WO2017069579A1

WO2017069579A1 - T-shaped channel apparatus for separating particles and separating method using same

Info

Publication number: WO2017069579A1
Application number: PCT/KR2016/011925
Authority: WO
Inventors: 고정상; 김문정; 전형진
Original assignee: 부산대학교 산학협력단
Priority date: 2015-10-23
Filing date: 2016-10-21
Publication date: 2017-04-27

Abstract

The present invention relates to a particle separation apparatus using a microfluidic system, the microfluidic separation apparatus comprising: a flat main flow path channel; a first inlet having a channel width, which is the same as the channel width of a main flow path, at an inflow side of the fluid flow direction of the flat main flow path channel; a coarse particle outlet having a channel width, which is the same as the channel width of the main flow path, at an outflow side of the fluid flow direction of the flat main flow path channel; and a flat fine particle outlet, which is branched from a lower surface of the main flow path channel so as to communicate with the fluid, and has a channel width, which is the same as the channel width of the flat main flow path, wherein the fluid and solid particles are injected into the first inlet such that coarse particles are separated by the coarse particle outlet and fine particles are separated by the fine particle outlet.

Description

T-channel particle separation device and separation method using the same

The present invention relates to a separation system for separation between particles based on a microfluidic system and a separation method using the same.

Various studies on particle and cell separation based on the microfluidic system have been conducted. Microfluidic systems have the advantage of miniaturization. However, due to the nature of the microfluidic system, the laminar flow is large, which limits the separation performance.

An object of the present invention is to improve the particle separation performance by finding a method for mass-dispersing the particle separation in the microchannel.

The present invention, the flat main channel; A first inlet having a width equal to a channel width of the main flow path, on an inflow side in the fluid flow direction of the flat main channel; A coarse discharge outlet equal to the channel width of the main flow path on the discharge side of the flat main flow channel; A device for separating particles by a microfluidic system, the fluid and solid particles being branched from a lower surface of the main flow channel and connected in fluid communication with a flat differential outlet equal to the channel width of the flat main flow path. It is injected into the first inlet provides a microfluidic separation device characterized in that to separate the large particles to the coarse outlet and the small particles to the fine powder outlet.

Microfluidic systems, unlike macro systems, include: linear flow within the system; Mixing by diffusion of two fluids at the interface; It is a system with very large surface area compared to volume and large surface tension compared to inertia. In the system of the present invention, the height of the channel may be micro size, but the width of the channel may be macro size. In order to ensure the uniformity of the fluid flow rate as the macro size of the channel width is expanded, a diffuser-like configuration is included.

The flat main channel of the present invention is a hollow plate, as shown in Figure 1, the height is micro size and the width is macro size.

The fluid flow direction means the direction from the first inlet to the coarse spout.

A second flat plate having an acute angle with the main flow channel in an opposite direction to the fluid flow direction from the upper surface of the main flow path and branched from the main flow channel for fluid communication; Contains the entrance.

Fluid that does not contain solid particles is injected through the second inlet so that particles injected into the first inlet are spread to the bottom of the main flow channel, thereby increasing separation efficiency.

The specific gravity of the solid particles is characterized by being larger than the specific gravity of the fluid, and allows the particles to separate well into the micro-outlet.

The differential outlet is branched from the main flow channel at an angle of 90 ° or less from the lower surface of the main flow path to the fluid flow direction, and is connected in fluid communication with the channel width of the flat main flow path. The same plate-shaped second inlet. The size difference between the fine particles and the coarse particles can be controlled while controlling the angle with the main channel of the differential outlet.

The longitudinal cross section crossing the channel width (z direction) and the channel height (y direction) perpendicular to the fluid flow direction (x direction) of the main flow channel in the shortest direction is parallel to the opening surface of the first inlet,

The particle separation device includes a diffuser channel, and the diffuser channel includes side grooves in the side of the diffuser channel transversely extending in both directions thereof in a height direction, the opening surface of the side grooves and the opening of the first inlet. The cone-shaped diffuser channel and the main flow channel are connected in fluid communication through an opening surface, and the diffuser channel is a cone-shaped which gradually decreases the area of its cross-section from one of its cross-sections to the other. The larger of the two cross-sections may include a diffuser inlet.

