Diversion device and flow reactor

Abstract

The present invention relates to a flow splitting device and a flow reactor, belonging to the technical field of microfluidic control. The flow splitting device includes a liquid inlet pipe; and a flow splitting pipe group, the flow splitting pipe group is provided with a liquid inlet and a plurality of first liquid outlets, the liquid inlet is communicated with the liquid inlet pipe, and the flow splitting pipe group is used for splitting the fluid entering the liquid inlet from the liquid inlet pipe into the first liquid outlets; wherein, all the first liquid outlets are distributed on a first circumference with the liquid inlet as the center of the circle, and the first flow distances of the fluid in the flow splitting pipe group from the liquid inlet to all the first liquid outlets are the same. The fluid flow rates flowing out from each of the first liquid outlets included in the flow splitting device are the same, and effective and uniform dispersion of the fluid can be achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of microfluidic control, and in particular to a flow splitting device and a flow reactor. Background Art

[0002] Laminar flow reaction devices are practically applied in many R & D stages of physics, chemistry, and biology. The core technical requirement is that the fluid can flow through the reactor evenly and undergo expected physical adsorption, chemical adsorption, or catalytic reactions, etc. in the reactor. According to different application requirements, the requirements for the flow field uniformity in the reactor are different. Some require only that the fluid flows through the reactor, while some require the fluid to flow through the reactor very evenly. In particular, in a flow-through reactor for high-load nucleic acid synthesis, sieve plates need to be placed above and below the reactor to prevent resin carriers from entering the liquid pipeline, thereby forming a closed flow field in the reactor. During the actual working process, due to the importance of resin carriers and reagents, the reaction efficiency requirements for each step are very high. Therefore, it is required that the flow field has high uniformity, that the reagents at each step can flow layer by layer, and flow through the resin in the reactor at a uniform flow rate, and undergo uniform chemical reactions with each layer of resin, ensuring that the externally controlled flow rate can be truly reflected on each layer of resin in the reactor, so as to achieve a high reaction efficiency.

[0003] Therefore, when adding fluid to the reactor, it is generally necessary to first disperse the fluid through a flow splitting device so that the dispersed fluid can flow through the reactor more evenly. However, the current flow splitting device has a poor flow splitting effect, and there are differences in the fluid flow rates at the liquid outlets of the flow splitting device, which easily causes the problem of uneven flow velocity distribution on the cross-section of the reactor, resulting in a low reaction efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention provides a flow splitting device and a flow reactor to solve at least some of the technical problems such as the poor flow splitting effect of the existing flow splitting device and the differences in the fluid flow rates at the liquid outlets.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, a flow splitting device is provided, including a liquid inlet pipe and a flow splitting pipe group. The flow splitting pipe group is provided with a liquid inlet and a plurality of first liquid outlets. The liquid inlet is communicated with the liquid inlet pipe, and the flow splitting pipe group is used to split the fluid entering the liquid inlet from the liquid inlet pipe into the first liquid outlets.

[0006] Wherein, all the first liquid outlets are distributed on a first circumference with the liquid inlet as the center of the circle, and the first flow distances of the fluid in the flow splitting pipe group from the liquid inlet to all the first liquid outlets are the same.

[0007] The flow splitting device provided by this solution includes an inlet pipe and a flow splitting pipe group. The inlet pipe is used to receive the fluid into the flow splitting pipe group, and the flow splitting pipe group is used to split the incoming fluid so that the fluid is evenly dispersed. Specifically, the flow splitting pipe group includes an inlet and a plurality of first outlets. The inlet is used to receive the fluid from the inlet pipe, and the distance between each first outlet and the inlet is the same. Therefore, the flow resistance of each first outlet from the inlet is the same. Thus, after passing through the flow splitting pipe group, the fluid can be split into multiple fluids with the same flow rate. The multiple split fluids can be discharged through different first outlets respectively, that is, the fluid flow rate flowing out of each first outlet is the same. Moreover, all the first outlets are distributed along a first circumference centered on the inlet. After the fluid enters the flow splitting device through the inlet, it will be dispersed in a form centered on the inlet and radially diffusing towards it, realizing the dispersion of the fluid with a higher flow rate at the inlet to the periphery of the inlet, rather than concentrating at the inlet, thereby ensuring the uniform dispersion of the fluid and improving the flow splitting effect.

[0008] In a further preferred solution, the flow splitting pipe group further has a plurality of second outlets. The second outlets are communicated with the inlet, and all the second outlets are evenly distributed along a second circumference centered on the inlet. The second circumference is located on the side away from the inlet of the first circumference.

[0009] The second flow distance of the fluid in the flow splitting pipe group from the inlet to all the second outlets is the same, and the second flow distance is equal to the first flow distance.

[0010] Since the flow splitting pipe group further includes a plurality of second outlets distributed along the second circumference, and the distances between all the second outlets and the first outlets and the inlet are the same. When the fluid enters the flow splitting pipe group through the inlet, it will be dispersed in a form centered on the inlet and radially diffusing towards it. All the fluids will be dispersed to the periphery of the inlet by the first outlets distributed along the first circumference and the second outlets distributed along the second circumference. By cooperating the first outlets and the second outlets to disperse the fluid, the degree of fluid dispersion can be further improved.

[0011] In a further preferred solution, the diameter of the first outlet is equal to the diameter of the second outlet and less than the diameter of the inlet.

