Apparatus, method, and program

Abstract

To provide an apparatus, a method, and a program capable of efficiently performing a series of operations from decision of reaction abnormality, cleaning of a flow path to recovery of raw materials, and capable of rapidly restarting a reaction apparatus while suppressing the cost of raw materials.SOLUTION: An apparatus 100 for flowing a reaction fluid into a flow path to react, comprises: inflow lines 124 and 146 for flowing a fluid different from the reaction fluid into the flow path in the middle of the flow path; a control unit 200 for flowing fluid into the inflow line when abnormality has occurred in the reaction of the reaction fluid. The control unit detects that an abnormality has occurred in the reaction of the reaction fluid, stops the flow of the reaction fluid, and flows the fluid into the inflow line. The inflow line has a check valve that prevents the backflow of the reaction fluid from the flow path. The inflow line is provided in the mixers 120 and 149 provided in the middle of the flow path.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus, a method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 states that "a reagent filling flow path is formed between the check valve 16 on the upstream side of the storage section 17a and the liquid delivery control section 13a on the downstream side, and constitutes the above-mentioned reagent quantification section together with the liquid delivery control section 13b provided in the branch flow path communicating with the pump 11 that delivers the driving liquid." Patent Document 2 states that "an addition flow path is connected in the middle of the micro flow path, and the addition flow path presses the second fluid for refilling into the second fluid in the micro flow path." Patent Document 3 states that "the connection section between the test chip and the micropump unit is brought into a clean state by a cleaning mechanism and then is brought into close contact." [Prior art document] [Patent documents] Patent Document 1: JP 2006-149379 A Patent Document 2: JP 2006-239640 A Patent Document 3: JP 2006-266926 A Summary of the Invention

[0003] In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for flowing a reaction fluid through a flow path to cause a reaction, the apparatus comprising an inlet line in the flow path for flowing a fluid different from the reaction fluid through the flow path, and a control unit for flowing a fluid through the inlet line when an abnormality occurs in the reaction of the reaction fluid.

[0004] In the above-described device, the control unit detects the occurrence of an abnormality in the reaction of the reaction fluid, stops the flow of the reaction fluid, and allows the fluid to flow in the inlet line.

[0005] In any of the above devices, the inlet line has a check valve for preventing backflow of the reaction fluid from the flow path.

[0006] In any of the above devices, the inlet line is provided to a mixer provided midway through the flow path.

[0007] In the above device, the inlet lines are arranged in a direction different from the direction of the flow paths in the mixer.

[0008] In any of the above devices, the inlet lines are arranged in a direction different from the plane direction formed by the flow paths in the mixer.

[0009] In any of the above devices, the inlet line is provided perpendicular to the flow path within the mixer.

[0010] In any of the above devices, the inlet line is provided upstream of a mixer provided midway through the flow path.

[0011] In any of the above devices, the inlet line is oriented in a different direction than the flow path.

[0012] In any of the above devices, the fluid flowed from the inlet line is a cleaning liquid.

[0013] In any of the above devices, the fluid flowing from the inlet line is an organic solvent, water, or a solution containing an acidic or alkaline substance.

[0014] In any of the above-mentioned devices, a recovery line for recovering raw materials of the reaction fluid is provided upstream of the inlet line.

[0015] In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method comprising the steps of flowing a reaction fluid through a flow channel to cause a reaction, and flowing the reaction fluid through an inlet line that is provided midway through the flow channel to allow a fluid other than the reaction fluid to flow through the flow channel when an abnormality occurs in the reaction of the reaction fluid.

[0016] In a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program that causes a computer to execute the steps of flowing a reaction fluid through a flow path to cause a reaction, and, when an abnormality occurs in the reaction of the reaction fluid, flowing the fluid through an inlet line that is provided in the middle of the flow path to allow a fluid other than the reaction fluid to flow through the flow path.

[0017] The above summary of the invention does not list all of the necessary features of the present invention. Also, subcombinations of these features may also be inventions. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a reaction apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 shows an explanatory diagram of a part of a reaction section 100. [Diagram 3] 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a first mixer 120 in the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 10 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the first mixer 120 in the present embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 5] A block diagram of a control unit 200 is shown. [Figure 6] 2 shows a reaction flow in the reaction apparatus 10 of the present embodiment. [Figure 7] 22 illustrates an example computer 2200 in which aspects of the present invention may be implemented in whole or in part. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] The present invention will be described below through embodiments of the invention, but the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention according to the claims. Furthermore, not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a reaction apparatus 10 according to this embodiment. In order to produce a target product such as a peptide, the reaction apparatus 10 mixes a plurality of types of raw material fluids in a flow path, and flows the mixture, a reaction fluid, through the flow path to cause a reaction to proceed. If an abnormality occurs in the reaction, the reaction apparatus 10 flows a cleaning solution through the flow path to clean the reaction apparatus 10 and restarts the reaction apparatus 10. The reaction apparatus 10 includes a reaction section 100 and a control section 200.

[0021] The reaction section 100 is connected to a control section 200. The reaction section 100 may be, for example, a flow reactor such as a microflow reactor that produces a target substance by flow synthesis or the like. The reaction section 100 has a first raw material tank 102, a first pump 104, a first liquid delivery pipe 106, a first recovery tank 108, a second raw material tank 112, a second pump 114, a second liquid delivery pipe 116, a second recovery tank 118, a first mixer 120, a first cleaning tank 122, a first reaction pipe 132, a third raw material tank 134, a third pump 136, a third liquid delivery pipe 138, a third recovery tank 142, a first waste tank 144, a second cleaning tank 145, a second mixer 149, a second reaction pipe 150, a second waste tank 154, and a target tank 156. The liquid delivery pipe, mixer, and reaction pipe in the reaction section 100 form a flow path from the raw material tank to the target product tank 156, the flow path having a width ranging from several tens of μm to several tens of mm.

