mechanically, fluidically, optically, thermally and, if necessary, also electrically connected to one another at interfaces. In order to be able to replace individual modules, the connections should be detachable.

Detachable connections such as plug connections, screw connections and the like are known in many fields of technology. In general, the parts to be connected are fed towards one another in the axial direction, aligned with one another and compressed and held together by force-applying parts. So far, however, little attention has been paid to the detachable connection of microreactor modules in microsystems.

The object of the invention is to design the microreactor modules mentioned at the outset in such a way that the microreactor modules can be connected in one or more dimensions. The connection should preferably be releasable.

According to the invention, this object is achieved with the arrangement mentioned in patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the arrangement according to the invention are defined in the subclaims.

The microreactor module according to the invention, which comprises reactor elements such as fluid channels, reaction chambers, heating or cooling devices, mixing or separating devices, optical and electrical elements and the like, can be assembled to form a microsystem. For this purpose, it is provided with a connection system with connection elements which, when put together, form at least two microreactor modules to form a system. Connect the stem to one another in such a form-fitting manner that the fluid channels leading from one module to the other are connected to one another in a sealing manner to the outside. The fluid channels preferably connect the modules directly to one another. The modules are directly connected to one another via these channels, ie usually without fluid detours outside the modules.

In one embodiment according to the invention, the connecting elements are designed as male and female elements. In this way a reverse connection of the modules can be prevented. In some cases, however, it may be desirable to connect a module to other modules in both the one and the opposite flow direction as required. In such cases, the connecting element is gender-neutral.

It has proven to be particularly expedient to connect the modules to one another by means of a tensioning element which exerts a connecting force on the modules which presses them together. These clamping elements can act on the modules from the outside as separate elements. However, they can expediently also be arranged in the connecting element itself.

The connecting elements on the microreactor modules are preferably hook-shaped or dovetail-shaped elements which engage with one another in such a way that a relative movement of the microreactor modules perpendicular to the connecting axis is possible with a spacing of the microreactors from one another, the play between the two microreactor modules being canceled by clamping elements can be inserted into an opening formed by recesses in the connecting elements. The connecting elements can be connected in one piece to the module or can also be attached to the module by means of screws or a similar element or also by means of welding and the like. Alternatively, the connecting elements from grooves in the Mi kroreaktormodulen exist, wherein each two microreactor modules are connected by profile pieces which can be used in the cavity formed by two opposite grooves.

The connection system for microreactor modules according to the invention has the advantage that individual modules can be removed from the system without having to disassemble the entire structure. The required connections of electrical, fluidic and other types are possible in a rectangular or cube-shaped configuration of the microreactor module in all 6 spatial directions. In principle, however, other configurations are also possible.

Such reactor modules can contain all the operational elements necessary for the construction of a chemical plant, such as reaction rooms, which can be heated or cooled if necessary, in which the substances to be reacted come into contact with each other with vigorous agitation, as well as small stirrers or pumps, distillation elements, microscopic separation gels, centrifuges, for example also fluidic spiral centrifuges or light sources, such as light-conducting glass fibers. Such modules can also contain elements for controlling, regulating, detecting and controlling processes. In this way, systems for manufacturing a wide variety of substances can be assembled. Since only extremely small quantities are converted in such systems, the substances can be heated, cooled or separated in fractions of a second, for example. The module reactors are thus suitable for both mixing, heating, cooling, elec- trip-induced and optically induced with light operations, eg. B. also for measuring and controlling reactions by means of optical detectors, for centrifuging, filtering and for changing physical and chemical States of substances. This is particularly the case because long distances between the individual process steps are eliminated, since the individual reactors are located directly next to one another.

With such arrangements constructed from microreactors, it is possible to control chemical reactions precisely, so that they take place, for example, in a kinetically and / or thermodynamically controlled manner. This results in completely new reaction techniques that were previously not accessible in chemical synthesis. By connecting a large number of such microreactor systems in parallel, it is also possible to use them on a large industrial scale, i.e. H. in the range of several tons per year.

The microreactor module according to the invention can easily be combined with a so-called fluid circuit board, the fluidic equivalent for the electrical circuit boards of electrical engineering. In a special embodiment according to the invention, the microreactor modules are for use with

Fluid circuit boards designed. The fluid circuit board has corresponding connecting elements that match the reactor module. The fluid circuit board itself has conductor elements with which the reactor modules can be provided with reaction fluids, cooling or heating fluids or also mechanical elements or also electrical current or voltage. You can also optical line elements such. B. glass fibers. In a further embodiment according to the invention, the fluid circuit board is designed such that the reactor modules are not or not exclusively arranged in direct contact with one another, but also communicate with one another via the lines arranged in the fluid circuit boards. In the following, embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the drawing:

1 shows a perspective view of a microreactor module; Fig. 2 (a) to 2 (d) arrangement possibilities for a

Number of microreactor modules;

3 (a) and 3 (b) a microreactor module with connecting elements;

4 (a) and 4 (b) schematically show the connection of two microreactor modules with connection elements according to FIG. 3;

5 (a) to 5 (e) clamping elements for the connection according to Fig. 4;

6 (a) and 6 (b) and FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b) further alternative clamping elements for the connection according to FIG. 4;

8 (a) to 8 (c) a variant of the connection of two microreactor modules; and

9 (a) and 9 (b) two further variants for the connection of two microreactor modules.

