Device, method, and program

Abstract

To provide a device, a method, and a program which are capable of predicting an occlusion position in a flow channel and efficiently executing an operation to resolve an occlusion or a disposal operation and a recovery operation for reactivation of a reactor according to the prediction.SOLUTION: A device that detects an occlusion in a flow channel in a flow reactor into which reaction fluid is passed to cause reaction, comprises: an acquisition unit which acquires a state of fluid in the flow channel; a detection unit which detects an occlusion in the flow channel on the basis of the state of fluid acquired by the acquisition unit; a prediction unit which predicts an occlusion position in the flow channel on the basis of the state of fluid when the detection unit has detected an occlusion; and an output unit which outputs results of prediction by the prediction unit. The flow channel is formed of a plurality of components in combination. The prediction unit predicts at least one of the plurality of components as the occlusion position in the flow channel.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 "the fluid temperature inside the junction is measured, and the measured temperature is used as an index to detect blockage or a decrease in the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path in the reaction section." Patent Document 2 states that "the clogging state of the flow path in the microreactor device is determined based on the pressure loss calculated by the composite measuring device." Patent Document 3 states that "the time until the flow path is blocked is set to the time when the pressure detected by the pressure sensor PS1 and the pressure sensor PS2 starts to increase compared to the normal time." Patent Document 4 states that "the control and calculation unit 104 lowers the dispensing nozzle 107 again and detects the height of the liquid level at the injection port 110 (S18). Here, the control and calculation unit 104 compares the detected value with a set threshold value." [Prior art document] [Patent documents] Patent Document 1: JP 2006-223967 A Patent Document 2: JP 2008-215873 A Patent Document 3: JP 2021-037479 A Patent Document 4: JP 2014-194378 A Summary of the Invention

[0003] In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for detecting blockage of a flow path in a flow reactor in which a reaction fluid is caused to flow and react, the apparatus comprising an acquisition unit for acquiring a state of the fluid in the flow path, a detection unit for detecting blockage of the flow path based on the state of the fluid acquired by the acquisition unit, a prediction unit for predicting a blockage position of the flow path based on the state of the fluid when the detection unit detects a blockage, and an output unit for outputting a result predicted by the prediction unit.

[0004] In the above device, the flow path is configured by combining a plurality of components, and the prediction unit predicts at least one of the plurality of components as a blockage position of the flow path.

[0005] In any of the above devices, the acquisition unit acquires the pressure at multiple inlets to the flow path for the raw material fluid that is the raw material for the reaction fluid, and the prediction unit predicts the position of blockage in the flow path based on a combination of inlets among the multiple inlets at which the pressure of the raw material fluid exceeds a threshold value.

[0006] In any of the above devices, the acquisition unit acquires the pressure of the fluid in the flow path, and the prediction unit predicts the position of the blockage in the flow path based on a change profile of the pressure of the fluid.

[0007] In the above device, the prediction unit predicts the distance from the inlet to the blockage position of the flow path according to the rate of change of the fluid pressure at the inlet of the flow path.

[0008] In any of the above devices, the flow paths are configured such that flow paths from a plurality of inlets are connected to a mixer, and flow paths from other inlets are connected downstream of the mixer.

[0009] In any of the above devices, the output unit causes the display device to display information relating to the blocked position of the flow path.

[0010] In any of the above devices, the output unit controls the ultrasonic device to apply ultrasonic waves to a mixer provided upstream of the blockage position of the flow path predicted by the prediction unit.

[0011] In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for detecting a blockage of a flow channel in a flow reactor in which a reaction fluid is caused to flow and react with the reaction fluid, the method comprising the steps of acquiring a state of the fluid in the flow channel, detecting a blockage of the flow channel based on the acquired state of the fluid, predicting a blockage position of the flow channel based on the state of the fluid when a blockage is detected, and outputting the predicted result.

[0012] In a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for detecting blockage of a flow path in a flow reactor in which a reaction fluid is caused to flow and react. The program causes a computer to function as an acquisition unit that acquires a state of the fluid in the flow path, a detection unit that detects blockage of the flow path based on the state of the fluid acquired by the acquisition unit, a prediction unit that predicts the position of blockage of the flow path based on the state of the fluid when the detection unit detects blockage, and an output unit that outputs the result predicted by the prediction unit.