[0022] The first raw material tank 102 is connected to the first mixer 120 via the first pump 104 and the first liquid supply pipe 106. The first raw material tank 102 contains a first raw material. The first pump 104 supplies the first raw material from the first raw material tank 102 to the first liquid supply pipe 106 at a flow rate or flow rate according to the reaction conditions. The first liquid supply pipe 106 may be a through hole or a tube formed in a plate-like cell made of metal or resin. The first raw material fluid, which is the first raw material, flows from the first liquid supply pipe 106 into one of the inlets of the first mixer 120.

[0023] The first recovery tank 108 is connected between the first pump 104 and the first raw material tank 102 via a first recovery line 107 for recovering a raw material of the reaction fluid (first raw material fluid). The first recovery tank 108 stores the first raw material fluid recovered from the first liquid delivery pipe 106 in a recovery operation when a reaction abnormality occurs.

[0024] The second raw material tank 112 is connected to the first mixer 120 via the second pump 114 and the second liquid supply pipe 116. The second raw material tank 112 contains a second raw material. The second pump 114 supplies the second raw material from the second raw material tank 112 to the second liquid supply pipe 116 at a flow rate or flow rate according to the reaction conditions. The second liquid supply pipe 116 may be a through hole or a tube formed in a plate-like cell made of metal or resin. The second raw material fluid, which is the second raw material, flows from the second liquid supply pipe 116 into the other inlet of the first mixer 120.

[0025] The second recovery tank 118 is connected between the second pump 114 and the second raw material tank 112 via a second recovery line 117 for recovering the second raw material fluid. The second recovery tank 118 stores the second raw material fluid recovered from the second liquid delivery pipe 116 in a recovery operation when a reaction abnormality occurs.

[0026] The first mixer 120 has an outlet connected to one end of the first reaction tube 132. The first mixer 120 may be a static mixer such as a T-shaped mixer or a Y-shaped mixer. The first mixer 120 mixes the first and second raw material fluids flowing in from two inlets, and discharges the mixture into the first reaction tube 132 as a first reaction fluid.

[0027] The first cleaning tank 122 is connected to a first inflow line 124 for flowing a fluid other than the reaction fluid into the flow path. The first cleaning tank 122 contains a first cleaning liquid to be flowed into the first mixer 120 in a cleaning operation when a reaction abnormality occurs. The first inflow line 124 may be provided in the first mixer 120 provided in the flow path.

[0028] The other end of the first reaction tube 132 is connected to the second mixer 149. The first reaction tube 132 may be a through hole or a tube formed in a plate-like cell of metal or resin. The first reaction tube 132 has a first reaction fluid flowing therein and discharges the first reaction fluid to one inlet of the second mixer 149. The first reaction fluid reacts while flowing through the first reaction tube 132. The length, width, or shape of the first reaction tube 132 may be set in order to adjust reaction conditions such as reaction time.

[0029] The third raw material tank 134 is connected to the second mixer 149 via a third pump 136 and a third liquid supply pipe 138. The third raw material tank 134 contains a third raw material. The third pump 136 supplies the third raw material from the third raw material tank 134 to the third liquid supply pipe 138 at a flow rate or flow rate according to the reaction conditions. The third liquid supply pipe 138 may be a through hole or a tube formed in a plate-like cell made of metal or resin. The third raw material fluid, which is the third raw material, flows from the third liquid supply pipe 138 into the other inlet of the second mixer 149.

[0030] The third recovery tank 142 is connected between the third pump 136 and the third raw material tank 134 via a third recovery line 140 for recovering raw materials of the reaction fluid. The third recovery tank 142 stores the third raw material fluid recovered from the third liquid delivery pipe 138 in a recovery operation when an abnormal reaction occurs.

[0031] The first waste tank 144 is connected between the first mixer 120 and the second mixer 149 via a first waste line 143. The first waste tank 144 stores the first reaction fluid that is discarded from the first reaction tube 132 in a cleaning operation when a reaction abnormality occurs.

[0032] The second cleaning tank 145 is connected to a second inlet line 146 provided in the flow path upstream of the second mixer 149. The second cleaning tank 145 contains a second cleaning liquid to be fed from the first reaction tube 132 to the second mixer 149 in a cleaning operation when a reaction abnormality occurs. The second inlet line 146 may be connected to the first reaction tube 132 between the first waste tank 144 and the second mixer 149. The second inlet line 146 may be provided so as to extend in a direction different from the flow path to which the second inlet line 146 is connected.

[0033] The second mixer 149 has an outlet connected to one end of the second reaction tube 150. The second mixer 149 may be a static mixer such as a T-shaped mixer or a Y-shaped mixer. The second mixer 149 mixes the first reaction fluid and the third raw material fluid flowing in from two inlets therein, and discharges the mixture into the second reaction tube 150 as a second reaction fluid.

[0034] The other end of the second reaction tube 150 is connected to a target tank 156. The second reaction tube 150 may be a through hole or a tube formed in a plate-like cell made of metal or resin. The second reaction tube 150 has a second reaction fluid flowing therein and discharges the second reaction fluid to the target tank 156. The second reaction fluid reacts while flowing through the second reaction tube 150. The length, width, or shape of the second reaction tube 150 may be set in order to adjust reaction conditions such as reaction time.

[0035] The second waste tank 154 is connected between the second mixer 149 and the target tank 156 via a second waste line 152. The second waste tank 154 stores the second reaction fluid that is discarded from the second reaction tube 150 in a cleaning operation when a reaction abnormality occurs.

[0036] The target tank 156 contains the target after reaction of the second reactant fluid.

[0037] The reaction section 100 further has a first pressure gauge 160, a second pressure gauge 162, a third pressure gauge 164, a first temperature measurement section 170, a second temperature measurement section 172, a third temperature measurement section 176, a fourth temperature measurement section 174, and a fifth temperature measurement section 178.

