Microfluidic continuous production equipment

Abstract

The utility model discloses microfluidic continuous production equipment which comprises a feeding system, a production device and a curing device, and the feeding system is used for configuring materials required by production of the production device; the curing device is connected to the production device and is used for curing the micro-droplets produced by the production device into microspheres; a relay system is connected between the feeding system and the production device, and the relay system is used for temporarily storing materials configured by the feeding system and can drive the materials to be continuously conveyed to the production device so that the production device can produce micro-droplets. According to the utility model, the relay system is used for continuously conveying the temporarily stored materials into the production device, brand new materials can be input without stopping the working state, the equipment can realize continuous operation in material supplement, the continuous production requirement of the production device is ensured, and meanwhile, the difference of products in batches is also reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of microfluidics, in particular to a microfluidics continuous production device. Background Art

[0002] Microfluidic chips are widely used in droplet production and preparation. By driving two-phase or multi-phase flow, specific emulsion forms are produced in microfluidic chips, which have high application value in many fields including medicine, purification and separation.

[0003] At present, liquid delivery in microfluidic chips is often driven by pressure, such as the Chinese invention patent application with publication number CN112569878A and publication date 2021.03.30, which discloses a device for preparing polyvinyl alcohol embolic microspheres with uniform particle size and its production process. The device is provided by combining three systems: a feeding system, a microsphere generation module, and a curing device. In the feeding system, water phase materials are fed through a dispersed phase feeding system, and oil phase materials are fed through a mobile phase feeding system; the material is controlled by a controller to flow into a microreactor of corresponding diameter, and the water phase material is sheared into small liquid droplets under the shear force of the oil phase material in the microreactor pipeline to form an oil-in-water structure, and finally, polyvinyl alcohol embolic microspheres with uniform particle size are prepared through a curing device. When the equipment needs to replenish raw materials, the device must be stopped intermittently, which often leads to differences between product batches and equipment losses; at the same time, since some solutions will destroy their own stability after long-term storage, they need to be reconfigured according to storage conditions and cycles, and thus the requirements of continuous production of microfluidics cannot be achieved, which hinders the development of microfluidics industrialization. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the prior art to overcome the defects in the prior art in view of the above problems. Utility Model Content

[0004] The problem to be solved by the utility model is to provide a microfluidic continuous production device to overcome the defect that the existing microfluidic device cannot realize continuous production.

[0005] The utility model adopts the following technical solution to solve its technical problems: a microfluidic continuous production device, comprising: a feeding system, a production device and a solidification device, wherein the feeding system is used to configure the materials required for the production of the production device; the solidification device is connected to the production device, and is used to solidify the micro-droplets produced by the production device to make them into microspheres; a relay system is connected between the feeding system and the production device, and the relay system is used to temporarily store the materials configured by the feeding system, and can drive the materials to be continuously transported to the production device so that the production device can produce micro-droplets.

[0006] As a further improvement of the present invention, the feeding system includes a continuous phase feeding device and a dispersed phase feeding device, the relay system includes a continuous phase relay device and a dispersed phase relay device, the continuous phase relay device is connected to the continuous phase feeding device, and the dispersed phase relay device is connected to the dispersed phase feeding device.

[0007] As a further improvement of the present invention, the continuous phase relay device includes a first liquid replenishment pump, a first relay tank and a first storage tank for temporarily storing the continuous phase liquid configured by the continuous phase feeding device. The first liquid replenishment pump is connected between the first storage tank and the first relay tank through a pipeline, and is used to pump the continuous phase liquid in the first storage tank into the first relay tank; the relay system also includes an infusion drive device, which is used to drive the continuous phase liquid in the first relay tank to be transported to the production device.

[0008] As a further improvement of the present invention, the dispersed phase relay device includes a second liquid replenishment pump, a second relay tank and a second storage tank for temporarily storing the dispersed phase liquid configured by the dispersed phase feeding device. The second liquid replenishment pump is connected between the second storage tank and the second relay tank through a pipeline, and is used to pump the dispersed phase liquid in the second storage tank into the second relay tank; the infusion drive device is also used to drive the dispersed phase liquid in the second relay tank to be transported to the production device.

