Secondary flow forming device, solid-liquid separation device, and solid-liquid separation system

Abstract

A secondary flow formation device (1) causes a fluid having solid particles dispersed therein to flow through a flow passage (7) and forms a secondary flow of the fluid in the transverse-section direction, the secondary flow formation device comprising a flow passage part (2) that includes the flow passage (7), and a plurality of baffle plates (5) that are formed at the flow passage part (2). The flow passage (7) has a rectangular transverse section such that an aspect ratio (AR), which is a flow passage width (w) divided by a flow passage height (h), is within a range of 3-100. Inner walls forming the flow passage (7) include a top wall (3a) as a first wall and a bottom wall (4c) as a second wall, which are oriented toward each other in the direction in which the flow passage height (h) is defined. The plurality of baffle plates (5) each have a rod-shaped part disposed to the second wall so as to protrude toward the first wall. The extension direction of the baffle plates (5) is parallel to the second wall and is inclined at a fixed inclined angle with respect to the extension direction of the flow passage (7).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a secondary flow forming device, a solid-liquid separation device, and a solid-liquid separation system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in various fields such as industry and medicine, in manufacturing or analytical processing, etc., a technique for separating solid particles dispersed in a fluid under desired conditions has been used. Representative solid-liquid separation techniques include centrifugal separation, membrane separation, sedimentation separation, etc. Further, the solid-liquid separation technique has also been applied to a microfluidic device having a microchannel defined on a scale of mm or μm in terms of the cross-sectional size.

[0003]

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique related to a liquid feeding device that feeds a liquid into a microchannel and performs solid-liquid separation by sedimentation. In this liquid feeding device, a pattern for generating an upward flow with respect to the vertical direction is formed on the inner wall or partition wall of the microchannel at the central portion of the cross-section of the microchannel. This pattern generates a flow opposite to the displacement flow generated as the solid particles settle, thereby canceling out the displacement flow and contributing to obtaining a stable sedimentation rate as a result. On the other hand, a solid-liquid separation technique applying the Tubular pinch effect of concentrating solid particles at a specific position in a channel by the lift or drag force received by the solid particles from the fluid and the inner wall of the channel is also known. For example, in a channel having a circular cross-section, when the Tubular pinch effect occurs, a particle concentration region having a ring-shaped cross-section is formed in the channel. However, in a channel having a rectangular cross-section, although the Tubular pinch effect extends near the left and right end portions in the span direction of the channel, a region where the Tubular pinch effect does not extend may occur at the center in the span direction. Therefore, in a channel having a rectangular cross-section, it is also conceivable to expand the range where the Tubular pinch effect extends by forming a secondary flow in the cross-sectional direction.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1 Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2011-67785 Summary of the Invention Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, in the solid-liquid separation technology applying the tubular pinch effect, it is not easy to stably form a secondary flow over a long distance in the main flow direction of the flow path. For example, if an external power is used to generate a secondary flow, the structure or operation of the solid-liquid separation device may be complicated. On the other hand, without using an external power, for example, it is also conceivable to provide obstacles such as a plurality of struts in the flow path and utilize the wake vortex caused by the obstacles as a secondary flow. However, depending on the shape of the obstacles, the blockage ratio of the flow path may be increased, and as a result, the pressure loss in the flow path may be increased. Further, even if patterns disclosed in Patent Document 1 are applied as the obstacles, these patterns are applicable to a liquid feeding device that performs solid-liquid separation by sedimentation. Therefore, in solid-liquid separation applying the tubular pinch effect, a desired secondary flow is not always generated.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a secondary flow forming device, a solid-liquid separation device, and a solid-liquid separation system that form a secondary flow stably while simplifying the structure. Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] In the present disclosure FirstThe aspect is a secondary flow forming device that circulates a fluid in which solid particles are dispersed through a flow path to form a secondary flow in the cross-sectional direction of the fluid. The secondary flow forming device includes a flow path portion having a flow path and a plurality of baffle plates formed in the flow path portion. The flow path has a rectangular cross-section with an aspect ratio obtained by dividing the flow path width by the flow path height in the range of 3 to 100. The inner walls constituting the flow path include a first wall and a second wall that face each other in the direction in which the flow path height is defined. The plurality of baffle plates are each rod-shaped portions arranged on the second wall so as to protrude toward the first wall. The extending direction of the baffle plate is parallel to the second wall and inclined at a certain inclination angle with respect to the extending direction of the flow path. In addition, the height of the baffle is half of the height of the flow path.

[0009] A second aspect of the present disclosure is a secondary flow forming device that circulates a fluid in which solid particles are dispersed through a flow path to form a secondary flow in the cross-sectional direction of the fluid. The secondary flow forming device includes a flow path portion having a flow path and a plurality of baffle plates formed in the flow path portion. The flow path has a rectangular cross-section with an aspect ratio obtained by dividing the flow path width by the flow path height in the range of 3 to 100. The inner walls constituting the flow path include a first wall and a second wall facing each other in the direction in which the flow path height is defined. The plurality of baffle plates are each rod-shaped portions arranged on the second wall so as to protrude toward the first wall. The extending direction of the baffle plate is parallel to the second wall and inclined at a certain inclination angle with respect to the extending direction of the flow path. The height of the baffle plate is lower than half of the flow path height. Let the inclination angle of the baffle plate be θ, the flow path width be w, the flow path height be h, and the pitch related to the arrangement of the baffle plates be P i Let the number of installed baffle plates be n and the height of the baffle plate be h P Then, for a flow path having an arbitrary flow path width and flow path height, the pitch, the number of installed baffle plates, and the height of the baffle plate are set so as to satisfy the conditions of the following formula (1). of .

[0010]

Equation

[0011] A third aspect of the present disclosure is a secondary flow forming device that circulates a fluid in which solid particles are dispersed through a flow path to form a secondary flow in the cross-sectional direction of the fluid. The secondary flow forming device includes a flow path portion having a flow path and a plurality of baffle plates formed in the flow path portion. The flow path has a rectangular cross-section with an aspect ratio obtained by dividing the flow path width by the flow path height in the range of 3 to 100. The inner walls constituting the flow path include a first wall and a second wall facing each other in the direction in which the flow path height is defined. The plurality of baffle plates are each rod-shaped portions arranged on the second wall so as to protrude toward the first wall. The extending direction of the baffle plate is parallel to the second wall and inclined at a certain inclination angle with respect to the extending direction of the flow path. The height of the baffle plate is higher than half of the flow path height. Let the inclination angle of the baffle plate be θ, the flow path width be w, the flow path height be h, and the pitch related to the arrangement of the baffle plates be P i Let the number of installed baffle plates be n and the height of the baffle plate be h P Then, for a flow path having an arbitrary flow path width and flow path height, the pitch, the number of installed baffle plates, and the height of the baffle plate are set so as to satisfy the conditions of the following formula (2). of .

[0012]

Equation

[0013] A fourth aspect of the present disclosure is a secondary flow forming device that circulates a fluid in which solid particles are dispersed through a flow path to form a secondary flow in the cross-sectional direction of the fluid. The secondary flow forming device includes a flow path portion having a flow path and a plurality of baffle plates formed in the flow path portion. The flow path has a rectangular cross-section with an aspect ratio obtained by dividing the flow path width by the flow path height in the range of 3 to 100. The inner walls constituting the flow path include a first wall and a second wall facing each other in the direction in which the flow path height is defined. The plurality of baffle plates are each rod-shaped portions arranged on the second wall so as to protrude toward the first wall. The extending direction of the baffle plate is parallel to the second wall and inclined at a certain inclination angle with respect to the extending direction of the flow path. Let the width of the baffle be w p Let the flow channel width be w, the flow channel height be h, and the pitch related to the arrangement of the baffles be P i Let the number of baffles in an arbitrary cross-section be m, and the height of the baffle be h P Then, the upper limit value of the width of the baffle satisfies the following formula (3) condition such .

