Continuous reaction apparatus

Abstract

To provide a continuous reaction apparatus capable of achieving an accurate chemical reaction with a simple configuration.SOLUTION: A continuous reaction apparatus according to the present invention comprises an upstream unit (10a), a downstream unit (10b) connected to the upstream unit, and a rotary drive unit which rotates the upstream unit and the downstream unit around a common rotation axis, and is characterized in that a reaction target supplied to the upstream unit is stirred in the upstream unit and then transferred to the downstream unit, and the rotary drive unit oscillates and rotates the upstream unit around the rotation axis so that the target is stirred inside the upstream unit, and rotates the upstream unit orbitally around the rotation axis so that the target is transferred from the upstream unit to the downstream unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a continuous reactor. [Background technology]

[0002] A continuous reactor continuously chemically reacts liquids or solids (e.g., pharmaceutical raw materials) to produce a product (e.g., a pharmaceutical).

[0003] A continuous reactor is equipped with a plurality of reaction tanks corresponding to the production stages. In the continuous reactor, the target material is subjected to a chemical reaction in each reaction tank. The target material is transferred from the upstream reaction tank to the downstream reaction tank via piping. A continuous reactor that improves the production efficiency of a product produced from the target material has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a continuous reaction apparatus in which a plurality of compartments are formed. A deflector plate having a weir function is disposed between adjacent compartments. The target material that has undergone a chemical reaction in the upstream compartment continues to be supplied within the same compartment and overflows. As a result, the target material is transported beyond the deflector plate to the downstream compartment. The apparatus generally has a feature that the reaction time is long. Therefore, each compartment is provided with an agitator blade. The target material is agitated by the agitator blade of each compartment. As a result, the chemical reaction in each compartment is promoted.

[0005] The object to be chemically reacted is transported to the downstream compartment by overflowing the compartment and passing over the baffle plate. Therefore, the object may be transported to the downstream compartment by overflowing even if the chemical reaction is not completely completed. As a result, the device is not suitable for manufacturing products that require precise chemical reactions. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 4-227052 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The present invention provides a continuous reaction apparatus capable of realizing an accurate chemical reaction with a simple configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The continuous reaction apparatus according to the present invention comprises an upstream unit, a downstream unit connected to the upstream unit, and a rotary drive unit which rotates the upstream unit and the downstream unit around a common rotation axis, and is characterized in that the reaction target supplied to the upstream unit is stirred in the upstream unit and then transferred to the downstream unit, and the rotary drive unit oscillates and rotates the upstream unit around the rotation axis so that the target is stirred inside the upstream unit, and rotates the upstream unit orbitally around the rotation axis so that the target is transferred from the upstream unit to the downstream unit. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a continuous reaction apparatus capable of realizing an accurate chemical reaction with a simple configuration. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a continuous reaction apparatus according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the continuous reaction apparatus. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the continuous reaction apparatus. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the continuous reaction apparatus. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the unit of the continuous reactor. [Figure 6] 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the positional relationship between a transport wall and a communication hole inside the unit. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the swinging and rotating state of the unit. [Figure 8] 10 is a schematic diagram showing the transfer of an object between units as the units rotate; FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a continuation of the transfer state of FIG. 8. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of a continuous reaction apparatus according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] An embodiment of a continuous reaction apparatus according to the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "the apparatus") will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0012] In the following description and drawings, unless otherwise specified, the device is installed with the rotation axis horizontal. In the device, the upstream side is the upstream side in the direction in which the object is transported. In the device, the downstream side is the downstream side in the direction in which the object is transported.

[0013] ●Embodiment of the present device (1)● ●Configuration of this device (1) The configuration of this device is described below.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present device. FIG. 2 is a front view of the device. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the device. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the device.

[0015] The apparatus 1 produces a product (e.g., a medicine) by continuously chemically reacting a target object S such as a liquid or solid (e.g., a raw material for a medicine; see FIG. 7). The apparatus 1 comprises a plurality of units 10 connected together. The plurality of units 10 have spaces in which chemical reactions are carried out according to the production stage of the target object S. The apparatus 1 is cylindrical in shape. The apparatus 1 achieves oscillating rotation and circular rotation of the plurality of units 10 by a rotation drive unit (not shown).

[0016] The "object S" is a substance that is input (sent) as a raw material to the apparatus 1. The object S is a liquid or a solid. The object S becomes a target product through a chemical reaction according to the production stage.

[0017] The "rotation drive unit" drives the present device 1 to rotate around the rotation axis C. The rotation drive unit controls the oscillating rotation and circular rotation of the present device 1. The rotation drive unit includes a drive device (not shown) and a drive control unit (not shown). The drive device is a device that serves as a drive source for rotating the present device 1. The drive device is, for example, a motor or an engine. The drive control unit controls the oscillating rotation or circular rotation of the present device 1. The drive control unit is realized by an information processing device such as a computer. The drive control unit executes a control program for the present device 1. The control program running on the present device 1 cooperates with hardware resources provided in the information processing device to realize the oscillating rotation or circular rotation of the present device 1.

[0018] The “axis of rotation C” is the central axis of the swinging or circumferential rotation of the device 1 .

[0019] The present device 1 is composed of three identical units 10 connected in the coaxial direction. That is, the present device 1 has, from the upstream side to the downstream side, a first unit 10a, a second unit 10b, and a third unit 10c. A configuration in which two units 10 are connected is the smallest unit of the present device 1. The unit 10 located on the upstream side is an example of an upstream unit in the present invention. The unit 10 located downstream of the upstream unit is an example of a downstream unit in the present invention.