[0012] Since the distances between the first outlet and the second outlet and the inlet are equal, and by controlling the diameters of the first outlet and the second outlet to be equal, it is beneficial to ensure that the flow resistances between all the first outlets and the second outlets and the inlet are the same, so that the outlet fluid flow rates of each first outlet and each second outlet are the same, which is beneficial to the uniform dispersion of the fluid.

[0013] In a further preferred embodiment, the flow dividing pipe group includes a primary flow dividing pipe and a secondary flow dividing pipe. The primary flow dividing pipe is provided with the liquid inlet, and the secondary flow dividing pipe communicates with the corresponding first liquid outlet and the corresponding second liquid outlet;

[0014] The primary flow dividing pipe is configured to divide the fluid from the inlet pipe into the corresponding first liquid outlet and the corresponding second liquid outlet via the secondary flow dividing pipe.

[0015] Arranging the primary flow dividing pipe and the secondary flow dividing pipe between the liquid inlet, the first liquid outlet and the second liquid outlet can perform step-by-step flow division on the fluid, ensure the smooth flow of the fluid, avoid the problem that the fluid flow rates flowing out of the first liquid outlet and the second liquid outlet are uneven due to a large degree of turbulence during the flow division process, and ensure that the fluid can be evenly dispersed.

[0016] In a further preferred embodiment, the liquid inlet is arranged at the midpoint of the primary flow dividing pipe to divide the fluid from the inlet pipe into two streams through the primary flow dividing pipe;

[0017] The midpoint of the secondary flow dividing pipe communicates with the primary flow dividing pipe to divide the fluid from the primary flow dividing pipe into two streams.

[0018] Since the liquid inlet communicates with the midpoint of the primary flow dividing pipe, when the fluid enters the primary flow dividing pipe through the liquid inlet, it can ensure that the flow resistance of the fluid during the flow division by the primary flow dividing pipe is the same as much as possible, which is beneficial to evenly dividing the fluid flow rate entering the primary flow dividing pipe; further, the midpoint of the primary flow dividing pipe communicates with the secondary flow dividing pipe. When the fluid enters the secondary flow dividing pipe through the primary flow dividing pipe, it can ensure that the flow resistance of the fluid during the flow division by the secondary flow dividing pipe is the same as much as possible, which is beneficial to evenly dividing the fluid flow rate entering the secondary flow dividing pipe; thus, the fluid flow rate can be evenly divided through the primary flow dividing pipe and the secondary flow dividing pipe, so that the fluid flow rates flowing out of all the first liquid outlets and the second liquid outlets are the same.

[0019] In a further preferred embodiment, the primary flow dividing pipe is a straight channel;

[0020] The secondary flow dividing pipe is a straight channel, and the primary flow dividing pipe is perpendicular to the secondary flow dividing pipe;

[0021] Alternatively, the secondary flow dividing pipe is an arc-shaped channel, and the tangent at the midpoint of the primary flow dividing pipe is perpendicular to the secondary flow dividing pipe.

[0022] In this solution, the primary flow divider is linear. After the fluid enters through the liquid inlet located at the midpoint of the primary flow divider, it can be evenly divided into two streams of fluid with the same flow rate by the primary flow divider. The secondary flow divider can be linear and perpendicular to the primary flow divider, which is conducive to evenly dividing the fluid flow from the primary flow divider, so that the flow rates at all the first liquid outlets and the second liquid outlets are the same; alternatively, the secondary flow divider can be arc-shaped, and the midpoint of the primary flow divider is connected to the secondary flow divider and is perpendicular to the tangent at the midpoint of the secondary flow divider, which is conducive to reducing the fluid resistance at the connection between the primary flow divider and the secondary flow divider, thereby accelerating the fluid flow rate. At the same time, the arc-shaped layout is conducive to dispersing all the first liquid outlets and the second liquid outlets, which is further conducive to the uniform dispersion of the fluid.

[0023] In a further preferred solution, the flow divider group further includes a tertiary flow divider, and the secondary flow divider is connected to the corresponding first liquid outlet and the corresponding second liquid outlet through the tertiary flow divider;

[0024] The midpoint of the tertiary flow divider is connected to the secondary flow divider to divide the fluid from the secondary flow divider into two streams.

[0025] By connecting the midpoints of the secondary flow divider and the tertiary flow divider, when the fluid enters the tertiary flow divider through the secondary flow divider, it can ensure that the flow resistance of the fluid is the same as much as possible during the process of being divided by the tertiary flow divider, which is conducive to evenly dividing the fluid from the secondary flow divider. Thus, through the tertiary flow divider, the fluid can be further evenly divided, making the fluid dispersion more uniform.

[0026] In a further preferred solution, the secondary flow divider is an arc-shaped channel, and the center of the circle of the secondary flow divider is located on the side of the secondary flow divider away from the liquid inlet;

[0027] The tertiary flow divider is an arc-shaped channel, and the center of the circle of the tertiary flow divider coincides with the center of the liquid inlet.

[0028] Designing both the secondary flow divider and the tertiary flow divider as arc-shaped, the midpoint of the primary flow divider is connected to the secondary flow divider and is perpendicular to the tangent at the midpoint of the secondary flow divider, and the midpoint of the secondary flow divider is connected to the tertiary flow divider and is perpendicular to the tangent at the midpoint of the tertiary flow divider, which is conducive to reducing the fluid resistance during the process of the fluid flowing from the liquid inlet to the first liquid outlet and the second liquid outlet, thereby accelerating the fluid flow rate. At the same time, the arc-shaped layout is conducive to evenly arranging all the first liquid outlets and the second liquid outlets around the liquid inlet, which is further conducive to the uniform dispersion of the fluid.

