A 3D printing based microchannel reactor

Abstract

The utility model relates to micro -reactor technical field, specifically disclose a kind of microchannel reactor based on 3D printing, including microchannel reactor body and the reaction channel being set in its inside, microchannel reactor body adopts 3D printing integrated molding, and reaction channel includes feed channel, shunt channel, multiple groups of mixing channel, collection channel and discharge channel;The microchannel reactor of the utility model adopts 3D printing integrated molding to form its internal reaction channel, eliminates traditional assembly interface, to solve the problem that the connection between previous cover plate produces liquid leakage, and reaction channel is through adopting three-dimensional three-dimensional channel structure, using the cooperation of shunt channel and multiple groups of mixing channel to realize multiple shunt-merging mixing processing to liquid, improve the processing capacity of liquid in unit space, and make liquid mixing uniform so that liquid reaches mixed uniform, to solve the problem that traditional micro -reactor processing capacity is small, local pressure is high and easily leads to liquid leakage.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of microreactor technology, specifically a microchannel reactor based on 3D printing. Background Technology

[0002] Since the Industrial Revolution, chemical production has been developed and constructed using large-scale, mass-produced industrial equipment. This model has propelled the rapid progress of my country's chemical industry. However, on the other hand, due to its large equipment investment, high energy consumption, and low safety, the chemical industry also faces many severe challenges. Miniaturization is the future direction of scientific and technological development. In the field of science and technology, microreactors were first applied to the field of microelectromechanical systems, and subsequently to chemical energy, aerospace, materials science, biomedicine, and other fields, providing impetus for the rapid transformation of science and technology into productivity.

[0003] Traditional microreactors typically employ planar (2D) flow channel structures, where channels are constructed on silicon, glass, or metal substrates using photolithography, etching, or mechanical processing, and then encapsulated with cover plates to form closed flow paths. This type of structure offers advantages such as high heat and mass transfer efficiency and strong reaction controllability, and has been successfully applied in laboratory settings. However, with increasing industrial demands for continuous, refined, and safe production, microreactor systems need to achieve high throughput, requiring high liquid flow velocities. However, the spatial constraints of the two-dimensional structure create high local pressures within the microreactor, often leading to leakage between the connections of different cover plates. Furthermore, planar flow channel structures generally suffer from low throughput, and the modular manufacturing and assembly process results in poor interface sealing, making leakage prone to occur under high flow rate conditions, affecting operational stability and safety. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a 3D-printed microchannel reactor to solve the problems of small throughput and leakage caused by local pressure during internal liquid flow when the existing microreactor channel structure adopts a planar closed structure.

[0005] The technical solution of this utility model is: A 3D-printed microchannel reactor includes a microchannel reactor body and reaction channels disposed within the microchannel reactor body. The microchannel reactor body is integrally formed using 3D printing. The reaction channels include a feed channel, a diversion channel, multiple mixing channels, a collection channel, and a discharge channel. The feed channel has at least two feed inlets and one feed outlet, with the feed inlets located at the top of the microchannel reactor body. The diversion channel is located below the feed channel, having one diversion inlet and multiple diversion outlets, with the diversion inlet communicating with the feed outlet. The multiple mixing channels are located below the diversion channel, with the number of mixing channels equal to the number of diversion outlets. Each channel includes multiple mixing unit pipes arranged sequentially from top to bottom. The mixing unit pipes are annular pipes, and each mixing unit pipe is provided with a mixing inlet and a mixing outlet. Two adjacent mixing unit pipes are connected to each other through the mixing outlet of one of them. The mixing inlet of the uppermost mixing unit pipe in the multiple mixing channels is connected to multiple branch outlets. A collection channel is located below the multiple mixing channels. The collection channel has multiple collection inlets and one collection outlet. The multiple collection inlets are respectively connected to the mixing outlet of the lowermost mixing unit pipe in the multiple mixing channels. The inlet end of the discharge channel is connected to the collection outlet, and the outlet end of the discharge channel is connected to the bottom of the microchannel reactor body.

[0006] Preferably, as a further improvement of this utility model, the mixing inlet is located on the pipe wall at the highest point of the mixing unit pipe, and the mixing outlet is located on the pipe wall at the lowest point of the mixing unit pipe.

[0007] Preferably, as a further improvement of this utility model, the mixing unit pipeline is provided with two connecting branch pipes, which are respectively arranged crosswise on the front and rear sides of the mixing unit pipeline. One end of each connecting branch pipe is connected to the pipe wall of the mixing unit pipeline at the mixing inlet, and the other end of each connecting branch pipe is connected to the inner wall of the mixing unit pipeline.