[0020] The unit 10 has a space in which a chemical reaction of the target object S is realized. The unit 10 is cylindrical in shape. The unit 10 realizes the oscillating rotation and circular rotation of the unit 10 by a rotary drive unit. The target object S inside the unit 10 is stirred when the unit 10 oscillates and rotates. The target object S that has undergone a chemical reaction in the upstream unit 10 is transferred to the downstream unit 10 when the unit 10 rotates in a predetermined direction. The present device 1 realizes the stirring and transfer of the target object S by the oscillating rotation and circular rotation. The details of the oscillating rotation and circular rotation of the present device 1 will be described later.

[0021] The unit 10 includes an outer peripheral wall 11 , a partition wall 12 , a transfer wall 15 , a communication hole 16 , and an axial hole 17 .

[0022] The outer peripheral wall 11, together with the partition wall 12, constitutes a housing of the unit 10. The outer peripheral wall 11 has a cylindrical shape.

[0023] The partition wall 12 separates the interior of the upstream unit 10 from the interior of the downstream unit 10. The partition wall 12 includes an upstream partition wall 13 and a downstream partition wall 14. The partition wall 12 includes an outer edge portion 121 (see FIG. 5 ). The outer edge portion 121 is a region on the inner side of the outer peripheral wall 11 and at the outer edge of the partition wall 12. In other words, the outer edge portion 121 is a region near the partition wall 12 where the outer peripheral wall 11 and the partition wall 12 intersect at right angles.

[0024] The upstream partition wall 13, together with the outer peripheral wall 11 and the downstream partition wall 14, constitute the housing of the unit 10. The upstream partition wall 13 is circular in shape. The upstream partition wall 13 is attached to the outer peripheral wall 11 via a seal on the edge of the outer peripheral wall 11.

[0025] The downstream side partition wall 14, together with the outer peripheral wall 11 and the upstream side partition wall 13, constitutes a housing of the unit 10. The downstream side partition wall 14 has a circular shape. The downstream side partition wall 14 is molded integrally with the outer peripheral wall 11.

[0026] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the unit 10 of the present device 1. In the following description, Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 will be referred to as appropriate. This figure shows the inside of the unit 10 with the upstream partition wall 13 removed.

[0027] The transfer wall 15 guides the object S stirred in the unit 10 to the communication hole 16. That is, the transfer wall 15 captures the object S inside the upstream unit 10 and transfers the object S to the inside of the downstream unit 10. The transfer wall 15 is disposed in a space surrounded by the outer peripheral wall 11. The transfer wall 15 is disposed so as to separate the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall 11. The transfer wall 15 divides the space inside the unit 10. The transfer wall 15 divides the space inside the unit 10 so that the object S inside the upstream unit 10 and the object S inside the downstream unit 10 do not mix when the unit 10 rotates. That is, when the upstream unit 10 rotates, the transfer of the object S inside the upstream unit 10 is regulated by the transfer wall 15. The shape of the transfer wall 15 is a rectangular plate deformed into a spiral shape. The transfer wall 15 is disposed at an incline with respect to the outer peripheral wall 11. The transport wall 15 has an inner peripheral abutment edge 151 and a partition abutment edge 152 .

[0028] The inner peripheral abutment edge 151 is the edge of the transfer wall 15 that abuts against the outer peripheral wall 11. The inner peripheral abutment edge 151 includes an upstream end 15a and a downstream end 15b. The upstream end 15a is disposed at one (upstream side) opening of the outer peripheral wall 11. That is, the upstream end 15a abuts against the upstream partition wall 13. The downstream end 15b is disposed at the other (downstream side) opening of the outer peripheral wall 11. That is, the downstream end 15b abuts against the downstream partition wall 14. The upstream end 15a and the downstream end 15b are disposed at positions spaced 90 degrees apart in the circumferential direction.

[0029] The partition abutment edge 152 is the edge of the transfer wall 15 that abuts against the downstream partition wall 14. The partition abutment edge 152 is the final end of the transfer wall 15 that captures the target object S. The partition abutment edge 152 is disposed so as to be perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotation axis C. In other words, the partition abutment edge 152 is disposed from the downstream end 15b toward the center of the downstream partition wall 14.

[0030] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the positional relationship between the transport wall 15 and the communication hole 16 inside the unit 10. In the following description, Figs. 3 to 5 will be referred to as appropriate. This figure shows a state in which each of the transfer wall 15 and the communication hole 16 is partially cut away.

[0031] The communication hole 16 is a hole that communicates between the inside of the upstream unit 10 and the inside of the downstream unit 10. In other words, the communication hole 16 is a hole that transfers the target object S captured by the transfer wall 15 inside the upstream unit 10 to the inside of the downstream unit 10. The communication hole 16 is fan-shaped. The communication hole 16 is disposed on the outer edge portion 121 of the partition wall 12. The communication hole 16 is composed of an outlet hole 161 and an inlet hole 162.

[0032] The delivery hole 161 is a hole arranged in the downstream partition wall 14. The delivery hole 161 is arranged at a position facing the feed hole 162. The delivery hole 161 is arranged between the upstream end 15a of the transfer wall 15 and the downstream end 15b of the transfer wall 15. The delivery hole 161 is arranged along the outer peripheral wall 11, the downstream end 15b of the transfer wall 15, and the partition abutment edge 152. In other words, the delivery hole 161 is arranged in the outer edge portion 121 of the partition wall 12 (downstream partition wall 14). The delivery hole 161 (communication hole 16) is arranged in the vicinity of the downstream end 15b and the partition abutment edge 152.