[0013] 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]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a reaction system 10 according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 shows an illustration of a portion of a reactor 100. [Diagram 3] A block diagram of a control device 200 is shown. [Figure 4] 2 shows a reaction flow in the reaction system 10 of the present embodiment. [Diagram 5] 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

[0015] 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.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a reaction system 10 according to the present embodiment. In order to produce a target product such as a peptide, the reaction system 10 mixes a plurality of types of raw material fluids in a flow channel, and flows the mixture, that is, a reaction fluid, through the flow channel to cause a reaction to proceed. The reaction system 10 detects blockage of the flow channel and predicts the location of the blockage. The reaction system 10 includes a reaction device 100, a control device 200, and a display device 300.

[0017] The reaction apparatus 100 is connected to a control apparatus 200. The reaction apparatus 100 may be a flow reactor such as a microflow reactor that produces a target substance by flow synthesis or the like. The reaction apparatus 100 includes 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 ultrasonic device 122, a first reaction tube 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 mixer 148, a second ultrasonic device 149, a second reaction tube 150, a second waste tank 154, and a target tank 156. The liquid delivery pipe, the mixer, and the reaction pipe may each be an individual component, and the reaction apparatus 100 combines a plurality of such components to form a flow path having a width ranging from several tens of μm to several mm from the raw material tank to the target tank 156. The flow paths in the reaction apparatus 100 are such that flow paths from a plurality of inlets are connected to a mixer, and flow paths from other inlets are connected downstream of the mixer.

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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 the 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 blockage of the flow path occurs.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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 blockage of the flow path occurs.

[0022] 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 V-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.

[0023] The first ultrasonic device 122 is disposed in contact with the first mixer 120. The first ultrasonic device 122 applies ultrasonic waves to the first mixer 120 to remove blockage of the flow path.

[0024] The other end of the first reaction tube 132 is connected to the second mixer 148. 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 148. 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.

[0025] The third raw material tank 134 is connected to the second mixer 148 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 148.

[0026] 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 the third raw material 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 blockage of the flow path occurs.

[0027] The first waste tank 144 is connected between the first mixer 120 and the second mixer 148 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 waste operation when a blockage of the flow path occurs.

[0028] The second mixer 148 has an outlet connected to one end of the second reaction tube 150. The second mixer 148 may be a static mixer such as a T-shaped mixer or a V-shaped mixer. The second mixer 148 mixes the first reaction fluid and the third raw material fluid flowing in from two inlets, and discharges the mixture into the second reaction tube 150 as a second reaction fluid.

[0029] The second ultrasonic device 149 is disposed in contact with the second mixer 148. The second ultrasonic device 149 applies ultrasonic waves to the second mixer 148 to remove blockage of the flow path.

[0030] 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.

[0031] The second waste tank 154 is connected between the second mixer 148 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 waste operation when a blockage of the flow path occurs.

[0032] The target tank 156 contains the target after reaction of the second reactant fluid.

[0033] The reaction apparatus 100 further includes a first pressure gauge 160, a second pressure gauge 162, a third pressure gauge 164, a first temperature measurement unit 170, a second temperature measurement unit 172, a third temperature measurement unit 176, a fourth temperature measurement unit 174, and a fifth temperature measurement unit 178.

[0034] 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, which is an inlet of the flow path. 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.

[0035] The second pressure gauge 162 may be disposed between the second pump 114 and the first mixer 120, for example, at the connection portion between the second pump 114 and the second liquid supply pipe 116, which is the inlet of the flow path. 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.

[0036] The third pressure gauge 164 may be disposed between the third pump 136 and the second mixer 148, for example, at a connection portion between the third pump 136 and the third liquid supply pipe 138, which is an inlet of the flow path. 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] The control device 200 is connected to the reaction device 100 and the display device 300 by wire or wirelessly. The control device 200 controls the reaction device 100 according to the reaction conditions. When a reaction abnormality such as a blockage of a flow path occurs, the control device 200 causes the reaction device 100 to execute an unblocking operation for unblocking the flow path, a recovery operation for recovering raw materials, and a disposal operation for discarding the reaction fluid. The control device 200 outputs display data to the display device 300 and causes the display device 300 to display information related to the reaction. The control device 200 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 3.

[0039] The display device 300 performs display according to the display data from the control device 200. The display device 300 may be a personal computer or a tablet held by an operator who operates the reaction device 100. The display device 300 may also be an operation screen of the reaction device 100 or the control device 200.

