Ceramic membrane microreactor

Abstract

This invention discloses a ceramic membrane microreactor, comprising a first ceramic membrane and a second ceramic membrane arranged in a relatively rotatable manner, forming a microreaction channel between the two membranes. The first ceramic membrane has a first liquid outlet structure facing the microreaction channel, and the second ceramic membrane has a second liquid outlet structure facing the same side. The remaining surfaces of the first and second ceramic membranes are closed. Using the first and second ceramic membranes as feed channels for reactants A and B allows for uniform distribution, ensuring that the reactant concentration quickly reaches a high degree of uniformity throughout the reaction area. This facilitates the provision of finer reactants A and B, promoting micro-mixing and making product X less prone to aggregation. Numerous liquid outlet micropores can be provided, allowing product X at each reaction point to be independently ejected into the solvent, resulting in a highly monodisperse, uniformly sized nanoscale product X.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of ceramic membrane technology, and more particularly to ceramic membrane microreactors. Background Technology

[0002] Microreactor technology is a representative technology in the field of chemical process intensification. Its core feature is the achievement of highly efficient mass and heat transfer effects through sub-millimeter-scale fluid channels (typically with a diameter of 0.05-1.0 mm). These microchannels have extremely high specific surface areas, which can significantly improve reaction efficiency, reduce reaction condition requirements, greatly shorten reaction time, and increase product yield and conversion rate. Compared with traditional macroscopic reactors, microreactors also have significant advantages such as small footprint, safe operation, and low energy and material consumption, providing technical support for the green and intelligent development of chemical processes. The development of microreactor technology has gone through several stages from conception to industrial application. Early microreactors were mainly made of materials such as silicon, metals, and organic polymers, but these materials often performed poorly under harsh reaction conditions such as high temperature and strong corrosion.

[0003] Existing microreactors have several problems in synthesizing nanomaterials. For example, uneven material distribution leads to uneven mixing. In areas of uneven mixing, the local concentration is too high, which can cause a burst of a large number of crystal nuclei. This results in a wide particle size distribution, inconsistent sizes, and uneven dispersion. In addition, the supply rate of reactants cannot keep up with the reaction rate, making it difficult to control the growth process and obtain nanoparticles with good dispersion and uniform size.

[0004] With advancements in materials science and microfabrication technology, ceramic materials are increasingly demonstrating their unique advantages in microreactor manufacturing. Ceramic microreactors not only retain the fundamental advantages of microchemical technology but also expand the application range of microreactors in high-temperature, high-pressure, and highly corrosive environments, becoming an important direction in current process intensification technology research. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to disclose a ceramic membrane microreactor, which uses a first ceramic membrane and a second ceramic membrane as feed channels for reactants A and B. On the one hand, it allows for uniform distribution, ensuring that the reactant concentration can quickly reach a high degree of uniformity throughout the reaction area. Reactants A and B are forced to collide at a very high linear velocity within the narrow slit area of ​​the micro-reaction channel, instantly completing the mixing reaction in a space at the micrometer or even nanometer scale. Product X is rapidly ejected and uniformly dispersed in the solvent, effectively preventing the aggregation of product X and obtaining nanoscale product X with excellent monodispersity and uniform size. On the other hand, since the pore sizes of the first and second liquid outlet micropores are both 10nm-100um, it helps to provide finer reactants A and B. This process promotes micro-mixing, making product X less prone to aggregation. Furthermore, numerous micropores can be arranged on the first and second ceramic membranes. With proper matching of the drive motor speed and the micropore positions, multi-point, precise, and instantaneous collisions of reactants at the micrometer / nanometer scale can be achieved. The supply speed can keep up with the reaction speed, allowing each product X to be independently ejected into the solvent without interference. This effectively prevents strong collisions and aggregation of product X, resulting in highly monodisperse, uniformly sized nanoscale product X, significantly improving reaction efficiency and enhancing the reaction effect. Finally, reactant feeding, micro-mixing reaction, and product separation all occur within the micro-reaction channel between the first and second ceramic membranes, resulting in a compact structure.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a ceramic membrane microreactor, comprising a first ceramic membrane and a second ceramic membrane arranged in a relatively rotatable manner, wherein a microreaction channel is formed between the first ceramic membrane and the second ceramic membrane, wherein the first ceramic membrane has a first liquid outlet structure on the side facing the microreaction channel, and the second ceramic membrane has a second liquid outlet structure on the side facing the microreaction channel, wherein the remaining portions of the surfaces of the first ceramic membrane and the second ceramic membrane are closed.