[0033] The feed hole 162 is a hole arranged in the upstream partition wall 13. The feed hole 162 is arranged at a position opposite to the feed hole 161. The feed hole 162 is arranged between the upstream end 15a of the transfer wall 15 and the downstream end 15b of the transfer wall 15. The feed hole 162 is arranged at a position opposite to the downstream end 15b of the transfer wall 15. The feed hole 162 is arranged in the outer edge portion 121 of the partition wall 12 (upstream partition wall 13).

[0034] Referring back to Figures 1-4, the drawings are now in their entirety. The shaft hole 17 is a hole formed in the rotation axis C of the unit 10. That is, the shaft hole 17 is a hole arranged in the center of the partition wall 12. The shaft hole 17 is a hole in which a shaft member (not shown) that causes the device 1 to oscillate and rotate or orbitally is arranged. The shaft hole 17 includes an upstream shaft hole 171 and a downstream shaft hole 172.

[0035] The upstream shaft hole 171 is a hole disposed in the center of the upstream partition wall 13 .

[0036] The downstream shaft hole 172 is a hole disposed in the center of the downstream partition wall 14 .

[0037] The shaft member is a rod-shaped member. The shaft member is made of metal. The shaft member is fixed through the shaft hole 17. When the shaft member rotates, the device 1 performs swing rotation or circular rotation in accordance with the rotation of the shaft member.

[0038] In this embodiment, the rotation drive unit is assembled to the shaft member. The rotation drive unit controls the swing rotation and the circular rotation of the shaft member. That is, the rotation drive unit controls the swing rotation and the circular rotation of the device 1 via the shaft member.

[0039] Operation of this embodiment (1) ● Swing rotation operation The swinging and rotating of the present device 1 will be described below. In the following description, FIGS. 1 to 5 will be referred to as appropriate.

[0040] Unless otherwise specified, the following explanation and drawings show the device 1 as viewed from the upstream side to the downstream side (side view). In the device 1, downward is the direction of gravity, which is the direction in which the objects S accumulate. In the device 1, upward is the opposite direction to downward. In a side view of the device 1, forward rotation is the clockwise direction (to the right). In a side view of the device 1, reverse rotation is the counterclockwise direction (to the left).

[0041] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the state of swinging and rotating within the unit 10. As shown in FIG. The figure shows the downstream partition wall 14 as seen from the upstream side. (a-1) in the figure shows the basic position of the swing rotation. (a-2) shows the state after forward rotation to a specified position. (a-3) shows the state after reverse rotation to a specified position.

[0042] The rocking rotation rocks the device 1. The rocking rotation causes the device 1 to rotate repeatedly in both forward and reverse directions within a predetermined range of rotation angles around the rotation axis C of the device 1. The rocking rotation starts from the base position of the unit 10. For ease of explanation, the rotational positions in the rocking rotation of the unit 10 will be explained based on analog clock positions.

[0043] 7(a-1) shows the state of the unit 10 in the home position. The home position indicates that the partition abutment side 152 is in the 12 o'clock direction. The communication hole 16 in the home position is disposed above the unit 10. The target object S in the same position is disposed below the unit 10.

[0044] First, the rotation drive unit rotates the unit 10 in the normal direction from the base position. The unit 10 is rotated in the normal direction to a predetermined position. The rotation speed at this time is appropriately determined based on the speed of the chemical reaction of the target S, etc.

[0045] (a-2) of FIG. 7 shows the state after forward rotation to a predetermined position. The predetermined position of forward rotation indicates that the partition abutment edge 152 is in the 3 o'clock direction. The communication hole 16 in the predetermined position of forward rotation is positioned to the right of the unit 10. The target object S in the same position is positioned below the unit 10. The predetermined position of forward rotation is the maximum swing position of the rotation range in forward rotation. The unit 10 pauses at the predetermined position of forward rotation. The target object S is stirred in accordance with the forward rotation and pause of the unit 10.

[0046] Next, the unit 10 is rotated in the reverse direction from the predetermined position of the forward rotation. The unit 10 passes through the base position. The unit 10 is rotated in the reverse direction to the predetermined position. The rotation speed at this time is appropriately determined based on the speed of the chemical reaction of the target S, etc.

[0047] (a-3) of FIG. 7 shows the state where the unit 10 has been rotated in reverse to a predetermined position. The predetermined position for reverse rotation indicates that the partition abutment edge 152 is in the 10 o'clock direction. The communication hole 16 in the predetermined position for reverse rotation is positioned to the left of the unit 10. The target object S in the same position is positioned below the unit 10. The predetermined position for reverse rotation is the maximum swing position of the rotation range in reverse rotation. The unit 10 pauses temporarily at the predetermined position for reverse rotation. The target object S is agitated in accordance with the reverse rotation and temporary pause of the unit 10.

[0048] Next, the rotation drive unit rotates the unit 10 in the forward direction from the predetermined position of reverse rotation. The unit 10 is returned to the basic position. One set of oscillating and rotating operations is completed. One set of oscillating and rotating operations is repeated as necessary. That is, when the device 1 oscillates and rotates, the object S inside the device 1 is agitated in accordance with the operation of the device 1.

[0049] Rotational movement The rotation of the device 1 will be described below. In the following description, Figs. 1 to 5 will be referred to as appropriate. In the following description, the first unit 10a is an example of an upstream unit in the present invention. The second unit 10b is an example of a downstream unit in the present invention.