[0040] 2 shows an illustration of a portion of the reactor 100. FIG. 2 shows details of the reactor 100 of FIG. 1 around the first collection tank 108 and the first waste tank 144.

[0041] The first ultrasonic device 122 may be disposed in contact with the first mixer 120. The first ultrasonic device 122 is controlled by the control device 200 in the blockage removal operation, and applies ultrasonic waves with a frequency of 20 kHz or more to the fluid flowing through the flow path inside the first mixer 120. The first ultrasonic device 122 may apply ultrasonic waves by inserting a transducer into the flow path of the first mixer 120 or by bringing the transducer into contact with the outer surface of the first mixer 120. The ultrasonic waves applied by the first ultrasonic device 122 propagate through the fluid in the first mixer 120 and the first reaction tube 132, and can remove blockage of the reaction fluid.

[0042] 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 mixer 120, so that the first raw material fluid can be recovered before being mixed with other fluids. 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 liquid delivery pipe 106, 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 device 200 during the recovery operation for the first recovery tank 108.

[0043] 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 148. 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.

[0044] The second ultrasonic device 149 may be disposed in contact with the second mixer 148. The second ultrasonic device 149 is controlled by the control device 200 in the blockage removal operation, and applies ultrasonic waves with a frequency of 20 kHz or more to the fluid flowing through the flow path inside the second mixer 148. The second ultrasonic device 149 may apply ultrasonic waves by inserting a transducer into the flow path of the second mixer 148 or by bringing the transducer into contact with the outer surface of the second mixer 148. The ultrasonic waves applied by the second ultrasonic device 149 propagate through the fluid in the second mixer 148 and the second reaction tube 150, and can remove blockage of the reaction fluid.

[0045] In the reactor 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 the recovery operation for each of the second recovery tank 118 and the third recovery tank 142. In the reactor 100, additional valves may be arranged in a configuration similar to the fourth valve v4 and the fifth valve v5 for the waste operation for the second waste tank 154.

[0046] FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of the control device 200. The control device 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 device 200 may be implemented by one or more executable virtual computer environments in a computer. Alternatively, the control device 200 may be a dedicated computer designed for a flow reactor, or may be dedicated hardware realized by a dedicated circuit. The control device 200 may also be realized by cloud computing. The control device 200 has an acquisition unit 202, a reaction condition setting unit 204, a threshold setting unit 206, a detection unit 208, a prediction unit 209, and an output unit 210.

[0047] The acquiring unit 202 is connected to the reaction device 100 and the detection unit 208, and acquires the state of the fluid in the flow path. The acquiring unit 202 may acquire measured pressures at a plurality of inlets to the flow path for the raw material fluid that is the raw material of the reaction fluid from the first pressure gauge 160, the second pressure gauge 162, and the third pressure gauge 164. Furthermore, the acquiring unit 202 may acquire measured or calculated values ​​as the state of the fluid from sensors arranged in the reaction device 100, such as the first temperature measuring unit 170, the second temperature measuring unit 172, the third temperature measuring unit 176, the fourth temperature measuring unit 174, and the fifth temperature measuring unit 178. The acquiring unit 202 may output the acquisition results to the detection unit 208.

[0048] The reaction condition setting unit 204 is connected to the threshold setting unit 206 and the output unit 210, and sets the reaction conditions in the reaction device 100. The reaction conditions may include at least one of the output of each pump, the pressure, flow rate, and flow rate of the fluid at each inlet, the opening and closing of each valve, and the controlled temperature. The reaction condition setting unit 204 may output the reaction conditions to the threshold setting unit 206 and the output unit 210.

[0049] The threshold setting unit 206 is connected to the detection unit 208, and sets various thresholds used in the detection 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 detection unit 208.

[0050] The detection unit 208 is connected to the prediction unit 209. The detection unit 208 detects blockage of the flow path based on the state of the fluid acquired by the acquisition unit 202. The detection unit 208 may detect that the flow path is partially blocked or completely blocked. Furthermore, in addition to the blockage of the flow path, the detection unit 208 may detect an abnormality in the reaction, such as the state of the fluid being out of the set reaction condition. The detection unit 208 may compare the acquisition result received from the acquisition unit 202 with the threshold value set by the threshold setting unit 206 to detect blockage of the flow path. The detection unit 208 may output the detection result to the prediction unit 209.