A cross section of the diffuser channel has a base parallel to the plane of the main channel; A hypotenuse which forms an acute angle with the side groove side of the bottom surface; A side groove side between the base and hypotenuse; And curved sides forming a curved surface with the inclined surface at an opposite side of the side groove of the bottom surface.

The particles are lithium carbonate, and the fluid is air.

The particles are characterized by having a density of 500 to 3000 kg / m ³ .

The particles are of the same material, that is, particles having the same mass are injected and separated according to the size difference and density difference. The term identical herein should not be construed as being only numerically exact, but will mean a range that can be separated by size or density with the system of the present invention within an arbitrary range.

In particular, the device of the present invention is characterized in that the angle formed with the main flow channel of the fine powder outlet is adjustable to control the size difference of the separated particles separated into the fine powder outlet and the coarse powder outlet. In addition, the interval in the fluid flow direction of the fine powder outlet is characterized in that it can be controlled to control the size difference of the separation particles separated into the fine powder outlet and the coarse powder outlet.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for separating coarse and fine particles, in the separation device, injecting fluid and fine particles through a first inlet to separate large particles at the coarse outlet and separating small particles to the fine outlet. to provide.

The separation device is branched from the main flow channel in an acute angle with the main flow channel in an opposite direction to the fluid flow direction from an upper surface of the main flow path and connected in fluid communication with the channel width of the flat main flow path. Coarse particles having the same plate-shaped second inlet and injecting a fluid containing no solid particles through the second inlet, and controlling the fluid velocity to separate the coarse particles into the finely divided outlet and the particle size of the coarse particles into the coarse outlet Controlling the difference.

Particles injected with the fluid through the first inlet are characterized in that they are of the same mass with the same material and are separated according to size and density.

In addition, the method of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises controlling the size difference of the separated particles separated into the fine powder outlet and the coarse powder outlet by adjusting the angle formed with the main flow channel of the fine powder outlet.

In addition, by controlling the interval of the fluid flow direction of the fine powder outlet, characterized in that it comprises controlling the size difference of the separated particles separated into the fine powder outlet and the coarse powder outlet.

The present invention provides a method capable of massizing sub-micron sized particle separation.

1 is a three-dimensional image of a microparticle separation system of the present invention.

2 is a conceptual diagram of particle separation of the microparticle separation system of the present invention.

3 shows particle separation parameters of the microparticle separation system of the present invention.

4 is a view for analyzing the particle separation according to the particle diameter of the microparticle separation system of the present invention.

5 shows particle separation analysis results of the microparticle separation system of the present invention.

Figure 6 shows the particle separation analysis results (particle distribution, 4 ~ 6μm diameter particles) of the microparticle separation system of the present invention.

Figure 7 shows the results of the particle separation computational analysis when the angle between the first inlet and the second inlet of the microparticle separation system of the present invention is 30 °.

FIG. 8 shows the particle separation computational analysis velocity vector results when the angle between the first inlet and the second inlet of the microparticle separation system of the present invention is 30 °.

Fig. 9 shows the results of the particle separation computational analysis when the angle between the fine jet port and the crude jet port is 45 °.

Fig. 10 shows the results of the particle separation computational analysis vector when the angle between the fine jet port and the crude jet port is 45 °.

11 is a schematic diagram of a microparticle separation system of the present invention wherein a diffuser channel is introduced at a channel inlet for a constant velocity.

12 shows a cross section of the diffuser channel introduced at the channel inlet for a constant velocity.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a microparticle separation system of the present invention wherein a diffuser channel is introduced at a channel inlet for a constant velocity.