[0029] In a further preferred embodiment, the shunt tube group further includes a four-stage shunt tube, and the second-stage shunt tube is sequentially communicated with the corresponding first liquid outlet and the corresponding second liquid outlet through the third-stage shunt tube and the four-stage shunt tube;

[0030] The midpoint of the four-stage shunt tube is communicated with the third-stage shunt tube to divide the fluid from the third-stage shunt tube into two streams.

[0031] Connecting the midpoint of the third-stage shunt tube and the four-stage shunt tube can ensure that the flow resistance of the fluid is the same as much as possible during the process of being divided by the four-stage shunt tube when the fluid enters the four-stage shunt tube through the third-stage shunt tube, which is beneficial to the uniform distribution of the fluid from the third-stage shunt tube. Therefore, the four-stage shunt tube can further achieve the even distribution of the fluid, making the fluid dispersion more uniform.

[0032] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a flow reactor, including a first sieve plate, a reaction device and a second sieve plate which are stacked, and the flow reactor further includes the shunt device according to any one of the above, and the shunt device supplies fluid to the first sieve plate through the first liquid outlet.

[0033] The flow reactor is mainly used as a reaction vessel. During use, the fluid to be reacted enters the reaction device through the first sieve plate to participate in the reaction, and after the reaction is completed, it is discharged through the second sieve plate. In this solution, the shunt device is arranged outside the first sieve plate and is used to shunt the fluid entering the first sieve plate. Since each of the first liquid outlets and the second liquid outlets included in the shunt device is evenly distributed, the fluid can be evenly dispersed onto the first sieve plate after being shunted by the shunt device, so that the fluid can be evenly dispersed across the cross-section of the entire reaction device after entering the reaction device. Then, the dispersed fluid can flow through the reaction device more evenly, which is beneficial to improving the reaction efficiency in the reaction device and solving the problems of large dead volume, uneven flow velocity distribution across the cross-section of the reactor, and low reaction efficiency existing in the existing flow reactor.

[0034] [[ID=IS]]In summary, the shunt device and the flow reactor provided by the present invention have at least the following beneficial effects:

[0035] The shunt device provided by the present invention includes a liquid inlet pipe and a shunt tube group. The shunt tube group has a liquid inlet and a plurality of first liquid outlets and second liquid outlets distributed around the liquid inlet, and the flow resistance of each first liquid outlet and second liquid outlet from the liquid inlet is the same, so as to ensure that the fluid flow rates flowing out of each first liquid outlet and second liquid outlet are the same as much as possible, thereby achieving effective and uniform fluid dispersion.

[0036] The flow reactor provided by the present invention includes the above-mentioned flow splitting device. By using the flow splitting device, the fluid entering the flow reactor can be evenly dispersed, so that the fluid is evenly distributed on the cross-section of the flow reactor, which is beneficial to improving the reaction efficiency in the flow reactor and realizing the efficient and rapid expected reaction. Description of the Drawings

[0037] In order to more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings.

[0038] Figure 1 It is a top view structural schematic diagram of the flow splitting device provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 2 It is a structural parameter schematic diagram of the flow splitting device provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 3a It is a structural schematic diagram of the flow reactor provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 3b It is a cross-sectional flow velocity distribution diagram of the flow reactor provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 4a It is a structural schematic diagram of the flow reactor provided in Comparative Example 1 of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 4b It is a cross-sectional flow velocity distribution diagram of the flow reactor provided in Comparative Example 1 of the present invention;

[0044] Figure 5a It is a structural schematic diagram of the flow reactor provided in Comparative Example 2 of the present invention;

[0045] Figure 5b It is a cross-sectional flow velocity distribution diagram of the flow reactor provided in Comparative Example 2 of the present invention;

[0046] Figure 6a It is a structural schematic diagram of the flow reactor provided in Comparative Example 3 of the present invention;

[0047] Figure 6b It is a cross-sectional flow velocity distribution diagram of the flow reactor provided in Comparative Example 3 of the present invention.

[0048] The reference numerals are as follows:

[0049] Shunt device 100, liquid inlet pipe 110, shunt pipe group 120, liquid inlet 121, first liquid outlet 122, second liquid outlet 123, primary shunt pipe 124, secondary shunt pipe 125, tertiary shunt pipe 126, quaternary shunt pipe 127,

[0050] Flow reactor 200, first sieve plate 210, reaction device 220, second sieve plate 230. Detailed implementation mode

[0051] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "transverse", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc. indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and thus should not be construed as a limitation to the present invention.

[0052] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of such features. In the description of the present invention, "a plurality" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0053] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", "connected", "fixed", etc. should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or integrated; it may be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it may be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it may be the internal communication of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements, unless otherwise clearly limited. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0054] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified or limited, the first feature being "on" or "under" the second feature may mean that the first and second features are in direct contact, or the first and second features are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Moreover, the first feature being "above", "over" and "on top of" the second feature may mean that the first feature is directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or simply indicates that the horizontal height of the first feature is higher than that of the second feature. The first feature being "under", "below" and "beneath" the second feature may mean that the first feature is directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or simply indicates that the horizontal height of the first feature is lower than that of the second feature.