[0009] As a further improvement of the utility model, the infusion drive device adopts an air compressor, the first relay tank and the second relay tank are both connected to the air compressor, and the continuous phase liquid in the first relay tank and the dispersed phase liquid in the second relay tank are respectively transported to the production device through pipelines under the action of the air pressure generated by the air compressor;

[0010] Wherein, a liquid level sensor is installed in both the first relay tank and the second relay tank;

[0011] When the liquid level sensor in the first relay tank detects that the continuous phase liquid therein is lower than a set liquid level threshold, the first liquid replenishing pump starts to replenish the continuous phase liquid to the first relay tank;

[0012] When the liquid level sensor in the second relay tank detects that the dispersed phase liquid therein is lower than a set liquid level threshold, the second liquid replenishing pump starts to replenish the dispersed phase liquid to the second relay tank.

[0013] As a further improvement of the present invention, the continuous phase feeding device includes a first liquid preparation tank and a first raw material pump for preparing the continuous phase liquid, the first raw material pump is connected between the first liquid preparation tank and the first storage tank through a pipeline, and is used to pump the continuous phase liquid prepared in the first liquid preparation tank into the first storage tank;

[0014] The dispersed phase feeding device includes a second liquid preparation tank and a second raw material pump for preparing dispersed phase liquid. The second raw material pump is connected between the second liquid preparation tank and the second storage tank through a pipeline, and is used to pump the dispersed phase liquid prepared in the second liquid preparation tank into the second storage tank.

[0015] As a further improvement of the present invention, the production device includes a microfluidic chip, and the microfluidic chip is connected to the first relay tank and the second relay tank respectively through pipelines.

[0016] As a further improvement of the present invention, the microfluidic continuous production equipment further includes two cleaning devices, which are respectively connected to the continuous phase feeding device and the dispersed phase feeding device for cleaning them.

[0017] As a further improvement of the present invention, the cleaning devices each include at least two cleaning tanks, a cleaning pump and a reflux pump, the cleaning pump being connected between the cleaning liquid outlets of at least two of the cleaning tanks and the corresponding continuous phase feeding device or the dispersed phase feeding device through a liquid inlet pipeline, and the cleaning pump being used to sequentially pump the cleaning liquid in at least two of the cleaning tanks into the corresponding continuous phase feeding device or the dispersed phase feeding device through the liquid inlet pipeline;

[0018] The reflux pump is connected between the cleaning liquid reflux ports of at least two of the cleaning tanks and the corresponding continuous phase feeding device or the dispersed phase feeding device through a reflux pipeline, and the reflux pump is used to extract the cleaning liquid in the corresponding continuous phase feeding device or the dispersed phase feeding device and reflux it into the corresponding cleaning tank.

[0019] As a further improvement of the present invention, the microfluidic continuous production equipment further includes a collecting tank, which is connected to the curing device and is used to collect the microspheres cured by the curing device.

[0020] The beneficial effect of the utility model is that the utility model provides a microfluidic continuous production equipment. Even when the feeding system needs to replenish raw materials, the relay system is used to continuously transport the temporarily stored materials to the production device. New materials can be input without stopping work. The equipment can achieve continuous operation during material replenishment, ensuring the continuous production requirements of the production device. At the same time, it also reduces the difference in products between batches, making microfluidic technology more continuous, stable and controllable in industrial production applications. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the microfluidic continuous production equipment of the utility model;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the feeding system of the microfluidic continuous production equipment of the utility model;

[0023] Figure 3 It is a structural schematic diagram of the relay system of the microfluidic continuous production equipment of the utility model;

[0024] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the cleaning device of the microfluidic continuous production equipment of the utility model.

