Flow channel structure of micro-channel reactor
By employing a concave flow channel and a teardrop-shaped tapering design in the microchannel reactor, the emulsification problem caused by turbulence was solved, the stability of fluid mixing and extraction efficiency were improved, and a low-energy metallurgical extraction process was realized.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- JINCHUAN GROUP CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2026-01-27
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-05
AI Technical Summary
Existing microchannel reactors exhibit high turbulence during liquid-liquid mixing, leading to frequent emulsification and affecting extraction mass transfer efficiency and phase separation processes.
A flow channel structure for a microchannel reactor is designed, employing a concave flow channel and a teardrop-shaped structure. By combining circular and teardrop-shaped flow channel design, the Reynolds number of the fluid is reduced, the degree of turbulence is decreased, and flow separation and high shear zones are avoided.
It achieves stable fluid flow, reduces emulsification, improves extraction efficiency, and provides support for low-energy, low-cost, and low-pollution metallurgical extraction processes.
Smart Images

Figure CN121972108A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention belongs to the technical field of liquid-liquid extraction equipment, specifically relating to the flow channel structure of a microchannel reactor that combines circular and droplet-like shapes. Background Technology
[0002] In traditional metallurgical extraction processes, liquid-liquid extraction mainly relies on equipment such as reaction vessels, extraction tanks, and stirred tanks. The core issues are concentrated on mixing efficiency and emulsification control. Compared with traditional reaction vessels, microchannel reactors can improve mass transfer efficiency due to their small reaction space. However, existing microchannels often adopt complex flow channel types. Within the extraction process system, there is still significant room for optimization in the control of fluid flow stability and turbulence suppression mechanisms. Specifically, high-intensity turbulence effects are easily induced in local corner regions of the flow field. This effect significantly increases the frequency of breakup and coalescence of dispersed phase droplets, thereby exacerbating the formation and development of emulsification in the system, which has an adverse impact on extraction mass transfer efficiency and subsequent phase separation processes.
[0003] Therefore, it is necessary to design a flow channel structure for a microchannel reactor that can optimize fluid flow, reduce turbulence, and minimize emulsification, thereby improving extraction efficiency for specific extraction scenarios. Summary of the Invention
[0004] To address the problems of existing technologies, the purpose of this invention is to provide a flow channel structure for a microchannel reactor, thereby solving the problems of high turbulence and frequent emulsification during liquid-liquid mixing in microchannels.
[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: A flow channel structure for a microchannel reactor includes a main board and a recessed flow channel. The recessed flow channel is provided on the main board and includes several circular structures that are interconnected. Each circular structure contains a teardrop-shaped structure. The recessed flow channels are connected by connecting channels. The first end of the recessed flow channel is connected to a second liquid inlet, and one side of the second liquid inlet is connected to a first liquid inlet. The last end of the recessed flow channel is connected to an outlet.
[0006] More preferably, adjacent circular structures are horizontally coronally tangent at the connection point, and several circular structures are horizontally and evenly distributed on the motherboard.
[0007] More preferably, the teardrop-shaped structure is divided into a round end, a transition section, and a straight section, with the two sides of the transition section being tangent to the round end and the straight section, respectively.
[0008] More preferably, the teardrop-shaped structure and the circular structure are axisymmetric structures, with the axis of symmetry being the center line.
[0009] More preferably, the diameter of the circular structure is ΦB, and the height of the horizontal coronal tangency between adjacent circular structures is H. The height H of the horizontal coronal tangency needs to satisfy... .
[0010] More preferably, the length of the teardrop-shaped structure is h, and the length h of the teardrop-shaped structure needs to satisfy the following: .
[0011] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages: The present invention features a recessed flow channel with a nested teardrop-shaped structure. This structure forms a teardrop-shaped flow channel. The round end of the teardrop-shaped structure and the circular structure form the inlet, and the tip of the teardrop-shaped structure and the circular structure form the outlet. Through the design of a gradually narrowing flow channel combining the circular and teardrop shapes, the Reynolds number of the fluid flow is reduced and the turbulence is weakened. The round end and the tip of the teardrop-shaped structure both adopt a tangential transition, which effectively avoids flow separation and high shear zone caused by sharp angles, and is conducive to maintaining a low Reynolds number flow state. This invention enables more stable fluid flow, reduces the likelihood of flow separation, effectively reduces the degree of turbulence in mixed liquids, and thus reduces emulsification during metallurgical extraction liquid mixing, providing key flow channel support for achieving low-energy consumption, low-cost, and low-pollution operation of metallurgical extraction processes. Attached Figure Description
[0012] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a partial schematic diagram of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the concave flow channel of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a partially enlarged view of the present invention; The meanings of the labels in the attached diagram are as follows: 1. Liquid outlet; 2. Connecting channel; 3. Liquid inlet one; 4. Liquid inlet two; 5. Main board; 6. Circular structure; 7. Teardrop-shaped structure. Detailed Implementation
[0013] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the invention.
[0014] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the invention. Furthermore, in the description of this invention, "a number" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.
