Microfluidic emulsification device
The design of the microfluidic emulsification device solves the problems of existing emulsification devices being unable to achieve continuous emulsion production and poor emulsification effect, and realizes efficient and stable mixing of emulsions and industrial-grade production.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-05-16
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-17
AI Technical Summary
Existing emulsification equipment cannot achieve continuous emulsion production, has poor emulsification effect, uneven emulsion droplet size, and poor stability.
A microfluidic emulsification device is designed, including an emulsification component and a collector. Through the combination of first and second feed ports, a main channel, branch channels and connecting channels, combined with a flow regulating valve and a pressure sensor, efficient mixing and emulsification of the dispersed phase and the continuous phase can be achieved.
It enables continuous production and efficient emulsification of emulsions, improves the stability and emulsification efficiency of emulsions, and is suitable for large-scale industrial production.
Smart Images
Figure CN224127106U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of microfluidics, and in particular to a microfluidic emulsification device. Background Technology
[0002] An emulsion is a mixture of two immiscible liquids (usually an oil phase and an aqueous phase). The stability of an emulsion is achieved through the adsorption of solid particles at the liquid interface. These solid particles form a barrier at the interface, preventing the aggregation or separation of droplets.
[0003] Currently, commonly used emulsification devices on the market include stirring emulsifiers, high-pressure homogenizers, and high-shear homogenizers. These types of emulsification devices have the following defects: (1) they cannot achieve continuous production of emulsions; (2) the emulsification effect is poor, resulting in uneven size of emulsion droplets in the produced emulsion, poor stability of the emulsion, and easy separation.
[0004] Therefore, it is essential to design an emulsification device that can achieve continuous emulsion production and good emulsification effect. Utility Model Content
[0005] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a microfluidic emulsification device that can achieve continuous emulsion production and good emulsification effect.
[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by this utility model is as follows:
[0007] A microfluidic emulsification device includes an emulsification component and a collector. The emulsification component includes a first inlet, a second inlet, a first main channel, a second main channel, and at least one set of emulsification units. The first inlet is connected to the first main channel. The emulsification unit includes a first branch channel and a second branch channel. One end of the first branch channel is connected to the first main channel, and the other end of the first branch channel is connected to the collector. One end of the second branch channel is connected to the second main channel. The first branch channel and the second branch channel are connected through at least one connecting channel. The collector has an outlet at its bottom.
[0008] In a preferred embodiment of the microfluidic emulsification device of this utility model, a micro-disperser is provided between the second main channel and the second inlet, the inlet end of the micro-disperser is connected to the second inlet, and the outlet end of the micro-disperser is connected to the second main channel.
[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the microfluidic emulsification device of this utility model, a first flow regulating valve is provided on the first main channel, and the first flow regulating valve is located between the first branch channel and the first inlet.
[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the microfluidic emulsification device of this utility model, a second flow regulating valve is provided on the second main channel, and the second flow regulating valve is located between the second branch channel and the second inlet.
[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the microfluidic emulsification device of the present invention, a pressure sensor is provided on the first branch channel, and the pressure sensor is located between the connecting channel and the collector.
[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the microfluidic emulsification device of the present invention, in the emulsification unit, there is one first branch channel and one second branch channel, and the first branch channel and the second branch channel are connected by at least three parallel and equally spaced connecting channels.
[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the microfluidic emulsification device of this utility model, in the emulsification unit, there is one first branch channel and two second branch channels. The connecting channels are arranged in two rows, one row of connecting channels is arranged between the first branch channel and one of the second branch channels, and the other row of connecting channels is arranged between the first branch channel and the other second branch channel. The two rows of connecting channels are symmetrically arranged, and each row of connecting channels includes at least three parallel and equally spaced connecting channels.
[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the microfluidic emulsification device of the present invention, the microfluidic emulsification device further includes a housing, the first inlet and the second inlet respectively penetrate the upper wall of the housing, the outlet penetrates the lower wall of the housing, and the emulsification unit and the collector are located inside the housing.
[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the microfluidic emulsification device of this utility model, the angle between the connecting channel and the first branch channel is 10 to 90°.
[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the microfluidic emulsification device of this utility model, the angle between the connecting channel and the second branch channel is 10 to 90°.
[0017] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows:
[0018] The microfluidic emulsification device described in this invention is easy to operate and can achieve more efficient and controllable mixing and emulsification of dispersed and continuous phases. It can improve emulsification efficiency and stability, enable continuous production of emulsions, and is suitable for large-scale industrial production of emulsion products. Attached Figure Description
[0019] Figure 1 A longitudinal sectional view of the microfluidic emulsification device provided by this utility model;
[0020] Figure 2 A partial cross-sectional view of the microfluidic emulsification device provided by this utility model;
[0021] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the microfluidic emulsification device of this utility model;
[0022] Figure 4 This is another perspective view of the microfluidic emulsification device of this utility model;
[0023] Figure 5 A schematic diagram showing the connection of the first branch flow channel, the second branch flow channel, and the connecting flow channel provided by this utility model.