[0008] Preferably, as a further improvement of this utility model, each group of mixing channels includes several mixing pipe sections, each mixing pipe section is composed of several mixing unit pipes connected vertically in series, and adjacent mixing pipe sections are connected by U-shaped bends, so that the mixing channel as a whole is arranged in a serpentine shape.

[0009] Preferably, as a further improvement of this utility model, the material of the microchannel reactor body is a photocurable resin.

[0010] Preferably, as a further improvement of this utility model, the feeding channel is Y-shaped, having two feeding inlets and one feeding outlet; the diversion channel has four diversion outlets; the mixing channel has four sets; and the converging channel has four converging inlets and one converging outlet.

[0011] Preferably, as a further improvement of this utility model, it also includes an intermediate feed channel and an intermediate diversion channel. The inlet of the intermediate feed channel is opened on the side wall of the microchannel reactor body. The intermediate diversion channel is X-shaped, with four outlets and one inlet, and the inlet is located at the top of the intersection of the X-shape. The outlets of the intermediate feed channel are connected to the inlet of the intermediate diversion channel. The four outlets of the intermediate diversion channel are respectively connected to the mixing inlet of the mixing unit pipe in the four sets of mixing channels.

[0012] Preferably, as a further improvement of this utility model, the diameter of the feeding channel, the diversion channel, the mixing unit pipe, the collecting channel, the discharge channel, and the intermediate feeding and diversion channel is 0.8mm~1.5mm.

[0013] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are: 0. The reaction channel adopts a three-dimensional flow channel structure, and uses the combination of diversion channels and multiple sets of mixing channels to achieve multiple diversion-merging mixing of liquid. This increases the liquid throughput per unit space and makes the liquid mixed evenly, thus solving the problems of small throughput and high local pressure that easily lead to leakage in traditional microreactors.

[0014] 1. The microchannel reactor uses 3D printing to form its internal reaction channels in one piece, eliminating traditional assembly interfaces and thus solving the problem of leakage between the previous cover plate connections. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a microchannel reactor based on 3D printing according to this utility model.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of a microchannel reactor based on 3D printing according to this utility model.

[0017] Figure 3 This is a top view of a microchannel reactor based on 3D printing according to this utility model.

[0018] Figure 4 This is a side view of a microchannel reactor based on 3D printing according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The following is combined Figures 1-4The specific embodiments of this utility model will be described in detail below. In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model.

[0020] The terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature; in the description of a utility model, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0021] Example like Figures 1-4 As shown, this utility model embodiment provides a 3D-printed microchannel reactor, including a microchannel reactor body and reaction channels disposed within the microchannel reactor body. The microchannel reactor body is integrally formed by 3D printing. The reaction channels include a feed channel 1, a diversion channel 2, multiple mixing channels 3, a collection channel 4, and a discharge channel 5. The feed channel 1 has at least two feed inlets 11 and one feed outlet 12, and the feed inlets 11 are located at the top of the microchannel reactor body. The diversion channel 2 is located below the feed channel 1, and the diversion channel 2 has one diversion inlet and multiple diversion outlets, with the diversion inlet communicating with the feed outlet 12. The multiple mixing channels 3 are located below the diversion channel 2, and the number of multiple mixing channels 3 is the same as the number of diversion outlets, with each mixing channel 3 including multiple The mixing unit pipes 31 are arranged sequentially from top to bottom. Each mixing unit pipe 31 is a ring pipe and has a mixing inlet 311 and a mixing outlet 312. Two adjacent mixing unit pipes 31 are connected to each other through one of the mixing outlets 312 and the other mixing inlet 311. The mixing inlet 311 of the uppermost mixing unit pipe 31 in the multiple mixing channels 3 is connected to multiple branch outlets. The collecting channel 4 is located below the multiple mixing channels 3. The collecting channel 4 has multiple collecting inlets and one collecting outlet. The multiple collecting inlets are connected to the mixing outlet 312 of the lowermost mixing unit pipe 31 in the multiple mixing channels 3. The inlet end of the discharge channel 5 is connected to the collecting outlet, and the outlet end of the discharge channel 5 is connected to the bottom of the microchannel reactor body.

[0022] In this embodiment, the reaction channel adopts a three-dimensional flow channel structure. Different types of fluids are simultaneously input through the various inlet 11 of the feed channel 1. The different types of fluids are divided into multiple streams by the diversion channel 2. Multiple mixing channels simultaneously mix the multiple streams of liquid, so that the liquid undergoes multiple thorough mixing processes of convergence-dispersion-reconvergence between the mixing unit pipes 31. The set collection channel 4 can finally converge the fluids after mixing through the various mixing channels to the same outlet and discharge them through the discharge channel 5. Thus, multiple mixing is carried out in a limited space, which improves the liquid mixing effect per unit space in three-dimensional space. This solves the problems of small processing capacity and high local pressure that easily lead to leakage in traditional microreactors. In addition, the microchannel reactor body is formed by 3D printing to form its internal reaction channel, eliminating the traditional assembly interface and solving the problem of leakage caused by the connection of the cover plate in the past.

