Microfluidic valve for a homogenizer

Abstract

The utility model discloses a micro flow valve for homogenizer is provided with valve body, gland and valve group, and the valve group is fixedly pressed in the entrance side of valve body by the gland, and the valve group is overlapped by a plurality of pieces of confluence valve sheet and a plurality of pieces of micro channel valve sheet, and the plurality of pieces of confluence valve sheet and the plurality of pieces of micro channel valve sheet are all diamond sheet, and the two sides of each micro channel valve sheet are overlapped with a piece of confluence valve sheet respectively, and the middle part of each confluence valve sheet is provided with axial through -hole, and the two sides surface of the middle part of each micro channel valve sheet is provided with the micro channel of axial recess respectively, and each micro channel is communicated with the axial through -hole of the middle part of the confluence valve sheet adjacent, and two axial overflow holes are seted up on each micro channel valve sheet, and the two ends of each axial overflow hole are communicated with two micro channels respectively. The micro flow valve has the characteristics of compact structure, small space occupation, convenient maintenance and replacement, impact and hedging crushing effect, multi-stage refinement of material, low probability of blockage, small structure, low cost, simple maintenance and good homogenization effect.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of homogenizers, and specifically relates to a microfluidic valve for homogenizers. Background Technology

[0002] In a microjet homogenizer, high-pressure fluid forms a high-speed jet in the micropores of the interactive cavity, which collides with the cavity wall to break up the material. Alternatively, two or more jets collide with each other, creating a violent cavitation effect and high shear force, thereby achieving ultra-fine crushing and homogenization of material particles.

[0003] The interactive cavity micropores of the microjets homogenizer are made of diamond, with a minimum pore size of 50 μm. Z-type or Y-type counter-impact structures can be selected as needed. The diamond-made interactive cavity micropores feature dimensional stability, small diameter, and long channel travel, ensuring that the sample withstands continuous and stable high pressure during homogenization, thus achieving a high energy conversion rate. Therefore, the particle size distribution (PDI) of the crushed material is narrower and more uniform, resulting in better homogenization and a lower demulsification rate, demonstrating significant advantages over traditional high-pressure homogenizers with homogenizing valves.

[0004] However, the application of microfluidic homogenizers is not as widespread as that of traditional homogenizing valve models, mainly due to the higher purchase and maintenance costs. The microfluidic valve, a key component, is currently heavily reliant on imports, resulting in high procurement prices, sometimes exceeding 30,000 yuan per unit. Specifically, firstly, the interactive cavity of the microfluidic valve is made of diamond, which is not only costly but also difficult to manufacture; furthermore, its typically integrated structure makes repair or replacement expensive in case of blockage or damage. Secondly, to prevent micropore blockage, microfluidic homogenizers generally require a secondary cavity for pre-homogenization before passing through the main valve into the main cavity for further processing; this dual-cavity configuration further increases costs. Utility Model Content

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide a microfluidic valve for homogenizers that is compact in structure, low in cost, easy to maintain, and has good homogenization effect, in order to overcome the shortcomings of the existing technology.

[0006] The technical solution adopted by this utility model to solve the above-mentioned technical problems is as follows: a microfluidic valve for a homogenizer, comprising a valve body, a pressure cap, and a valve assembly. The valve assembly is pressed and fixed to the inlet side of the valve body by the pressure cap. The valve assembly is composed of several manifold valve plates and several microchannel valve plates stacked together. The manifold valve plates and the microchannel valve plates are all diamond plates. A manifold valve plate is stacked on both sides of each microchannel valve plate. An axial through hole is opened in the middle of each manifold valve plate. An axially concave microchannel is provided on both sides of the middle of each microchannel valve plate. Each microchannel is connected to the axial through hole in the middle of the adjacent manifold valve plate. Two axial flow holes are opened on each microchannel valve plate. The two ends of each axial flow hole are connected to the two microchannels respectively.

[0007] This utility model of microfluidic valve employs a valve assembly composed of several manifold valve plates and several microchannel valve plates stacked together. Each microchannel valve plate has axially concave microchannels on both sides of its central portion. For each microchannel valve plate, during operation, the high-pressure fluid is first diverted and impacts the wall through the microchannels near the valve body inlet, and then counter-currently flushed and merged through the microchannels away from the valve body inlet. This achieves material crushing through high-speed jet collision.