[0051] The prediction unit 209 is connected to the output unit 210. When the detection unit 208 detects a blockage, the prediction unit 209 predicts a blockage position of the flow path based on the state of at least one of the raw material fluid and the reaction fluid in the flow path. The prediction unit 209 may predict at least one of the multiple components constituting the reaction device 100 as a blockage position of the flow path. The prediction unit 209 may output the prediction result to the output unit 210. The prediction unit 209 may output the detection result of the detection unit 208 to the output unit 210 together with the prediction result.

[0052] The output unit 210 is connected to the reaction device 100 and outputs the result predicted by the prediction unit 209. The output unit 210 may control each component of the reaction device 100 according to the set reaction conditions and the detection result of the detection unit 208. The output unit 210 has a display control unit 212, an ultrasonic control unit 214, a disposal unit 216, a recovery unit 218, a path control unit 220, and a pump control unit 222.

[0053] The display control unit 212 is connected to the display device 300. The display control unit 212 causes the display device 300 to display information relating to the blockage position of the flow path. The display control unit 212 outputs display data indicating the prediction result received from the prediction unit 209 to the display device 300 to display it.

[0054] The ultrasonic control unit 214 is connected to the first ultrasonic device 122 and the second ultrasonic device 149 arranged in the reaction device 100. In the blockage removal operation, the ultrasonic control unit 214 controls at least one of the first ultrasonic device 122 and the second ultrasonic device 149 to apply ultrasonic waves to the flow path. The ultrasonic control unit 214 may output control data for controlling at least one of the first ultrasonic device 122 and the second ultrasonic device 149 according to the prediction result received from the prediction unit 209.

[0055] The waste unit 216 is connected to the path control unit 220 and the pump control unit 222. When a blockage of the flow path occurs, the waste unit 216 performs a waste operation of disposing of the fluid to a waste tank. In response to the information on the blockage of the flow path received from the prediction unit 209, the waste unit 216 may output control data to the path control unit 220 and the pump control unit 222 so as to perform control corresponding to the waste operation.

[0056] The recovery unit 218 is connected to the path control unit 220 and the pump control unit 222. When a path blockage occurs, the recovery unit 218 performs a recovery operation to recover at least a part of the raw material fluid in the path. In response to information on the path blockage received from the prediction unit 209, the recovery unit 218 may output control data to the path control unit 220 and the pump control unit 222 so as to perform control corresponding to the recovery operation.

[0057] The path control unit 220 is connected to the reaction device 100 and controls switching of the flow paths of the reaction device 100. In reaction control, the path control unit 220 opens and closes valves to form a flow path from the raw material tank to the target tank 156 according to set reaction conditions. The path control unit 220 may switch the flow paths of the reaction device 100 by controlling the opening and closing of valves in the flow paths according to control data from at least one of the waste unit 216 and the recovery unit 218.

[0058] The pump control unit 222 is connected to the reaction apparatus 100 and controls the operation of the pump of the reaction apparatus 100. In the reaction control, the pump control unit 222 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 222 may control the operation of the pump, such as stopping the pump, according to control data from at least one of the disposal unit 216 and the recovery unit 218.

[0059] Fig. 4 shows a reaction flow in the reaction apparatus 100 of this embodiment. In the reaction flow in Fig. 4, 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.

[0060] 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 optimal reaction conditions that maximize the yield and the type of at least one of the raw material fluid and the reaction fluid obtained through an experiment or the like. The reaction condition setting unit 204 may receive the designation of at least one of the raw material fluid and the reaction fluid to be used from the user or an external device, and set the optimal reaction conditions from the table. The reaction condition setting unit 204 outputs the set reaction conditions to the threshold setting unit 206 and the output unit 210.

[0061] In step S12, the threshold setting unit 206 may set a threshold value of the reaction condition for each of the fluids in the liquid sending tube and the reaction tube of the reaction apparatus 100. The threshold setting unit 206 may set different threshold values ​​for each of the fluids in the liquid sending tube and the reaction tube of the reaction apparatus 100. The threshold setting unit 206 may set a predetermined amount of change or rate of change for the set reaction condition value as the threshold value. As an example, the threshold setting unit 206 may set a value of the pressure ±a% for the pressure of the raw material fluid at the inlet set by the reaction condition as the pressure threshold value. The predetermined amount of change or rate of change may be input from a user or an external device.

