Large-diameter microchannel static mixer with heat exchange function

Abstract

The present application belongs to the technical field of chemical equipment, and relates to a large-diameter micro-channel static mixer with heat exchange function, which comprises a mixer shell, feed and discharge end covers connected to the two ends of the mixer shell respectively, a plurality of micro-channel tubes parallel to each other arranged inside the mixer shell, and the two ends of the micro-channel tubes being sealingly connected to the two ends of the mixer shell respectively, a heat source inlet and a heat source outlet being arranged on the mixer shell, and a spiral mixing unit being arranged in the micro-channel tube. The present application can simultaneously realize sufficient mixing and heat exchange of materials, and the materials are preliminarily mixed by a distributor, then enter the micro-channel tube for sufficient mixing and heat exchange, and the reacted materials are discharged through the outlet, so that continuous production can be realized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of chemical equipment technology and relates to a large-diameter microchannel static mixer with heat exchange function. Background Technology

[0002] A static mixer is an advanced unit device that primarily utilizes fluid flow and internal units to mix various fluids, thanks to its unique and rationally designed structure. Compared to other equipment such as orifice plates, venturi tubes, agitators, and homogenizers, static mixers offer advantages such as high efficiency, low energy consumption, small size, lower investment, and ease of continuous production. Static mixers are widely used in various industries including plastics, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, mining and metallurgy, food, daily chemicals, pesticides, cables, petroleum, papermaking, chemical fibers, biology, and environmental protection. Due to its low energy consumption, low investment, good results, and quick returns, this product brings considerable economic benefits to users.

[0003] In a static mixer, the fluid movement follows a "splitting-displacement-overlapping" pattern, with displacement playing a primary role in the mixing process. Displacement can be categorized into two main types: "relative displacement caused by velocity distribution within the same cross-section" and "multi-channel relative displacement," with different mixer models employing different displacement methods. Static mixers are not only used in mixing processes but also in processes related to mixing and transfer, including gas / gas mixing, liquid / liquid extraction, gas / liquid reactions, enhanced heat transfer, and liquid / liquid reactions.

[0004] However, existing static mixers do not have a heating effect; they only mix materials. In contrast, existing heat exchange equipment does not mix materials sufficiently, and the heat exchange contact is only on the surface, resulting in relatively poor heat exchange performance. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to address the above-mentioned problems by providing a large-diameter microchannel static mixer with heat exchange function.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0007] A large-diameter microchannel static mixer with heat exchange function includes a mixer shell, with a feed end cap and a discharge end cap connected to both ends of the mixer shell, and a plurality of parallel microchannel tubes arranged inside the mixer shell, with both ends of the microchannel tubes being sealed to both ends of the mixer shell, the mixer shell having a heat source inlet and a heat source outlet, and a spiral mixing unit arranged inside the microchannel tubes.

[0008] In the aforementioned large-diameter microchannel static mixer with heat exchange function, the spiral mixing unit includes spiral blades fixed inside the microchannel tube and connected in a straight line.

[0009] In the aforementioned large-diameter microchannel static mixer with heat exchange function, the rotation directions of each pair of adjacent spiral blades are opposite.

[0010] In the aforementioned large-diameter microchannel static mixer with heat exchange function, each pair of adjacent spiral blades are cross-welded.

[0011] In the aforementioned large-diameter microchannel static mixer with heat exchange function, each pair of adjacent spiral blades are welded at a 90° angle.

[0012] In the aforementioned large-diameter microchannel static mixer with heat exchange function, the spiral blade twist angle is 180°-270°.

[0013] In the aforementioned large-diameter microchannel static mixer with heat exchange function, a number of staggered baffles are provided inside the mixer shell and between the heat source inlet and the heat source outlet, and the microchannel tubes pass through the baffles.

[0014] In the above-mentioned large-diameter microchannel static mixer with heat exchange function, a microchannel tube fixing plate is provided at both ends of the mixer shell. The microchannel tube fixing plate is sealed to the mixer shell, and both ends of the microchannel tube pass through a microchannel tube fixing plate and are sealed and fixed to the microchannel tube fixing plate.