[0038] The first pressure gauge 160 may be disposed between the first pump 104 and the first mixer 120, for example, at a connection portion between the first pump 104 and the first liquid supply pipe 106. The first pressure gauge 160 may measure the pressure in the first liquid supply pipe 106 for the first raw material fluid supplied from the first pump 104. The first pressure gauge 160 may also measure the flow rate or flow velocity of the first raw material fluid in the first liquid supply pipe 106 and calculate the pressure of the first raw material fluid from the measurement result.

[0039] The second pressure gauge 162 may be disposed between the second pump 114 and the first mixer 120, for example, at a connection portion between the second pump 114 and the second liquid supply pipe 116. The second pressure gauge 162 may measure the pressure in the second liquid supply pipe 116 for the second raw material fluid supplied from the second pump 114. The second pressure gauge 162 may measure the flow rate or flow velocity of the second raw material fluid in the second liquid supply pipe 116 and calculate the pressure of the second raw material fluid from the measurement result.

[0040] The third pressure gauge 164 may be disposed between the third pump 136 and the second mixer 149, for example, at a connection portion between the third pump 136 and the third liquid supply pipe 138. The third pressure gauge 164 may measure the pressure in the third liquid supply pipe 138 for the third raw material fluid supplied from the third pump 136. The third pressure gauge 164 may measure the flow rate or flow velocity of the third raw material fluid in the third liquid supply pipe 138 and calculate the pressure of the third raw material fluid from the measurement result.

[0041] The first temperature measurement unit 170, the second temperature measurement unit 172, the third temperature measurement unit 176, the fourth temperature measurement unit 174, and the fifth temperature measurement unit 178 may measure the temperatures of the fluids flowing inside the first liquid feed tube 106, the second liquid feed tube 116, the third liquid feed tube 138, the first reaction tube 132, and the second reaction tube 150, respectively. The first temperature measurement unit 170, the second temperature measurement unit 172, the third temperature measurement unit 176, the fourth temperature measurement unit 174, and the fifth temperature measurement unit 178 may each be a non-contact optical temperature sensor or a thermocouple.

[0042] The control unit 200 is connected to the reaction unit 100 by wire or wirelessly. The control unit 200 controls the reaction unit 100 according to the reaction conditions. The control unit 200 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

[0043] 2 is an explanatory diagram of a part of the reaction section 100. FIG 2 shows details of the periphery of the first recovery tank 108 and the first waste tank 144 of the reaction section 100 of FIG 1.

[0044] The first recovery tank 108 is connected between the first valve v1 and the first pump 104 via the first recovery line 107. The first recovery line 107 is provided upstream of the first inflow line 124 and the second inflow line 146, so that the fluid before being mixed with other fluids can be recovered upstream of the pipe to be washed by the inflow line. The first valve v1 is provided between the first raw material tank 102 and the first pump 104. The second valve v2 is provided in the first recovery line 107. The third valve v3 is provided in the first reaction pipe 132, between the first pump 104 and the first mixer 120, and at a position closer to the first mixer 120. The first valve v1, the second valve v2, and the third valve v3 are controlled to be opened and closed by the control unit 200 during the recovery operation for the first recovery tank 108.

[0045] The first waste tank 144 is connected between the fourth valve v4 and the first mixer 120 via the first waste line 143. The fourth valve v4 is provided between the first mixer 120 and the second mixer 149. The fifth valve v5 is provided in the first waste line 143. The sixth valve v6 is provided in the second liquid delivery pipe 116, between the second pump 114 and the first mixer 120, at a position closer to the first mixer 120.

[0046] The first cleaning tank 122 is connected to the first mixer 120 via a first inflow line 124. The first inflow line 124 has a first inflow pump 125 and a first check valve 126. The first inflow pump 125 sends the cleaning liquid in the first cleaning tank 122 to the first inflow line 124. The first check valve 126 is provided between the first cleaning tank 122 and the first mixer 120. The first check valve 126 prevents the first reaction fluid from flowing back from the first reaction tube 132 and the first mixer 120 to the first cleaning tank 122. The third valve v3, the fourth valve v4, the fifth valve v5, and the sixth valve v6 are controlled to open and close by the control unit 200 in a cleaning operation in which the first cleaning liquid flows from the first cleaning tank 122 to the first waste tank 144.

[0047] The second washing tank 145 is connected to the first reaction pipe 132 upstream of the second mixer 149 via a second inlet line 146. The second inlet line 146 is connected to the first reaction pipe 132 between the fourth valve and the second mixer 149, and may be provided so as to extend in a direction different from the flow direction in the first reaction pipe 132 to which it is connected. The second inlet line 146 has a second inlet pump 147 and a second check valve 148.

[0048] The second inlet pump 147 sends the cleaning liquid in the second cleaning tank 145 to the second inlet line 146. The second check valve 148 is provided between the second cleaning tank 145 and the second mixer 149. The second check valve 148 prevents the second reaction fluid from flowing from the second mixer 149 and the second reaction tube 150 into the second cleaning tank 145. The reaction apparatus 10 may have additional valves, etc., for flowing the second cleaning liquid from the second cleaning tank 145 to the second waste tank 154 in a configuration similar to the third valve v3, the fourth valve v4, the fifth valve v5, and the sixth valve v6.

[0049] In addition, in the reaction section 100, additional valves may be arranged in a configuration similar to the first valve v1, the second valve v2, and the third valve v3 for recovery operations for each of the second recovery tank 118 and the third recovery tank 142.

[0050] Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the first mixer 120 in this embodiment. In Fig. 3, an X-axis in the left-right direction, a Z-axis in the up-down direction, and a Y-axis in the depth direction are shown to be mutually orthogonal. In the following, explanations may be given using these three axes. In Fig. 3, the flow path in the first mixer 120 is shown by a dashed line, and the flow direction in the flow path is shown by an arrow.