[0024] In the figure, 1 is the first inlet, 2 is the second inlet, 3 is the first main channel, 4 is the second main channel, 5 is the first branch channel, 6 is the second branch channel, 7 is the connecting channel, 8 is the collector, 9 is the outlet, 10 is the micro disperser, 11 is the first flow regulating valve, 12 is the second flow regulating valve, 13 is the pressure sensor, 14 is the housing, 15 is the dispersed phase, 16 is the continuous phase, and 17 is the emulsion droplets. Specific Implementation
[0025] To better illustrate the purpose, technical solution, and advantages of this utility model, the following will provide a further description of the utility model in conjunction with specific embodiments.
[0026] Please see Figures 1-5 This utility model provides a microfluidic emulsification device including an emulsification component and a collector 8. The emulsification component includes a first inlet 1, a second inlet 2, a first main channel 3, a second main channel 4, and at least one set of emulsification units. The first inlet 1 is connected to the first main channel 3. The emulsification unit includes a first branch channel 5 and a second branch channel 6. One end of the first branch channel 5 is connected to the first main channel 3, and the other end of the first branch channel 5 is connected to the collector 8. One end of the second branch channel 6 is connected to the second main channel 4. The first branch channel 5 and the second branch channel 6 are connected by at least one connecting channel 7. The bottom of the collector 8 is provided with an outlet 9.
[0027] The microfluidic emulsification device described in this invention is easy to operate and can achieve more efficient and controllable mixing and emulsification of dispersed and continuous phases. It can improve emulsification efficiency and stability, enable continuous production of emulsions, and is suitable for large-scale industrial production of emulsion products.
[0028] In one embodiment, a micro-disperser 10 is provided between the second main channel 3 and the second inlet 2. The inlet end of the micro-disperser 10 is connected to the second inlet 2, and the outlet end of the micro-disperser 10 is connected to the second main channel 3.
[0029] In one embodiment, a first flow regulating valve 11 is provided on the first main flow channel 3, and the first flow regulating valve 11 is located between the first branch flow channel 5 and the first feed inlet 1.
[0030] In one embodiment, a second flow regulating valve 12 is provided on the second main flow channel 4, and the second flow regulating valve 12 is located between the second branch flow channel 6 and the second inlet 2.
[0031] In one embodiment, a pressure sensor 13 is provided on the first branch channel 5, and the pressure sensor 13 is located between the connecting channel 7 and the collector 8. The pressure sensor 13 monitors the pressure of the fluid, and the flow state of the fluid in each channel can be monitored and adjusted in real time through the pressure sensor 13, the first flow regulating valve 11, and the second flow regulating valve 12 to ensure the stability of the emulsification process.
[0032] In one embodiment, the microfluidic emulsification device further includes a housing 14, with a first inlet 1 and a second inlet 2 penetrating the upper wall of the housing 14, and an outlet 9 penetrating the lower wall of the housing 14. The emulsification unit and the collector 8 are located inside the housing 1.
[0033] In one embodiment, the other end of the second branch channel 6 is closed.
[0034] In one embodiment, in the emulsification unit, there is one first branch channel 5 and one second branch channel 6, and the first branch channel 5 and the second branch channel 6 are connected by at least three parallel and equally spaced connecting channels 7.
[0035] In one embodiment, in the emulsification unit, there is one first branch channel 5 and two second branch channels 6. The first branch channel 5 is located between the two second branch channels 6. The connecting channels 7 are arranged in two rows, one row of connecting channels is arranged between the first branch channel 5 and one of the second branch channels 6, and the other row of connecting channels is arranged between the first branch channel 5 and the other second branch channel 6. The two rows of connecting channels are symmetrically arranged, and each row of connecting channels includes at least three parallel and equally spaced connecting channels 7.
[0036] In one embodiment, in the emulsification unit, the first branch channel 5 is located below the second branch channel 6.
[0037] In one embodiment, the angle between the connecting channel 7 and the first branch channel 5 is 10 to 90°, and the angle between the connecting channel 7 and the second branch channel 6 is 10 to 90°.
[0038] This invention does not impose any particular restrictions on the number of emulsifying components or the number of emulsifying units.
[0039] In one embodiment, the number of emulsifying components can be one, two, three, four, or any combination of two such numbers. Specifically, the number of emulsifying components is two, symmetrically arranged on both sides of the collector 8.
[0040] In one embodiment, the number of emulsifying units can be 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or any combination of two sets of values. Specifically, the number of emulsifying units is 6, divided into two groups of 3 units each. The two groups are arranged longitudinally and evenly spaced laterally.