[0050] 8 and 9 are schematic diagrams showing the transfer of the object S between the units 10 as the units 10 rotate. (b-1) to (b-6) in both figures show the inside of the first unit 10a seen from the upstream side. (b-1) in both figures shows the state of the basic position of the rotation. (b-2) shows the state of a quarter reverse rotation from the basic position. (b-3) shows the state of a half reverse rotation from the basic position. (b-4) shows the state of a three-quarter reverse rotation from the basic position. (b-5) shows the state of a eleventh reverse rotation from the basic position. (b-6) shows the state of returning to the basic position of the rotation. (c-1) to (c-6) in both figures show the inside of the second unit 10b seen from the upstream side. (c-1) to (c-6) respectively correspond to (b-1) to (b-6). The black rectangles in each circle in both figures show the state where the end of the transfer wall 15 is disposed on the downstream partition wall 14.

[0051] The circular rotation transfers the object S inside the first unit 10a to the inside of the second unit 10b. The circular rotation rotates the device 1 once in the reverse direction around the rotation axis C. The circular rotation starts from the home positions of the first unit 10a and the second unit 10b. For ease of explanation, the rotational positions of the first unit 10a and the second unit 10b in the circular rotation are explained based on analog clock positions.

[0052] 8(b-1) shows the state of the first unit 10a in the home position. The home position indicates that the partition abutment side 152 is in the 3 o'clock direction. The communication hole 16 in this position is disposed on the right side of the unit 10. The target object S in this position is disposed below the first unit 10a.

[0053] 8(c-1) shows the state of the second unit 10b in the home position. The home position indicates that the partition abutment side 152 is in the 3 o'clock direction. The communication hole 16 in this position is disposed on the right side of the unit 10. The object S in this position is not disposed in the second unit 10b.

[0054] First, the rotary drive unit rotates the first unit 10a and the second unit 10b in the reverse direction from the home position at the same time. The rotary drive unit rotates the first unit 10a and the second unit 10b in the reverse direction by a quarter from the home position. The rotation speed at this time is appropriately determined based on the speed of the chemical reaction of the target object S, etc.

[0055] (b-2) of Fig. 8 shows the first unit 10a rotated a quarter reverse from the basic position. The position rotated a quarter reverse from the basic position indicates that the partition abutment edge 152 is in the 12 o'clock direction. The communication hole 16 in this position is disposed above the first unit 10a. The target S in this position is disposed below the first unit 10a.

[0056] (c-2) of Fig. 8 shows the state where the second unit 10b is rotated a quarter reverse from the basic position. The position rotated a quarter reverse from the basic position indicates that the partition abutment edge 152 is in the 12 o'clock direction. The communication hole 16 in this position is disposed above the second unit 10b. The object S in this position is not disposed in the second unit 10b.

[0057] Next, the rotary drive unit simultaneously rotates each of the first unit 10a and the second unit 10b in the reverse direction by a quarter. That is, the rotary drive unit rotates the first unit 10a and the second unit 10b in the reverse direction by a half from the basic position.

[0058] (b-3) of Fig. 8 shows the first unit 10a rotated half reversely from the basic position. The half reversely rotated position from the basic position indicates that the partition abutment edge 152 is in the 9 o'clock direction. The communication hole 16 in this position is to the left of the first unit 10a and is located near the water surface of the object S. The object S in this position is located below the first unit 10a. The object S starts to be transferred from the communication hole 16 to the second unit 10b.

[0059] (c-3) of FIG. 8 shows the second unit 10b rotated half reversely from the basic position. The half reversely rotated position from the basic position indicates that the partition abutment edge 152 is at the 9 o'clock position. The communication hole 16 in this position is located to the left of the second unit 10b, near the water surface of the object S. The object S in this position starts to be transferred to the second unit 10b via the communication hole 16. The object S is transferred only up to the upstream end 15a of the second unit 10b. In other words, the interior of the second unit 10b is partitioned by the transfer wall 15 at the upstream end 15a.

[0060] Next, the rotary drive unit simultaneously rotates each of the first unit 10a and the second unit 10b a quarter turn in the reverse direction. That is, the rotary drive unit rotates the first unit 10a and the second unit 10b a three-quarter turn in the reverse direction from the basic position.

[0061] (b-4) of FIG. 9 shows the state where the first unit 10a is rotated 3 / 4 reversely from the basic position. The position rotated 3 / 4 reversely from the basic position indicates that the partition abutment edge 152 is in the 6 o'clock direction. The communication hole 16 at this position is below the first unit 10a and is disposed within the object S. The object S at this position is below the first unit 10a and is disposed to the right of the partition abutment edge 152. The object S at this position is captured by the transport wall 15. That is, the object S is captured at the partition abutment edge 152 of the transport wall 15. The object S of the first unit 10a is sent out from the communication hole 16.

[0062] (c-4) of Fig. 9 shows the state where the second unit 10b is rotated 3 / 4 reversely from the basic position. The 3 / 4 reversely rotated position from the basic position indicates that the partition abutment edge 152 is in the 6 o'clock direction. The communication hole 16 in this position is below the second unit 10b and is disposed within the object S. The object S in this position is disposed below the second unit 10b. The object S of the second unit 10b is fed in through the communication hole 16.

[0063] Next, the rotary drive unit simultaneously rotates each of the first unit 10a and the second unit 10b in the reverse direction by 1 / 6. That is, the rotary drive unit rotates the first unit 10a and the second unit 10b in the reverse direction by 11 / 12 from the basic position.