[0014]

Number

[0018] In addition, another aspect of the present disclosure is a solid-liquid separation device for separating solid particles from a fluid in which solid particles are dispersed, comprising a secondary flow forming device for forming a secondary flow in the cross-sectional direction of the fluid, the secondary flow forming device being the above-mentioned secondary flow forming device, and separating solid particles from the fluid while forming a secondary flow in the fluid.

[0019] The above solid-liquid separation device includes a fluid outlet part having at least three outlet channels communicating with the downstream side of the flow channel of the secondary flow forming device, and the at least three outlet channels may branch from each other in the direction in which the flow channel width is defined. In addition, the inlet width of each of the two outlet channels located at both ends in the direction in which the flow channel width is defined may be set to a dimension within the range of not less than 2 times the flow channel height and not more than 45% of the flow channel width.

[0020] Furthermore, a solid-liquid separation system according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes a solid-liquid separation device for separating solid particles from a fluid in which solid particles are dispersed, a storage tank for storing the fluid, a liquid sending part for sending the fluid from the storage tank to the solid-liquid separation device, and at least a control part for adjusting at least the flow rate or velocity of the fluid by controlling the operation of the liquid sending part, and the solid-liquid separation device is the above-mentioned solid-liquid separation device.

Advantages of the Invention

[0021] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a secondary flow forming device, a solid-liquid separation device, and a solid-liquid separation system that can stably form a secondary flow while simplifying the structure.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6A

Figure 6B

Figure 7A

Figure 7B

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] Hereinafter, several exemplary embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, the dimensions, materials, and other specific numerical values shown in each embodiment are merely examples, and do not limit the present disclosure unless otherwise specified. Also, for elements having substantially the same function and configuration, the same reference numerals are given to omit redundant description, and for elements not directly related to the present disclosure, illustration is omitted.

[0024] (Secondary Flow Forming Device) FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a secondary flow forming device 1 according to an embodiment. The secondary flow forming device 1 is used, for example, in a solid-liquid separation device that separates solid particles from a fluid in which solid particles are dispersed. The secondary flow forming device 1 generates a secondary flow in the cross-sectional direction of the fluid flowing through the flow path 7, and concentrates the solid particles at a specific position in the flow path 7 by the tube pinch effect.

[0025] The fluid in which solid particles are dispersed generally refers to a liquid (particle dispersion liquid) containing a large number of solid particles. In the present embodiment, solid-liquid separation basically means separating solid particles having a specific particle diameter from among those in a fluid on the premise that solid particles having various particle diameters (particle sizes) are previously dispersed in the fluid. As the solid particles to be circulated or separated by the secondary flow forming device 1, for example, fine particles having a particle diameter in the range of 1 μm to 1 mm are assumed.

[0026] The secondary flow forming device 1 includes a flow path portion 2 as a block body having a flow path 7 through which a fluid is introduced and circulated. The flow path portion 2 may be a microfluidic device in which the cross section of the flow path 7 is defined on the scale of mm or μm. In FIG. 1, the introduction direction (IN) of the fluid into the flow path 7 and the discharge direction (OUT) of the fluid from the flow path 7 are indicated by white arrows.

[0027] The flow path 7 extends linearly. Here, linearly means that the extending direction of the flow path 7 is along the X direction in the figure, which is an example of one direction. However, it is not strictly limited to a straight line, and a slight bend is allowed as long as the action on the fluid by the baffle plate 5 described in detail below can be obtained as desired.

[0028] Further, the cross-section of the flow path 7 is rectangular. The rectangle here is not a shape geometrically strictly interpreted, allowing for some bending of the sides themselves or some curved portions at the continuous parts of the sides. Assuming that the extending direction of the flow path 7 is along the X direction, the cross-section of the flow path 7 is the YZ cross-section. In this case, the long side in the cross-section of the flow path 7 is along the Y direction, and is hereinafter defined as the flow path width w. On the other hand, the short side in the cross-section of the flow path 7 is along the Z direction, and is hereinafter defined as the flow path height h. That is, the flow path height h is perpendicular to the flow path width w in the cross-section. Hereinafter, the Y direction may be expressed as the flow path width direction, and the Z direction may be expressed as the flow path height direction, respectively. Further, hereinafter, the Z direction is assumed to be parallel to the vertical direction, and may be appropriately expressed as "up" or "down" along this Z direction. In the present embodiment, the dimensional value of the flow path width w is larger than the dimensional value of the flow path height h. Specifically, the aspect ratio A R (A R = w / h) is in the range from 3 to 100.

[0029] The flow path portion 2 is formed, for example, by overlapping two flat plates, the first flat plate 3 and the second flat plate 4, in the Z direction. The lower second flat plate 4 has, on the upper surface side facing the first flat plate 3, as a groove portion, three inner walls defining the shape of the flow path 7, that is, the first side wall 4a, the second side wall 4b, and the bottom wall 4c. The first side wall 4a and the second side wall 4b face each other in the Y direction and are side walls corresponding to the respective short side sides in the cross-section. On the other hand, the upper first flat plate 3 is a so-called lid body and is joined to the second flat plate 4 so as to cover the flow path 7 on the lower surface. When the first flat plate 3 is joined to the second flat plate 4, in the first flat plate 3, the wall portion facing the bottom wall 4c of the second flat plate 4 is the upper wall 3a which is the remaining one inner wall defining the shape of the flow path 7. The upper wall 3a and the bottom wall 4c face each other in the Z direction and are side walls corresponding to the respective long side sides in the cross-section. In FIG. 1, in order to clearly show the overall shape of the flow path 7, the first flat plate 3 is drawn with a two-dot chain line.

[0030] In addition, the secondary flow forming device 1 has a plurality of baffle plates 5 in the flow path portion 2. The baffle plate 5 in the present embodiment is a protruding portion that protrudes from the bottom wall 4c of the second flat plate 4 toward the lower surface of the first flat plate 3. The upper surface of the baffle plate 5 does not contact the first flat plate 3. The plurality of baffle plates 5 have the same shape as each other and are arranged in the flow path 7 with a certain regularity as will be described in detail below. In FIG. 1, six baffle plates 5 represented by a first plate 5a, a second plate 5b, a third plate 5c, a fourth plate 5d, a fifth plate 5e, and a sixth plate 5f are illustrated. In addition, in FIG. 1, the baffle plate 5 that intersects the inlet or outlet of the secondary flow forming device 1 is represented in a shape in which there is no part extending outward from the secondary flow forming device 1 from the intersection position or its vicinity as an illustrative example in the drawing.

[0031] FIG. 2 corresponds to the II-II cross section in FIG. 1 and is a cross-sectional view of cutting a part of the secondary flow forming device 1 in a plane perpendicular to the X direction which is the extending direction of the flow path 7. In FIG. 2, the state of the flow of the fluid flowing in the flow path 7 at the cut surface is illustrated by vectors. FIG. 3 is a schematic view for explaining the shape of the baffle plate 5 and the arrangement relationship of the plurality of baffle plates 5 when viewed along the Z direction. FIG. 3 is represented as a partial cross-sectional view in which a part of the flow path portion 2 is cut by an arbitrary XY plane.