[0015] like Figure 1-4 The diagram illustrates a flow channel structure for a microchannel reactor, comprising a main board 5 and recessed flow channels. The main board 5 has recessed flow channels, each containing several circular structures 6 interconnected. Adjacent circular structures 6 are horizontally tangent at their connection points, ensuring smooth connection, avoiding abrupt flow changes, reducing local turbulence, and improving fluid distribution uniformity. The circular structures 6 are horizontally and uniformly distributed on the main board 5. Teardrop-shaped structures 7 are nested within the circular structures 6. The recessed flow channels are connected via connecting channels 2. This invention utilizes an integrated processing technology to reduce dead zones in the flow channels, decrease liquid residue, and simultaneously improve the corrosion resistance and service life of the flow channels. A second inlet 4 is connected to the beginning of the recessed flow channel, and an outlet 1 is connected to the end. An inlet 3 is connected to one side of the second inlet 4. Inlets 3 and 4 are used to input two different liquids, oil and water phases respectively, achieving parallel feeding and efficient mixing.
[0016] The teardrop-shaped structure 7 is divided into a round end, a transition section, and a straight section. The two sides of the transition section are tangent to the round end and the straight section, respectively. The circular arc R1 is the "round end" of the teardrop-shaped structure 7, corresponding to the "head" of the teardrop, and its main function is to receive the fluid from the inlet side. The circular arc R2 is the "transition arc" connecting the circular arc R1 and the straight section. As a transition section, the circular arc R2 achieves a smooth connection of "round end → transition section → straight section" without sharp corners by being tangent to the circular arc of the circular arc R1 and linearly tangent to the straight section, eliminating the sharp angle between the circular arc R1 and the straight section and forming a continuous and smooth channel profile. The straight section at the end of the teardrop-shaped structure 7 forms a tip, realizing the gradual narrowing of the flow channel, promoting fluid mixing while suppressing shear through the circular transition. The round end of the teardrop-shaped structure 7 forms an inlet with the circular structure 6, and the tip forms an outlet with the circular structure 6. Through the gradual narrowing flow channel design combining the circular and teardrop shapes, the Reynolds number of the fluid flow is reduced and the degree of turbulence is weakened.
[0017] The teardrop-shaped structure 7 and the circular structure 6 are axisymmetric structures with the axis of symmetry as the center line. This symmetrical structure ensures uniform fluid distribution within the flow channel, improving mixing efficiency. The diameter of the circular structure 6 is ΦB, and the horizontal crown-shaped tangent height between adjacent circular structures 6 is H. This horizontal crown-shaped tangent height H needs to meet the following requirements: At this ratio, the crown-shaped tangent structure between adjacent circular structures 6 can achieve a natural transition in the flow channel shape, avoiding abrupt changes in channel width or height, thus facilitating smooth fluid redirection and reducing local flow resistance and turbulence development tendency. The length of the teardrop-shaped structure 7 is h, and the length h of the teardrop-shaped structure 7 needs to satisfy... The concave flow channel realizes microchannels.
[0018] In practical use, the two liquids are introduced into liquid inlet 3 and liquid inlet 4 respectively. The two liquids enter the concave flow channel to mix. During mixing, the turbulence of the mixed liquid is reduced by the teardrop-shaped structure 7, thereby reducing the emulsification phenomenon during the mixing of metallurgical extraction liquids. The mixed solution is discharged through liquid outlet 1.
[0019] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. A flow channel structure for a microchannel reactor, comprising a main board and a recessed flow channel, characterized in that: The main board (5) is provided with a concave flow channel, which includes several circular structures (6), which are interconnected. A teardrop-shaped structure (7) is provided inside the several circular structures (6). The concave flow channels are connected by a connecting channel (2). The opening of the concave flow channel is connected to a liquid inlet two (4). One side of the liquid inlet two (4) is connected to a liquid inlet one (3). The end of the concave flow channel is connected to a liquid outlet (1).
2. The flow channel structure of a microchannel reactor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The adjacent circular structures (6) are horizontally coronally tangent at the connection point, and several circular structures (6) are horizontally and evenly distributed on the main board (5).
3. The flow channel structure of a microchannel reactor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The teardrop-shaped structure (7) is divided into a round end, a transition section and a straight section, with the two sides of the transition section being tangent to the round end and the straight section, respectively.
4. The flow channel structure of a microchannel reactor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The teardrop-shaped structure (7) and the circular structure (6) are axially symmetric structures, with the axis of symmetry being the center line.
5. The flow channel structure of a microchannel reactor according to claim 2, characterized in that: The diameter of the circular structure (6) is ΦB, and the height of the horizontal coronal tangency between adjacent circular structures (6) is H. The height H of the horizontal coronal tangency needs to satisfy the following conditions: .
6. The flow channel structure of a microchannel reactor according to claim 3 or 5, characterized in that: The length of the teardrop-shaped structure (7) is h, and the length h of the teardrop-shaped structure (7) needs to satisfy the following: .