[0007] In some embodiments, the first liquid outlet structure includes several sets of first perforated rings arranged concentrically and sequentially, each first perforated ring including several first liquid outlet micropores; the second liquid outlet structure includes several sets of second perforated rings arranged concentrically and sequentially, each second perforated ring including several second liquid outlet micropores.

[0008] In some embodiments, a second hole ring is provided outside each first hole ring, and the first and second liquid outlet micropores in adjacent first and second hole rings are arranged in a staggered manner.

[0009] In some embodiments, a plurality of first liquid outlet micropores in the first perforated ring are evenly spaced, and a plurality of second liquid outlet micropores in the second perforated ring are evenly spaced.

[0010] In some embodiments, the pore size of both the first and second liquid outlet micropores is 10nm-100um.

[0011] In some embodiments, the height of the microreaction channel is 0.5 mm to 2 mm.

[0012] In some embodiments, the first and second ceramic membranes are each connected to a hollow shaft in the same way; the system also includes a movable disc with mounting holes, two rubber pads, and screw connectors; the hollow shaft is externally connected to an inlet pipe, and the hollow shaft is provided with a fixed disc with mounting holes and several outlets; the second ceramic membrane is provided with a through hole for the hollow shaft to pass through, and several inlet ports are provided on the inner sidewall of the second ceramic membrane; the second ceramic membrane has a groove facing the microreaction channel, and a mounting hole is provided in the groove; the movable disc is disposed in the groove; the two rubber pads are located on both sides of the second ceramic membrane and are squeezed by the fixed disc and the movable disc; the movable disc and the fixed disc are connected by screw connectors to fix the second ceramic membrane to the hollow shaft and make the outlets and inlets face each other.

[0013] In some embodiments, a height adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height of the second ceramic diaphragm is also included, the height adjustment mechanism comprising a meshing rack and gear, the rack being mounted on a hollow shaft connected to the second ceramic diaphragm.

[0014] In some embodiments, a drive motor is also included, which drives a hollow shaft connected to a first ceramic diaphragm.

[0015] In some embodiments, the reactor is filled with a solvent.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: Using a first ceramic membrane and a second ceramic membrane as the feed channels for reactants A and B allows for uniform distribution, ensuring that the reactant concentration quickly reaches a high degree of uniformity throughout the reaction area. Reactants A and B are forced to collide at a very high linear velocity within the narrow area of ​​the micro-reaction channel, instantly completing the mixing reaction within a micrometer or even nanometer scale. Product X is rapidly ejected and uniformly dispersed in the solvent, effectively preventing the aggregation of product X and resulting in nanoscale product X with excellent monodispersity and uniform size. Furthermore, since the pore sizes of the first and second liquid outlet micropores are both 10nm-100um, it helps to provide finer reactants A and B. This process promotes micro-mixing, making product X less prone to aggregation. Furthermore, numerous micropores can be arranged on the first and second ceramic membranes. With proper matching of the drive motor speed and the micropore positions, multi-point, precise, and instantaneous collisions of reactants at the micrometer / nanometer scale can be achieved. The supply speed can keep up with the reaction speed, allowing each product X to be independently ejected into the solvent without interference. This effectively prevents strong collisions and aggregation of product X, resulting in highly monodisperse, uniformly sized nanoscale product X, significantly improving reaction efficiency and enhancing the reaction effect. Finally, reactant feeding, micro-mixing reaction, and product separation all occur within the micro-reaction channel between the first and second ceramic membranes, resulting in a compact structure. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the internal structure of the ceramic membrane microreactor shown in this invention; Figure 2 for Figure 1 The structural diagram of the first ceramic diaphragm shown in the figure; Figure 3 for Figure 1 The diagram shows the structure of the second ceramic diaphragm. Figure 4 for Figure 1 The diagram shows the connection between the second ceramic diaphragm and the hollow shaft. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. However, it should be noted that these embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention. All equivalent changes or substitutions in function, method, or structure made by those skilled in the art based on these embodiments are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0019] like Figure 1-4The ceramic membrane microreactor shown includes a first ceramic membrane 4 and a second ceramic membrane 3 arranged in a relatively rotatable manner within the reactor 1. The first ceramic membrane 4 rotates downwards, while the second ceramic membrane 3 is fixed upwards, forming a microreaction channel 10 between the first ceramic membrane 4 and the second ceramic membrane 3.