FIG. 14 is a side view of a microparticle separation system of the present invention wherein a diffuser channel is introduced at the channel inlet for a constant velocity.

15 is a velocity distribution at a channel width of 100 mm and a channel height of 100 μm.

16 is a velocity distribution at a channel width of 100 mm and a channel height of 300 μm.

17 is a velocity distribution at a channel width of 100 mm and a channel height of 500 μm.

18 is a velocity distribution at a channel width of 50 mm and a channel height of 100 μm.

19 is a velocity distribution at a channel width of 150 mm and a channel height of 100 μm.

20 is a velocity distribution at a channel width of 200 mm and a channel height of 100 μm.

FIG. 21 shows particle separation computational results (first inlet 6.2 m / s, second inlet 12.4 m / s) at a particle density of 1 kg / m ³ (<air (fluid) density 1.23 kg / m ³ ).

FIG. 22 shows particle separation computational results (first inlet 6.2 m / s, second inlet 12.4 m / s) at 1.23 kg / m ³ (<air (fluid) density 1.23 kg / m ³ ).

FIG. 23 shows particle separation computational results (first inlet 6.2 m / s, second inlet 12.4 m / s) at a particle density of 10 kg / m ³ (<air (fluid) density 1.23 kg / m ³ ).

FIG. 24 shows particle separation computational results (first inlet 6.2 m / s, second inlet 12.4 m / s) at a particle density of 100 kg / m ³ (<air (fluid) density 1.23 kg / m ³ ).

FIG. 25 shows particle separation computational results (first inlet 6.2 m / s, second inlet 12.4 m / s) at a particle density of 500 kg / m ³ (<air (fluid) density 1.23 kg / m ³ ).

FIG. 26 shows particle separation computational results (first inlet 6.2 m / s, second inlet 12.4 m / s) at a particle density of 1500 kg / m ³ (<air (fluid) density 1.23 kg / m ³ ).

FIG. 27 shows particle separation computational results (first inlet 4 m / s, second inlet 5 m / s) at a particle density of 1500 kg / m ³ (<air (fluid) density 1.23 kg / m ³ ).

FIG. 28 shows particle separation computational results (first inlet 6.2 m / s, second inlet 12.4 m / s) at a particle density of 2500 kg / m ³ (<air (fluid) density 1.23 kg / m ³ ).

As the inventive concept allows for various changes and numerous modifications, particular embodiments will be described in detail. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to a specific disclosed form, it should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Terms such as first and second may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first component may be referred to as the second component, and similarly, the second component may also be referred to as the first component.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, the terms "comprise" or "have" are intended to indicate that a feature, component, or the like described in the specification exists, and one or more other features or components may not be present or added thereto. It does not mean nothing.

Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Terms such as those defined in the commonly used dictionaries should be construed as having meanings consistent with the meanings in the context of the related art and shall not be construed in ideal or excessively formal meanings unless expressly defined in this application. Do not.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a microfluidic particle separation device. Microfluidic particle separation device of the present invention comprises a flat main channel 110; A first inlet 111 equal to the channel width of the main flow path on an inflow side of the flat main flow channel in a fluid flow direction; A coarse outlet 112 equal to the channel width of the main flow passage on the discharge side of the flat main flow channel; It is branched from the lower surface of the main flow channel and connected in fluid communication, and includes a flat differential outlet 113 equal to the channel width of the flat main flow path.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating how the particles are separated by the microfluidic particle separation device. Particles in the fluid flowing through the main flow channel separates the large particles to the coarse powder outlet 112 and the small particles to the fine powder outlet 113 according to the density difference of the particles. When particles and fluids flow through the channel inlet, there is a crossroad between the coarse and differential outlets, where particle separation occurs. Depending on the size of the particles, the particles having a relatively high inertia force proceed to the coarse outlet while maintaining the direction of travel, and the relatively small particles exit the fine outlet along the flow flowing downward. This results in particle separation according to size. Particle separation is achieved by the balance of forces between the fluid and the particles trying to maintain inertia. The behavior is determined by the position and size of the particles in the fluid that are going to go straight down while maintaining the inertia of the fluid to flow down.