[0064] FIG. 9 (b-5) shows the state where the first unit 10a is rotated 11 / 12 reversely from the basic position. The position rotated 11 / 12 reversely from the basic position indicates that the partition abutment side 152 is in the 4 o'clock direction. The communication hole 16 at this position is located to the right of the first unit 10a. Some of the objects S at this position are captured by the transfer wall 15. That is, some of the objects S are captured at the partition abutment side 152 of the transfer wall 15. Some of the objects S at this position are located to the right of the first unit 10a and above the partition abutment side 152. Some of the objects S at this position are not located below the first unit 10a. The transfer wall 15 at this position is located with the upstream end 15a located above and the downstream end 15b located below. That is, the transfer wall 15 is inclined from above to below. As a result, some of the objects S captured by the transport wall 15 are sent through the communication hole 16 to the second unit 10b.

[0065] (c-5) of Fig. 9 shows the second unit 10b rotated 11 / 12 times backward from the basic position. The 11 / 12 time position from the basic position indicates that the partition abutment edge 152 is at the 4 o'clock position. The communication hole 16 in this position is to the right of the second unit 10b and is positioned above the water surface of the object S. The object S in this position is positioned below the second unit 10b. The object S in this position is fed in through the communication hole 16.

[0066] Next, the rotary drive unit simultaneously rotates each of the first unit 10a and the second unit 10b in the reverse direction by 1 / 12. The rotary drive unit rotates the first unit 10a and the second unit 10b in the reverse direction from the home position to return them to the home position.

[0067] (b-6) of Fig. 9 shows the first unit 10a returned to its home position. The home position indicates that the partition abutment edge 152 is in the 3 o'clock direction. In the home position, the communication hole 16 is located to the right of the unit 10. In this position, the object S is not located in the first unit 10a. The entire object S has been sent out from the first unit 10a.

[0068] (b-6) in Fig. 9 shows the second unit 10b returning to its home position. The home position indicates that the partition abutment edge 152 is in the 3 o'clock direction. The communication hole 16 in the home position is located to the right of the unit 10. The object S in the same position is located below the second unit 10b. The entire object S has been fed into the second unit 10b.

[0069] Each of the first unit 10a and the second unit 10b rotates from one home position to another home position to complete one set of rotational motions. That is, when the device 1 rotates, the object S inside the device 1 is transferred from the first unit 10a to the second unit 10b.

[0070] In this apparatus 1, the object S is transferred to the second unit 10b after being stirred in the first unit 10a. That is, the rotation drive unit oscillates and rotates the first unit 10a about the rotation axis C so that the object S is stirred inside the first unit 10a. The chemical reaction of the object S is promoted by the stirring. The rotation drive unit rotates the first unit 10a orbitally about the rotation axis C so that the object S is transferred from the first unit 10a to the second unit 10b. The object S is transferred from the first unit 10a to the second unit 10b by the orbital rotation of the first unit 10a.

[0071] Operation of this device (1) The operation of the device 1 will be described below. In the following description, reference will be made to Figures 1 to 4 as appropriate.

[0072] The apparatus 1 includes a first unit 10a, a second unit 10b, and a third unit 10c. The first unit 10a, the second unit 10b, and the third unit 10c each realize a different chemical reaction.

[0073] First, the object S is fed into the first unit 10a on the upstream side together with other raw materials. The object S is fed into the first unit 10a from the feed hole 162 or the upstream shaft hole 171 of the first unit 10a. At this time, the feed hole 162 is located above the first unit 10a. An appropriate amount of the object S (for example, about one-quarter of the volume of the unit 10) is fed into the first unit 10a.

[0074] Next, the rotary drive unit oscillates and rotates the present apparatus 1. The object S is stirred inside the first unit 10a. The chemical reaction of the object S is promoted by the stirring. When the chemical reaction of the object S is completed, the rotary drive unit rotates the present apparatus 1. When the present apparatus 1 rotates, the object S inside the first unit 10a is transferred to the inside of the second unit 10b.

[0075] Next, new raw materials for chemical reaction of the object S are supplied to the second unit 10b. The new raw materials are supplied to the second unit 10b from a supply hole (not shown) arranged in the outer wall 11 or the partition wall 12. The rotary drive unit rotates the present device 1 in an oscillating manner. The object S is stirred inside the second unit 10b. The chemical reaction of the object S is promoted by the stirring. When the chemical reaction of the object S is completed, the rotary drive unit rotates the present device 1. When the present device 1 rotates, the object S inside the second unit 10b is transferred to the inside of the third unit 10c.

[0076] Next, new raw material for chemically reacting the object S is supplied to the third unit 10c. The new raw material is supplied to the third unit 10c from a supply hole (not shown) arranged in the outer wall 11 or the partition wall 12. The rotary drive unit oscillates and rotates the present device 1. The object S is stirred inside the third unit 10c. The chemical reaction of the object S is promoted by the stirring.

[0077] When the chemical reaction of the target object S is completed, a product is produced. The rotary drive unit rotates the present device 1. When the present device 1 rotates, the product inside the third unit 10c is taken out of the present device 1. The product is sent out from the delivery hole 161 of the third unit 10c to the outside of the third unit 10c.

[0078] Summary (1) According to the embodiment described above, the present device 1 has an upstream unit 10, a downstream unit 10, and a rotation drive unit that rotates the upstream unit 10 around the rotation axis C. The target object S is stirred in the upstream unit 10 and then transferred to the downstream unit 10. The rotation drive unit oscillates and rotates the upstream unit 10 around the rotation axis C so that the target object S is stirred inside the upstream unit 10. The rotation drive unit circumferentially rotates the upstream unit 10 around the rotation axis C so that the target object S is transferred from the upstream unit 10 to the downstream unit 10. That is, the present device 1 does not require a stirring blade or the like. The present device 1 does not require piping as in the conventional device. The present device 1 can realize an accurate chemical reaction for each unit 10.