[0041] It is understood that this invention can design the size and shape of each flow channel according to the required particle size of the emulsion droplets, the fluid properties of the dispersed phase, and the fluid properties of the continuous phase. For example, the inner diameters of the first main flow channel 3 and the second main flow channel 4 can each be independently 100–500 μm, and the inner diameters of the first branch flow channel 5, the second branch flow channel 6, and the connecting flow channel 7 can each be independently 10–100 μm.
[0042] It is understandable that the first inlet 1 can be connected to a first fluid pump outside the conveying pipeline, and the second inlet 2 can be connected to a second fluid pump outside the conveying pipeline.
[0043] In use, the continuous phase 16 (e.g., aqueous phase) is fed into the second inlet 2 through the second fluid pump and conveying pipeline, while the dispersed phase 15 (e.g., oil phase) is fed into the first inlet 1 through the first fluid pump and conveying pipeline. The dispersed phase 15 flows through the first inlet 1 and the first main channel 3 and then enters the first branch channel 5. The continuous phase 16 flows through the second inlet 2, the second main channel 4, the second branch channel 6 and the connecting channel 7 in sequence and then enters the first branch channel 5, so that the dispersed phase 15 and the continuous phase 16 merge in the first branch channel 5. The flow rate of the fluid in each channel is adjusted by the first flow regulating valve 11 and the second flow regulating valve 12, so that the dispersed phase 15 and the continuous phase 16 merge to form oil-in-water emulsion droplets 17 with controllable particle size. The emulsified product flows into the collector 8 for collection.
[0044] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of those features. All directional indicators (such as up, down, longitudinal, and transverse) in this utility model are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of the components in a specific orientation (as shown in the accompanying drawings). If the specific orientation changes, the directional indicator will also change accordingly.
[0045] Unless otherwise specified and limited, the term "connection" should be interpreted broadly. For example, it can mean direct connection or indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the term according to the specific circumstances.
[0046] In the description of this utility model, it should also be noted that the terms "comprising" and "having" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion.
[0047] Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.
[0048] In the description of this specification, references to terms such as "an embodiment," "a specific example," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.
[0049] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this utility model and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this utility model. Although this utility model has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can be made to the technical solutions of this utility model without departing from the essence and scope of the technical solutions of this utility model.
Claims
1. A microfluidic emulsification device, characterized by, The device includes an emulsification component and a collector. The emulsification component includes a first inlet, a second inlet, a first main channel, a second main channel, and at least one set of emulsification units. The first inlet is connected to the first main channel. The emulsification unit includes a first branch channel and a second branch channel. One end of the first branch channel is connected to the first main channel, and the other end of the first branch channel is connected to the collector. One end of the second branch channel is connected to the second main channel. The first branch channel and the second branch channel are connected through at least one connecting channel. The collector has an outlet at its bottom.
2. The microfluidic emulsification device of claim 1, wherein, A micro-disperser is provided between the second main channel and the second inlet. The inlet end of the micro-disperser is connected to the second inlet, and the outlet end of the micro-disperser is connected to the second main channel.
3. The microfluidic emulsification device of claim 1, wherein, A first flow regulating valve is provided on the first main flow channel, and the first flow regulating valve is located between the first branch flow channel and the first inlet.
4. The microfluidic emulsification device of claim 1, wherein, A second flow regulating valve is provided on the second main flow channel, and the second flow regulating valve is located between the second branch flow channel and the second inlet.
5. The microfluidic emulsification device of claim 1, wherein, A pressure sensor is installed on the first branch channel, and the pressure sensor is located between the connecting channel and the collector.
6. The microfluidic emulsification device of claim 1, wherein, In the emulsification unit, there is one first branch channel and one second branch channel. The first branch channel and the second branch channel are connected by at least three parallel and equally spaced connecting channels.
7. The microfluidic emulsification device of claim 1, wherein, In the emulsification unit, there is one first branch channel and two second branch channels. The connecting channels are arranged in two rows, one row of connecting channels is arranged between the first branch channel and one of the second branch channels, and the other row of connecting channels is arranged between the first branch channel and the other second branch channel. The two rows of connecting channels are symmetrically arranged, and each row of connecting channels includes at least three parallel and equally spaced connecting channels.
8. The microfluidic emulsification device of claim 1, wherein, The microfluidic emulsification device also includes a housing, with the first inlet and the second inlet penetrating the upper wall of the housing, and the outlet penetrating the lower wall of the housing. The emulsification unit and the collector are located inside the housing.
9. The microfluidic emulsification device of claim 1, wherein, The angle between the connecting channel and the first branch channel is 10 to 90°.
10. The microfluidic emulsification device of claim 1, wherein, The angle between the connecting channel and the second branch channel is 10 to 90°.