[0015] In the aforementioned large-diameter microchannel static mixer with heat exchange function, a distributor is provided inside the feed head, and a premixing zone is formed between the distributor and the microchannel tube fixing plate near the feed head.

[0016] In the above-mentioned large-diameter microchannel static mixer with heat exchange function, a first feed port and a second feed port are provided on the feed end cap and on the side of the distributor away from the premixing zone, and a discharge port is provided on the discharge end cap.

[0017] Compared with existing technologies, the advantages of this invention are:

[0018] 1. This invention can simultaneously achieve thorough mixing and heat exchange of materials. The materials are initially mixed through a distributor, then thoroughly mixed and heat exchanged in a microchannel tube, and the reacted materials are sent out through an outlet, enabling continuous production.

[0019] 2. The microchannel design can improve the heat exchange effect, while the large-diameter multi-microchannel design ensures the throughput.

[0020] 3. This invention reduces equipment size, allowing one device to achieve the same effect as multiple devices, thus reducing the number of devices and costs;

[0021] Other advantages, objectives and features of the present invention will become apparent in part from the following description, and in part from those skilled in the art through study and practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the distributor.

[0024] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A diagram from another direction.

[0025] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a microchannel.

[0026] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of a microchannel capillary.

[0027] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the spiral mixing unit.

[0028] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram showing the connection between the microchannel tube and the baffle.

[0029] Figure 8 This is another schematic diagram showing the connection between the microchannel tube and the baffle.

[0030] In the diagram: 1. Mixer housing; 2. Feed head; 3. Discharge head; 4. Microchannel tube; 5. Heat source inlet; 6. Heat source outlet; 7. Spiral mixing unit; 8. Spiral blade; 9. Baffle plate; 9a. Notch; 10. Microchannel tube fixing plate; 11. Distributor; 11a. Distributor chassis.

[0031] Distribution pipe 11b, premixing zone 12, first feed inlet 13, second feed inlet 14, discharge outlet 15. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0033] like Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment provides a large-diameter microchannel static mixer with heat exchange function, including a mixer shell 1. A feed end cap 2 and a discharge end cap 3 are respectively connected to both ends of the mixer shell 1. The feed end cap 2 and the discharge end cap 3 are connected to the mixer shell 1 via flanges. The mixer shell 1 contains several parallel microchannel tubes 4, with both ends of the microchannel tubes 4 sealed to both ends of the mixer shell 1. The mixer shell 1 is provided with a heat source inlet 5 and a heat source outlet 6, such as... Figure 5As shown, a spiral mixing unit 7 is provided inside the microchannel tube 4. The feed end cap 2 is provided with a first feed port 13 and a second feed port 14, and the discharge end cap 3 is provided with a discharge port 15. This static mixer can be used as a horizontal or vertical mixer without limitation. The microchannel tube 4 is designed with multiple tubes arranged in parallel to achieve a large diameter function.

[0034] The liquid materials to be mixed enter from the first inlet 13 and the second inlet 14 respectively. After entering the microchannel capillary 4, they are sheared and mixed by the spiral mixing unit 7. The heating medium enters from the heat source inlet 5 and flows out from the heat source outlet 6. The heating medium heats the liquid in the microchannel capillary 4. Since the mixed liquid is divided into many fine streams by the microchannel capillary 4, the heat exchange area with the heating medium is increased, achieving the effect of rapid heat exchange.

[0035] Combined Figure 6 As shown, the spiral mixing unit 7 includes spiral blades 8 fixed within the microchannel tube 4 and connected sequentially in a straight line. In this embodiment, as a preferred embodiment, the rotation directions of each pair of adjacent spiral blades 8 are opposite, and the twist angle of the spiral blades 8 is 180°-270°. Here, the twist angle is the unit twist angle, that is, the angle of relative rotation between the two ends of the flat metal plate. More preferably, each pair of adjacent spiral blades 8 is cross-welded. Here, cross-welding means that the ends of the two spiral blades 8 are not parallel when welded, but at an angle. Preferably, each pair of adjacent spiral blades 8 is cross-welded at 90°.