3 is a schematic diagram showing channel separation parameters, as another example of the microfluidic particle separation system of the present invention. In Figure 3 the separation variables are shown.

The microfluidic particle separation system of the present invention is acutely connected to the main flow channel in an opposite direction to the fluid flow direction from an upper surface of the main flow path, branched from the main flow channel to be in fluid communication, and the flat main flow path. It may comprise a plate-shaped second inlet 114 equal to the channel width of the. A fluid containing no solid particles is injected through the second inlet so that the solid particles injected through the first inlet are spread to the bottom of the main fluid channel, thereby maximizing particle separation efficiency. Fluid (eg air) and particles are injected into the first inlet and only air is injected into the second inlet. The fluid velocity at the second inlet affects the position in the channel of the particles. Depending on the velocity of the fluid, the particles can sink to the bottom of the channel or rise above the channel. By varying this velocity, it is adjusted to reach a position where particles can exit to the differential outlet. The location of the particles can increase the likelihood of separation.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, the differential outlet of the present invention may be branched from the main flow channel to be in fluid communication with the main flow channel at an angle of 90 ° or less from the lower surface of the main flow path in the fluid flow direction. have.

The system of the present invention includes fluid injection through the diffuser channel 210 such that the velocity of the fluid in the main flow path is uniform along the Z direction (indicated in Figure 3). The diffuser channel is configured to position the inlet on the side of the main channel, as illustrated in FIGS. 11 to 13. The diffuser channel includes side grooves 220 crossing the two

end surfaces

231 and 232 in the shortest direction along the height direction on the side of the diffuser channel, and the diffuser channel is one side of both end surfaces 231 and 232 thereof. It is a cone shape from which the area of the cross section thereof gradually decreases from the other surface. The cross section is illustrated in FIG. 12. The opening surface of the first inlet is configured to be parallel to a longitudinal section crossing the channel width (z direction) and the channel height (Y direction) perpendicular to the fluid flow direction (x direction) of the main flow channel, and the side surface The cone-shaped diffuser channel and the main channel are connected in fluid communication through the opening surface of the groove 220 and the opening surface of the first inlet. Fluid is injected through the larger side 231 of both ends of the diffuser channel. The size of the cross-sectional area of the diffuser channel becomes smaller according to the direction of fluid injection into the diffuser channel, and the flow rate passing through the opening surface during the fluid movement to the main fluid channel is set to be uniform along the channel width direction.

Preferably, the cross section of the diffuser channel has a bottom side 241 parallel to the plane of the main channel as shown in FIG. A hypotenuse 242 which forms an acute angle with the side groove 220 side of the bottom; And a curved edge 243 constituting a curved surface with the inclined surface on the opposite side of the side groove of the bottom surface 241.

13 is an example in which a diffuser channel is introduced to maintain a constant speed. For two-dimensional particle separation to be the same in three dimensions, the velocity must remain constant at the same location in the channel. By designing the shape of the diffuser channel of the present invention, a constant velocity distribution can be obtained.

In the table below and shown in Figure 15 to 20 the velocity distribution in the channel. Table 1 shows the _mean velocity (V _mean ), the standard deviation (s), and the coefficient of variation (CV) at the position of each line of FIG. 15. The coefficient of variation

Say the value of. Based on the coefficient of variation, it is assumed that the velocity is constant when the coefficient of variation is less than 10%. It can be seen that the speed is constant according to the position in the table below and FIGS. 15 to 20.