[0032] The baffle plate 5 is a rod-shaped portion that is parallel to the bottom wall 4c along the XY plane and extends in a direction inclined at an inclination angle θ with respect to the X direction. However, both tip portions of each baffle plate 5 may be notched along the XZ plane. Let the length of the baffle plate 5 in the extending direction be the baffle plate length L P Then, the length component L of the baffle plate 5 in the Y direction which is the direction in which the flow path width w is defined (hereinafter referred to as the "flow path width direction") Y is represented by L P sin θ and is shorter than the flow path width w. In addition, the baffle plate 5 is not in contact with either the first side wall 4a or the second side wall 4b. In the flow path 7, n baffle plates 5 having such a shape are arranged at equal intervals with a pitch P i along the X direction.

[0033] The shape of the cross-section perpendicular to the extending direction of the baffle plate 5 is approximately rectangular. Hereinafter, regarding the cross-section of the baffle plate 5, the height of the baffle plate 5 is denoted as the baffle plate height h P and the width of the baffle plate 5 is denoted as the baffle plate width w p respectively.

[0034] The baffle plate height h P is set as follows, for example, based on the channel height h of the channel 7. First, the flow velocity of the fluid flowing through the channel 7 is defined as follows. V0 is the mainstream flow velocity of the fluid introduced into the channel 7 along the X direction, which is the extending direction of the channel 7. V1 is the first flow velocity in the direction along the extending direction of the baffle plate 5. V2 is the second flow velocity in the Y direction, which is the channel width direction, and is expressed by Equation (5) using the mainstream velocity V0.

[0035]

Number

[0036] Also, the time t for the mainstream of the fluid to pass through the section where a plurality of baffle plates 5 are provided is expressed by Equation (6).

[0037]

Number

[0038] Furthermore, in order to capture at least the solid particles dispersed in the fluid near the first side wall 4a or the second side wall 4b, it is necessary for the flow in the channel width direction to flow at least once around the cross-section of the channel 7 while the mainstream of the fluid passes through the section where a plurality of baffle plates 5 are provided. Therefore, Equation (7) holds.

[0039]

Number

[0040] Here, first, the baffle plate height h PWhen it is at a height that is half of the channel height h, i.e., 0.5h, the plurality of baffle plates 5 can generate secondary flow most efficiently.

[0041] Second, when the baffle plate height h P is lower than 0.5h, the flow rate of the secondary flow decreases. Therefore, assuming that the flow rate of the secondary flow decreases proportionally as the baffle plate height h P decreases, the above condition that the flow in the channel width direction circulates at least once around the cross-section of the channel 7 may be changed to a condition of at least (0.5h / h P ). In this case, Equation (7) is modified to Equation (8).

[0042]

Equation

[0043] Substituting Equations (5) and (6) into Equation (8) and arranging gives the previously derived Equation (1).

[0044]

Equation

[0045] Therefore, when the baffle plate height h P is lower than 0.5h, for a channel 7 having an arbitrary channel width w and channel height h, the pitch P i relating to the arrangement of the baffle plates 5, the number of installed baffle plates n, and the baffle plate height h P may be set so as to satisfy the condition of Equation (1).

[0046] Third, when the baffle plate height h P is higher than 0.5h, the flow rate of the secondary flow also decreases. Therefore, assuming that the flow rate of the secondary flow decreases proportionally as the baffle plate height h P increases, the above condition that the flow in the channel width direction circulates at least once around the cross-section of the channel 7 may be changed to a condition of at least (0.5h / (h - h PIt may be changed to the condition of one cycle. In this case, Equation (7) is modified to Equation (9).

[0047]

Equation

[0048] Substituting Equations (5) and (6) into Equation (9) and arranging them leads to the previously derived Equation (2).

[0049]

Equation

[0050] Therefore, when the baffle height h P is higher than 0.5h, for the flow path 7 having an arbitrary flow path width w and flow path height h, the pitch P i relating to the arrangement of the baffle plates 5, the number n of the baffle plates 5 installed, and the baffle height h P may be set so as to satisfy the condition of Equation (2).

[0051] That is, the upper limit value of the baffle height h P when a plurality of baffle plates 5 are adopted is defined based on Equation (2), and the lower limit value of the baffle height h P may be defined based on Equation (1).

[0052] Also, the baffle width w p is set as follows based on the condition that, for example, in order to reduce the pressure loss in the flow path 7, it is desirable that the blockage ratio of the cross section of the flow path 7 be 0.5 or less. The cross section of the flow path 7 when it is assumed that there is no baffle plate 5 is represented by (flow path width w × flow path height h). Therefore, assuming that the number of baffle plates 5 in a certain cross section is m, in order to satisfy the condition that the blockage ratio is 0.5 or less, the upper limit value of the baffle width w p may be set to satisfy the previously derived Equation (3). On the other hand, the lower limit value of the baffle width w p is desirably set as small as possible.

[0053]

Number

[0054] Furthermore, the inclination angle θ of the baffle plate 5 may be determined within a range defined by the upper and lower limit values based on Formula (1) and Formula (2) and set to a value within the range. However, if the inclination angle θ is too large, flow separation may occur, and it is conceivable that the secondary flow may become unintended. On the other hand, from the perspective of suppressing flow separation as well, it is desirable that the inclination angle θ be as small as possible. However, if it is too small, the value of tan θ becomes small, and as a result, the pitch P related to the arrangement of the baffle plate 5 referred to in Formula (1) etc. i Or it may be necessary to set a large number n of the baffle plates 5 installed. Since this is not desirable from the perspective of an increase in pressure loss in the flow path 7, it is desirable that the inclination angle θ be at least 1° or more. Therefore, it is desirable that the inclination angle θ be in the range of 1° or more and 45° or less, and more desirably, 1° or more and 30° or less.

[0055] By adopting a plurality of baffle plates 5 in the secondary flow forming device 1, as is clear from the direction in which the vectors at each position in the flow path 7 shown in FIG. 2 point, it can be seen that a secondary flow in the cross-sectional direction occurs in the fluid flowing through the flow path 7. As a comparative example, when a plurality of cylinders are adopted instead of the plurality of baffle plates 5, the secondary flow occurs strongly immediately after the cylinders, but gradually attenuates as it goes downstream. In contrast, when a plurality of baffle plates 5 are adopted, the secondary flow is less likely to attenuate.

[0056] FIG. 4 is a fluid image showing the behavior of solid particles p in the fluid that has passed through the flow path 7. Note that the behavior of the solid particles in the fluid while passing through the flow path 7 may also be similar to the behavior shown in FIG. 4. The fluid image shown in FIG. 4 is obtained by photographing the fluid flowing through a part of the flow path 7 along the Z direction. Here, the plurality of baffle plates 5 are arranged along the X direction from the upstream side to the downstream side of the flow path 7. In FIG. 4, the approximate positions of the baffle plates 5 with respect to the position in the flow path 7 where the fluid image was acquired are shown by a two-dot chain line adjacent to the fluid image.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 4, it can be seen that as the fluid in which the solid particles p are dispersed flows through the flow path 7, the solid particles p are captured at least in the vicinity of the first side wall 4a or the second side wall 4b. As an example, when the fluid image shown in FIG. 4 is obtained, the particle concentration in the inlet region R IN of the flow path 7 was 0.55 vol%. On the other hand, on the outlet side of the flow path 7, in the high-concentration region R H where the solid particles p have gathered, the particle concentration was 1.33 vol%. On the other hand, on the outlet side of the flow path 7, in the low-concentration region R L where there are few solid particles p, the particle concentration was 0.11 vol%.

[0058] On the other hand, the secondary flow forming device 1 can capture the solid particles p not only in the vicinity of the first side wall 4a or the second side wall 4b but also in the central region in the flow path width direction of the flow path 7 as shown in FIG. 4 by adopting a plurality of baffle plates 5.