[0008] This invention employs a valve assembly composed of stacked, split diamond sheets. Microchannels are machined on both sides of the central portion of the microchannel valve sheet, while axial through holes are machined in the central portion of the manifold valve sheet, significantly reducing processing difficulty and cost. This microfluidic valve features a compact structure, occupies little space, is easy to maintain and replace, and combines both impact and counter-impact crushing effects, enabling multi-stage refinement of materials simultaneously and effectively reducing the probability of clogging. This microfluidic valve for homogenizers is characterized by its small size, low cost, easy maintenance, and excellent homogenization effect.

[0009] Preferably, the surface finish of the plurality of manifold valve plates and the plurality of microchannel valve plates is below Ra 0.2 μm, which can greatly reduce the flow resistance and pressure loss of the fluid, improve the energy efficiency in the homogenization process, and reduce the adhesion and residue of materials in the valve group, further reducing the risk of microflow valve blockage, thereby improving the stability and reliability of the homogenizer operation.

[0010] Preferably, from the inlet side to the outlet side of the valve body, the aperture gradient of the axial through hole in the middle of each manifold valve plate decreases, thereby forming a convergent flow channel structure, which efficiently converts the pressure energy of the fluid into kinetic energy, thereby significantly increasing the jet velocity. At the same time, it helps to form a pressure gradient inside the valve assembly, improves energy transfer efficiency, reduces energy loss, and thus improves the uniformity and efficiency of homogenization.

[0011] Preferably, the gland is threaded to the valve body, thereby facilitating the disassembly of the valve assembly for cleaning and maintenance, and making it easy to replace damaged valve plates.

[0012] Preferably, the outlet side of the valve body is threaded with a plug.

[0013] Preferably, the valve body is provided with external threads for threaded connection with the mounting interface of the homogenizer. This design allows the microfluidic valve of this invention to be directly installed on a traditional homogenizer, replacing the traditional homogenizing valve, and enabling convenient switching between traditional homogenization and microjet homogenization methods on the same homogenizer.

[0014] Preferably, the valve body is provided with an impact column, which is directly opposite the valve assembly. The side wall of the valve body is provided with a liquid outlet, which is located between the impact column and the valve assembly. The valve body is installed on one side of the pump body of the homogenizer. A sealing ring is installed between the valve body and the pump body. The pump body is provided with a liquid outlet, which is connected to the liquid outlet.

[0015] Preferably, the number of manifold valves is at least 2, and the number of microchannel valves is at least 1.

[0016] Compared with existing technologies, this utility model has the following advantages: The microfluidic valve for homogenizers uses a modular valve assembly composed of stacked diamond plates, with microchannels machined on both sides of the center of the microchannel valve plate and axial through holes machined in the center of the manifold valve plate, significantly reducing processing difficulty and cost. This utility model's microfluidic valve has a compact structure, occupies little space, is easy to maintain and replace, and combines both impact and counter-impact crushing effects, enabling multi-stage refinement of materials simultaneously and effectively reducing the probability of clogging. This utility model's microfluidic valve for homogenizers features a compact structure, low cost, easy maintenance, and good homogenization effect. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a longitudinal sectional view of the microfluidic valve used in the homogenizer in the embodiment; Figure 2 This is a longitudinal sectional view of the valve assembly in the embodiment; Figure 3 This is a diagram showing the effect of the valve body being installed on the pump body of the homogenizer in the embodiment. The specific reference numerals in the figure are as follows: 1-Valve body, 11-Impact column, 12-Discharge hole, 13-External thread, 2-Gland, 3-Valve assembly, 31-Manifold valve plate, 32-Microchannel valve plate, 33-Axial through hole, 34-Microchannel, 35-Axial flow hole, 4-Plug, 5-Pump body, 51-Discharge port, 52-Sealing ring. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Components or structures not limited in this invention employ conventional techniques in the art.