[0051] In the example of FIG. 3, the first mixer 120 is a Y-shaped mixer. The first mixer 120 has an inlet 300 and an inlet 310 to which the first liquid feed pipe 106 and the second liquid feed pipe 116 are respectively connected, and an outlet 320 from which the first reaction fluid, which is a mixture of the first raw material fluid and the second raw material fluid, is discharged into the first reaction tube 132. The first mixer 120 has a Y-shaped flow path inside a plate-like cell made of metal or resin. The first liquid feed pipe 106, the second liquid feed pipe 116, and the first reaction tube 132 are connected so as to extend perpendicularly to the YZ plane of the plate-like cell of the first mixer 120.

[0052] The first inflow line 124 is connected to an inlet 330 at a position where the first raw material fluid and the second raw material fluid merge in the first mixer 120. The first inflow line 124 may be provided in a direction different from the direction of the flow path in the first mixer 120. As an example, the first inflow line 124 is provided to extend in a direction different from the YZ plane direction (i.e., the plane direction of the plate-shaped cell) formed by the flow path in the first mixer 120 (for example, in a direction at an angle x (0° < x ≤ 90°) with respect to the YZ plane). In FIG. 3, the first inflow line 124 is provided in a direction perpendicular to the flow path in the first mixer 120. The first inflow line 124 is installed at the connection portion with the inlet 330 so as to extend in a direction different from the flow direction of the fluid in the flow path during the reaction, and the influence of the first inflow line 124 on the fluid flow can be suppressed.

[0053] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the first mixer 120 in the present embodiment. In FIG. 4, the X-axis in the left-right direction, the Z-axis in the up-down direction, and the Y-axis in the depth direction are shown to be perpendicular to each other. In FIG. 4, the flow path of the first mixer 120 is shown by a broken line, and the flow direction in the flow path is shown by an arrow.

[0054] In the example of FIG. 4, the first mixer 120 is a T-shaped mixer. The first mixer 120 has an inlet 300 and an inlet 310 to which the first liquid supply pipe 106 and the second liquid supply pipe 116 are respectively connected, and an outlet 320 through which the first reaction fluid in which the first raw material fluid and the second raw material fluid are mixed is discharged into the first reaction pipe 132. The first mixer 120 has a T-shaped flow path inside a plate-shaped cell of metal or resin. The first liquid supply pipe 106, the second liquid supply pipe 116, and the first reaction pipe 132 are connected so as to extend in a direction perpendicular to the YZ plane of the plate-shaped cell of the first mixer 120.

[0055] The first inflow line 124 is connected to an inlet 330 at a position where the first raw material fluid and the second raw material fluid merge in the first mixer 120. The first inflow line 124 is provided in a direction perpendicular to the YZ plane direction formed by the flow path in the first mixer 120.

[0056] FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of the control unit 200. The control unit 200 may be a computer such as a PC, a tablet PC, a smartphone, a workstation, a server computer, or a general-purpose computer, or may be a computer system to which multiple computers are connected. Such a computer system is also a computer in a broad sense. The control unit 200 may be implemented by one or more executable virtual computer environments in a computer. Alternatively, the control unit 200 may be a dedicated computer designed for a flow reactor, or may be dedicated hardware realized by a dedicated circuit. The control unit 200 may also be realized by cloud computing. The control unit 200 has a detection unit 202, a reaction condition setting unit 204, a threshold setting unit 206, a determination unit 208, and a reaction control unit 210.

[0057] The detection unit 202 is connected to the reaction unit 100 and the determination unit 208, and acquires parameters related to the state of the reaction fluid from the reaction unit 100 to detect the state of the reaction fluid reacting in the flow path. The detection unit 202 may acquire measured values ​​or calculated values ​​as detection results from sensors arranged in the reaction unit 100, such as the first pressure gauge 160, the second pressure gauge 162, the third pressure gauge 164, the first temperature measurement unit 170, the second temperature measurement unit 172, the third temperature measurement unit 176, the fourth temperature measurement unit 174, and the fifth temperature measurement unit 178. The detection unit 202 may output the detection results to the determination unit 208.

[0058] The reaction condition setting unit 204 is connected to the threshold setting unit 206 and the reaction control unit 210, and sets the reaction conditions in the reaction unit 100. The reaction conditions may include at least one of the pressure, flow rate, flow rate, and temperature of the fluid in each flow path. The reaction condition setting unit 204 may output the reaction conditions to the threshold setting unit 206 and the reaction control unit 210.

[0059] The threshold setting unit 206 is connected to the determination unit 208, and sets various thresholds used in the determination unit 208. The threshold setting unit 206 may set the thresholds based on the reaction conditions received from the reaction condition setting unit 204. The threshold setting unit 206 may output the thresholds to the determination unit 208.

[0060] The determination unit 208 is connected to the reaction control unit 210. The determination unit 208 may determine an abnormality in the reaction, such as the state of the reaction fluid being out of the set reaction conditions or the concentration of the target substance being out of a predetermined range. The determination unit 208 may compare the detection result received from the detection unit 202 with the threshold value set by the threshold value setting unit 206 to determine an abnormality in the reaction. The determination unit 208 may output the determined result to the reaction control unit 210.

[0061] The reaction control unit 210 is connected to the reaction unit 100, and controls each component of the reaction unit 100 according to the set reaction conditions and the determination result of the determination unit 208. The reaction control unit 210 includes a washing unit 212, a recovery unit 214, a path control unit 216, and a pump control unit 218.

[0062] The cleaning unit 212 is connected to the path control unit 216 and the pump control unit 218. When an abnormality occurs in the reaction of the reaction fluid, the cleaning unit 212 performs a cleaning operation of flowing a fluid into the inflow line. When the determination unit 208 determines that the reaction is abnormal, the cleaning unit 212 may flow a fluid into at least one of the first inflow line 124 and the second inflow line 146 to discard at least a part of the reaction fluid in the flow path. When the cleaning unit 212 receives a result of the determination of an abnormality from the determination unit 208, it may output control data to the path control unit 216 and the pump control unit 218 so as to perform control corresponding to the cleaning operation.