[0055] In the description of this specification, the descriptions with reference to terms such as "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "example", "specific example", or "some examples", etc. mean that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in connection with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described can be combined in a suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples. In addition, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and combine the different embodiments or examples described in this specification and the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0056] It should be noted that in this text, the "first flow distance", "distance", and "second flow distance" refer to the path length that the fluid flows through when entering from the liquid inlet, flowing in the shunt pipe group, and finally flowing out through the first liquid outlet or the second liquid outlet; the "fluid resistance", "flow resistance", and "liquid resistance" refer to the resistance encountered during the fluid flow, and the resistance will hinder the fluid from advancing and thus reduce the flow velocity, which will not be elaborated below.

[0057] Please refer to Figures 1 to 2 , the shunt device 100 provided by the embodiment of the present invention at least includes a liquid inlet pipe 110 and a shunt pipe group 120. The shunt pipe group 120 is provided with a liquid inlet 121 and a plurality of first liquid outlets 122. The liquid inlet 121 is communicated with the liquid inlet pipe 110. The shunt pipe group 120 is used to shunt the fluid entering from the liquid inlet pipe 110 into the liquid inlet 121 to the first liquid outlets 122; wherein, all the first liquid outlets 122 are distributed on a first circumference with the liquid inlet 121 as the center of the circle, and the first flow distance of the fluid in the shunt pipe group 120 from the liquid inlet 121 to all the first liquid outlets 122 is the same.

[0058] Among them, the main structure of the flow splitting device 100 is circular, so as to be applicable to splitting the feed fluid of a circular flow reactor. The fluids applicable to the flow splitting device 100 include liquids or gases. In the embodiments of the present invention, taking the liquid reaction reagent in the biological field as an example, the process of splitting the liquid by the flow splitting device 100 is introduced.

[0059] Specifically, the flow splitting pipe group 120 includes an inlet 121 and a plurality of first outlets 122. Since the first outlets 122 are distributed along the first circumference around the inlet 121, all the first outlets 122 can be arranged as evenly and dispersedly as possible. At the same time, the first flow distances between all the first outlets 122 and the inlet 121 are the same, so the flow resistance of each first outlet 122 from the inlet 121 is the same. Thus, by simultaneously controlling these two conditions that all the first outlets 122 are evenly distributed and have the same flow resistance, it can be ensured as much as possible that the liquid is evenly dispersed by the flow splitting device 100, so that the liquid flow rates at each first outlet 122 are the same, thereby achieving an excellent flow splitting effect.

[0060] As a further preferred implementation, on the basis of the above solution, in the specific embodiments of the present invention, one or more of the following additions or combinations may also be included.

[0061] In some alternative embodiments, the flow splitting pipe group 120 further has a plurality of second outlets 123. The second outlets 123 are communicated with the inlet 121, and all the second outlets 123 are evenly distributed on the second circumference with the inlet 121 as the center. The second circumference is located on the side of the first circumference away from the inlet 121; the second flow distances of the liquid in the flow splitting pipe group 120 from the inlet 121 to all the second outlets 123 are the same, and the second flow distance is equal to the first flow distance.

[0062] Refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the second outlets 123 are distributed along the second circumference outside the first outlets 122. By discharging the liquid using the first outlets 122 and the second outlets 123 simultaneously, the degree of liquid dispersion can be improved. And the second flow distances between all the second outlets 123 and the inlet 121 are the same and equal to the first flow distance, so the flow resistance of each first outlet 122 and second outlet 123 from the inlet 121 is the same, which can ensure that the liquid flow rates discharged from all the first outlets 122 and second outlets 123 are the same.

[0063] In some alternative embodiments, the flow dividing pipe group 120 includes a primary flow dividing pipe 124 and a secondary flow dividing pipe 125. The primary flow dividing pipe 124 is provided with a liquid inlet 121, and the secondary flow dividing pipe 125 communicates with the corresponding first liquid outlet 122 and the corresponding second liquid outlet 123. The primary flow dividing pipe 124 is configured to divide the liquid from the inlet pipe 110 into the corresponding first liquid outlet 122 and the corresponding second liquid outlet 123 via the secondary flow dividing pipe 125. By gradually dividing the liquid through the primary flow dividing pipe 124 and the secondary flow dividing pipe 125, it is possible to ensure the smooth flow of the liquid between the liquid inlet 121 and the first liquid outlet 122 and the second liquid outlet 123, and improve the flow dividing effect.

[0064] In some alternative embodiments, the liquid inlet 121 is disposed at the midpoint of the primary flow dividing pipe 124, and the midpoint of the secondary flow dividing pipe 125 communicates with the primary flow dividing pipe 124, so as to ensure that the flow resistance of the liquid is the same during the process of being divided by the primary flow dividing pipe 124 and the secondary flow dividing pipe 125 as much as possible. Then, the liquid from the liquid inlet 121 can be evenly divided into two liquid flows with the same flow rate by the primary flow dividing pipe 124, and the liquid from the primary flow dividing pipe 124 can be evenly divided into two liquid flows with the same flow rate by the secondary flow dividing pipe 125, so that the liquid flow rates flowing out from all the first liquid outlets 122 and the second liquid outlets 123 are consistent.