1 of the drawing shows a microreactor module 10 in the form of a cube, which is provided for a microsystem composed of many such modules with partly different functions. The modules can each be separate functional units for complete processes or functional units for sub-processes, such as mixing, heating, cooling, centrifuging, filtering for electrical-optical operations or detections or also for a change in the physical or chemical state. Other modules in turn can only contain fluid channels or signal lines or can only be termination modules which, for example, terminate fluid lines or lead them out of the system. The cube shape shown is not absolutely necessary for the microreactor modules; for example, the modules can also have a rectangular shape.

In the simplest case, the microreactor module 10 can be designed in one piece, but it is preferably composed of at least 2 parts 11, which are in particular releasably connected to one another. The structures required for the respective function of the module are formed in at least one part, such as fluid channels, cavities for reaction chambers and the like. The parts 11 are screwed together by means of screws 12 in the embodiment shown. However, the parts can also be connected to one another in any other way.

Some of the side surfaces of the microreactor module 10 have fluid channel openings 14, 16, via which fluids are supplied to the module 10 from the outside or via which the fluids are discharged from the module 10 to the outside. The opening 14 is surrounded by an annular groove 17 which receives an elastic sealing element such as an O-ring or the like. The opening 16 is not surrounded by such an annular groove. The (not shown) sealing element in the annular groove 17 is compressed when another, second module is arranged on the side face of the first module 10 with the opening 14 and pressed in such a way that the side faces of both modules abut one another. If the second module has a fluid channel opening 16 without an annular groove opposite the opening 14 in the first module 10, this results in an externally sealed fluid connection between the modules.

In one (or even more) of the side surfaces of the microreactor module 10, bushings 18 for electrical connections, optical viewing windows for monitoring reactions and / or also accesses for introduction or to the Removal of substances, for example also from catalysts and the like, can be provided. A system can also have modules with pure connection and connection functions with measurement and control technology, with actuators, pumps and / or valves.

The microsystem is constructed from a number of such and similar modules, which can be arranged one-dimensionally (linear), two-dimensionally (in one plane) and three-dimensionally (spatially). The modules can be held together by screwing the individual modules together, by screwing them with through screws, or by screwing or clamping them into solid shapes. Figures 2 (a) through 2 (c) show some such arrangements. In the arrangement of FIG. 2 (a), the microreactor modules 10, which are located in a frame 60, are pressed together by screws 62, which act on clamping wedges 64. FIG. 2 (b) shows an arrangement in which the microreactor modules 10 are pressed into the frame 60 by a toggle lever device 66, and FIG. 2 (c) shows an arrangement in which this is done by an eccentric device 68. Finally, FIG. 2 (d) shows a top view of a microsystem arranged in two dimensions, comprising a number of microreactor modules 10, which is held together with tensioning screws 70. When bracing m in the second (or third) dimension, care must be taken that individual cubes are not pressed out of the linear braced module rows. This can be done, for example, with support cubes that only serve as mechanical support and that prevent tilting. In addition, others can

Module cubes can be arranged that contain their own elements or elements that support the reactions.

Clamp connections between the modules on flanges via clamping parts such as ring clamps and are also possible Snap connections with interlocking plug-in elements.

However, such screw, clamp and plug connections are not particularly flexible in terms of their structure, and for example to replace a module, complete dismantling of the overall system is required even in the case of a linear arrangement.

In order to avoid this, provision is therefore made to provide the microreactor module with connecting elements. The first embodiment of a microreactor module 100 shown in FIG. 3 (a) has a connection system with hook-shaped connection elements 120, 122 on the microreactor module 100. The connecting elements 120, 122 can be formed integrally or in one piece with the microreactor module 100. However, they can also be screwed, glued, welded or the like. his. The connecting element 122 is attached to the side of the microreactor module 100 that lies opposite the side with the connecting element 120 and is designed to be complementary to the connecting element 120.