[0063] The recovery unit 214 is connected to the route control unit 216 and the pump control unit 218. When the determination unit 208 determines that a reaction is abnormal, the recovery unit 214 performs a recovery operation to recover at least a part of the raw material fluid in the flow path. When the recovery unit 214 receives the determination result of an abnormality from the determination unit 208, the recovery unit 214 may output control data to the route control unit 216 and the pump control unit 218 so as to perform control corresponding to the recovery operation.

[0064] The path control unit 216 is connected to the reaction unit 100 and controls switching of the flow path of the reaction unit 100. In reaction control, the path control unit 216 opens and closes valves to form a flow path from the raw material tank to the target tank 156. The path control unit 216 may control the opening and closing of valves in the flow path in accordance with control data from at least one of the cleaning unit 212 and the recovery unit 214 to switch the flow path of the reaction unit 100. In addition, the path control unit 216 may switch the flow path for reaction control in the reaction unit 100 in accordance with reaction conditions.

[0065] The pump control unit 218 is connected to the reaction unit 100 and controls the operation of the pump of the reaction unit 100. In the reaction control, the pump control unit 218 controls the output of the pump according to the set reaction conditions to flow the raw material fluid into the liquid delivery pipe. The pump control unit 218 may control the operation of the pump, such as stopping the pump, according to control data from at least one of the cleaning unit 212 and the recovery unit 214. In addition, the pump control unit 218 may control the output of the pump for reaction control in the reaction unit 100 according to the reaction conditions.

[0066] Fig. 6 shows a reaction flow in the reaction apparatus 10 of this embodiment. In the reaction flow in Fig. 6, as an example, in order to synthesize a peptide, the first raw material, the second raw material, and the third raw material may each be a liquid such as an organic solvent or water containing different amino acids.

[0067] In step S11, the reaction condition setting unit 204 sets the reaction conditions. The reaction condition setting unit 204 may receive input of the reaction conditions from a user or an external device. The reaction condition setting unit 204 may have a table showing the relationship between the optimum reaction conditions that maximize the yield and the type of raw material fluid obtained through an experiment or the like. The reaction condition setting unit 204 may receive a designation of the raw material fluid to be used from the user or an external device, and set the optimum reaction conditions from the table. The reaction condition setting unit 204 outputs the set reaction conditions to the threshold setting unit 206 and the reaction control unit 210.

[0068] In step S12, the threshold setting unit 206 may set a threshold value of the reaction condition for the fluid in each of the liquid sending tube and the reaction tube of the reaction unit 100. The threshold setting unit 206 may set different threshold values ​​for the fluid in each of the liquid sending tube and the reaction tube of the reaction unit 100. The threshold setting unit 206 may set a value of a predetermined amount of change or rate of change for the value of the set reaction condition as a threshold. As an example, the threshold setting unit 206 may set a value of the temperature ±a (a>0) of the reaction fluid set in the reaction condition as a temperature threshold. As an example, the threshold setting unit 206 may set a value of the pressure ±a% of the reaction fluid pressure set in the reaction condition as a pressure threshold. The predetermined amount of change or rate of change may be input from a user or an external device.

[0069] In step S13, the reaction control unit 210 controls the reaction unit 100 to satisfy the reaction conditions. The reaction control unit 210 may control the valves to form a flow path for the reaction, operate the pump with an output according to the reaction conditions, and control the temperature of the flow path. The reaction control unit 210 may perform feedback control on the reaction unit 100 according to the measurement value detected by the detection unit 202. In the reaction control, the path control unit 216 may form a flow path by opening the first valve v1, the third valve v3, the fourth valve v4, and the sixth valve v6 in FIG. 2 and closing the second valve v2 and the fifth valve v5.

[0070] In step S14, the detection unit 202 may acquire measurements from various sensors installed in the reaction unit 100. The detection unit 202 may receive measurements from each of the first pressure gauge 160, the second pressure gauge 162, the third pressure gauge 164, the first temperature measurement unit 170, the second temperature measurement unit 172, the third temperature measurement unit 176, the fourth temperature measurement unit 176, and the fifth temperature measurement unit 178 at regular intervals. The detection unit 202 may acquire measurements related to the target contained in the target tank 156 (e.g., the concentration of the target) during the reaction control. The detection unit 202 may output data indicating the acquired measurement results to the determination unit 208.

[0071] In step S15, the determining unit 208 determines an abnormality in the reaction of the reaction fluid in response to an abnormality in the state of the reaction fluid (e.g., at least one of the pressure, flow rate, flow velocity, temperature, and concentration of the target substance of the reaction fluid) detected by the detecting unit 202. The determining unit 208 may determine an abnormality in the reaction of the reaction fluid by using the threshold value set by the threshold value setting unit 206.

[0072] The determination unit 208 can compare the multiple measurement values ​​detected by the detection unit 202 with the corresponding thresholds of the reaction conditions, and determine that the reaction of the fluid is abnormal if at least one of the multiple measurement values ​​exceeds the threshold or is below the threshold. The determination unit 208 may determine the abnormality for each of the fluids in the multiple tubes (feed tubes and reaction tubes) of the reaction unit 100 using the corresponding measurement values ​​and thresholds. The determination unit 208 may determine that the state of the reaction fluid is abnormal if the period during which at least one of the multiple measurement values ​​exceeds the threshold or is below the threshold of the reaction condition exceeds the threshold period.