[0065] In some alternative embodiments, the flow dividing pipe group 120 further includes a tertiary flow dividing pipe 126. The midpoint of the tertiary flow dividing pipe 126 communicates with the secondary flow dividing pipe 125. The tertiary flow dividing pipe 126 can be used to evenly divide the liquid from the secondary flow dividing pipe 125 into two liquid flows with the same flow rate, realizing flow rate equalization. At the same time, setting the tertiary flow dividing pipe 126 can increase the arrangement quantity of the first liquid outlets 122 and the second liquid outlets 123, thereby improving the liquid dispersion effect.

[0066] In some alternative embodiments, the flow dividing pipe group 120 further includes a quaternary flow dividing pipe 127. The midpoint of the quaternary flow dividing pipe 127 communicates with the tertiary flow dividing pipe 126. The quaternary flow dividing pipe 127 can be used to evenly divide the liquid from the tertiary flow dividing pipe 126 into two liquid flows with the same flow rate, realizing flow rate equalization. At the same time, setting the quaternary flow dividing pipe 127 can further increase the arrangement quantity of the first liquid outlets 122 and the second liquid outlets 123, thereby improving the liquid dispersion effect.

[0067] It can be understood that in other alternative embodiments, based on the structural dimensions of the flow dividing device 100, the flow dividing pipe group 120 may further include more levels of flow dividing pipes. For example, it may include a quinary flow dividing pipe, a senary flow dividing pipe, etc., as long as each level of flow dividing pipe includes two channels and the flow resistances on the two channels are the same, that is, the width, arc, depth, etc. are all kept consistent.

[0068] When the flow dividing device 100 is actually used in a flow reactor, it is necessary to ensure that the liquid pressures flowing out from each of the first liquid outlets 122 and the second liquid outlets 123 are the same, so that the liquid can maintain a uniform velocity distribution across the cross-section of the flow reactor. In the embodiments of the present invention, it is necessary to evenly distribute the liquid pressure at the liquid inlet 121 to the positions of each of the first liquid outlets 122 and the second liquid outlets 123. Therefore, during the process from the liquid inlet 121 to the first liquid outlets 122 and the second liquid outlets 123, the structural parameters of each flow dividing pipe should be maintained within a certain range to enable the flow dividing device 100 to play the role of evenly distributing the pressure.

[0069] Combined with the commonly used cylindrical physical field limitation of the reactor and the principle of equal division control, the embodiments of the present invention have made a special structural design for the flow dividing device 100 and defined key parameter points. The requirement of the structural design is that the first liquid outlets 122 and the second liquid outlets 123 should be evenly distributed on the flow dividing device 100, and the micro-channels from the liquid inlet 121 to the first liquid outlets 122 and the second liquid outlets 123 are independent and dispersed from each other without intersection.

[0070] For the convenience of understanding, the following combines Figure 2 As shown in the figure, the structural parameters of the flow dividing device 100 are defined as follows: The radius of the flow dividing device 100 is defined as R1; the radius of the liquid inlet 121 is R8; the radius of the second liquid outlet 123 is R7, and the radius from the second liquid outlet 123 to the center of the flow dividing device 100, i.e., the center of the liquid inlet 121, is R2; the radius of the first liquid outlet 122 is R6, and the radius from the first liquid outlet 122 to the center of the liquid inlet 121 is R4; the width of the first-stage flow dividing pipe 124 is W4; the width of the second-stage flow dividing pipe 125 is W3, and the arc radius is R5; the width of the third-stage flow dividing pipe 126 is W2, and the arc radius is R3; the width of the fourth-stage flow dividing pipe 127 is W1; the angles at the connection between the first-stage flow dividing pipe 124 and the second-stage flow dividing pipe 125 are α1 and α2, and the angles at the connection between the second-stage flow dividing pipe 125 and the third-stage flow dividing pipe 126 are β1 and β2; the angles at the connection between the third-stage flow dividing pipe 126 and the fourth-stage flow dividing pipe 127 are θ1 and θ2.

[0071] In some alternative embodiments, the number of the second liquid outlets 123 is the same as the number of the first liquid outlets 122 and they are distributed in a one-to-one correspondence. The one-to-one correspondence distribution means that each second liquid outlet 123 and a corresponding first liquid outlet 122 are located on the same radial line of the second circumference. Referring to Figure 2 As shown in the figure, at this time, it can be ensured that the liquid flows at the first liquid outlets 122 and the second liquid outlets 123 are at the same pressure level, which is equivalent to evenly dispersing the liquid at the liquid inlet 121 to 16 positions (including 8 first liquid outlets 122 and 8 second liquid outlets 123), which is beneficial to the uniform distribution of the outlet flow velocities of the first liquid outlets 122 and the second liquid outlets 123.

[0072] In some alternative embodiments, the diameter of the first liquid outlet 122 is equal to the diameter of the second liquid outlet 123 and less than the diameter of the liquid inlet 121, that is, R6 = R7 and R6 and R7 are less than R8. At this time, the diameter sizes of all the first liquid outlets 122 and the second liquid outlets 123 are the same, which is conducive to ensuring the same flow resistance of each liquid flow formed by the flow splitting; and, since the sizes of the first liquid outlet 122 and the second liquid outlet 123 are less than the size of the liquid inlet 121, the uniformity of the liquid reagent at each of the first liquid outlet 122 and the second liquid outlet 123 can still be ensured even at a relatively low flow rate.