[0025] Combined with the accompanying drawings, the following description is given:

[0026] 1. Feeding system; 101. First liquid dispensing tank; 102. First raw material pump; 103. Second liquid dispensing tank; 104. Second raw material pump; 2. Relay system; 201. First liquid replenishing pump; 202. First relay tank; 203. Second liquid replenishing pump; 204. Second relay tank; 205. First storage tank; 206. Second storage tank; 207. Air compressor; 208. Liquid level sensor; 3. Production device; 301. Microfluidic chip; 4. Curing device; 5. Cleaning device; 501. Cleaning tank; 502. Cleaning pump; 503. Reflux pump; 504. Liquid inlet pipeline; 505. Reflux pipeline; 6. Filter. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0028] See also Figures 1 to 4 The utility model provides a microfluidic continuous production equipment, including: a feeding system 1, a relay system 2, a production device 3, a curing device 4 and a collection tank (not shown in the figure), and the feeding system 1, the relay system 2, the production device 3, the curing device 4 and the collection tank are connected in sequence through pipelines.

[0029] Among them, the feeding system 1 is used to configure the materials required for the production of the production device 3; the relay system 2 is connected between the feeding system 1 and the production device 3, and the relay system 2 is used to obtain and temporarily store the materials configured by the feeding system 1, and can drive the materials to be continuously transported to the production device 3, so that the production device 3 can produce the materials into a specific micro-droplet form; the curing device 4 is used to solidify the micro-droplets produced by the production device 3 to make them into microspheres. The curing device 4 of this embodiment adopts a thermal curing mode, which can provide different temperature environments according to the curing requirements of the product to ensure the stable molding of the microspheres. The collection tank is connected to the curing device 4, and is used to collect the microspheres cured by the curing device 4.

[0030] By adopting this technical solution, the utility model can continuously transport the temporarily stored materials to the production device 3 by utilizing the relay system 2 even when the production equipment needs to replenish raw materials, and can input new materials without stopping work. The equipment can realize continuous operation during material replenishment, thereby ensuring the continuous production requirements of the production device 3, and also reducing the difference between batches of products, making the microfluidic technology more continuous, stable and controllable in industrial production applications.

[0031] See also Figures 1 to 3 The feeding system 1 includes a continuous phase feeding device and a dispersed phase feeding device, and the relay system 2 includes a continuous phase relay device and a dispersed phase relay device. The continuous phase relay device is connected to the continuous phase feeding device, and the dispersed phase relay device is connected to the dispersed phase feeding device.

[0032] Specifically, the continuous phase feeding device includes a first liquid preparation tank 101 and a first raw material pump 102. The first liquid preparation tank 101 is used to configure the continuous phase raw material (specifically referring to the water phase raw material in this embodiment) into a continuous phase liquid, and the first raw material pump 102 is used to transport the continuous phase liquid configured in the first liquid preparation tank 101. The dispersed phase feeding device includes a second liquid preparation tank 103 and a second raw material pump 104. The second liquid preparation tank 103 is used to configure the dispersed phase raw material (specifically referring to the oil phase raw material in this embodiment) into a dispersed phase liquid, and the second raw material pump 104 is used to transport the dispersed phase liquid configured in the second liquid preparation tank 103.

[0033] In this embodiment, the first liquid dispensing tank 101 and the second liquid dispensing tank 103 can both be stirring tanks, and a heat-insulating interlayer can be provided according to material requirements.

[0034] Furthermore, the continuous phase relay device includes a first liquid replenishment pump 201, a first relay tank 202 and a first storage tank 205. The first raw material pump 102 is connected between the first liquid preparation tank 101 and the first storage tank 205 through a pipeline, and is used to pump the continuous phase liquid configured in the first liquid preparation tank 101 into the first storage tank 205, and the first storage tank 205 temporarily stores the continuous phase liquid. The first liquid replenishment pump 201 is connected between the first storage tank 205 and the first relay tank 202 through a pipeline, and the first liquid replenishment pump 201 can pump the continuous phase liquid in the first storage tank 205 into the first relay tank 202. In addition, the relay system 2 also includes an infusion drive device, which is used to drive the continuous phase liquid in the first relay tank 202 to be transported to the production device 3.