[0059] Here, paying attention to the baffle plate length L P in the central region of the flow path 7 in the flow path width direction. In order to capture the solid particles p in the central region in this way, it is necessary to generate a tube pinch effect as the action of the plurality of baffle plates 5, that is, the solid particles p need to flow along the baffle plates 5 for a certain distance. And this distance needs to be at least 100 times or more the flow path height h. Therefore, as long as the conditions of the above-mentioned formula (4) using the baffle plate length L P , the number of installed baffle plates n, and the flow path height h are satisfied.

[0060]

Equation

[0061] Furthermore, as a condition for capturing the solid particles p in the central region in the flow path width direction of the flow path 7, attention is paid to the position of the rearmost end of the baffle plate 5 that is the most downstream among the plurality of baffle plates 5. Referring to FIG. 2, the baffle plate 5 that is the most downstream among the plurality of baffle plates 5 corresponds to the sixth plate 5f. In order to guide the solid particles p captured in the central region in the flow path width direction of the flow path 7 by the plurality of baffle plates 5 to the downstream of the flow path 7 as they are, it is desirable that the rearmost end of the baffle plate 5 that is the most downstream is as close as possible to the center in the flow path width direction of the flow path 7. Therefore, the distance e between the rearmost end of the baffle plate 5 that is the most downstream among the plurality of baffle plates 5 and the first side wall 4a or the second side wall 4b closest to the rearmost end is desirably in the range of 0.35w or more and 0.65w or less, where w is the flow path width. Referring to FIG. 3, the distance e corresponds to the distance between the rearmost end of the baffle plate 5 that can correspond to the sixth plate 5f and the first side wall 4a.

[0062] Next, the effect of the secondary flow forming device 1 will be described.

[0063] The secondary flow forming device 1 circulates a fluid in which solid particles p are dispersed through the flow path 7 to form a secondary flow in the cross-sectional direction of the fluid, and includes a flow path portion 2 having the flow path 7 and a plurality of baffle plates 5 formed in the flow path portion 2. The flow path 7 has a rectangular cross-section with an aspect ratio A obtained by dividing the flow path width w by the flow path height h R in the range from 3 to 100. The inner walls constituting the flow path 7 include a first wall and a second wall that face each other in the direction in which the flow path height h is defined. The plurality of baffle plates 5 are each rod-shaped portions arranged on the second wall so as to protrude toward the first wall. The extending direction of each baffle plate 5 is parallel to the second wall and inclined at a certain inclination angle with respect to the extending direction of the flow path 7.

[0064] Here, in the above example, the first wall corresponds to the upper wall 3a of the first flat plate 3 that constitutes a part of the flow path portion 2, and the second wall corresponds to the bottom wall 4c of the second flat plate 4 that constitutes another part of the flow path portion 2.

[0065] First, in the secondary flow forming device 1, the flow path 7 has an aspect ratio A RIt is defined as having a rectangular cross-section in the range from 3 to 100. Thereby, a tube pinch effect is generated on the fluid flowing through the flow path 7, and the solid particles p dispersed in the fluid can be captured at least near the first side wall 4a or the second side wall 4b, which are inner walls facing each other in the flow path width direction.

[0066] In addition, in the secondary flow forming device 1, since a plurality of baffle plates 5 are provided, a secondary flow can be formed in the fluid flowing through the flow path 7. When such a secondary flow occurs, the solid particles p dispersed in the fluid receive the drag induced by the secondary flow. Therefore, for example, the separation efficiency can be improved compared to the case where the solid particles p are separated only by the lift induced by the main flow of the fluid. And especially according to the shape and arrangement of the plurality of baffle plates 5 defined as above, an increase in the blockage ratio of the flow path 7 can be suppressed, and as a result, the pressure loss in the flow path 7 can be suppressed. Thus, a secondary flow can be stably formed over a long distance in the main flow direction of the flow path 7.

[0067] Furthermore, since the plurality of baffle plates 5 are positioned as a so-called passive type secondary flow forming mechanism that does not utilize external power, the secondary flow forming device 1 as a whole can also have a simple structure.

[0068] As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a secondary flow forming device 1 that stably forms a secondary flow while simplifying the structure.

[0069] Also, in the secondary flow forming device 1, the height h of the baffle plate 5 P may be half of the flow path height h.

[0070] According to this secondary flow forming device 1, from the viewpoint of suppressing the pressure loss in the flow path 7, the plurality of baffle plates 5 can generate a secondary flow most efficiently.

[0071] Also, in the secondary flow forming device 1, the height h of the baffle plate 5 Pmay be lower than half of the channel height h. Here, let the inclination angle of the baffle plate 5 be θ, the channel width be w, the channel height be h, and the pitch related to the arrangement of the baffle plates 5 be P i Let the number of installed baffle plates 5 be n, and the height of the baffle plate 5 be h P In this case, for a channel 7 having an arbitrary channel width w and channel height h, the pitch P i , the number of installed baffle plates 5, n, and the height of the baffle plate 5, h P may be set.

[0072] As described above, when the height h of the baffle plate P is lower than 0.5h, the flow rate of the secondary flow decreases. According to this secondary flow forming device 1, since the dimensions of each part can be set assuming in advance that the flow rate of the secondary flow decreases proportionally as the baffle plate height h P decreases, a decrease in the generation efficiency of the secondary flow can be suppressed.

[0073] Also, in the secondary flow forming device 1, the height h of the baffle plate 5 P may be higher than half of the channel height h. Here, let the inclination angle of the baffle plate 5 be θ, the channel width be w, the channel height be h, and the pitch related to the arrangement of the baffle plates 5 be P i Let the number of installed baffle plates 5 be n, and the height of the baffle plate 5 be h P In this case, for a channel 7 having an arbitrary channel width w and channel height h, the pitch P i , the number of installed baffle plates 5, n, and the height of the baffle plate 5, h P may be set.

[0074] As described above, even when the height h of the baffle plate P is higher than 0.5h, the flow rate of the secondary flow decreases. According to this secondary flow forming device 1, since the dimensions of each part can be set assuming in advance that the flow rate of the secondary flow decreases proportionally as the baffle plate height h P increases, a decrease in the generation efficiency of the secondary flow can be suppressed.

[0075] Also, let the width of the baffle plate 5 be w p Let the flow path width be w, the flow path height be h, and the pitch related to the arrangement of the baffle plates 5 be P i Let the number of baffle plates 5 in an arbitrary cross section be m, and the height of the baffle plate 5 be h P In this case, in the secondary flow forming device 1, the upper limit value of the width w of the baffle plate 5 p may satisfy the conditions of the above formula (3).

[0076] According to this secondary flow forming device 1, since the condition that the blockage ratio is 0.5 or less can be satisfied, as a result, the pressure loss in the flow path 7 can be further reduced.

[0077] Also, in the secondary flow forming device 1, the inclination angle θ of the baffle plate 5 may be in the range of 1° or more and 45° or less.

[0078] According to this secondary flow forming device 1, the separation of the flow in the flow path 7 can be suppressed, and thus, the increase in the pressure loss in the flow path 7 can be suppressed.

[0079] Also, in the secondary flow forming device 1, let the length in the extending direction of the baffle plate 5 be L P Let the number of installed baffle plates 5 be n, and the flow path height be h. Then, the conditions of the above formula (4) may be satisfied.

[0080] According to this secondary flow forming device 1, not only can the solid particles p dispersed in the fluid be captured near the first side wall 4a or the second side wall 4b, which are the inner walls facing each other in the flow path width direction, but also can be captured in the central region in the flow path width direction of the flow path 7.