[0020] Both the first ceramic diaphragm 4 and the second ceramic diaphragm 3 are connected to the hollow shaft 2. The connections between the first ceramic diaphragm 4 and the hollow shaft 2, and between the second ceramic diaphragm 3 and the hollow shaft 2, are identical in both configurations, as detailed below: The hollow shaft 2 is externally connected to a liquid inlet pipe 26, and a pump body 27 is installed on the liquid inlet pipe 26 for transporting reactants into the hollow shaft 2. The hollow shaft 2 is equipped with a fixing plate 22 with mounting holes and several liquid outlets 20. The reactants enter the hollow shaft 2 through the liquid inlet pipe 26 and are then discharged through the liquid outlets 20.

[0021] The first ceramic diaphragm 4 has through holes 44 for the hollow shaft 2 to pass through, and the second ceramic diaphragm 3 has through holes 34 for the hollow shaft 2 to pass through. The inner wall of the first ceramic diaphragm 4 has several liquid inlets (not shown), and the inner wall of the second ceramic diaphragm 3 has several liquid inlets 36. The first ceramic diaphragm 4 has a groove 43 facing the microreaction channel 40, and a mounting hole 45 is provided at the groove 43. The movable disk 25 is disposed within the groove 43 to prevent affecting the height of the microreaction channel 10. The second ceramic diaphragm 3 has a groove 33 facing the microreaction channel 30, and a mounting hole 35 is provided at the groove 33. The movable disk 25 is disposed within the groove 33 to prevent affecting the height of the microreaction channel 10.

[0022] It also includes a movable disc 25 with mounting holes, rubber gaskets 23 and 24, and screw connectors. The screw connectors are used in conjunction with the gaskets to further ensure sealing. The movable disc 25, rubber gaskets 23 and 24 are all provided with mounting holes.

[0023] The rubber pads 23 and 24 are located on both sides of the first ceramic membrane 4 and are compressed by the fixed plate 22 and the movable plate 25, thereby ensuring a tight seal. The movable plate 25 and the fixed plate 22 are connected by screws to fix the first ceramic membrane 4 on the hollow shaft 2, and to align the liquid outlet 20 with the liquid inlet, so that reactant A enters the first ceramic membrane 4 through the hollow shaft 2.

[0024] The rubber pads 23 and 24 are located on both sides of the second ceramic membrane 3 and are compressed by the fixed plate 22 and the movable plate 25, thereby ensuring a tight seal. The movable plate 25 and the fixed plate 22 are connected by screws to fix the second ceramic membrane 3 on the hollow shaft 2, and to align the liquid outlet 20 and the liquid inlet 36, so that reactant B enters the second ceramic membrane 3 through the hollow shaft 2.

[0025] The reactor also includes a height adjustment mechanism 7 for adjusting the height of the second ceramic membrane 3. The height adjustment mechanism 7 includes a base 74 connected to the reactor 1, a motor 73 mounted on the base 74, and a meshing rack 71 and gear 72. The rack 71 is mounted on a hollow shaft 2 connecting to the second ceramic membrane 3, and the connection can be made by screws or welding. The motor 73 drives the gear 72 to rotate, thereby causing the rack 71 to move the hollow shaft 2 up and down, thus adjusting the height of the second ceramic membrane 3 to flexibly control the height of the microreaction channel 10. The hollow shaft 2 connecting to the second ceramic membrane 3 passes through the reactor 1, and a sealing ring 62 is provided at the passage to ensure airtightness.