[0023] In another embodiment of this utility model, as an optimization of the above solution, in this embodiment, the mixing inlet 311 is set on the highest pipe wall of the mixing unit pipe 31, that is, the annular top region, and the mixing outlet 312 is set on the lowest pipe wall of the mixing unit pipe 31, that is, the annular bottom region.

[0024] With the above configuration, the mixing inlet 311 and the mixing outlet 312 are arranged collinearly, and the annular cavity of the mixing unit pipe 31 is symmetrically divided into two semi-circular cavities along the middle. This allows the liquid entering the mixing unit pipe 31 through the top mixing inlet 311 to be dispersed into two streams of liquid, which then disperse into the two semi-circular cavities and converge at the bottom for collision mixing. The dispersed liquid can be symmetrically distributed to ensure the uniformity of the mixture.

[0025] In another embodiment of this utility model, as an optimization of the above solution, in this embodiment, the mixing unit pipe 31 is provided with two connecting branch pipes 32. The two connecting branch pipes 32 are respectively arranged crosswise on the front and rear sides of the mixing unit pipe 31. One end of each connecting branch pipe 32 is connected to the pipe wall of the mixing unit pipe 31 located at the mixing inlet 311, and the other end of each connecting branch pipe 32 is connected to the inner wall of the mixing unit pipe 31.

[0026] With the above configuration, two additional branches are added to the mixing unit pipe 31, so that the liquid entering the mixing unit pipe 31 from the top mixing outlet 312 is dispersed into two other liquids through the two connecting branch pipes 32. These two liquids converge again in the two semi-circular cavities and collide with the liquid passing through the semi-circular cavities, increasing the number of mixing collisions and thus further improving the mixing effect.

[0027] In another embodiment of this utility model, as an optimization of the above solution, in this embodiment, each mixing channel 3 includes several mixing pipe sections, each mixing pipe section is composed of several mixing unit pipes 31 connected vertically in series, and adjacent mixing pipe sections are connected by U-shaped bends, so that the mixing channel 3 is arranged in a serpentine pattern.

[0028] The above setup allows the fluid path to alternate up and down and meander back and forth in three-dimensional space. This layout makes full use of the internal space of the microchannel reactor body, and without increasing the height, it enables the arrangement of a longer mixing channel 3, thereby extending the mixing time of the fluid in the reaction channel and achieving a more thorough mixing process.

[0029] In specific implementation, the feeding channel 1 is Y-shaped, with two feeding inlets 11 and one feeding outlet 12; the diversion channel 2 has four diversion outlets; the mixing channel 3 has four sets; and the converging channel 4 has four converging inlets and one converging outlet.

[0030] The Y-shaped configuration of the feed channel 1 allows two different reactive liquids to enter from the two feed inlets 11 respectively, and to meet for the first time at the feed outlet 12 at the end of the channel. This symmetrical Y-shaped confluence design helps reduce flow dead zones and promotes passive mixing in the initial stage, which is especially suitable for heterogeneous systems with large viscosity differences. The overall orientation of the feed channel can be optimized based on fluid dynamics simulation to minimize pressure drop and ensure balanced flow distribution. The diversion channel 2 divides the fluid into four streams, which are then mixed by four sets of mixing channels 3. It should be noted that the number of mixing channels in this invention is not limited to four sets; it can be eight sets or even more, and different spatial structures can be designed and formed according to the number of channels.

[0031] Considering that in some liquid-phase synthesis processes, it is necessary to mix liquids A and B evenly before adding liquid C, this invention also provides an intermediate feed channel 61 and an intermediate diversion channel 62. The inlet of the intermediate feed channel 61 is located on the side wall of the microchannel reactor body. The intermediate diversion channel 62 is X-shaped, with four outlets and one inlet, and the inlet is located at the top of the intersection of the X-shape. The outlets of the intermediate feed channel 61 are connected to the inlet of the intermediate diversion channel 62. The four outlets of the intermediate diversion channel 62 are respectively connected to the mixing inlet 311 of the mixing unit pipe 31 in the four sets of mixing channels 3. The intermediate feed channel 61 is used to add new liquid midway for mixing. The intermediate diversion channel 62 divides the newly added liquid into four streams and transports them to the four sets of mixing channels 3 for thorough mixing.

[0032] In practical applications, the diameters of the feed channel 1, the diversion channel 2, the mixing unit pipe 31, the collection channel 4, the discharge channel 5, and the intermediate feed diversion channel 6 are 0.8mm to 1.5mm. The microchannel reactor body is rectangular in shape, with a length of 6cm, a width of 4cm, and a height of 6cm.