[0081] Also, the inner walls constituting the flow path 7 include a third wall and a fourth wall facing each other in the direction in which the flow path width w is defined. In this case, in the secondary flow forming device 1, the length component L of the baffle plate 5 along the direction of the flow path width w Y is shorter than the flow path width w, and the baffle plate 5 may be non-contact with the third wall and the fourth wall.

[0082] Here, in the above example, the third wall corresponds to the first side wall 4a of the second flat plate 4 that constitutes a part of the flow path portion 2, and the fourth wall corresponds to the second side wall 4b of the second flat plate 4.

[0083] According to this secondary flow forming device 1, since the flow in the flow path width direction easily circulates in the cross section of the flow path 7, a secondary flow can be formed more stably over a long distance in the main flow direction of the flow path 7.

[0084] Further, in the secondary flow forming device 1, the distance e between the rearmost end of the rearmost baffle plate 5 among the plurality of baffle plates 5 and the third wall or the fourth wall closest to the rearmost end may be in the range of 0.35w or more and 0.65w or less, where w is the flow path width.

[0085] According to this secondary flow forming device 1, not only can the solid particles p dispersed in the fluid be captured near the first side wall 4a or the second side wall 4b, which are the inner walls facing each other in the flow path width direction, but also in the central region in the flow path width direction of the flow path 7.

[0086] In the above example, the plurality of baffle plates 5 are provided on the bottom wall 4c of the second flat plate 4 and protrude from the bottom wall 4c toward the upper wall 3a of the first flat plate 3. That is, the first wall corresponds to the upper wall 3a, and the second wall corresponds to the bottom wall 4c. In contrast, the plurality of baffle plates 5 may be provided on the upper wall 3a and protrude from the upper wall 3a toward the bottom wall 4c. That is, the first wall may correspond to the bottom wall 4c, and the second wall may correspond to the upper wall 3a. Or, the plurality of baffle plates 5 may be provided on both the upper wall 3a and the bottom wall 4c so as to face each other without contact.

[0087] Also, in the above example, the plurality of baffle plates 5 are arranged at a pitch P of one value over the entire extending direction of the flow path 7. i In contrast, the plurality of baffle plates 5 may be arranged at a plurality of values of pitch P over the entire extending direction of the flow path 7, that is, the value of the pitch P may be changed and arranged in the middle. However, the pitch P i i i ​​If the value of is too small, the viscous resistance becomes large, so the pitch P i It is desirable to set the value of h to be larger than the flow path height h.

[0088] In the above example, the multiple baffle plates 5 are provided in the center of the flow path width w of the flow path 7. That is, in the flow path width direction, the distance from the baffle plate 5 to the first side wall 4a and the distance from the baffle plate 5 to the second side wall 4b are the same. In contrast, the multiple baffle plates 5 may be provided closer to the first side wall 4a than to the second side wall 4b in the flow path width direction, or conversely, closer to the second side wall 4b than to the first side wall 4a.

[0089] Furthermore, in the above example, the flow path section 2 is configured by combining two flat plates, the first flat plate 3 and the second flat plate 4. However, the flow path section 2 may be integrally formed by using, for example, a three-dimensional metal additive manufacturing technique. By forming the flow path section 2 in this manner, the flow path section 2 and thus the secondary flow forming device 1 can be mass-produced at low cost.

[0090] (Solid-liquid separator) Next, a solid-liquid separation device using the secondary flow forming device 1 will be described.

[0091] Fig. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a solid-liquid separation apparatus 10 according to one embodiment. In Fig. 5, the overall configuration of the solid-liquid separation apparatus 10 is drawn to match the cross-sectional view of Fig. 3 used in the description of the secondary flow forming device 1.

[0092] The solid-liquid separator 10 separates solid particles from a fluid in which the solid particles are dispersed according to a desired criterion, and discharges each fluid containing the solid particles sorted according to the criterion to the outside. The criterion here is, for example, the particle diameter of the solid particles. The solid-liquid separator 10 includes the secondary flow forming device 1 described above, a fluid inlet 11, and a fluid outlet 12.

[0093] The fluid introduction part 11 is connected to the upstream side of the secondary flow forming device 1, and introduces the fluid into the flow path 7 in accordance with the fluid introduction direction ("IN" in FIG. 1). The fluid introduction part 11 is, for example, a block body having a flow path 11a in accordance with the shape of the upstream side of the secondary flow forming device 1. Note that the fluid introduction part 11 may be a part that is integrated with the secondary flow forming device 1 in advance, as shown in FIG. 5. Alternatively, the fluid introduction part 11 may be manufactured separately from the secondary flow forming device 1, and then connected to the secondary flow forming device 1.

[0094] The flow path 11a has a first inlet 11b which is the inlet side of the fluid, and a first outlet 11c which is the outlet side of the fluid. The first inlet 11b communicates with a supply mechanism (not shown) which supplies the fluid to the fluid inlet section 11. The number of the first inlets 11b is one in this embodiment, but is not limited thereto. There may be a plurality of first inlets 11b so that the fluids are individually introduced from a plurality of supply mechanisms into the same flow path 11a. That is, the fluid inlet section 11 has at least one first inlet 11b. On the other hand, the first outlet 11c communicates with the second inlet 8a which is the inlet side of the fluid in the flow path 7 of the secondary flow forming device 1. That is, at least the cross section of the first outlet 11c connected to the second inlet 8a of the flow path 11a has the same shape as the cross section of the flow path 7 of the secondary flow forming device 1.

[0095] The fluid outlet portion 12 is connected to the downstream side of the secondary flow forming device 1, and introduces the fluid from the flow path 7 in accordance with the fluid discharge direction ("OUT" in FIG. 1), and then distributes the fluid to the outside. The fluid outlet portion 12 is, for example, a block body having at least three outlet paths while matching the shape of the downstream side of the secondary flow forming device 1. Note that the fluid outlet portion 12 may be a part that is integrated with the secondary flow forming device 1 in advance, as shown in FIG. 5. Alternatively, the fluid outlet portion 12 may be manufactured separately from the secondary flow forming device 1, and then connected to the secondary flow forming device 1.

[0096] In the fluid outlet section 12, at least three outlet channels are preset for each fluid containing solid particles distributed in the fluid and sorted by the channel 7 of the secondary flow forming device 1. Here, in the secondary flow forming device 1, an example is shown in which the solid particles p dispersed in the fluid are captured near the first side wall 4a or the second side wall 4b, which are inner walls facing each other in the channel width direction of the channel 7, and may also be captured in the central region in the channel width direction. Therefore, in the fluid outlet section 12, it branches into at least three outlet channels in the channel width direction from the third inlet 12d communicating with the second outlet 8b on the fluid outlet side in the channel 7. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the fluid outlet section 12 has three outlet channels: a first outlet channel 12a, a second outlet channel 12b, and a third outlet channel 12c.

[0097] FIG. 6A is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the fluid outlet section 12 partially extracted from the cross-sectional view of the solid-liquid separation device 10 shown in FIG. 5. Hereinafter, it is assumed that the cross-sectional shapes of the first outlet channel 12a, the second outlet channel 12b, and the third outlet channel 12c are each rectangular. Regarding the shape of the opening of each part, the length along the Y direction is denoted as the "opening width", and the length along the Z direction is denoted as the "opening height".

[0098] The first outlet channel 12a is a channel assumed to allow the fluid containing the solid particles captured near the first side wall 4a in the channel 7 of the secondary flow forming device 1 to flow through. The opening on the fluid introduction side of the first outlet channel 12a is the first branch port 12h, which faces the third inlet 12d. The opening on the fluid outlet side of the first outlet channel 12a is the first discharge port 12e.