3 (b) shows a preferred embodiment of the connection from FIG. 3 (a), in which the hook-shaped connecting elements 120a, 120b have recesses 121a, 121b and recesses 124a and 124b lying on the corner. In this special embodiment, the recesses 124a, 124b on the corner are arranged in such a way that they have an internal thread for screwing in a screw, the internal threads for the adjacent connecting elements 120a and 120b being arranged such that the screws act as clamping elements 128 from opposite sides can be turned. For a multidimensional connection of microreactor modules 100, further connection elements 120, 122 can be provided on the other opposite sides of the microreactor module 100.

Like the microreactor module 10, the microreactor module 100 consists of parts 111 which are held together by screws 112. Fluid channel openings 114 and 116 with or without a surrounding annular groove 117 are located in the rare walls of the microreactor module 100.

The first connecting element 120 of the microreactor module 100 consists of two mutually spaced, hook-shaped or L-shaped parts cut towards one another and the second connecting element 122 consists of a T-shaped undercut part. When assembling two modules 100, the T-shaped connecting element 122 is pushed behind the two hook-shaped parts of the first connecting element 120 by a relative movement of the two modules parallel to the side walls of the modules on which the connecting elements 120, 122 are located, until the two The modules are exactly opposite each other and any fluid channel openings 114 or 116 are exactly aligned with each other. This alignment can be facilitated by stops on the connection elements 120, 122 (not shown).

As shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b), the connection constructed from the two connecting elements 120, 122 has a clear play, so that the two connecting elements 120, 122 of the two modules to be connected can be pushed into one another, while the modules themselves are held a sufficient distance 130 so that the seal m of the annular groove 117 around the fluid channel opening 114 on a fluid channel 115 is not damaged by shearing during assembly (FIG. 4 (a)). In order to bring the distance 130 between the two modules 100 to be connected to zero, as shown in FIG. 4 (b), and to connect the fluid channels 115 in a sealing manner to the outside, the connecting elements 120, 122 have cutouts 124, 126 on their inner sides (cf. Fig. 3), which run parallel to the abutting side walls of the modules 100 and which, when two modules are assembled, lie opposite one another.

When the fluid channel openings 114, 116 and the modules 100 are aligned with one another, clamping elements 128 are introduced into the cutouts 124, 126, which cancel out the play between the two modules 100 and apply the sealing force required for the fluid seal.

The tensioning elements 128 can be designed differently. 5 (a) shows a cylindrical clamping element 128 and FIG. 5 (b) shows a conical clamping element 128 in the form of corresponding pins or wedges which enter the essentially cylindrical opening formed by the recesses 124, 126 are hammered in, the cylindrical tensioning element 128 preferably being provided with a tip for easier insertion. As shown in FIG. 5 (c), conical screws can also be used as the tensioning element 128. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the clamping element 128 has a cylinder-shaped recess with an internal thread. This makes it possible to screw in the tensioning element 128 with a corresponding mating thread (not shown) and thus to pull it out like a corkscrew from the recesses 124, 126 of the connecting elements 120, 122. Finally, it is possible, as shown in FIGS. 5 (d) and 5 (e), m the opening em formed by the recesses 124, 126 em eccentric element with, for example, oval transverse to bring in the sectional shape, which is rotated about its longitudinal axis to pull the two modules 100 together (see FIG. 5 (e)).

6 (a) and 6 (b) show clamping elements 128 in the form of screws which insert a wedge (FIG. 6 (a)) or two wedges (FIG. 6 (b)) into the recesses 124, Push or pull 126 formed opening.

As shown in FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b), dowel-like slotted sleeves can also be used as clamping elements 128. The tensioning element 128 of FIG. 7 (a) consists of a sleeve slotted at the end, which is provided with a conical internal thread and into which a screw is screwed. Such a sleeve can be easily manufactured by first slitting solid material into which an internal thread is then cut. The sleeve expands so that a conical internal thread is created. When assembling modules 100, the sleeves are inserted into cylindrical recesses 124, 126 and the screws are then screwed into the sleeves.

7 (b) shows a variant in which the sleeve of the tensioning element 128 is slit four times in the middle, for example. When the associated screw is screwed in, the sleeve expands accordingly in the middle.

FIG. 8 shows a connection system for the microreactor modules 100, in which the connection elements 140, 142 for the sliding connection are dovetail-shaped or undercut (FIG. 8 (a)). A clamping element 128 adapted to it can then be inserted into the opening formed by recesses 144, 146 in the connecting elements 140, 142, such as an eccentric clamping element 128, which is rotated to clamp the two modules 100 together (FIG. 8 (b ), Fig. 8 (c)). In an alternative embodiment, the connection system is designed such that the rectangular or cube-shaped housing geometry of the microreactor modules 100 is essentially retained. For this purpose, grooves 150 with an undercut are formed in the side walls of the microreactor modules 100, that is to say in the cube or rectangular body of the modules 100. Two of the grooves 150 are preferably provided in each side wall.