[0033] In another embodiment of this utility model, the microchannel reactor body is made of 3D printing materials such as metal powder, resin, and ceramic, and is integrally formed by corresponding metal 3D printing, photopolymerization 3D printing and powder sintering 3D printing.

[0034] In this embodiment, 3D printing enables the various pipe fittings in the microchannel reactor to have continuity, which can avoid leakage problems that occur under high throughput to a certain extent. Furthermore, it eliminates the need for complex assembly processes, shortens processing time, and reduces production costs.

[0035] The above-disclosed embodiments are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention. However, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto, and any variations that can be conceived by those skilled in the art should fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A microchannel reactor based on 3D printing, characterized in that, The reactor includes a microchannel reactor body and reaction channels disposed therein. The microchannel reactor body is integrally formed by 3D printing. The reaction channels include: The feed channel (1) has at least two feed inlets (11) and one feed outlet (12), and the feed inlets (11) are located at the top of the microchannel reactor body; The diversion channel (2) is located below the feed channel (1). The diversion channel (2) has a diversion inlet and multiple diversion outlets. The diversion inlet is connected to the feed outlet (12). Multiple mixing channels (3) are arranged below the diversion channel (2). The number of multiple mixing channels (3) is the same as the number of multiple diversion outlets. Each mixing channel (3) includes multiple mixing unit pipes (31) arranged from top to bottom. The mixing unit pipe (31) is a ring pipe, and the mixing unit pipe (31) is provided with a mixing inlet (311) and a mixing outlet (312). The mixing outlet (312) of the upper mixing unit pipe (31) is connected to the mixing inlet (311) of the adjacent lower mixing unit pipe (31). The mixing inlet (311) of the uppermost mixing unit pipe (31) in the multiple mixing channels (3) is connected to multiple diversion outlets. A collection channel (4) is located below multiple mixing channels (3). The collection channel (4) has multiple collection inlets and one collection outlet. The multiple collection inlets are respectively connected to the mixing outlet (312) of the mixing unit pipe (31) located at the bottom of the multiple mixing channels (3). The discharge channel (5) has its inlet end connected to the collection outlet and its outlet end connected to the bottom of the microchannel reactor body.

2. The 3D-printed microchannel reactor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mixing inlet (311) is located on the highest point of the pipe wall of the mixing unit pipe (31), and the mixing outlet (312) is located on the lowest point of the pipe wall of the mixing unit pipe (31).

3. The 3D-printed microchannel reactor according to claim 2, characterized in that, The mixing unit pipe (31) is provided with two connecting branch pipes (32). The two connecting branch pipes (32) are respectively arranged crosswise on the front and rear sides of the mixing unit pipe (31). One end of each connecting branch pipe (32) is connected to the pipe wall of the mixing unit pipe (31) at the mixing inlet (311), and the other end of each connecting branch pipe (32) is connected to the inner wall of the mixing unit pipe (31).

4. The 3D-printed microchannel reactor according to claim 3, characterized in that, Each of the mixing channels (3) includes several mixing pipe sections. Each mixing pipe section is composed of several mixing unit pipes (31) connected vertically in series. Adjacent mixing pipe sections are connected by U-shaped bends, so that the mixing channel (3) is arranged in a serpentine pattern.

5. The 3D-printed microchannel reactor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The material of the microchannel reactor body can be any one of resin, metal powder, and ceramic.

6. The 3D-printed microchannel reactor according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The feeding channel (1) is Y-shaped and has two feeding inlets (11) and one feeding outlet (12). The diversion channel (2) has four diversion outlets. The mixing channel (3) has four sets. The converging channel (4) has four converging inlets and one converging outlet.

7. The 3D-printed microchannel reactor according to claim 6, characterized in that, It also includes an intermediate feed channel (61) and an intermediate diversion channel (62). The inlet of the intermediate feed channel (61) is opened on the side wall of the microchannel reactor body. The intermediate diversion channel (62) is X-shaped, with four outlets and one inlet. The inlet is located at the top of the intersection of the X-shape. The outlet of the intermediate feed channel (61) is connected to the inlet of the intermediate diversion channel (62). The four outlets of the intermediate diversion channel (62) are respectively connected to the mixing inlet (311) of the mixing unit pipe (31) in the four sets of mixing channels (3).

8. The 3D-printed microchannel reactor according to claim 7, characterized in that, The diameter of the feeding channel (1), the diversion channel (2), the mixing unit pipe (31), the collection channel (4), the discharge channel (5), and the intermediate feeding diversion channel (6) is 0.8mm~1.5mm.

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