[0099] The second outlet channel 12b is a channel assumed to allow the fluid containing the solid particles captured near the second side wall 4b in the channel 7 of the secondary flow forming device 1 to flow through. The opening on the fluid introduction side of the second outlet channel 12b is the second branch port 12i, which faces the third inlet 12d. The opening on the fluid outlet side of the second outlet channel 12b is the third discharge port 12g.

[0100] The third outlet channel 12c is such that the central region in the channel width direction in the channel 7 of the secondary flow forming device 1 is the low-concentration region R in FIG. 4 LIn the case of a region as shown, it is a flow path assuming that a fluid with a small content of solid particles p flows through. Or, in the flow path 7, the central region in the flow path width direction of the third outlet path 12c is the high-concentration region R in FIG. 4 H In the case of a region as shown, it is a flow path assuming that a fluid containing captured solid particles flows through. The opening on the fluid introduction side of the third outlet path 12c is the third branch port 12j and faces the third inlet port 12d. The opening on the fluid outlet side of the third outlet path 12c is the second outlet port 12f

[0101] In the fluid outlet section 12, the entire cross-section of the third inlet port 12d has the same shape as the cross-section of the flow path 7 of the secondary flow forming device 1. At the third inlet port 12d, the first branch port 12h, the second branch port 12i, and the third branch port 12j are arranged in the order of the first branch port 12h, the third branch port 12j, and the second branch port 12i along the Y direction in the figure corresponding to the flow path width direction. In FIG. 6A, regarding the opening width (hereinafter referred to as the "inlet width") at the third inlet port 12d, the inlet widths w1 of the first branch port 12h and the second branch port 12i are the same as each other and larger than the inlet width of the third branch port 12j. However, the opening heights of each of the first outlet path 12a, the second outlet path 12b, and the third outlet path 12c are the same as the flow path height h of the flow path 7 as a whole. On the other hand, the first outlet port 12e, the second outlet port 12f, and the third outlet port 12g are also arranged in this order along the Y direction. In FIG. 6A, a case where the opening widths and opening heights of each of the first outlet port 12e, the second outlet port 12f, and the third outlet port 12g are the same as each other is illustrated

[0102] Here, the solid-liquid separation device 10 may be provided with a fluid outlet section 22 as a second example having four outlet paths instead of the fluid outlet section 12 as the first example

[0103] FIG. 6B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the fluid outlet section 22 drawn corresponding to FIG. 6A. The fluid outlet section 22 has four outlet paths: a first outlet path 22a, a second outlet path 22b, a third outlet path 22c, and a fourth outlet path 22d

[0104] The first outlet channel 22a is a channel assumed to allow the flow of a fluid containing solid particles captured in the vicinity of the first side wall 4a in the channel 7 of the secondary flow forming device 1. The opening on the fluid introduction side of the first outlet channel 22a is the first branch port 22j, which faces the third inlet 22e. The opening on the fluid discharge side of the first outlet channel 22a is the first discharge port 22f.

[0105] The second outlet channel 22b may be a channel assumed to allow the flow of a fluid containing solid particles captured in the central region in the channel width direction in the channel 7 of the secondary flow forming device 1. Or, the second outlet channel 22b may be a channel assumed to allow the flow of a fluid with a low content of solid particles p in the low-concentration region R L The opening on the fluid introduction side of the second outlet channel 22b is the second branch port 22m, which faces the third inlet 22e. The opening on the fluid discharge side of the second outlet channel 22b is the second discharge port 22g.

[0106] The third outlet channel 22c is a channel assumed in the same way as the second outlet channel 22b. The opening on the fluid introduction side of the third outlet channel 22c is the third branch port 22n, which faces the third inlet 22e. The opening on the fluid discharge side of the third outlet channel 22c is the third discharge port 22h.

[0107] The fourth outlet channel 22d is a channel assumed to allow the flow of a fluid containing solid particles captured in the vicinity of the second side wall 4b in the channel 7 of the secondary flow forming device 1. The opening on the fluid introduction side of the fourth outlet channel 22d is the fourth branch port 22k, which faces the third inlet 22e. The opening on the fluid discharge side of the fourth outlet channel 22d is the fourth discharge port 22i.

[0108] In the fluid outlet section 22, the entire cross-section of the third inlet 22e has the same shape as the cross-section of the flow path 7 of the secondary flow forming device 1. At the third inlet 22e, the first branch port 22j, the second branch port 22m, the third branch port 22n, and the fourth branch port 22k are arranged in this order along the Y direction in the drawing corresponding to the flow path width direction. In Fig. 6B, a case is illustrated where the inlet widths w2 of the first branch port 22j and the fourth branch port 22k at the third inlet 22e are the same as each other and are larger than the inlet widths of the second branch port 22m and the third branch port 22n. However, the opening heights of each of the first outlet path 22a, the second outlet path 22b, the third outlet path 22c, and the fourth outlet path 22d are the same as the flow path height h of the flow path 7 as a whole. On the other hand, the first discharge port 22f, the second discharge port 22g, the third discharge port 22h, and the fourth discharge port 22i are also arranged in this order along the Y direction. In Fig. 6B, a case is illustrated where the opening widths and the opening heights of each of the first discharge port 22f, the second discharge port 22g, the third discharge port 22h, and the fourth discharge port 22i are the same as each other.

[0109] According to the fluid outlet section 22 as shown in Fig. 6B, by providing four outlet paths, each fluid containing solid particles distributed according to a desired standard can be more precisely branched and led out according to each position of the cross-section at the third inlet 22e.

[0110] Also, the solid-liquid separation device 10 may include an intermediate flow path section 13 between the secondary flow forming device 1 and the fluid outlet section 12. The intermediate flow path section 13 is a block body provided in accordance with the shape of the flow path section 2 of the secondary flow forming device 1. However, a part such as the baffle plate 5 included in the flow path section 2 is not provided in the intermediate flow path section 13. Note that the intermediate flow path section 13 may be a part integrally formed with the secondary flow forming device 1 in advance as shown in Fig. 5. Or, the intermediate flow path section 13 may be manufactured separately from the secondary flow forming device 1 and then connected to the secondary flow forming device 1.

[0111] The intermediate flow path section 13 has a flow path 13a whose cross-section is the same as that of the flow path 7 of the secondary flow forming device 1. The flow path 13a has a fourth inlet 13b on the fluid introduction side and a fourth outlet 13c on the fluid discharge side. When the solid-liquid separation device 10 includes the intermediate flow path section 13, the fourth inlet 13b communicates with the second outlet 8b on the side of the secondary flow forming device 1, and the fourth outlet 13c communicates with the third inlet 12d on the side of the fluid discharge section 12. That is, the second outlet 8b on the side of the secondary flow forming device 1 and the third inlet 12d on the side of the fluid discharge section 12 communicate with each other via the flow path 13a of the intermediate flow path section 13.

[0112] By including the intermediate flow path section 13, the solid-liquid separation device 10 can continue to cause the Tubular pinch effect to occur in the flow path 13a of the intermediate flow path section 13 for the fluid that has passed through the flow path 7 of the secondary flow forming device 1. As a result, there is a possibility that the separation efficiency can be improved compared to the case of using only the secondary flow forming device 1 alone.

[0113] Next, the effects of the solid-liquid separation device 10 will be described.

[0114] The solid-liquid separation device 10 separates solid particles from a fluid in which solid particles are dispersed, and includes a secondary flow forming device that forms a secondary flow in the cross-sectional direction of the fluid. The secondary flow forming device is the above-described secondary flow forming device 1, which forms a secondary flow in the fluid and separates solid particles from the fluid.