[0036] When the fluid flows through the microchannel capillary 4, it is divided, recombined, and radially mixed by the spiral mixing unit 7, achieving continuous mixing without moving parts. Under the action of the spiral blades 8 of the spiral mixing unit 7, the fluid moves in opposite directions along the spiral blades 8 and changes periodically. Through the cutting, shearing, and rotational action of the spiral blades 8, the fluid is mixed in the discharge end cap 3 at the outlet of the mixer housing 1.

[0037] Several staggered baffles 9 are provided inside the mixer housing 1, located between the heat source inlet 5 and the heat source outlet 6, and microchannel tubes 4 pass through the baffles 9. Figures 7-8 As shown, the edge of the baffle 9 is sealed to the inner wall of the mixer housing 1, but a gap 9a is left at the top or bottom for the heat exchange medium to flow through. The baffle 9 is staggered, which means that the gaps 9a are staggered vertically. That is, the gaps 9a between two adjacent baffles 9 are arranged vertically, so that the liquid flows through the mixer housing 1 in a curved maze shape, so that the heat exchange medium can fully contact the liquid in the microchannel tube 4 and improve the heat exchange effect.

[0038] After the microchannel tube 4 passes through the baffle 9, the baffle 9 provides support for the microchannel tube 4, stabilizing it in the mixer housing 1. Figure 8 All the microchannels 4 shown can pass through a single baffle 9 simultaneously, such as Figure 7 As shown, some microchannel tubes 4 can also pass through a baffle 9, and the staggered baffles 9 can provide support for all the microchannel tubes 4. This is another function of the baffle 9, which is to keep the microchannel tubes 4 in a reliable position in the mixer housing 1.

[0039] Combination Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, a microchannel tube fixing plate 10 is provided at each end of the mixer housing 1. The microchannel tube fixing plate 10 can be directly set at the end of the mixer housing 1, or it can be set inside the flange, which is then connected to the end of the mixer housing 1. The microchannel tube fixing plate 10 is sealed to the mixer housing 1. Both ends of the microchannel tube 4 pass through a microchannel tube fixing plate 10 and are sealed and fixed to the microchannel tube fixing plate 10. Specifically, the two microchannel tube fixing plates 10 have small holes that correspond one-to-one with the microchannel tube 4. The positions of the small holes on the two microchannel tube fixing plates 10 are corresponding. Both ends of the microchannel tube 4 are inserted into the small holes of a microchannel tube fixing plate 10 and are sealed and connected to the microchannel tube fixing plate 10.

[0040] like Figure 1 As shown, a distributor 11 is provided inside the feed head 2, combined with... Figures 2-3 As shown, the distributor 11 includes a distributor base 11a, the edge of which is sealed to the feed head 2. The distributor base 11a is sealed to and densely covered with distribution tubes 11b. The distribution tubes 11b have a hollow structure. After the liquid is diverted through the distribution tubes 11b, it achieves the effect of initial mixing. In this way, a premixing zone 12 is formed between the distributor 11 and the microchannel tube fixing plate 10 near the feed head 2.

[0041] As described above, the feed end cap 2 is provided with a first feed port 13 and a second feed port 14, and the discharge end cap 3 is provided with a discharge port 15. Preferably, the feed end cap 2 is provided with the first feed port 13 and the second feed port 14 on the side of the distributor 11 away from the premixing zone 12, and the discharge end cap 3 is provided with a discharge port 15. In this way, after the liquid to be mixed flows through the distributor 11, a premixing zone 12 is formed between the distributor 11 and the microchannel cap 4 fixing plate 10. The liquid to be mixed is initially mixed in the premixing zone 12 after passing through the distributor 11, which provides a guarantee for complete mixing in the next step in the microchannel cap 4.

[0042] Specific application examples.

[0043] In existing technologies, the production of ethyl acetate by mixing acetic acid and ethanol usually needs to be carried out in a jacketed reactor. The raw materials need to be pre-filled, heated to 50°C by the jacket, and continuously stirred. This reaction is a batch reaction, with a long reaction time, uneven heating, which is not conducive to large-scale production and has high energy consumption.