[0079] According to the embodiment described above, the present apparatus 1 has a partition wall 12 that separates the interior of the upstream unit 10 from the interior of the downstream unit 10. The partition wall 12 has a communication hole 16 that connects the interior of the upstream unit 10 to the interior of the downstream unit 10. The target object S is transferred from the upstream unit 10 to the downstream unit 10 through the communication hole 16. In other words, the present apparatus 1 can realize an accurate chemical reaction for each unit 10. The present apparatus 1 can transfer the target object S from the upstream unit 10 to the downstream unit 10.

[0080] According to the embodiment described above, the communication hole 16 of the present device 1 is disposed at the outer edge portion 121 of the partition wall 12. In other words, the present device 1 can transfer the object S from the upstream unit 10 to the downstream unit 10 at a predetermined timing.

[0081] According to the embodiment described above, the upstream unit 10 of the present device 1 includes a cylindrical outer peripheral wall 11 and a transfer wall 15 disposed in a space surrounded by the outer peripheral wall 11. The transfer wall 15 guides the object S agitated in the upstream unit 10 to the communication hole 16. That is, the present device 1 can efficiently transfer the object S to the downstream unit 10.

[0082] According to the embodiment described above, the transfer wall 15 of the present device 1 is disposed so as to separate the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall 11. When the upstream unit 10 rotates, the transfer wall 15 restricts the movement of the object S stirred inside the upstream unit 10 inside the upstream unit 10. In other words, the present device 1 can prevent the object S of the upstream unit 10 from being mixed with the object S of the downstream unit 10.

[0083] According to the embodiment described above, the transfer wall 15 of the present device 1 is disposed at an incline with respect to the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall 11. The transfer wall 15 has an inner peripheral abutment edge 151 that abuts against the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall 11. The inner peripheral abutment edge 151 has an upstream end 15a disposed at one opening of the outer peripheral wall 11, and a downstream end 15b disposed at the other opening of the outer peripheral wall 11. That is, in the present device 1, the inside of the unit 10 can be partitioned by the transfer wall 15.

[0084] According to the embodiment described above, the communication hole 16 of the present device 1 is disposed near the downstream end 15b. That is, the present device 1 can have the communication hole 16 disposed at the position where the outer peripheral wall 11 and the transfer wall 15 intersect.

[0085] According to the embodiment described above, the transport wall 15 of the present device 1 includes a partition abutment edge 152 that abuts against the partition wall 12. The communication hole 16 is disposed in the vicinity of the partition abutment edge 152. That is, the present device 1 can easily transport the object S captured by the transport wall 15 to the communication hole 16.

[0086] According to the embodiment described above, the arrangement direction of the partition abutment side 152 of the present device 1 is perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotation axis C. In other words, the present device 1 enables the capture of the target object S by the transfer wall 15 corresponding to the circumferential rotation.

[0087] ●Embodiment of the present device (2)● Another embodiment (2) of the present device 1 will be described below, focusing on the differences from the embodiment (1) of the present device 1 described above.

[0088] The embodiment (2) differs from the embodiment (1) in that a pipe 50 for supplying a reactant used in the reaction of the target object S is disposed in the axial hole 17.

[0089] ●Configuration of this device (2) FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the device 1. As shown in FIG.

[0090] The device 1A includes a first unit 10a, a second unit 10b, and a third unit 10c. The units 10 (the first unit 10a, the second unit 10b, and the third unit 10c) include an outer peripheral wall 11, a partition wall 12, a transfer wall 15, a communication hole 16, and an axial hole 17.

[0091] The tube 50 supplies reactants to the inside of the unit 10. The tube 50 is, for example, a pipe or a tube. The tube 50 is inserted into the axial hole 17. That is, the tube 50 is arranged along the rotation axis C. The tube 50 is inserted from the downstream axial hole 172, and the tip of the tube 50 is arranged inside the unit 10. That is, the tube 50 includes a tube 50a, a tube 50b, and a tube 50c corresponding to the first unit 10a, the second unit 10b, and the third unit 10c, respectively. The tube 50 is an example of a supply path in the present invention.

[0092] The "reactant" is a substance supplied from the tube 50 to the inside of the unit 10. The reactant is selected by a chemical reaction according to the production stage of the target object S, such as a catalyst, a raw material, or distilled water. The reactant is mainly a liquid, but may be a solid or gas.

[0093] Operation of this device (2) The operation of the device is described below.

[0094] First, the target object S is fed into the first unit 10a on the upstream side. The target object S is fed into the first unit 10a through the feed hole 162. The reactant is supplied into the first unit 10a through the pipe 50a.

[0095] Next, the rotary drive unit oscillates and rotates the present apparatus 1. The object S is stirred inside the first unit 10a. The chemical reaction of the object S is promoted by the stirring. When the chemical reaction of the object S is completed, the rotary drive unit rotates the present apparatus 1. When the present apparatus 1 rotates, the object S inside the first unit 10a is transferred to the inside of the second unit 10b.

[0096] Next, new raw materials or reactants for the chemical reaction of the object S are supplied to the inside of the second unit 10b via the tube 50b. The rotary drive unit oscillates and rotates the present device 1. The object S is stirred inside the second unit 10b. The chemical reaction of the object S is promoted by the stirring. When the chemical reaction of the object S is completed, the rotary drive unit rotates the present device 1. As the present device 1 rotates, the object S inside the second unit 10b is transferred to the inside of the third unit 10c.