[0073] Furthermore, all the first liquid outlets 122 and the second liquid outlets 123 are on the same plane, and the liquid inlet pipe 110 is perpendicular to the plane where the first liquid outlets 122 and the second liquid outlets 123 are located. Among them, the process of the liquid flowing from the liquid inlet pipe 110 to the liquid inlet 121 occurs in the axial direction of the liquid inlet pipe 110, and the process of the liquid flowing from the liquid inlet 121 to the first liquid outlets 122 and the second liquid outlets 123 occurs in the radial direction of the liquid inlet pipe 110. Through the design of this embodiment, it is conducive to the flow splitting device 100 to uniformly disperse the liquid and discharge the liquid uniformly through all the first liquid outlets 122 and the second liquid outlets 123.

[0074] In some alternative embodiments, the primary flow splitting pipe 124 is a straight channel; the secondary flow splitting pipe 125 is an arc-shaped channel, and the tangents at the midpoints of the primary flow splitting pipe 124 and the secondary flow splitting pipe 125 are perpendicular to each other, that is, α1 = α2. Designing the primary flow splitting pipe 124 as a straight channel is conducive to ensuring that the liquid flowing into the liquid inlet 121 can be uniformly distributed along the radial direction of the liquid inlet pipe 110. Designing the secondary flow splitting pipe 125 as an arc-shaped channel and α1 = α2 can evenly divide the liquid flow from the primary flow splitting pipe 124 by the secondary flow splitting pipe 125, and at the same time is conducive to arranging all the first liquid outlets 122 and the second liquid outlets 123 uniformly around the liquid inlet 121 so that the liquid is uniformly dispersed along the periphery of the liquid inlet 121.

[0075] In some alternative embodiments, the secondary flow splitting pipe 125 is an arc-shaped channel, and the center of the secondary flow splitting pipe 125 is located on the side of the secondary flow splitting pipe 125 away from the liquid inlet 121; the tertiary flow splitting pipe 126 is an arc-shaped channel, and the center of the tertiary flow splitting pipe 126 coincides with the center of the liquid inlet 121, and, the tangents at the midpoints of the secondary flow splitting pipe 125 and the tertiary flow splitting pipe 126 are perpendicular to each other, that is, β1 = β2. Designing both the secondary flow splitting pipe 125 and the tertiary flow splitting pipe 126 as arc-shaped channels and α1 = α2, β1 = β2 can ensure the equality of the liquid after flow splitting.

[0076] In some alternative embodiments, the four-stage flow divider 127 is a linear channel, and the tangent at the midpoint of the three-stage flow divider 126 and the four-stage flow divider 127 is perpendicular to each other, that is, θ1 = θ2, which can ensure the equality of the liquid after flow division. At the same time, it is beneficial to evenly arrange the first liquid outlet 122 and the second liquid outlet 123 around the liquid inlet 121, thereby facilitating the uniform dispersion of the liquid.

[0077] It should be noted that designing the two-stage flow divider 125 and the three-stage flow divider 126 as arc-shaped is more suitable for the case where the flow dividing device 100 is circular or the flow reactor is circular. In different application systems, such as when the flow dividing device 100 is square, the two-stage flow divider 125 and the three-stage flow divider 126 can be linear channels, and the first-stage flow divider 124 is perpendicular to the two-stage flow divider 125, and the two-stage flow divider 125 is perpendicular to the three-stage flow divider 126. At this time, uniform flow division of the liquid can also be achieved through the two-stage flow divider 125 and the three-stage flow divider 126.

[0078] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a flow reactor 200 is provided, which includes a first sieve plate 210, a reaction device 220, and a second sieve plate 230 arranged in a stacked manner. The flow reactor 200 further includes the flow dividing device 100 according to any one of the above, and the flow dividing device 100 supplies liquid to the first sieve plate 210 through the first liquid outlet 122 and the second liquid outlet 123.

[0079] Refer to Figure 3a As shown, the cross-section of the flow reactor 200 is a circular structure. The liquid reagent to be reacted enters the reaction device 220 through the first sieve plate 210 and flows out through the second sieve plate 230. The flow dividing device 100 is arranged outside the first sieve plate 210. In the actual application process, the inlet pipe 110 is connected to the inlet of the flow reactor 200, and the first liquid outlet 122 and the second liquid outlet 123 are in contact with the first sieve plate 210. The liquid reagent enters the flow dividing device 100 through the inlet pipe 110, flows through the liquid inlet 121, the first-stage flow divider 124, the two-stage flow divider 125, the three-stage flow divider 126, and the four-stage flow divider 127 in sequence, and finally reaches the first liquid outlet 122 and the second liquid outlet 123. Since the channels through which the liquid flows from the liquid inlet 121 to the first liquid outlet 122 and the second liquid outlet 123 are the same, and at the same time, all the first liquid outlets 122 and the second liquid outlets 123 are evenly dispersed on the cross-section of the entire flow reactor 200, that is, the flow resistance is the same, the liquid can reach the first liquid outlet 122 and the second liquid outlet 123 simultaneously after being divided by the flow dividing device 100 and contact the first sieve plate 210 at the same flow rate, thereby achieving the purpose of uniformly distributing the liquid on the first sieve plate 210.

[0080] By utilizing the flow splitting device 100 of the embodiments of the present invention, the liquid can be reasonably distributed after passing through the flow splitting device 100, and can evenly reach each corner in the flow reactor 200 and flow downward at the same physical speed, which can fundamentally improve the reagent utilization rate and the reaction efficiency in the flow reactor 200, thus facilitating the rapid development of cell gene therapy fields such as nucleic acid synthesis.