[0044] In this application, acetic acid and ethanol are fed into the first inlet 13 and the second inlet 14 in a predetermined ratio. They are first initially mixed by the distributor 11 and a premixed liquid is obtained in the premixing zone 12. The premixed liquid then enters the microchannel capillary 4 and is continuously and fully mixed by the spiral mixing unit 7 inside the microchannel capillary 4. The heat source enters the mixer housing 1 from the heat source inlet 5 and continuously exchanges heat with the mixture inside the microchannel capillary 4 through the labyrinthine fluid channel formed by the baffle 9. The heat source or heat exchange medium after heat exchange flows out from the heat source outlet 6. Under these conditions of thorough mixing and heating, the reaction efficiency of the material is greatly improved, the reaction time is shortened, and thus continuous production is achieved.

[0045] The specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative examples of the spirit of the invention. Those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains may make various modifications or additions to the described specific embodiments or use similar methods to substitute them, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0046] Although this document frequently uses terms such as mixer housing 1, feed head 2, discharge head 3, microchannel tube 4, heat source inlet 5, heat source outlet 6, spiral mixing unit 7, spiral blade 8, baffle 9, microchannel tube fixing plate 10, distributor 11, premixing zone 12, first feed inlet 13, second feed inlet 14, and discharge outlet 15, the possibility of using other terms is not excluded. These terms are used merely for the convenience of describing and explaining the essence of the invention; interpreting them as any additional limitation would contradict the spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A large-diameter microchannel static mixer with heat exchange function, comprising a mixer shell (1), wherein a feed end cap (2) and a discharge end cap (3) are respectively connected to both ends of the mixer shell (1), and a plurality of parallel microchannel tubes (4) are provided inside the mixer shell (1), characterized in that, The two ends of the microchannel tube (4) are respectively sealed to the two ends of the mixer housing (1). The mixer housing (1) is provided with a heat source inlet (5) and a heat source outlet (6). The microchannel tube (4) is provided with a spiral mixing unit (7).

2. The large-diameter microchannel static mixer with heat exchange function according to claim 1, characterized in that, The spiral mixing unit (7) includes spiral blades (8) fixed inside the microchannel tube (4) and connected in a straight line.

3. The large-diameter microchannel static mixer with heat exchange function according to claim 2, characterized in that, The rotation directions of each pair of adjacent spiral plates (8) are opposite.

4. The large-diameter microchannel static mixer with heat exchange function according to claim 2, characterized in that, Each pair of adjacent spiral plates (8) are cross-welded.

5. The large-diameter microchannel static mixer with heat exchange function according to claim 4, characterized in that, Each pair of adjacent spiral plates (8) are welded at a 90° angle.

6. The large-diameter microchannel static mixer with heat exchange function according to claim 2, characterized in that, The twist angle of the spiral blade (8) is 180°-270°.

7. The large-diameter microchannel static mixer with heat exchange function according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mixer housing (1) is provided with several staggered baffles (9) located between the heat source inlet (5) and the heat source outlet (6), and the microchannel tube (4) passes through the baffles (9).

8. The large-diameter microchannel static mixer with heat exchange function according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mixer housing (1) is provided with a microchannel tube fixing plate (10) at both ends. The microchannel tube fixing plate (10) is sealed to the mixer housing (1). The two ends of the microchannel tube (4) pass through a microchannel tube fixing plate (10) and are sealed and fixed to the microchannel tube fixing plate (10).

9. The large-diameter microchannel static mixer with heat exchange function according to claim 1, characterized in that, The feed head (2) is provided with a distributor (11), and a premixing zone (12) is formed between the distributor (11) and the microchannel tube fixing plate (10) near the feed head (2).

10. The large-diameter microchannel static mixer with heat exchange function according to claim 9, characterized in that, The feed head (2) is provided with a first feed port (13) and a second feed port (14) on the side of the distributor (11) away from the premixing zone (12), and the discharge head (3) is provided with a discharge port (15).

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