[0035] Further, the dispersed phase relay device includes a second liquid replenishment pump 203, a second relay tank 204 and a second storage tank 206. The second raw material pump 104 is connected between the second liquid distribution tank 103 and the second storage tank 206 through a pipeline. The second raw material pump 104 is used to pump the dispersed phase liquid configured in the second liquid distribution tank 103 into the second storage tank 206. The second liquid replenishment pump 203 is connected between the second storage tank 206 and the second relay tank 204 through a pipeline. The second liquid replenishment pump 203 can pump the dispersed phase liquid in the second storage tank 206 into the second relay tank 204. At the same time, the infusion drive device is also used to drive the dispersed phase liquid in the second relay tank 204 to be transported to the production device 3.

[0036] Among them, the first storage tank 205 and the second storage tank 206 are both open containers, and the first relay tank 202 and the second relay tank 204 are both pressure containers. The infusion drive device in this embodiment adopts an air compressor 207, and the first relay tank 202 and the second relay tank 204 are both connected to the air compressor 207. The continuous phase liquid in the first relay tank 202 and the dispersed phase liquid in the second relay tank 204 are respectively transported to the production device 3 through pipelines under the air pressure generated by the air compressor 207.

[0037] In addition, if Figure 3 As shown, a liquid level sensor 208 is installed in both the first relay tank 202 and the second relay tank 204. When the liquid level sensor 208 in the first relay tank 202 detects that the continuous phase liquid therein is lower than the set liquid level threshold, the first liquid replenishment pump 201 starts to replenish the continuous phase liquid to the first relay tank 202. When the liquid level sensor 208 in the second relay tank 204 detects that the dispersed phase liquid therein is lower than the set liquid level threshold, the second liquid replenishment pump 203 starts to replenish the dispersed phase liquid to the second relay tank 204. The replenishment speeds of the first liquid replenishment pump 201 and the second liquid replenishment pump 203 are adjusted based on the actual liquid consumption of the rear-end production device 3 to reduce the fluctuation of the rear-end air pressure caused by the replenishment, so as to ensure that the microspheres can be produced continuously and stably.

[0038] It is worth mentioning that the utility model is provided with two parallel filtering pipes between the first raw material pump 102 and the first storage tank 205, between the first storage tank 205 and the first liquid replenishing pump 201, between the second raw material pump 104 and the second storage tank 206, and between the second storage tank 206 and the second liquid replenishing pump 203, and filters 6 are installed on the filtering pipes. The filter 6 thereon can be inspected by closing one of the filtering pipes, while the other filtering pipe remains unobstructed, so as to realize non-stop maintenance.

[0039] Furthermore, the production device 3 includes a microfluidic chip 301, and the microfluidic chip 301 is connected to the first relay tank 202 and the second relay tank 204 through pipelines.

[0040] In addition, the microfluidic continuous production equipment of the present invention further comprises two cleaning devices 5 , which are respectively connected to the continuous phase feeding device and the dispersed phase feeding device for cleaning them.

[0041] See also Figure 1 and Figure 4 The cleaning device 5 includes at least two cleaning tanks 501, a cleaning pump 502 and a reflux pump 503. The cleaning pump 502 is connected between the cleaning liquid outlets of at least two cleaning tanks 501 and the corresponding continuous phase feeding device or dispersed phase feeding device through a liquid inlet pipeline 504. The cleaning pump 502 is used to pump the cleaning liquid in at least two cleaning tanks 501 into the corresponding continuous phase feeding device or dispersed phase feeding device in sequence through the liquid inlet pipeline 504. The reflux pump 503 is connected between the cleaning liquid reflux ports of at least two cleaning tanks 501 and the corresponding continuous phase feeding device or dispersed phase feeding device through a reflux pipeline 505. The reflux pump 503 is used to extract the cleaning liquid in the corresponding continuous phase feeding device or dispersed phase feeding device and reflux it into the corresponding cleaning tank 501.

[0042] The following description will be made by taking the cleaning device 5 for cleaning the continuous phase feeding device as an example.