Table 1

	Mean velocity (m / s)	Standard deviation s	Coefficient of variation CV (= s / * 100) (%)
0 mm	115.637	17.124	14.8
10 mm	115.870	9.677	8.4
20 mm	115.990	9.331	8.0
30 mm	115.913	9.207	7.9
40 mm	115.917	9.182	7.9
80 mm	115.527	9.261	8.0
90 mm	115.477	9.443	8.2

Table 1 shows the mean velocity, standard deviation and coefficient of variation at 100 mm channel width and 100 μm channel height.

TABLE 2

	Mean velocity (m / s)	Standard deviation s	Coefficient of variation CV (= s / * 100) (%)
0 mm	32.664	5.491	16.8
10 mm	40.012	5.280	13.2
20 mm	39.385	3.481	8.8
30 mm	39.195	3.064	7.8
40 mm	39.145	2.979	7.6
80 mm	39.147	2.833	7.2
90 mm	39.152	2.611	6.7

Table 2 shows the mean velocity, standard deviation and coefficient of variation at channel width 100 mm and channel height 300 μm.

TABLE 3

	Mean velocity (m / s)	Standard deviation s	Coefficient of variation CV (= s / * 100) (%)
0 mm	27.550	6.129	22.2
10 mm	25.850	5.128	19.8
20 mm	24.702	4.176	16.9
30 mm	24.128	3.909	16.2
40 mm	23.942	3.627	15.1
80 mm	23.746	2.497	10.5
90 mm	23.722	2.315	9.8

Table 3 shows the mean velocity, standard deviation and coefficient of variation at channel width 100 mm and channel height 500 μm.

Table 4

	Mean velocity (m / s)	Standard deviation s	Coefficient of variation CV (= s / * 100) (%)
0 mm	236.996	14.615	6.2
10 mm	244.392	8.504	3.5
20 mm	244.385	8.398	3.4
30 mm	244.385	8.304	3.4
40 mm	244.384	8.259	3.4
80 mm	244.383	8.250	3.4
90 mm	244.383	8.250	3.4

Table 4 shows the average velocity, standard deviation and coefficient of variation at channel width 50 mm and channel height 100 μm.

Table 5

	Mean velocity (m / s)	Standard deviation s	Coefficient of variation CV (= s / * 100) (%)
0 mm	78.935	5.018	6.4
10 mm	77.726	2.416	3.1
20 mm	77.552	2.296	3.0
30 mm	77.541	2.280	2.9
40 mm	77.542	2.245	2.9
80 mm	77.541	2.172	2.8
90 mm	77.541	2.168	2.8

Table 5 shows the average velocity, standard deviation and coefficient of variation at channel width 150 mm and channel height 100 μm.

Based on the particle density of lithium carbonate 2110 kg / m ³ (Figs. 6-8). Particle separation analysis was performed when the density is 1, 1.23, 10, 100, 500, 1500, 2500, 3000 kg / m ³ in FIGS. As can be seen from the results, the density was 1, 1.23, 10, 100 kg / m ³ was not separated better than 500, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000 kg / m ³ of the same analysis conditions. Experimental results The density of separable particles in the system of the present invention may be at least 500 kg / m ³ , preferably 500 kg / m ³ to 3000 kg / m ³ .

Claims

Flat main channel;

A first inlet having a width equal to a channel width of the main flow path, on an inflow side in the fluid flow direction of the flat main channel;

A coarse powder outlet having a width equal to the channel width of the main flow path on the discharge side in the fluid flow direction of the flat main flow channel;

A particle separation apparatus according to a microfluidic system, which is branched from a lower surface of the main flow channel and connected in fluid communication, and includes a flat differential outlet having a width equal to a channel width of the flat main flow path.

The fluid and solid particles are injected into the first inlet to separate large particles at the coarse outlet and to separate small particles at the fine outlet.