[0026] It also includes a drive motor 5, which drives a hollow shaft 2 connected to the first ceramic membrane 4, thereby causing the first ceramic membrane 4 to rotate. The hollow shaft 2 connected to the first ceramic membrane 4 passes through the reactor 1, and a sealing ring 61 is provided at the passage to ensure airtightness. The hollow shaft 2 is mounted on a bearing seat 51, which improves the rotational stability of the first ceramic membrane 4. The rotation of the first ceramic membrane 4 provides centrifugal force to reactant A, causing it to meet reactant B and facilitate rapid reaction; on the other hand, it causes the product X of the reaction between reactant A and reactant B to be quickly thrown out and dispersed in solvent 12, which can effectively prevent agglomeration; furthermore, in the microreaction channel 10, the strong shear force and centrifugal force generated by rotation can achieve efficient mixing and immediate removal of products.

[0027] The first ceramic membrane 4 has a first liquid outlet structure facing the microreaction channel side 40, and the second ceramic membrane 3 has a second liquid outlet structure facing the microreaction channel side 30. The remaining parts of the surfaces of the first ceramic membrane 4 and the second ceramic membrane 3 are closed, specifically, they can be sealed by coating, so that reactant A and reactant B can only emerge from the first liquid outlet structure and the second liquid outlet structure.

[0028] The first liquid outlet structure includes several sets of first perforated rings 41 arranged concentrically in sequence. Each first perforated ring 41 includes several first liquid outlet micropores 42, which are evenly spaced. Reactant A emerges through the first liquid outlet micropores 42 and is then ejected by centrifugal force.

[0029] The second liquid outlet structure includes several sets of concentrically arranged second perforated rings 31, each second perforated ring 31 comprising several second liquid outlet micropores 32, which are evenly spaced. Reactant B is added at specific points through the second liquid outlet micropores 32.

[0030] In this embodiment, the first ceramic diaphragm 4 is provided with two first perforated rings 41, and the second ceramic diaphragm 3 is provided with two second perforated rings, with a second perforated ring 31 on the outer side of each first perforated ring 41.

[0031] The first liquid outlet micropores 42 and the second liquid outlet micropores 32 in adjacent first pore rings 41 and second pore rings 31 are staggered and equal in number. On the one hand, each reactant A exiting from the first liquid outlet micropore 42 is thrown out by centrifugal force and meets the reactant B added to the corresponding second liquid outlet micropore 32. In the micro-reaction channel 10 region of the slit, the two are forced to collide at a very high linear velocity, and the mixing reaction is completed instantaneously in the micron or even nanoscale space. The product X is quickly thrown out by centrifugal force and is uniformly dispersed in the solvent 12, which can effectively prevent the product X from agglomerating and has good dispersibility. On the other hand, the first ceramic membrane 4 is provided with a plurality of uniformly distributed first liquid outlet micropores 42, and the second ceramic membrane... The 3-phase structure has multiple second liquid outlet micropores 32 arranged in corresponding positions. Within the micro-reaction channel 10, there are multiple uniformly distributed reaction points, which play a role in uniform material distribution. This ensures that the reactant concentration can quickly reach a high degree of uniformity throughout the reaction area, allowing reactant A and reactant B to contact and react more quickly, resulting in nanoscale product X with excellent monodispersity and uniform size. This ensures reaction efficiency. The product X generated at each reaction point can be independently thrown into the solvent 12 without interference, effectively preventing strong collisions and agglomeration of product X. Furthermore, it increases the supply speed of reactants, keeping up with the reaction speed, ultimately resulting in nanoscale product X with excellent monodispersity and uniform size.

[0032] The first liquid outlet micropore 42 and the second liquid outlet micropore 32 both have a pore size of 10nm-100um, which helps to generate finer liquid flow and promote micro-mixing.

[0033] The height of the microreaction channel 10 is 0.5mm-2mm, preferably 1mm. This eliminates the risk of blockage, enhances mass and heat transfer, generates stronger shear force, and results in higher mixing efficiency. Reactant molecules can quickly contact and mix, significantly improving mass transfer efficiency, making nucleation more instantaneous and synchronous, and resulting in smaller and narrower nanoparticles.

[0034] The reactor 1 is equipped with a liquid inlet pipe 11 for filling with solvent 12. Reactant A, reactant B and product X are all insoluble in solvent 12, and product X can be uniformly dispersed in solvent 12.