[0043] The cleaning device 5 includes but is not limited to six cleaning tanks 501. The six cleaning tanks 501 can store the same or different cleaning liquids according to actual cleaning requirements, and the six cleaning tanks 501 can be provided with heat-insulating interlayers according to material requirements. The cleaning liquid outlets of the six cleaning tanks 501 are all connected to the cleaning liquid inlet of the first liquid distribution tank 101 through the liquid inlet pipeline 504, and the cleaning pump 502 is arranged on the liquid inlet pipeline 504. The cleaning liquid reflux ports of the six cleaning tanks 501 are all connected to the sewage outlet of the first liquid distribution tank 101 through the reflux pipeline 505, and the reflux pump 503 is arranged on the reflux pipeline 505.

[0044] Take six cleaning tanks 501 storing the same cleaning liquid as an example. Figure 4The direction indicated by the arrow in the cleaning device 5 shown indicates the flow direction of the cleaning liquid. During cleaning, the cleaning pump 502 extracts the cleaning liquid in the first cleaning tank 501 and pumps it into the first liquid distribution tank 101. After cleaning, the cleaning liquid is discharged from the sewage outlet of the first liquid distribution tank 101; then the cleaning pump 502 extracts the cleaning liquid in the second cleaning tank 501 and pumps it into the first liquid distribution tank 101. After cleaning, the cleaning liquid in the first liquid distribution tank 101 is extracted by the reflux pump 503 and refluxed into the first cleaning tank 501; then the cleaning pump 502 extracts the cleaning liquid in the third cleaning tank 501 and pumps it into the first liquid distribution tank 101..., and repeats this process until all cleaning steps are completed. It can be seen that the cleaning device 5 adopted in the utility model can realize the graded recovery of the cleaning liquid to reduce the consumption of the cleaning liquid and the amount of waste liquid to be processed.

[0045] It should be noted that valves are installed on each pipeline in this article, and ball valves or solenoid valves can be selected according to needs.

[0046] It can be seen that even when the feeding system 1 of the utility model needs to replenish raw materials, the relay system 2 is used to continuously transport the temporarily stored materials to the production device 3, and new materials can be input without stopping the working state. The equipment can achieve continuous operation during material replenishment, ensuring the continuous production requirements of the production device 3, while also reducing the difference between batches of products, making microfluidic technology more continuous, stable and controllable in industrial production applications.

[0047] In the above description, many specific details are described to facilitate a full understanding of the present invention. However, the above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The present invention can be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein, so the present invention is not limited by the specific implementation disclosed above. At the same time, any person familiar with the technical field can make many possible changes and modifications to the technical solution of the present invention by using the methods and technical contents disclosed above without departing from the scope of the technical solution of the present invention, or modify it into an equivalent embodiment of equivalent changes. Any simple modification, equivalent change and modification made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the content of the technical solution of the present invention still falls within the scope of protection of the technical solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. A microfluidic continuous production device, comprising a feeding system (1), a production device (3) and a curing device (4), wherein the feeding system (1) is used to configure the materials required for the production of the production device (3); the curing device (4) is connected to the production device (3) and is used to solidify the microdroplets produced by the production device (3) to form microspheres; characterized in that: A relay system (2) is connected between the feeding system (1) and the production device (3). The relay system (2) is used to temporarily store the material configured by the feeding system (1) and can drive the material to be continuously transported to the production device (3) so that the production device (3) can produce micro-droplets.

2. The microfluidic continuous production equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The feeding system (1) comprises a continuous phase feeding device and a dispersed phase feeding device, and the relay system (2) comprises a continuous phase relay device and a dispersed phase relay device, wherein the continuous phase relay device is connected to the continuous phase feeding device, and the dispersed phase relay device is connected to the dispersed phase feeding device.

3. The microfluidic continuous production equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that: The continuous phase relay device comprises a first liquid replenishment pump (201), a first relay tank (202) and a first storage tank (205) for temporarily storing the continuous phase liquid configured by the continuous phase feeding device. The first liquid replenishment pump (201) is connected between the first storage tank (205) and the first relay tank (202) through a pipeline, and is used to pump the continuous phase liquid in the first storage tank (205) into the first relay tank (202); the relay system (2) also comprises an infusion drive device, and the infusion drive device is used to drive the continuous phase liquid in the first relay tank (202) to be transported to the production device (3).