[0062] The threshold setting unit 206 may set a first pressure threshold for starting the blockage elimination operation for the pressure of the raw fluid at the inlet set by the reaction conditions of the reaction apparatus 100. The threshold setting unit 206 may set a second pressure threshold for stopping the reaction control for the pressure of the raw fluid at the inlet. The second pressure threshold may be a value larger than the first pressure threshold, and may be a pressure value when the flow path is blocked to an extent that the reaction control needs to be stopped (for example, immediately before the flow path is completely blocked). The threshold setting unit 206 may set a period threshold for determining a period for performing the blockage elimination operation (i.e., a period from the start of the blockage elimination operation to the stop of the reaction control). Each threshold may be set in advance by an experiment, a simulation, or the like according to the reaction conditions including the length, shape, type of fluid, and the like of the flow path. The threshold setting unit 206 may have a table showing the relationship between each threshold and the reaction conditions, and may set the threshold from the table. In addition, each threshold may be input from a user or an external device.

[0063] In step S13, the output unit 210 controls the reaction device 100 to satisfy the reaction conditions. The output unit 210 may control valves to form a flow path for the reaction (i.e., a flow path from a raw material tank to a target tank), operate each pump with an output according to the reaction conditions, and control the temperature of each flow path. The output unit 210 may perform feedback control on the reaction device 100 according to the measurement value acquired by the acquisition unit 202. In the reaction control, the path control unit 220 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.

[0064] In step S14, the acquisition unit 202 may acquire measured values ​​from various sensors installed in the reaction apparatus 100. The acquisition unit 202 may receive measured values ​​at regular intervals 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 174, and the fifth temperature measurement unit 178. The acquisition unit 202 may output data indicating the acquired measurement results to the detection unit 208.

[0065] In step S15, the detection unit 208 detects a blockage of at least a portion of the flow path in response to the state of the fluid detected by the acquisition unit 202 (for example, at least one of the pressure, flow rate, and flow speed of the fluid) indicating an abnormality.

[0066] The detection unit 208 may compare the measured values ​​received from the first pressure gauge 160, the second pressure gauge 162, and the third pressure gauge 164 with the first pressure threshold and the second pressure threshold, and may detect that a first blockage has occurred in the flow path when at least one of the measured values ​​exceeds the first pressure threshold and is equal to or less than the second pressure threshold. The first blockage may be a blockage in which a part of the flow path is blocked but the reaction can proceed. The detection unit 208 may detect that a second blockage has occurred in the flow path when at least one of the measured values ​​exceeds the second pressure threshold. The detection unit 208 may detect that a second blockage has occurred in the flow path when the period during which at least one of the measured values ​​exceeds the first pressure threshold exceeds the threshold period. The second blockage may be a blockage to the extent that the flow path is blocked and the progress of the reaction is less than a predetermined yield (for example, a complete blockage).

[0067] Furthermore, the detection unit 208 may detect an abnormality in a reaction other than a blockage. The detection unit 208 compares the multiple measurement values ​​detected by the acquisition unit 202 with the thresholds of the corresponding reaction conditions, and can detect that the reaction of the fluid is abnormal if at least one of the multiple measurement values ​​exceeds the threshold or is less than the threshold.

[0068] The detection unit 208 may output the detection result to the prediction unit 209. The flow proceeds to step S16 if the detection unit 208 detects an obstruction. The flow proceeds to step S13 if the detection unit 208 does not detect an obstruction.

[0069] In step S16, the prediction unit 209 predicts the position of blockage in the flow path according to the detection result of the detection unit 208. The prediction unit 209 may receive the pressure acquired by the acquisition unit 202 and information of a pressure gauge corresponding to the measurement value detected by the detection unit 208 as being blocked, and predict the position of blockage.