[0073] The determining unit 208 may determine that the reaction of the reaction fluid is abnormal due to the blockage of the flow path in response to the abnormality of the pressure of the reaction fluid detected by the detecting unit 202. The determining unit 208 may compare the measured values ​​measured by the first pressure gauge 160, the second pressure gauge 162, and the third pressure gauge 164 with a pressure threshold, respectively, and determine that the reaction is abnormal when the measured values ​​exceed the pressure threshold. The determining unit 208 may determine in which of the first liquid feed tube 106, the second liquid feed tube 116, the third liquid feed tube 138, the first reaction tube 132, and the second reaction tube 150 the blockage has occurred in response to a combination of the pressure gauges whose measured values ​​exceed the pressure threshold among the first pressure gauge 160, the second pressure gauge 162, and the third pressure gauge 164. As an example, the determination unit 208 may determine that a blockage has occurred in the corresponding first liquid delivery tube 106 when only the measurement value of the first pressure gauge 160 exceeds the pressure threshold, and may determine that a blockage has occurred in the corresponding first reaction tube 132 when only the measurement value of the first pressure gauge 160 and the measurement value of the second pressure gauge 162 exceed the pressure threshold.

[0074] The determination unit 208 may output the determined result to the reaction control unit 210. The flow proceeds to step S16 if the determination unit 208 determines that the reaction in the reaction unit 100 is abnormal. If the determination unit 208 does not determine that the reaction in the reaction unit 100 is abnormal, that is, if the reaction is normal, the flow proceeds to step S13 and continues reaction control.

[0075] In step S16, the reaction control unit 210 controls the reaction unit 100 to perform a washing operation and a recovery operation. When the washing unit 212 detects that an abnormality has occurred in the reaction of the reaction fluid, it stops the flow of the reaction fluid and flows the fluid into the inflow line. The washing unit 212 may control the reaction unit 100 via the pump control unit 218 and the route control unit 216. When the determination unit 208 determines that the reaction is abnormal, the washing unit 212 stops the first pump 104, the second pump 114, and the third pump 136, and controls the valves to switch the flow path from the first inflow line 124 to the first waste tank 144, and further switches the flow path from the second inflow line 146 to the second waste tank 154. In addition, the washing unit 212 may display instructions on a display screen to instruct the user to stop the first pump 104, the second pump 114, and the third pump 136 and open and close the valves.

[0076] The cleaning unit 212 stores the first reaction fluid in the first reaction tube 132 in the first waste tank 144 by pouring the cleaning liquid from the first cleaning tank 122 into the first inlet line 124. As an example, the cleaning unit 212 may close the third valve v3, the fourth valve v4, and the sixth valve v6 and open the fifth valve v5 before the inflow of the cleaning liquid. The cleaning unit 212 stores the second reaction fluid in the second mixer 149 and the second reaction tube 150 in the second waste tank 154 by pouring the cleaning liquid from the second cleaning tank 145 into the second inlet line 146. Here, the cleaning liquid used in the cleaning operation of this embodiment may be a solution containing an organic solvent, water, or an acidic or alkaline substance. As an example, the cleaning liquid may be a solution in which an acidic or alkaline substance is added to an organic solvent or water to adjust the pH. The cleaning liquid may have a pH adjusted to dissolve substances adhering to the flow path, and therefore the pH may be adjusted according to the type of raw material fluid or reaction fluid in the flow path into which the cleaning liquid is introduced.

[0077] The cleaning unit 212 does not need to perform a cleaning operation on a reaction tube determined to be clogged by the determining unit 208. As an example, when the cleaning unit 212 receives data indicating that the first reaction tube 132 is clogged from the determining unit 208, the cleaning unit 212 may determine not to inject the cleaning liquid into the first inflow line 124 and may inject the cleaning liquid into the other inflow lines.

[0078] The recovery unit 214 recovers at least a part of the raw material fluid of the reaction fluid in the flow path upstream of the first mixer 120 and the second mixer 149 arranged in the flow path through a recovery line of the flow path. The recovery unit 214 may control the reaction unit 100 through the pump control unit 218 and the route control unit 216. The recovery unit 214 may recover at least a part of the raw material fluid in the flow path upstream of at least one of the first mixer 120 and the second mixer 149 by rotating at least one of the first pump 104, the second pump 114, and the third pump 136 for flowing the reaction fluid in the flow path in reverse. As an example, the recovery unit 214 controls the first valve v1 to be closed and controls the second valve v2 and the third valve v3 to be opened from the reaction control state. The recovery section 214 may cause the first raw material fluid in the first liquid delivery pipe 106 to flow into the first recovery tank 108 and be stored therein by controlling the first pump 104 to deliver the fluid in the opposite direction to that during reaction control.

[0079] The recovery unit 214 does not need to perform a recovery operation for the raw material fluid in the liquid supply pipe determined to be clogged by the determination unit 208. As an example, when the recovery unit 214 receives data indicating that the first liquid supply pipe 106 is clogged from the determination unit 208, the recovery unit 214 may determine not to perform the reverse rotation operation of the first pump 104 and perform a recovery operation for the other liquid supply pipes.

[0080] The reaction device 10 may perform the cleaning operation and the recovery operation simultaneously or sequentially. After the cleaning operation and the recovery operation, the reaction device 10 may resume the reaction control from step S13.

[0081] The reaction apparatus 10 of this embodiment can efficiently perform a series of operations from determining a reaction abnormality to cleaning the flow path and recovering the raw materials, and can quickly restart the reaction apparatus 10 while suppressing the cost of raw materials.

[0082] In the reaction apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the shape, length, and number of the liquid supply pipes and reaction tubes are not limited, and components such as additional liquid supply pipes, reaction tubes, mixers, etc. may be included in order to mix four or more kinds of raw materials to produce a target product. The reaction section 100 may have a sensor that measures only the flow rate or flow velocity of the raw materials and transmits the measurement result to the detection section 202.

[0083] Moreover, the reaction apparatus 10 may not have the second inlet line 146 and the first waste line 143. In this case, the reaction apparatus 10 may perform a cleaning operation by flowing a cleaning liquid from the first inlet line 124 into the second waste tank 154. Moreover, the cleaning unit 212 may perform a cleaning operation by flowing a gas such as air into the flow path through the inlet line instead of or in addition to the cleaning liquid.