[0115] According to this solid-liquid separation device 10, since it includes the above-described secondary flow forming device 1, it is possible to stably form a secondary flow while simplifying the structure, and thus improve the separation efficiency by expanding the range to which the Tubular pinch effect extends.

[0116] Further, the solid-liquid separation device 10 may include a fluid discharge section having at least three discharge paths that communicate with the downstream side of the flow path 7 of the secondary flow forming device 1. The at least three discharge paths may branch from each other in the direction in which the flow path width w is defined.

[0117] Here, when the fluid outlet part is the fluid outlet part 12 illustrated in FIG. 6A, at least three fluid outlet paths correspond to the first fluid outlet path 12a, the second fluid outlet path 12b, and the third fluid outlet path 12c. Or, when the fluid outlet part is the fluid outlet part 22 illustrated in FIG. 6B, at least three fluid outlet paths correspond to the first fluid outlet path 22a, the second fluid outlet path 22b, the third fluid outlet path 22c, and the fourth fluid outlet path 22d.

[0118] According to this solid-liquid separation device 10, the fluid outlet part 12 or the like can introduce each fluid containing solid particles separated according to a desired standard into a desired fluid outlet path in accordance with each position where solid particles are captured in the flow path width direction in the flow path 7 of the secondary flow forming device 1.

[0119] In addition, in the solid-liquid separation device 10, the inlet width of each of the two fluid outlet paths located at both ends in the direction in which the flow path width w is defined may be set to a dimension in the range of not less than twice the flow path height h and not more than 45% of the flow path width w.

[0120] The inlet width referred to here corresponds to the inlet width w1 of each of the first branch port 12h and the second branch port 12i according to the illustration in FIG. 6A, and corresponds to the inlet width w2 of each of the first branch port 22j and the fourth branch port 22k according to the illustration in FIG. 6B.

[0121] According to this solid-liquid separation device 10, among the fluids that have flowed through the flow path 7 of the secondary flow forming device 1, the fluid containing the high-concentration region R H and the fluid containing the low-concentration region R L can be branched and led out more efficiently.

[0122] Note that the fluid inlet part 11, the fluid outlet part 12, or the intermediate flow path part 13 may each be configured by a combination of two flat plates, similar to the flow path part 2 of the secondary flow forming device 1. On the other hand, for example, by using three-dimensional metal additive manufacturing technology, the solid-liquid separation device 10 including the secondary flow forming device 1, the fluid inlet part 11, the fluid outlet part 12, and the intermediate flow path part 13 may be integrally formed. By forming the solid-liquid separation device 10 in this way, the solid-liquid separation device 10 can be mass-produced at low cost.

[0123] (Solid-liquid separation system) Next, a solid-liquid separation system using the solid-liquid separation device 10 will be described.

[0124] FIGS. 7A and 7B are schematic views showing a configuration example of a solid-liquid separation system including the above-described solid-liquid separation device 10.

[0125] FIG. 7A is a view showing a cell culture device (animal cell continuous culture device) 100 as an example of the solid-liquid separation system according to the present embodiment. In the cell culture device 100, a culture solution is assumed as a fluid in which solid particles are dispersed. The cell culture device 100 includes a culture tank 102 as a storage tank for storing a culture medium, and a pump 106a as a liquid feeding unit for feeding the culture solution from the culture tank 102 to the solid-liquid separation device 10. The culture medium is supplied to the culture tank 102 through a culture medium addition pipe 104 provided with a first supply valve 104a. The culture tank 102 includes a stirrer 102a and cultures the culture medium. The culture solution in the culture tank 102 is supplied to the solid-liquid separation device 10 through a culture solution supply pipe 106 connected to the pump 106a. The solid-liquid separation device 10 separates the culture solution introduced into the flow path 7 into a concentrated solution as a fluid containing the high-concentration region R H and a clarified solution as a fluid containing the low-concentration region R L . The clarified solution is recovered as it is. On the other hand, the concentrated solution is returned to the culture tank 102 through a concentrated solution return pipe 108 provided with a second supply valve 108a. Further, the cell culture device 100 includes a control unit 110 that adjusts at least the flow rate or velocity of the culture solution by controlling the operation of at least the pump 106a. The control unit 110 may also control the operation of the stirrer 102a, the opening and closing operation of the first supply valve 104a or the second supply valve 108a, and the like.

[0126] FIG. 7B is a diagram showing a precipitation device 200 as an example of the solid-liquid separation system according to the present embodiment. In the precipitation device 200, a fluid containing crystallized large-diameter particles and small-diameter particles is assumed as a fluid in which solid particles p are dispersed. The precipitation device 200 includes a precipitation tank 202 as a storage tank for storing a precipitation liquid, a pump 206a as a liquid feeding unit for sending the fluid from the precipitation tank 202 to the solid-liquid separation device 10, and a separation membrane 207a for extracting only large-diameter particles from the concentrated liquid separated by the solid-liquid separation device 10. The precipitation liquid is supplied to the precipitation tank 202 through a precipitation liquid addition pipe 204 provided with a first supply valve 204a. The precipitation tank 202 includes a stirrer 202a to promote precipitation. The fluid in the precipitation tank 202 is supplied to the solid-liquid separation device 10 through a fluid supply pipe 206 connected to the pump 206a. The solid-liquid separation device 10 can separate the fluid introduced into the flow path 7 into a concentrated liquid mainly containing large-diameter particles and a clarified liquid mainly containing small-diameter particles. The concentrated liquid is sent to the separation membrane 207a through a concentrated liquid supply pipe 207. The large-diameter particles extracted from the concentrated liquid by the separation membrane 207a are recovered as they are. Thereafter, the fluid from which the large-diameter particles have been extracted is returned to the precipitation tank 202 as a clarified liquid through a clarified liquid return pipe 209 provided with a second supply valve 209a. On the other hand, the clarified liquid separated by the solid-liquid separation device 10 is directly sent to the clarified liquid return pipe 209 through a bypass pipe 208 and returned to the precipitation tank 202. Further, the precipitation device 200 includes at least a control unit 210 that adjusts at least the flow rate or velocity of the fluid by controlling the operation of the pump 206a. The control unit 210 may also control the operation of the stirrer 202a and the opening and closing operations of the first supply valve 204a or the second supply valve 209a, among others.

[0127] Next, the effects of the solid-liquid separation system according to the present embodiment, such as the cell culture device 100 and the precipitation device 200, will be described.

[0128] The solid-liquid separation system includes a solid-liquid separation device that separates solid particles from a fluid in which the solid particles are dispersed. The solid-liquid separation system also includes a storage tank that stores the fluid, a liquid sending unit that sends the fluid from the storage tank to the solid-liquid separation device, and a control unit that adjusts at least the flow rate or velocity of the fluid by controlling the operation of the liquid sending unit. Here, the solid-liquid separation device is the above-described solid-liquid separation device 10.

[0129] According to this solid-liquid separation system, since it includes the above-described solid-liquid separation device 10, it is possible to stably form a secondary flow while simplifying the structure. As a result, it is possible to improve the separation efficiency, or to easily obtain a desired resolution while maintaining the throughput.

[0130] Note that the solid-liquid separation system according to the present embodiment is not limited to the cell culture device 100 or the precipitation device 200 as described above. For example, the solid-liquid separation system according to the present embodiment may be a cell screening device that sorts cells or cell aggregates by size from a suspension, with the solid particles dispersed in the fluid being cells or cell aggregates dispersed in the suspension. Alternatively, the solid-liquid separation system according to the present embodiment may be a microorganism screening device that sorts microorganisms by size from a suspension, with the solid particles dispersed in the fluid being microorganisms dispersed in the suspension.