[0081] It should be noted that during the process of the liquid flowing from the liquid inlet 121 to the first liquid outlet 122 and the second liquid outlet 123, in order to ensure that the liquid is as evenly distributed on the first sieve plate 210 as possible, the parameters of the path between the liquid inlet 121 and the first liquid outlet 122 and the second liquid outlet 123 can be further limited, including the structural parameters of each stage of the flow splitting pipe 124 and the parameters at the connection of adjacent two-stage flow splitting pipes, etc., so as to ensure that the flow resistance on each path is the same. Without departing from the design spirit of the present invention, in the actual application process, the parameters of the flow splitting device 100 can be reasonably scaled up or down proportionally according to the size of the flow reactor 200 to ensure the realization of the function of the flow splitting device 100.

[0082] In order to verify the rationality of the flow splitting device 100 and the flow reactor 200 proposed in the embodiments of the present invention, the flow fields of flow reactors with different structures are simulated and compared below.

[0083] Among them, the simulated flow field results are obtained by COMSOL Multiphysics calculation. The laminar flow module and three-dimensional structure in the software are used. During the simulation, the inlet parameters are set as a pressure of 1 MPa and the outlet pressure is 0.1 MPa, and incompressible fluid, suppression of backflow, and no-slip boundary are set. The relative magnitude of the velocity (m / s) is represented by the color depth in the obtained velocity distribution diagram, and the streamline is represented by the line. The velocity fields shown in the velocity distribution diagrams of the following examples and comparative examples are on the same cross-section near the outlet of the flow reactor, that is, the distribution of the velocity magnitude.

[0084] The structure of the flow splitting device 100 provided by the embodiments of the present invention is as Figures 1 to 2 shown, and the structure of the flow reactor 200 provided by the embodiments of the present invention is as Figure 3a shown, and the cross-sectional velocity distribution of the flow reactor 200 provided by the embodiments of the present invention is as Figure 3b shown.

[0085] Comparative Example 1

[0086] Refer to Figure 4aAs shown, in Comparative Example 1, the inlet of the flow reactor is directly connected to the first sieve plate through a small gap. Below the first sieve plate is the in-column volume of the flow reactor, that is, the reaction device. Below the in-column volume is the second sieve plate, and then is the outlet of the flow reactor. Usually, the outlet structure of the flow reactor is similar to the inlet. This structure of the flow reactor appears in many common devices. The dead volume of such a flow reactor is small. Liquid directly enters the flow reactor through the inlet and the first sieve plate. The first sieve plate not only prevents the microspheres / resin in the column from overflowing, but also plays a role in splitting the inlet liquid.

[0087] The cross-sectional flow velocity distribution of the flow reactor in Comparative Example 1 is as Figure 4b shown.

[0088] Comparative Example 2

[0089] Referring to Figure 5a shown, in Comparative Example 2, a flow splitting device is provided at the gap between the inlet of the flow reactor and the first sieve plate. Liquid enters the channels on the flow splitting device through the inlet of the flow reactor, and then the liquid is split through the channels of the flow splitting device and reaches the first sieve plate. Among them, the flow splitting device has 16 liquid outlets, which is equivalent to evenly dispersing the liquid at the inlet to 16 positions to exert pressure on the first sieve plate, so as to evenly distribute the flow velocity on the cross-section of the column body of the flow reactor.

[0090] The cross-sectional flow velocity distribution of the flow reactor in Comparative Example 2 is as Figure 5b shown.

[0091] Comparative Example 3

[0092] Referring to Figure 6a shown, in order to balance the flow field in Comparative Example 3, two inclined cavities are added at the inlet and outlet of the flow reactor respectively, that is, the size and shape of the gap between the inlet of the flow reactor and the first sieve plate and the gap between the second sieve plate and the outlet of the flow reactor are increased, in order to expand the distribution of liquid in the column of the flow reactor 200 with the smallest modification operation.

[0093] The cross-sectional flow velocity distribution of the flow reactor in Comparative Example 3 is as Figure 6b shown.

[0094] From the above, from Figure 4bIt can be seen from the velocity field that on the transverse section of the flow reactor provided in Comparative Example 1, the liquid distribution is very uneven. The high-velocity liquid is mainly concentrated at the center of the flow reactor, and the diffusion range of the high-velocity liquid is small. That is, in a normally operating flow reactor, most of the liquid flows through the inside of the flow reactor from the central flow field, and only a small part of the liquid flows through the side wall of the flow reactor. This result is very unfavorable for the uniform reaction requirement in the flow reactor. If the flow field is allowed to continue reacting, the reaction results in the middle and the outer side wall of the transverse section of the flow reactor will show a large difference or even stratification phenomenon later.

[0095] From Figure 5b It can be seen from the velocity field that, compared with Comparative Example 1, the flow velocity distribution on the transverse section of the flow reactor provided in Comparative Example 2 has been much more dispersed. The high-velocity liquid has been diffused over a larger range, so that the incoming liquid can act on a larger range inside the flow reactor 200 at the same time. However, there is an uneven distribution of liquid in the circumferential direction of the flow reactor in this structure. As Figure 5b shown, the liquid diffusion ranges in the 45-degree direction and the 0-degree direction are different. That is, the shape of the diffusion range from the center of the flow reactor to the outside is closely related to the arrangement position of the liquid outlets of the flow splitting device. This flow splitting device is designed as a square structure and does not match the circular cross-section flow reactor.