[0084] The recovery unit 214 may also recover at least a part of the raw material fluid in the flow path into a raw material tank that contains the raw material fluid. The recovery unit 214 may recover at least a part of the raw material fluid in the flow path upstream of at least one of the first mixer 120 and the second mixer 149 into the raw material tank by rotating at least one of the first pump 104, the second pump 114, and the third pump 136 in the reverse direction. The recovery unit 214 may also recover at least a part of the raw material fluid by causing a gas (such as nitrogen gas, for example) to flow into the flow path. In this case, the recovery unit 214 may cause the gas to flow into the flow path via the first inlet line 124, the second inlet line 146, or an additional inlet line.

[0085] Various embodiments of the present invention may also be described with reference to flowcharts and block diagrams, where the blocks may represent (1) stages of a process in which operations are performed or (2) sections of an apparatus responsible for performing the operations. Particular stages and sections may be implemented by dedicated circuitry, programmable circuitry provided with computer readable instructions stored on a computer readable medium, and / or a processor provided with computer readable instructions stored on a computer readable medium. Dedicated circuitry may include digital and / or analog hardware circuitry and may include integrated circuits (ICs) and / or discrete circuits. Programmable circuitry may include reconfigurable hardware circuitry including logical AND, logical OR, logical XOR, logical NAND, logical NOR, and other logical operations, memory elements such as flip-flops, registers, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic arrays (PLAs), and the like.

[0086] A computer readable medium may include any tangible device capable of storing instructions that are executed by a suitable device, such that the computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon comprises an article of manufacture that includes instructions that can be executed to create means for performing the operations specified in the flowcharts or block diagrams. Examples of computer readable media may include electronic storage media, magnetic storage media, optical storage media, electromagnetic storage media, semiconductor storage media, etc. More specific examples of computer readable media may include floppy disks, diskettes, hard disks, random access memories (RAMs), read-only memories (ROMs), erasable programmable read-only memories (EPROMs or flash memories), electrically erasable programmable read-only memories (EEPROMs), static random access memories (SRAMs), compact disk read-only memories (CD-ROMs), digital versatile disks (DVDs), Blu-ray (RTM) disks, memory sticks, integrated circuit cards, etc.

[0087] The computer readable instructions may include either assembler instructions, instruction set architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state setting data, or source or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Smalltalk®, JAVA®, C++, etc., and conventional procedural programming languages ​​such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages.

[0088] Computer readable instructions may be provided to a processor or programmable circuitry of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable processing device, either locally or over a wide area network (WAN) such as a local area network (LAN), the Internet, etc., to execute the computer readable instructions to create means for performing the operations specified in the flowcharts or block diagrams. Examples of processors include computer processors, processing units, microprocessors, digital signal processors, controllers, microcontrollers, etc.

[0089] 7 illustrates an example of a computer 2200 in which aspects of the present invention may be embodied in whole or in part. Programs installed on the computer 2200 may cause the computer 2200 to function as or perform operations associated with an apparatus or one or more sections of the apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and / or to perform a process or steps of a process according to an embodiment of the present invention. Such programs may be executed by the CPU 2212 to cause the computer 2200 to perform specific operations associated with some or all of the blocks of the flowcharts and block diagrams described herein.

[0090] The computer 2200 according to this embodiment includes a CPU 2212, a RAM 2214, a graphic controller 2216, and a display device 2218, which are connected to each other by a host controller 2210. The computer 2200 also includes input / output units such as a communication interface 2222, a hard disk drive 2224, a DVD-ROM drive 2226, and an IC card drive, which are connected to the host controller 2210 via an input / output controller 2220. The computer also includes legacy input / output units such as a ROM 2230 and a keyboard 2242, which are connected to the input / output controller 2220 via an input / output chip 2240.

[0091] The CPU 2212 operates according to programs stored in the ROM 2230 and the RAM 2214, thereby controlling each unit. The graphic controller 2216 retrieves image data generated by the CPU 2212 into a frame buffer or the like provided in the RAM 2214 or into the graphic controller 2216 itself, and causes the image data to be displayed on the display device 2218.

[0092] The communication interface 2222 communicates with other electronic devices via a network. The hard disk drive 2224 stores programs and data used by the CPU 2212 in the computer 2200. The DVD-ROM drive 2226 reads programs or data from the DVD-ROM 2201 and provides the programs or data to the hard disk drive 2224 via the RAM 2214. The IC card drive reads programs and data from an IC card and / or writes programs and data to an IC card.

[0093] The ROM 2230 stores therein a boot program or the like executed by the computer 2200 upon activation, and / or a program that depends on the hardware of the computer 2200. The input / output chip 2240 may also connect various input / output units to the input / output controller 2220 via a parallel port, a serial port, a keyboard port, a mouse port, and the like.

[0094] The programs are provided by a computer-readable medium such as a DVD-ROM 2201 or an IC card. The programs are read from the computer-readable medium, installed in the hard disk drive 2224, the RAM 2214, or the ROM 2230, which are also examples of computer-readable media, and executed by the CPU 2212. Information processing described in these programs is read by the computer 2200, and brings about cooperation between the programs and the various types of hardware resources described above. An apparatus or method may be constructed by realizing information manipulation or processing according to the use of the computer 2200.

[0095] For example, when communication is performed between the computer 2200 and an external device, the CPU 2212 may execute a communication program loaded in the RAM 2214 and instruct the communication interface 2222 to perform communication processing based on the processing described in the communication program. Under the control of the CPU 2212, the communication interface 2222 reads transmission data stored in a transmission buffer processing area provided in the RAM 2214, the hard disk drive 2224, the DVD-ROM 2201, or a recording medium such as an IC card, and transmits the read transmission data to a network, or writes reception data received from the network to a reception buffer processing area or the like provided on the recording medium.