[0019] The microfluidic valve for the homogenizer in the embodiment, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the valve assembly includes a valve body 1, a pressure cap 2, and a valve group 3. The valve group 3 is pressed and fixed to the inlet side of the valve body 1 by the pressure cap 2. The pressure cap 2 is threadedly connected to the valve body 1. The valve group 3 is composed of three manifold valve plates 31 and two microchannel valve plates 32 stacked together. The three manifold valve plates 31 and the two microchannel valve plates 32 are all diamond plates with a surface finish of Ra 0.2 μm or less. A manifold valve plate 31 is stacked on both sides of each microchannel valve plate 32. An axial through hole 33 is opened in the middle of each manifold valve plate 31. The two sides of the middle of each microchannel valve plate 32 are provided with axially concave microchannels 34. Each microchannel 34 is connected to the axial through hole 33 in the middle of the adjacent manifold valve plate 31. Two axial flow holes 35 are opened on each microchannel valve plate 32. The two ends of each axial flow hole 35 are connected to the two microchannels 34 respectively.

[0020] In this embodiment, a plug 4 is threadedly connected to the outlet side of the valve body 1. The valve body 1 has an external thread 13 for threaded connection with the mounting interface of the homogenizer. An impact column 11 is provided inside the valve body 1, with the impact column 11 facing the valve assembly 3. A liquid outlet hole 12 is opened on the side wall of the valve body 1, located between the impact column 11 and the valve assembly 3. A diagram showing the effect of the valve body 1 after installation on the pump body 5 of the homogenizer is shown below. Figure 3 .like Figure 3 As shown, the valve body 1 is installed on one side of the pump body 5 of the homogenizer by means of a threaded connection. A sealing ring 52 is installed between the valve body 1 and the pump body 5. The pump body 5 has a liquid outlet 51, which is connected to the liquid outlet hole 12.

[0021] For each microchannel valve plate 32, during operation, the high-pressure fluid is first diverted and impacted by the microchannel 34 near the inlet side of the valve body 1, and then collided and merged by the microchannel 34 away from the inlet side of the valve body 1, thereby achieving material crushing through high-speed jet collision.

[0022] The aforementioned microfluidic valve has a compact structure, occupies little space, is easy to maintain and replace, and combines both impact and counter-impact crushing effects, enabling multi-stage refinement of materials simultaneously and effectively reducing the probability of clogging.

[0023] In practical applications, the number of manifold valve plates 31 and microchannel valve plates 32 can be adjusted as needed. From the inlet side to the outlet side of the valve body 1, the diameter of the axial through hole 33 in the middle of each manifold valve plate 31 can be gradually reduced to form a convergent flow channel structure, which can efficiently convert the pressure energy of the fluid into kinetic energy, thereby improving the jet velocity and energy transfer efficiency, and thus improving the uniformity and efficiency of homogenization.

Claims

1. A microfluidic valve for a homogenizer, characterized in that, The device includes a valve body, a gland, and a valve assembly. The valve assembly is pressed and fixed to the inlet side of the valve body by the gland. The valve assembly is composed of several manifold valve plates and several microchannel valve plates stacked together. The manifold valve plates and microchannel valve plates are all diamond plates. Each microchannel valve plate has a manifold valve plate stacked on both sides. Each manifold valve plate has an axial through hole in its middle. The two sides of the middle of each microchannel valve plate have axially concave microchannels. Each microchannel is connected to the axial through hole in the middle of the adjacent manifold valve plate. Each microchannel valve plate has two axial flow holes. The two ends of each axial flow hole are connected to the two microchannels respectively.

2. The microfluidic valve for a homogenizer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The surface finish of the plurality of manifold valve plates and the plurality of microchannel valve plates is all below Ra 0.2 μm.

3. The microfluidic valve for a homogenizer according to claim 1, characterized in that, From the inlet side to the outlet side of the valve body, the aperture gradient of the axial through hole in the middle of each manifold valve plate decreases.

4. The microfluidic valve for a homogenizer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gland is threadedly connected to the valve body.

5. The microfluidic valve for a homogenizer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The valve body has a plug threaded connection on the outlet side.

6. The microfluidic valve for a homogenizer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The valve body is provided with external threads for threaded connection with the mounting interface of the homogenizer.

7. The microfluidic valve for a homogenizer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The valve body is provided with an impact column, which is directly opposite the valve assembly. The side wall of the valve body is provided with a liquid outlet, which is located between the impact column and the valve assembly. The valve body is installed on one side of the pump body of the homogenizer. A sealing ring is installed between the valve body and the pump body. The pump body is provided with a liquid outlet, which is connected to the liquid outlet.

8. The microfluidic valve for a homogenizer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The number of manifold valve plates is at least 2, and the number of microchannel valve plates is at least 1.

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