[0070] The prediction unit 209 may predict the blockage position of the flow path based on a combination of inlets at which the pressure of the raw material fluid exceeds a pressure threshold (first pressure threshold or second pressure threshold) among the multiple inlets. The prediction unit 209 may predict a blocked tube (liquid feed tube or reaction tube) as the blockage position from the arrangement of the pressure gauges at which the measured pressure exceeds the pressure threshold. The prediction unit 209 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, according to the combination of the pressure gauges at which the measured pressure exceeds the pressure threshold among the first pressure gauge 160, the second pressure gauge 162, and the third pressure gauge 164. As an example, the prediction unit 209 may predict 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, and may predict that a blockage has occurred in the corresponding second reaction tube 150 when the measurement values ​​of the first pressure gauge 160, the second pressure gauge 162, and the third pressure gauge 164 exceed the pressure threshold. The prediction unit 209 may have a table showing the correspondence between the combination of pressure gauges whose measurement values ​​exceed the pressure threshold and the blocked tubes, and may predict the blocked tube (blockage position) from the table.

[0071] The prediction unit 209 may predict the blockage position of the flow path based on a change profile of the pressure of the fluid. The prediction unit 209 may predict the distance from the inlet to the blockage position of the flow path according to the change rate of the pressure of the fluid at the inlet of the flow path. The prediction unit 209 may calculate the change amount of the measured pressure per unit time as the change rate. As an example, the prediction unit 209 may receive the measured pressure in time series periodically acquired by the acquisition unit 202, and calculate the change rate by dividing the difference between the measured pressure a immediately before exceeding the pressure threshold and the current measured pressure b by the period from the measurement timing of the measured pressure a (or the acquisition timing by the acquisition unit 202) to the measurement timing of the measured pressure b (or the acquisition timing by the acquisition unit 202). The prediction unit 209 may have a table or function indicating the correspondence relationship between the change rate of the pressure obtained in advance from the result of an experiment or simulation of blockage in a flow path of the same shape and length and the distance from the inlet to the blockage position, and may predict the distance to the blockage position using the table or function.

[0072] The prediction unit 209 may output the prediction result to the output unit 210. The prediction unit 209 may output, together with the prediction result, data indicating whether the occlusion detected by the detection unit 208 is the first occlusion or the second occlusion to the output unit 210.

[0073] In step S17, output unit 210 determines whether the blockage detected by detection unit 208 is a first blockage or a second blockage, depending on the data received from prediction unit 209. The flow proceeds to step S18 if the blockage detected by detection unit 208 is a first blockage, and proceeds to step S19 if the blockage detected by detection unit 208 is a second blockage.

[0074] In step S18, the output unit 210 controls the reaction device 100 to perform a blockage elimination operation for the flow path. The ultrasonic control unit 214 may perform a blockage elimination operation for the flow path through which the reaction fluid flows during the reaction control. The ultrasonic control unit 214 may control the ultrasonic device to apply ultrasonic waves to a mixer provided upstream of the blockage position of the flow path predicted by the prediction unit 209. As an example, when the first reaction tube is predicted to be blocked, the ultrasonic control unit 214 may control the first ultrasonic device 122 to apply ultrasonic waves to the first mixer 120. When the second reaction tube is predicted to be blocked, the ultrasonic control unit 214 may control the second ultrasonic device 149 to apply ultrasonic waves to the second mixer 148.

[0075] The ultrasonic control unit 214 may change the intensity of the ultrasonic waves depending on the distance between the predicted blockage position and the application position of the ultrasonic waves. As an example, when the prediction unit 209 predicts that a position in the first reaction tube closer to the second mixer 148 than the first mixer 120 is blocked, the ultrasonic control unit 214 may control the first ultrasonic device 122 to apply ultrasonic waves at a higher intensity.

[0076] The flow proceeds to step S14, where the blockage elimination operation may be continued until the measured pressure newly acquired by the acquisition unit 202 becomes equal to or less than the first pressure threshold.

[0077] In step S19, the output unit 210 performs a disposal operation, a recovery operation, and display control. The disposal unit 216 may control the reaction device 100 via the pump control unit 222 and the route control unit 220. When the detection unit 208 detects the second blockage, the disposal unit 216 pours the reaction fluid into the waste tank. In the disposal operation, the disposal unit 216 may feed a cleaning fluid (organic solvent, water, etc.) to the flow path. The disposal unit 216 stops the first pump 104, the second pump 114, and the third pump 136, and controls the valves to switch to a flow path from the first reaction tube to the first waste tank 144, and further switches to a flow path from the first reaction tube to the second waste tank 154. In addition, the disposal unit 216 may cause the display device 300 to display instructions to the user to stop the first pump 104, the second pump 114, and the third pump 136 and to open and close the valves via the display control unit 212.