[0097] Next, new raw materials or reactants for chemically reacting the object S are supplied to the inside of the third unit 10c through the tube 50c. The rotary drive unit oscillates and rotates the present device 1. The object S is stirred inside the third unit 10c. The chemical reaction of the object S is promoted by the stirring.

[0098] When the chemical reaction of the target object S is completed, a product is produced. The rotary drive unit rotates the present device 1. When the present device 1 rotates, the product inside the third unit 10c is taken out of the present device 1. The product is sent out from the delivery hole 161 of the third unit 10c to the outside of the third unit 10c.

[0099] The tube may be disposed inside a hollow shaft member (not shown). The hollow shaft member supports the device so that it can rotate about a rotation axis. By disposing the tube inside the shaft member, it is not affected by the oscillating rotation and circumferential rotation of the device. As a result, the device enables a stable supply of reactants and the like.

[0100] Summary (2) According to the embodiment described above, the present apparatus 1A has a supply path that supplies reactants used in the reaction of the target object S. The supply path is arranged along the rotation axis C. In other words, the supply path does not interfere with the swinging rotation and circumferential rotation of the present apparatus 1. Therefore, the present apparatus 1A can supply reactants to the inside of the unit 10 without interfering with the rotational operation of the present apparatus 1A.

[0101] According to the embodiment described above, the present device 1A has a shaft member that supports the upstream unit 10 and the downstream unit 10 rotatably about the rotation axis C. The shaft member has a hollow portion. The supply path is disposed in the hollow portion. That is, the supply path of the present device 1A is not affected by adhesion of the target object S due to the swinging rotation and circumferential rotation of the units 10.

[0102] According to the embodiment described above, the partition wall 12 of the present device 1 has the axial hole 17 through which the supply path is inserted. That is, the present device 1A can supply the reactant through the axial hole 17.

[0103] ●Other embodiments● In the present invention, the number of connected units is not limited to 3. The number of connected units is determined according to the generation stage of the object. For example, four or more units may be connected in the present device.

[0104] In addition, in the present invention, the use of the unit is not limited to chemical reactions. The unit may realize uses such as heating, cooling, drying, crystallization, filtration, and culture. The present device is operated by combining temporary stops, rocking rotation, and circumferential rotation according to each use.

[0105] Furthermore, in the present invention, the outer peripheral wall does not have to be cylindrical. The outer peripheral wall may be polygonal. In accordance with the polygonal shape of the outer peripheral wall, the shape of the partition wall is polygonal. By making the outer peripheral wall polygonal, the stirring strength by the rocking rotation is strengthened.

[0106] Furthermore, in the present invention, the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall may be provided with projections, plates, etc. By providing projections, plates, etc. on the inner peripheral surface, the stirring strength caused by the rocking rotation is strengthened.

[0107] Furthermore, in the present invention, the shape of the transport wall is not limited to a shape in which rectangular plates are arranged in a spiral shape, and the shape of the transport wall may be any shape that can capture the object and guide the object to the communication hole.

[0108] Furthermore, in the present invention, the shape of the communication hole is not limited to a sector shape, and may be any shape that allows communication between the interior of the upstream unit and the interior of the downstream unit.

[0109] Furthermore, in the present invention, the arrangement of the communication holes is not limited to the outer edge of the partition wall, and may be any arrangement that allows the transfer of the object from the inside of the upstream unit to the inside of the downstream unit.

[0110] Furthermore, in the present invention, the method of feeding the raw material into the unit is not limited to the method of feeding the raw material through the feed hole or the upstream axial hole of the unit. For example, the feeding method may be a method of feeding the raw material into the unit through a supply passage formed in the outer peripheral wall or the upstream partition wall of the unit.

[0111] Furthermore, in the present invention, the method of taking out the product is not limited to the method of sending it out from the delivery hole to the outside, but may be, for example, a method of sucking it out using a pump or the like from a suction tube inserted inside the unit.

[0112] Furthermore, in the present invention, the tube is not limited to being inserted from the downstream axial hole, and may be inserted, for example, from the upstream axial hole.

[0113] Furthermore, in the present invention, the rotation drive unit is not limited to being attached to a shaft member. The rotation drive unit may be configured to rotate the device with a rotation shaft. The drive device of the rotation drive unit may be configured to rotate the device by rotating a rotating roller disposed below the device, for example.

[0114] Furthermore, in the present invention, the present device is not limited to being installed with the rotation axis horizontal. For example, the present device may be installed with the rotation axis tilted. The angle of the rotation axis can be selected depending on the raw material to be fed. By tilting the rotation axis, the present device can change the transfer efficiency from the upstream unit to the downstream unit.

[0115] ●Features of this device● The features of the device described so far are summarized below.

[0116] This device is An upstream unit (e.g., a first unit 10a), A downstream unit (e.g., second unit 10b) connected to the upstream unit; A rotation drive unit that rotates the upstream unit and the downstream unit about a common rotation axis (e.g., rotation axis C); and The reaction target (e.g., target S) supplied to the upstream unit is agitated in the upstream unit and then transferred to the downstream unit, The rotation drive unit is The upstream unit is oscillated and rotated about the rotation axis so that the object is agitated inside the upstream unit. rotating the upstream unit about the rotation axis so that the object is transferred from the upstream unit to the downstream unit; It is characterized by:

[0117] This device is A partition wall (e.g., partition wall 12) that separates the interior of the upstream unit from the interior of the downstream unit; and The partition wall is A communication hole (e.g., communication hole 16) that communicates the inside of the upstream unit with the inside of the downstream unit; Equipped with The object may be transferred from the upstream unit to the downstream unit through the communication hole.