[0131] Although several embodiments have been described, it is possible to modify or deform the embodiments based on the above disclosure. All the components of the above embodiments and all the features described in the claims may be individually extracted and combined as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0132] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-095162 filed on June 13, 2022, and the entire contents of this application are incorporated herein by reference.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0133] 1 Secondary flow forming device 2 Flow path section 3a Upper wall 4a First side wall 4b Second side wall 4c Bottom wall 5 Baffle plate 5a First plate 5b Second plate 5c Third plate 5d Fourth plate 5e Fifth plate 7 Flow path 10 Solid-liquid separation device 12,22 Fluid outlet section 12a,22a First outlet path 12b,22b Second outlet path 12c,22c Third outlet path 22d Fourth outlet path 100 Cell culture device 102 Culture tank 106a Pump 110 Control unit 200 Precipitation device 202 Precipitation tank 206a Pump 210 Control unit

Claims

1. A secondary flow forming device that circulates a fluid in which solid particles are dispersed through a flow path to form a secondary flow in the cross-sectional direction of the fluid, comprising: a flow path portion having the flow path; a plurality of baffle plates formed in the flow path portion, wherein the flow path has a rectangular cross-section with an aspect ratio obtained by dividing the flow path width by the flow path height in the range of 3 to 100, the inner walls constituting the flow path include a first wall and a second wall facing each other in the direction in which the flow path height is defined, the plurality of baffle plates are each rod-shaped portions disposed on the second wall so as to protrude toward the first wall, the extending direction of the baffle plate is parallel to the second wall and inclined at a constant inclination angle with respect to the extending direction of the flow path, and the height of the baffle plate is half of the flow path height. The secondary flow forming device.

2. A secondary flow forming device that circulates a fluid in which solid particles are dispersed through a flow path to form a secondary flow in the cross-sectional direction of the fluid, comprising: a flow path portion having the flow path; a plurality of baffle plates formed in the flow path portion, wherein the flow path has a rectangular cross-section with an aspect ratio obtained by dividing the flow path width by the flow path height in the range of 3 to 100, the inner walls constituting the flow path include a first wall and a second wall facing each other in the direction in which the flow path height is defined, the plurality of baffle plates are each rod-shaped portions disposed on the second wall so as to protrude toward the first wall, the extending direction of the baffle plate is parallel to the second wall and inclined at a constant inclination angle with respect to the extending direction of the flow path, the height of the baffle plate is lower than half of the flow path height, Let the inclination angle of the baffle be θ, the channel width be w, the channel height be h, and the pitch related to the arrangement of the baffles be P ｉ Let the number of installed baffles be n, and the height of the baffle be h Ｐ Then for the flow path having any of the flow path width and the flow path height, 【Number 1】 the pitch, the number of installations of the baffle plate, and the height of the baffle plate are set so as to satisfy the conditions. The secondary flow forming device.

3. A secondary flow forming device that circulates a fluid in which solid particles are dispersed through a flow path to form a secondary flow in the cross-sectional direction of the fluid, comprising: a flow path portion having the flow path; a plurality of baffle plates formed in the flow path portion, wherein the flow path has a rectangular cross-section with an aspect ratio obtained by dividing the flow path width by the flow path height in the range of 3 to 100, the inner walls constituting the flow path include a first wall and a second wall facing each other in the direction in which the flow path height is defined, the plurality of baffle plates are each rod-shaped portions disposed on the second wall so as to protrude toward the first wall, The extending direction of the baffle is parallel to the second wall and inclined at a certain inclination angle with respect to the extending direction of the flow path. The height of the baffle is higher than half of the flow path height. Let the inclination angle of the baffle be θ, the flow path width be w, the flow path height be h, and the pitch related to the arrangement of the baffles be P ｉ Let the number of installed baffles be n, and the height of the baffle be h Ｐ Then For any flow path having the flow path width and the flow path height, 【Number 2】 A secondary flow forming device in which the pitch, the number of installations of the baffle, and the height of the baffle are set so as to satisfy the conditions.

4. A secondary flow forming device that circulates a fluid in which solid particles are dispersed through a flow path to form a secondary flow in the cross-sectional direction of the fluid, A flow path portion having the flow path, A plurality of baffles formed in the flow path portion, The flow path has a rectangular cross section with an aspect ratio obtained by dividing the flow path width by the flow path height in the range of 3 to 100. The inner walls constituting the flow path include a first wall and a second wall that face each other in the direction in which the flow path height is defined. The plurality of baffles are each rod-shaped portions arranged on the second wall so as to protrude toward the first wall. The extending direction of the baffle is parallel to the second wall and inclined at a certain inclination angle with respect to the extending direction of the flow path. Let the width of the baffle be w ｐ Let the flow path width be w, the flow path height be h, and the pitch related to the arrangement of the baffles be P ｉ Let the number of the baffles in any of the cross sections be m, and the height of the baffle be h Ｐ Then The upper limit value of the width of the baffle is 【Number 3】 A secondary flow forming device that satisfies the conditions.

5. A solid-liquid separation device that separates the solid particles from a fluid in which solid particles are dispersed, A secondary flow forming device that forms a secondary flow in the cross-sectional direction of the fluid is provided, The secondary flow forming device is the secondary flow forming device according to claim 1 or 2, and separates the solid particles from the fluid while forming the secondary flow in the fluid.

6. A fluid outlet portion having at least three outlet paths communicating with the downstream side of the flow path of the secondary flow forming device is provided, The at least three outlet paths branch from each other in the direction in which the flow path width is defined. The solid-liquid separation device according to claim 5.

7. The inlet width of each of the two outlet paths located at both ends in the direction in which the flow path width is defined is set to a dimension in the range of not less than 2 times the flow path height and not more than 45% of the flow path width. The solid-liquid separation device according to claim 6.

8. A solid-liquid separation device that separates the solid particles from a fluid in which solid particles are dispersed, A storage tank for storing a fluid, A liquid sending portion that sends the fluid from the storage tank to the solid-liquid separation device, At least a control portion that adjusts at least the flow rate or the velocity of the fluid by controlling the operation of the liquid sending portion. The solid-liquid separation system is the solid-liquid separation device according to claim 5.

9. A solid-liquid separation device for separating solid particles from a fluid in which the solid particles are dispersed, comprising a secondary flow forming device for forming a secondary flow in the cross-sectional direction of the fluid, wherein the secondary flow forming device is the secondary flow forming device according to claim 3 or 4, and separates the solid particles from the fluid while forming the secondary flow in the fluid.

10. A solid-liquid separation device comprising a fluid outlet section having at least three outlet channels communicating with the downstream side of the flow channel of the secondary flow forming device, wherein at least three of the outlet channels branch from each other in the direction in which the flow channel width is defined.

11. The solid-liquid separation device according to claim 10, wherein the inlet width of each of the two outlet channels located at both ends in the direction in which the flow channel width is defined is set to a dimension in the range of not less than twice the flow channel height and not more than 45% of the flow channel width.

12. A solid-liquid separation device for separating solid particles from a fluid in which the solid particles are dispersed, a storage tank for storing the fluid, a liquid feeding section for feeding the fluid from the storage tank to the solid-liquid separation device, and a control section for adjusting at least the flow rate or velocity of the fluid by controlling at least the operation of the liquid feeding section. The solid-liquid separation system, wherein the solid-liquid separation device is the solid-liquid separation device according to claim 9.

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