4. The microfluidic continuous production equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that: The dispersed phase relay device comprises a second liquid replenishment pump (203), a second relay tank (204) and a second storage tank (206) for temporarily storing the dispersed phase liquid configured by the dispersed phase feeding device. The second liquid replenishment pump (203) is connected between the second storage tank (206) and the second relay tank (204) through a pipeline, and is used to pump the dispersed phase liquid in the second storage tank (206) into the second relay tank (204); the infusion drive device is also used to drive the dispersed phase liquid in the second relay tank (204) to be transported to the production device (3).

5. The microfluidic continuous production equipment according to claim 4, characterized in that: The infusion drive device adopts an air compressor (207), the first relay tank (202) and the second relay tank (204) are both connected to the air compressor (207), and the continuous phase liquid in the first relay tank (202) and the dispersed phase liquid in the second relay tank (204) are respectively transported to the production device (3) through pipelines under the action of the air pressure generated by the air compressor (207); Wherein, a liquid level sensor (208) is installed in each of the first relay tank (202) and the second relay tank (204); When the liquid level sensor (208) in the first relay tank (202) detects that the continuous phase liquid therein is lower than a set liquid level threshold, the first liquid replenishing pump (201) starts to replenish the continuous phase liquid to the first relay tank (202); When the liquid level sensor (208) in the second relay tank (204) detects that the dispersed phase liquid therein is lower than a set liquid level threshold, the second liquid replenishment pump (203) starts to replenish the dispersed phase liquid to the second relay tank (204).

6. The microfluidic continuous production equipment according to claim 4, characterized in that: The continuous phase feeding device comprises a first liquid preparation tank (101) for preparing the continuous phase liquid and a first raw material pump (102); the first raw material pump (102) is connected between the first liquid preparation tank (101) and the first material storage tank (205) through a pipeline, and is used to pump the continuous phase liquid prepared in the first liquid preparation tank (101) into the first material storage tank (205); The dispersed phase feeding device comprises a second liquid preparation tank (103) for preparing the dispersed phase liquid and a second raw material pump (104). The second raw material pump (104) is connected between the second liquid preparation tank (103) and the second storage tank (206) through a pipeline, and is used to pump the dispersed phase liquid prepared in the second liquid preparation tank (103) into the second storage tank (206).

7. The microfluidic continuous production equipment according to claim 4, characterized in that: The production device (3) comprises a microfluidic chip (301), and the microfluidic chip (301) is connected to the first relay tank (202) and the second relay tank (204) respectively through pipelines.

8. The microfluidic continuous production equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that: It also comprises two cleaning devices (5), which are respectively connected to the continuous phase supply device and the dispersed phase supply device for cleaning them.

9. The microfluidic continuous production equipment according to claim 8, characterized in that: The cleaning devices (5) each comprise at least two cleaning tanks (501), a cleaning pump (502) and a reflux pump (503); the cleaning pump (502) is connected between the cleaning liquid outlets of at least two cleaning tanks (501) and the corresponding continuous phase feeding device or the dispersed phase feeding device via a liquid inlet pipeline (504); the cleaning pump (502) is used to pump the cleaning liquid in the at least two cleaning tanks (501) into the corresponding continuous phase feeding device or the dispersed phase feeding device in sequence via the liquid inlet pipeline (504); The reflux pump (503) is connected between the cleaning liquid reflux ports of at least two cleaning tanks (501) and the corresponding continuous phase feeding device or the dispersed phase feeding device through a reflux pipeline (505), and the reflux pump (503) is used to extract the cleaning liquid in the corresponding continuous phase feeding device or the dispersed phase feeding device and reflux it into the corresponding cleaning tank (501).

10. The microfluidic continuous production equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also comprises a collecting tank, which is connected to the curing device (4) and is used to collect the microspheres cured by the curing device (4).

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