[0096] From Figure 6b It can be seen from the velocity field that in Comparative Example 3, the flow velocity distribution in the flow reactor has been diffused a lot and is evenly diffused outward in a circular form. However, this structure enlarges the gap between the inlet of the flow reactor and the first sieve plate, increasing the dead volume. Therefore, in the actual application process, there will be situations of liquid residue, pollution, and reagent waste.

[0097] From Figure 3b It can be seen from the velocity field that in the flow reactor 200 in the embodiment of the present invention, the high-velocity liquid in the central region can be evenly dispersed to most corners of the transverse section of the flow reactor 200, rather than being concentrated in the central region of the flow reactor 200. Thus, the control of the flow velocity of the liquid reagent in the flow reactor 200 can be more flexible, especially suitable for the flow reactor 200 with a circular flow field.

[0098] Compared with Comparative Example 1, in the embodiment of the present invention, not only the structure with a small dead volume is maintained, but also the diffusion range of the high-velocity liquid is increased, making the flow velocity distribution in the flow reactor 200 more uniform and more conducive to improving the reaction efficiency.

[0099] Compared with Comparative Example 2, the total number of the first liquid outlet 122 and the second liquid outlet 123 in the embodiment of the present invention is the same as the number of liquid outlets in Comparative Example 2. However, from the perspective of the entire circular cross-section in the embodiment of the present invention, the liquid flow velocity distribution is relatively symmetric, and the dispersion range of the region with a larger central flow velocity in the flow reactor 200 is larger, and the flow velocity distribution is more uniform.

[0100] Compared with Comparative Example 3, the flow reactor 200 in the embodiment of the present invention has a smaller dead volume, and the range of high-flow-velocity diffusion is increased, and problems such as liquid residue and pollution will not occur.

[0101] In summary, the flow reactor 200 in the embodiment of the present invention solves the problems existing in the existing flow reactors, such as a larger dead volume, uneven flow velocity distribution on the cross-section of the reactor, and relatively low reaction efficiency.

[0102] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, it can be understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art can make changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations to the above embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A flow splitting device, characterized in that, It includes a liquid inlet pipe and a shunt pipe group. The shunt pipe group is provided with a liquid inlet and a number of first liquid outlets. The liquid inlet is communicated with the liquid inlet pipe, and the shunt pipe group is used to shunt the fluid entering the liquid inlet from the liquid inlet pipe to the first liquid outlets; Among them, all the first liquid outlets are distributed on a first circumference with the liquid inlet as the center of the circle, and the first flow distance of the fluid in the shunt pipe group from the liquid inlet to all the first liquid outlets is the same; The shunt pipe group also has a number of second liquid outlets, the second liquid outlets are communicated with the liquid inlet, and all the second liquid outlets are evenly distributed on a second circumference with the liquid inlet as the center of the circle, and the second circumference is located on the side of the first circumference away from the liquid inlet; The second flow distance of the fluid in the shunt pipe group from the liquid inlet to all the second liquid outlets is the same, and the second flow distance is equal to the first flow distance; The shunt pipe group includes a primary shunt pipe and a secondary shunt pipe. The primary shunt pipe is provided with the liquid inlet, and the secondary shunt pipe is communicated with the corresponding first liquid outlet and the corresponding second liquid outlet; The primary shunt pipe is used to shunt the fluid from the liquid inlet pipe to the corresponding first liquid outlet and the corresponding second liquid outlet via the secondary shunt pipe; The liquid inlet is arranged at the midpoint of the primary shunt pipe to shunt the fluid from the liquid inlet pipe into two streams through the primary shunt pipe; The midpoint of the secondary shunt pipe is communicated with the primary shunt pipe to shunt the fluid from the primary shunt pipe into two streams; The primary shunt pipe is a linear channel; The secondary shunt pipe is a linear channel, and the primary shunt pipe and the secondary shunt pipe are perpendicular to each other; or, the secondary shunt pipe is an arc-shaped channel, and the tangents at the midpoints of the primary shunt pipe and the secondary shunt pipe are perpendicular to each other; The shunt pipe group further includes a tertiary shunt pipe, and the secondary shunt pipe is communicated with the corresponding first liquid outlet and the corresponding second liquid outlet through the tertiary shunt pipe; The midpoint of the tertiary shunt pipe is communicated with the secondary shunt pipe to shunt the fluid from the secondary shunt pipe into two streams; The shunt pipe group further includes a quaternary shunt pipe, and the secondary shunt pipe is sequentially communicated with the corresponding first liquid outlet and the corresponding second liquid outlet through the tertiary shunt pipe and the quaternary shunt pipe; The midpoint of the quaternary shunt pipe is communicated with the tertiary shunt pipe to shunt the fluid from the tertiary shunt pipe into two streams.

2. The flow splitting device according to claim 1, wherein, The diameter of the first liquid outlet is equal to the diameter of the second liquid outlet and smaller than the diameter of the liquid inlet.

3. The shunt device according to claim 2, wherein, The secondary shunt pipe is an arc-shaped channel, and the center of the circle of the secondary shunt pipe is located on the side of the secondary shunt pipe away from the liquid inlet; The tertiary shunt pipe is an arc-shaped channel, and the center of the circle of the tertiary shunt pipe coincides with the center of the liquid inlet.

4. A flow reactor, comprising a first sieve plate, a reaction device and a second sieve plate which are stacked, characterized in that, The flow reactor further includes the flow splitting device described in any one of claims 1 to 3, and the flow splitting device feeds fluid to the first sieve plate through the first liquid outlet.

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