In a first variant, shown in FIG. 9 (a), the groove 150 in each of the side walls of the microreactor module 100 has a T shape. If two modules 100 are placed next to one another, the grooves 150 lie opposite one another and a cavity is formed in a double T shape. The two modules 100 are connected by a profile piece 152 inserted into the cavity, the cross section of which corresponds to the cross section of the cavity from the two opposite grooves 150. One end of the profile piece 152 can be shaped conically for easier insertion.

In another variant, the grooves 150 have a dovetail shape, so that when two modules 100 are put together, a double dovetail is formed, into which a profile piece 152 with a corresponding cross section is inserted.

The microreactor modules described preferably have a standard grid dimension, for example a grid dimension of 25 mm, which is relatively widespread in modular systems.

The material for the microreactor modules is selected as required, for example plastic, steel, stainless steel or also coated material or a composite material. The described microreactor modules can be combined with fluid circuit boards. In terms of fluid technology, fluid circuit boards are the equivalent of the known circuit boards for electrical circuits, and the microreactor modules correspond to the components applied to the circuit boards for specific functions in the circuit. The microreactors on the fluid circuit boards can thus ensure defined conditions in certain process steps, for example ensure exact temperature and mixing ratios and the like. By bringing reactants together, specific reactions can also be brought about in the microreactors, the products of which are then carried on again in the fluid circuit board. Fluid circuit boards can also be used, for example, to feed several parallel microreactor process lines evenly. Similarly, the products from such a system can be collected via a fluid circuit board.

In order to be able to fulfill their function, the microreactor modules must be mechanically and fluidly connected to the fluid circuit board. This can be done via direct connections between the modules and the circuit board or via separate lines. There is also the possibility of using connection modules that route channels in the printed circuit board to certain reactor modules.

Reference list

10 microreactor module

11 parts

12 screws

14, 16 fluid channel openings

17 ring groove

18 socket

60 frames

62 screws

64 wedges

66 toggle device

68 eccentric device

70 clamping screws

100 microreactor module

111 pieces

112 screws

114 fluid channel opening

115 fluid channel

116 fluid channel opening

117 ring groove

120, 122 fasteners

121 recess

128 clamping elements

130 distance

140, 142 fasteners

150 grooves

Claims

claims

1. Microreactor module (100) with reactor elements such as fluid channels (115), reaction chambers, heating devices, mixing devices and the like, a number of microreactor modules (100) of the same and different types being connected to one another via fluid channels

Microreactor system can be assembled, characterized by a connection system with connection elements (120, 122; 140, 142; 150, 152) which, when assembling at least two microreactor modules (100) to form a reactor system, form-fitly connect them to one another such that one

Module leading to the other leading fluid channels (115) are connected to each other sealed.

2. Microreactor module according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting elements as male-female

Elements are formed.

3. Microreactor module according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting elements are gender-neutral.

4. Microreactor module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting elements interlock.

5. Microreactor module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the microreactor system has clamping elements for connecting the modules.

6. Microreactor module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting elements (120, 122; 140, 142) on the microreactor modules (100) are hook-shaped or dovetail-shaped elements which engage with one another in such a way that a relative movement of the Microreactor modules (100) perpendicular to the axis of fluid channels (115) to be connected are possible with a distance (130) of the microreactors from one another, the play between the microreactor modules (100) being able to be canceled out by clamping elements (128) which are inserted into one of the cutouts ( 124, 126; 144, 146) in the connecting elements (120, 122; 140, 142) opening can be used.

7. Microreactor module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping elements

(128) include cylindrical pins, conical screws, conical wedges, slotted sleeves, screws, snap locks and / or eccentric elements.

8. Microreactor module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping elements (128) have an internal thread.

9. Microreactor module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting elements comprise grooves (150) in the microreactor modules (100), two microreactor modules (100) each being connected by profile pieces (152) which are connected in the by two opposite grooves (150) formed cavity can be used.

10. microreactor module according to claim 9, characterized in that the grooves (150) are T-shaped, and that the profile pieces (152) have a corresponding double-T shape

11. Microreactor module according to claim 9, characterized in that the grooves (150) are dovetail-shaped and the profile pieces (152) are correspondingly double-dovetail-shaped.

12. Microreactor module according to claim 11, characterized in that the profile pieces have a tapered end which facilitates insertion.

13. Microreactor module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the connection of one or more microreactor modules with a fluid circuit board.

14. Microreactor module according to claim 13, characterized in that the fluid circuit board contains fluidic, electrical conductor elements, optical conductor elements, mechanical elements, heating and / or cooling elements.