[0035] The first ceramic membrane 4 and the second ceramic membrane 3 are used as the feed channels for reactants A and B. On the one hand, ceramic membranes are corrosion-resistant, high-temperature resistant, have high mechanical strength, long service life, and are applicable to a wide range of reactants. On the other hand, since the pore sizes of the first liquid outlet micropore 42 and the second liquid outlet micropore 32 are both 10nm-100um, they help to provide finer reactants A and B, promote micro-mixing, and make product X less prone to agglomeration, resulting in nanoscale product X with excellent monodispersity and uniform size. Furthermore, countless liquid outlet micropores can be set on the first ceramic membrane 4 and the second ceramic membrane 3. As long as the speed of the drive motor 5 and the position of the liquid outlet micropores are well designed, multi-point, precise, and instantaneous collision of reactants at the micron / nano scale can be achieved, greatly improving the reaction efficiency and significantly increasing the reaction effect, resulting in nanoscale product X with excellent monodispersity and uniform size. Finally, reactant feeding, micro-mixing reaction, and product separation all take place in the micro-reaction channel 10 between the first ceramic membrane 4 and the second ceramic membrane 3, resulting in a compact structure.

[0036] The detailed descriptions listed above are merely specific descriptions of feasible embodiments of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. All equivalent embodiments or modifications made without departing from the spirit of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0037] Furthermore, it should be understood that although this specification describes embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This narrative style is merely for clarity. Those skilled in the art should consider the specification as a whole, and the technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other embodiments that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A ceramic membrane microreactor, characterized in that, It includes a first ceramic membrane and a second ceramic membrane that are rotated relative to each other, forming a micro-reaction channel between the first ceramic membrane and the second ceramic membrane. The first ceramic membrane has a first liquid outlet structure on the side facing the micro-reaction channel, and the second ceramic membrane has a second liquid outlet structure on the side facing the micro-reaction channel. The remaining parts of the surfaces of the first ceramic membrane and the second ceramic membrane are closed.

2. The ceramic membrane microreactor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first liquid outlet structure includes several sets of first perforated rings arranged concentrically and sequentially, each first perforated ring including several first liquid outlet micropores; the second liquid outlet structure includes several sets of second perforated rings arranged concentrically and sequentially, each second perforated ring including several second liquid outlet micropores.

3. The ceramic membrane microreactor according to claim 2, characterized in that, A second hole ring is provided on the outside of each first hole ring, and the first and second liquid outlet micropores in adjacent first and second hole rings are staggered.

4. The ceramic membrane microreactor according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first liquid outlet micropores in the first perforated ring are evenly spaced, and the second liquid outlet micropores in the second perforated ring are evenly spaced.

5. The ceramic membrane microreactor according to claim 4, characterized in that, The pore sizes of the first and second liquid outlet micropores are both 10nm-100um.

6. The ceramic membrane microreactor according to claim 1 or 5, characterized in that, The height of the microreaction channel is 0.5mm-2mm.

7. The ceramic membrane microreactor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first and second ceramic membranes are each connected to a hollow shaft in the same way; it also includes a movable disc with mounting holes, two rubber pads, and screw connectors; the hollow shaft is externally connected to a liquid inlet pipe, the hollow shaft is provided with a fixed disc with mounting holes, the hollow shaft is provided with several liquid outlets, the second ceramic membrane is provided with a through hole for the hollow shaft to pass through, the inner sidewall of the second ceramic membrane is provided with several liquid inlets, the second ceramic membrane is provided with a groove facing the micro-reaction channel, the groove is provided with mounting holes, the movable disc is disposed in the groove, the two rubber pads are respectively located on both sides of the second ceramic membrane and are squeezed by the fixed disc and the movable disc, the movable disc and the fixed disc are connected by screw connectors to fix the second ceramic membrane on the hollow shaft and make the liquid outlets and liquid inlets face each other.

8. The ceramic membrane microreactor according to claim 7, characterized in that, It also includes a height adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height of the second ceramic diaphragm, the height adjustment mechanism comprising a meshing rack and gear, the rack being mounted on a hollow shaft connecting the second ceramic diaphragm.

9. The ceramic membrane microreactor according to claim 7, characterized in that, It also includes a drive motor that drives a hollow shaft connected to a first ceramic diaphragm.

10. The ceramic membrane microreactor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The reactor is filled with solvent.

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