[0096] Furthermore, the CPU 2212 may cause all or a necessary portion of a file or database stored in an external recording medium such as the hard disk drive 2224, the DVD-ROM drive 2226 (DVD-ROM 2201), an IC card, etc. to be read into the RAM 2214, and perform various types of processing on the data on the RAM 2214. The CPU 2212 then writes back the processed data to the external recording medium.

[0097] Various types of information, such as various types of programs, data, tables, and databases, may be stored in the recording medium and may undergo information processing. The CPU 2212 may perform various types of processing on the data read from the RAM 2214, including various types of operations, information processing, conditional judgment, conditional branching, unconditional branching, information search / replacement, etc., as described throughout this disclosure and specified by the instruction sequence of the program, and writes back the results to the RAM 2214. The CPU 2212 may also search for information in a file, database, etc. in the recording medium. For example, when a plurality of entries each having an attribute value of a first attribute associated with an attribute value of a second attribute are stored in the recording medium, the CPU 2212 may search for an entry that matches a condition, in which the attribute value of the first attribute is specified, from among the plurality of entries, read the attribute value of the second attribute stored in the entry, and thereby obtain the attribute value of the second attribute associated with the first attribute that satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0098] The above-described programs or software modules may be stored in a computer-readable medium on the computer 2200 or in the vicinity of the computer 2200. In addition, a recording medium such as a hard disk or a RAM provided in a server system connected to a dedicated communication network or the Internet can be used as a computer-readable medium, thereby providing the programs to the computer 2200 via the network.

[0099] Although the present invention has been described above using the embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It is clear to those skilled in the art that various modifications and improvements can be made to the above embodiments. It is clear from the description of the claims that such modifications and improvements can also be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0100] It should be noted that the order of execution of each process, such as operations, procedures, steps, and stages, in the devices, systems, programs, and methods shown in the claims, specifications, and drawings is not specifically stated as "before," "prior to," etc., and may be realized in any order unless the output of a previous process is used in a later process. Even if the operational flow in the claims, specifications, and drawings is explained using "first," "next," etc. for convenience, it does not mean that it is essential to perform the process in this order. [Explanation of symbols]

[0101] 10 Reactor 102 First raw material tank 104 First Pump 106 First liquid delivery tube 107 First Collection Line 108 First Recovery Tank 112 Second raw material tank 114 Second Pump 116 Second liquid delivery tube 117 Second Collection Line 118 Second Recovery Tank 120 First Mixer 122 First Wash Tank 124 First inlet line 125 First inflow pump 126 First check valve 132 First Reaction Tube 134 3rd Raw Material Tank 136 Third Pump 138 Third Liquid Delivery Tube 140 Third Collection Line 142 Third Recovery Tank 143 First Disposal Line 144 First Waste Tank 145 Second Cleaning Tank 146 Second Inlet Line 147 Second inflow pump 148 Second check valve 149 Second Mixer 150 Second Reaction Tube 152 Second Disposal Line 154 Second Waste Tank 156 Destination Tank 200 Control section 202 Detection unit 204 Reaction condition setting section 206 Threshold setting unit 208 Decision Section 210 Reaction control section 212 Cleaning Department 214 Collection Department 216 Route control unit 218 Pump control section 300 Entry point 310 Introduction 320 Outlet 330 Inlet 2200 Computer 2201 DVD-ROM 2210 Host Controller 2212 CPU 2214 RAM 2216 Graphics Controller 2218 Display Device 2220 Input / Output Controller 2222 Communication Interface 2224 Hard Disk Drive 2226 DVD-ROM drive 2230 ROM 2240 Input / Output Chip 2242 Keyboard

Claims

1. An apparatus for causing a reaction by flowing a reaction fluid through a flow path, comprising: an inlet line provided in the flow path for allowing a fluid other than the reaction fluid to flow through the flow path; A control unit that causes the fluid to flow through the inlet line when an abnormality occurs in the reaction of the reaction fluid. Device.

2. The control unit detects an abnormality in the reaction of the reaction fluid, stops the flow of the reaction fluid, and causes the fluid to flow through the inlet line.

2. The apparatus of claim 1.

3. The inlet line has a check valve that prevents the reaction fluid from flowing back from the flow path.

2. The apparatus of claim 1.

4. The inlet line is provided in a mixer provided midway through the flow path.

2. The apparatus of claim 1.

5. The inlet line is provided in a direction different from the direction of the flow path in the mixer.

5. The apparatus of claim 4.

6. The inlet line is provided in a direction different from a plane direction formed by the flow path in the mixer.

6. The apparatus of claim 5.

7. The inlet line is arranged perpendicular to the flow path in the mixer.

7. The apparatus of claim 6.

8. The inlet line is provided upstream of a mixer provided midway through the flow path.

2. The apparatus of claim 1.

9. The inlet line is provided in a direction different from that of the flow path.

2. The apparatus of claim 1.

10. The fluid flowing from the inlet line is a cleaning fluid.

2. The apparatus of claim 1.

11. The fluid flowing from the inlet line is an organic solvent, water, or a solution containing an acidic or alkaline substance.

11. The apparatus of claim 10.

12. The apparatus includes a recovery line for recovering raw materials of the reaction fluid, the recovery line being located upstream of the inlet line.

2. The apparatus of claim 1.

13. flowing a reaction fluid through the flow path to react; and when an abnormality occurs in the reaction of the reaction fluid, flowing the fluid into an inlet line in the middle of the flow path for flowing a fluid different from the reaction fluid into the flow path. method.

14. On the computer, flowing a reaction fluid through the flow path to react; flowing the fluid into an inlet line for flowing a fluid other than the reaction fluid into the flow path when an abnormality occurs in the reaction of the reaction fluid; A program for executing the above.

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