[0118] In this device, The rotation shaft is disposed at the center of the partition wall, The communication hole may be disposed at the outer edge portion (for example, outer edge portion 121) of the partition wall.

[0119] In this device, The upstream unit includes: A cylindrical outer wall (for example, outer wall 11), A transfer wall (e.g., transfer wall 15) disposed in a space surrounded by the outer peripheral wall; Equipped with The transport wall may guide the object stirred in the upstream unit to the communication hole.

[0120] In this device, The transport wall is arranged to separate the inner circumferential surface of the outer circumferential wall, When the upstream unit rotates, the transfer of the object stirred inside the upstream unit within the upstream unit may be regulated by the transfer wall.

[0121] In this device, The transport wall may be disposed so as to be inclined with respect to the inner circumferential surface.

[0122] In this device, The transport wall is An inner peripheral abutment edge (e.g., inner peripheral abutment edge 151) that abuts against the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall, Equipped with The inner circumferential abutment edge is An upstream end (e.g., upstream end 15a) disposed at one opening of the outer peripheral wall; A downstream end (e.g., downstream end 15b) disposed at the other opening of the outer peripheral wall; The above configuration may also be adopted.

[0123] In this device, The communication hole may be disposed near the downstream end.

[0124] In this device, The transport wall is A partition abutment edge (e.g., partition abutment edge 152) that abuts against the partition wall, Equipped with The communication hole is It may be arranged in the vicinity of the partition abutment side.

[0125] In this device, The direction in which the partition abutment sides are arranged may be perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotation shaft.

[0126] This device is A supply channel (e.g., a tube 50) for supplying a reactant used in the reaction of the target object; and The supply passage may be disposed along the rotation axis.

[0127] This device is a shaft member that supports the upstream unit and the downstream unit rotatably about the rotation shaft; and The shaft member is hollow part, Equipped with The supply passage may be disposed in the hollow portion.

[0128] In this device, The partition wall is A shaft hole (e.g., shaft hole 17) through which the supply passage is inserted, The above configuration may also be adopted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0129] 1 Continuous reactor 10 units 10a First unit (upstream unit) 10b Second unit (downstream unit) 10c Unit 3 11 Peripheral wall 12 Partition Wall 121 Outer edge 13 Upstream Partition Wall 14 Downstream Partition Wall 15 Transfer wall 151 Inner circumference abutment edge 15a Upstream end 15b Downstream end 152 Partition abutment edge 16 Communication hole 161 Outlet hole 162 Inlet hole 17 Shaft hole 171 Upstream shaft hole 172 Downstream shaft hole 50 Tube (supply path) 50a First Tube 50b Second tube 50c 3rd body S Object C Rotational Axis

Claims

1. An upstream unit; a downstream unit connected to the upstream unit; a rotation drive unit that rotates the upstream unit and the downstream unit about a common rotation axis; and The reaction target material supplied to the upstream unit is stirred in the upstream unit and then transferred to the downstream unit, The rotation drive unit is The upstream unit is oscillated and rotated about the rotation axis so that the object is agitated inside the upstream unit. rotating the upstream unit about the rotation axis so that the object is transferred from the upstream unit to the downstream unit; A continuous reaction apparatus characterized by the above.

2. a partition wall separating an interior of the upstream unit from an interior of the downstream unit; and The partition wall is a communication hole that communicates the inside of the upstream unit with the inside of the downstream unit; Equipped with The object is transferred from the upstream unit to the downstream unit through the communication hole.

2. The continuous reactor according to claim 1.

3. The rotation shaft is disposed at the center of the partition wall, The communication hole is disposed at an outer edge portion of the partition wall.

3. The continuous reactor according to claim 2.

4. The upstream unit includes: A cylindrical outer wall; A transfer wall disposed in a space surrounded by the outer peripheral wall; Equipped with The transport wall guides the object stirred in the upstream unit to the communication hole.

4. The continuous reactor according to claim 3.

5. The transfer wall is disposed to separate an inner circumferential surface of the outer circumferential wall, When the upstream unit rotates, the transport of the object stirred inside the upstream unit is regulated by the transport wall.

5. The continuous reactor according to claim 4.

6. The transport wall is disposed at an incline with respect to the inner circumferential surface. The continuous reaction apparatus according to claim 5.

7. The transport wall is an inner peripheral abutment edge that abuts against the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall; Equipped with The inner circumferential abutment edge is an upstream end disposed at one opening of the outer peripheral wall; A downstream end disposed at the other opening of the outer peripheral wall; Equipped with The continuous reactor according to claim 6.

8. The communication hole is disposed near the downstream end. The continuous reactor according to claim 7.

9. The transport wall is A partition abutment edge that abuts against the partition wall; Equipped with The communication hole is disposed in the vicinity of the partition abutment edge. The continuous reactor according to claim 7.

10. The arrangement direction of the partition abutment side is perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotation shaft. The continuous reactor according to claim 9.

11. A supply channel for supplying a reactant to be used in the reaction of the target object; and The supply passage is disposed along the rotation axis.

4. The continuous reactor according to claim 3.

12. a shaft member that supports the upstream unit and the downstream unit rotatably about the rotation shaft; and The shaft member is hollow part, Equipped with The supply passage is disposed in the hollow portion. The continuous reactor according to claim 11.

13. The partition wall is A shaft hole through which the supply passage is inserted; Equipped with The continuous reactor according to claim 11.

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