Particle Separation Apparatus by Microfluidic System.
The method of claim 1,

A second flat plate having an acute angle with the main flow channel in an opposite direction to the fluid flow direction from the upper surface of the main flow path and branched from the main flow channel for fluid communication; Including the entrance,

Particle Separation Apparatus by Microfluidic System.
The method of claim 2,

Characterized in that the fluid is injected through the second inlet containing no solid particles,

Particle Separation Apparatus by Microfluidic System.
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

Specific gravity of the solid particles, characterized in that greater than the specific gravity of the fluid,

Particle Separation Apparatus by Microfluidic System.
The method of claim 1,

The differential outlet is branched from the main flow channel at an angle of 90 ° or less from the lower surface of the main flow path to the fluid flow direction, and is connected in fluid communication with the channel width of the flat main flow path. Comprising the same flat second inlet,

Particle Separation Apparatus by Microfluidic System.
The method of claim 1,

The longitudinal cross section crossing the channel width (z direction) and the channel height (y direction) perpendicular to the fluid flow direction (x direction) of the main flow channel in the shortest direction is parallel to the opening surface of the first inlet,

The particle separation device comprises a diffuser channel,

The diffuser channel includes side grooves on both sides of the diffuser channel in the shortest direction along the height direction.

The cone-shaped diffuser channel and the main flow channel are connected in fluid communication through the opening surface of the side groove and the opening surface of the first inlet.

The diffuser channel is cone-shaped in which the area of its cross section is gradually reduced from one of its cross sections to the other face,

A diffuser inlet at a larger side of both ends of the diffuser channel;

Particle Separation Apparatus by Microfluidic System.
The method of claim 6,

The cross section of the diffuser channel is

A base parallel to the plane of the main channel;

A hypotenuse which forms an acute angle with the side groove side of the bottom surface;

A side groove side between the base and hypotenuse; And

Characterized in that the curved side forming the curved surface with the inclined surface on the opposite side of the side groove of the bottom,

Particle Separation Apparatus by Microfluidic System.
The method of claim 1,

The particles are lithium carbonate, characterized in that the fluid is air,

Particle Separation Apparatus by Microfluidic System.
The method of claim 1,

Characterized in that the particles have a density of 500 to 3000 kg / m 3 ,

Particle Separation Apparatus by Microfluidic System.
The method of claim 9,

Characterized in that the particles are materials of the same mass and separated according to density or size,

Particle Separation Apparatus by Microfluidic System.
The method of claim 5,

The angle formed with the main flow channel of the differential outlet is configured to be adjustable to control the size difference of the separated particles separated into the differential outlet and the coarse outlet,

Particle Separation Apparatus by Microfluidic System.
The method of claim 1,

The gap in the fluid flow direction of the differential outlet is configured to be adjustable to control the size difference of the separated particles separated into the differential outlet and the coarse outlet,

Particle Separation Apparatus by Microfluidic System.
13. In the separation device of claim 1, coarse and fine particles which inject fluid and fine particles through a first inlet to separate large particles at the coarse outlet and separate small particles to the fine outlet. Separation method.
The method of claim 13,

The separation device is branched from the main flow channel in an acute angle with the main flow channel in an opposite direction to the fluid flow direction from an upper surface of the main flow path and connected in fluid communication with the channel width of the flat main flow path. Including the same plate-shaped second inlet,

Injecting a fluid containing no solid particles through the second inlet, and controlling the fluid velocity to control the particle size difference of the coarse particles separated by the fine powder outlet and the particle separated by the coarse powder outlet,

Process for separating coarse and fine particles by microfluidic system.
The method of claim 13,

Particles injected with the fluid through the first inlet is characterized in that the material of the same mass and separated by density or size,

Process for separating coarse and fine particles by microfluidic system.
The method of claim 13,

And controlling the size difference of the separated particles separated into the fine powder outlet and the coarse powder outlet by adjusting an angle formed with the main flow channel of the fine powder outlet.

Process for separating coarse and fine particles by microfluidic system.
The method of claim 13,

By controlling the interval of the fluid flow direction of the fine powder outlet, controlling the size difference of the separated particles separated into the fine powder outlet and the coarse powder outlet,

Process for separating coarse and fine particles by microfluidic system.