[0078] The waste unit 216 may cause an organic solvent or water to flow into the first reaction tube 132 as a cleaning liquid, thereby storing the first reaction fluid in the first reaction tube 132 in the first waste tank 144 via the first waste line 143. As an example, the waste unit 216 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 waste unit 216 causes an organic solvent or water to flow into the second reaction tube 150 as a cleaning liquid, thereby storing the second reaction fluid in the second reaction tube 150 in the second waste tank 154.

[0079] The disposal unit 216 may not perform a disposal operation for a reaction tube determined to be clogged by the prediction unit 209. As an example, when the disposal unit 216 receives data from the prediction unit 209 indicating that the first reaction tube 132 has experienced a second blockage, the disposal unit 216 may determine not to allow the cleaning liquid to flow into the first reaction tube 132 and allow the cleaning liquid to flow into the second reaction tube 150.

[0080] The recovery unit 218 may control the reaction apparatus 100 via the pump control unit 222 and the route control unit 220. The recovery unit 218 recovers at least a part of the raw material fluid in the flow path upstream of the first mixer 120 and the second mixer 148 arranged in the flow path through a recovery line of the flow path. The recovery unit 218 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 148 by rotating at least one of the first pump 104, the second pump 114, and the third pump 136 in reverse. As an example, the recovery unit 218 controls the first valve v1 and the third valve v3 to close and the second valve v2 to open from the reaction control state. The recovery section 218 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.

[0081] The recovery unit 218 does not need to perform a recovery operation for the raw material fluid in the liquid supply pipe determined to be clogged by the detection unit 208. As an example, when the recovery unit 218 receives data from the prediction unit 209 indicating that the first liquid supply pipe 106 has experienced a second blockage, the recovery unit 218 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.

[0082] The output unit 210 controls the display device 300 to perform display control. The display control unit 212 may output display data for displaying the blockage position predicted by the prediction unit 209 and the detection result of the detection unit 208 (for example, whether the detection unit 208 has detected the first blockage or the second blockage) on the display device 300. The display control unit 212 may cause the display device 300 to display information for identifying the blocked component of the reaction device 100.

[0083] In step S18, the reaction system 10 may perform the display control by the display control unit 212 in the same manner as in step S19. In addition, the reaction system 10 may perform the disposal operation and the collection operation simultaneously or sequentially. After the disposal operation and the collection operation, the reaction system 10 may resume the reaction control from step S13.

[0084] The reaction system 10 of this embodiment can predict the location of blockage in the flow path, and can efficiently perform an operation to remove the blockage or a disposal operation and a recovery operation for restarting the reaction device 100 based on the prediction.

[0085] In the reaction system 10 of the present embodiment, the shape, length, and number of the liquid supply pipe and the reaction tube 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. In addition, the reaction device 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 acquisition unit 202.

[0086] The control device 200 of this embodiment may not control the reaction device 100, in which case the control device 200 may not have the recovery section 218, the waste section 216, the path control section 220, the pump control section 222, and the ultrasonic control section 214.

[0087] The reactor 100 may also have an additional pressure gauge that measures the pressure of the fluid at the inlet of the mixer or reaction tube, and the control device 200 may use the measurement value of the additional pressure gauge to detect blockage and predict the blockage position. The control device 200 may also obtain a measurement value of the flow rate or flow velocity of the fluid in the flow path in step S14, and use the measurement value to detect blockage in the flow path and predict the blockage position, similar to steps S15 and S16. The control device 200 may not control the first ultrasonic device 122 and the second ultrasonic device 149, and the control device 200 may display information indicating the ultrasonic device to be operated in the blockage removal operation on the display device 300, and instruct the operator to operate the first ultrasonic device 122 and the second ultrasonic device 149.

[0088] The reactor 100 may also have an input line to the mixer for inputting a wash fluid during the waste operation.

[0089] 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.

[0090] 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.

[0091] 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.

[0092] 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.

[0093] 5 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 the 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.

[0094] 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.

[0095] 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.

[0096] 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.

[0097] 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.

[0098] 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.

[0099] 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.

[0100] 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.

[0101] 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.

[0102] 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.

[0103] 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.

[0104] 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]

[0105] 10. Reaction System 100 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 Ultrasound Device 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 148 Second Mixer 149 Second Ultrasound Device 150 Second Reaction Tube 152 Second Disposal Line 154 Second Waste Tank 156 Destination Tank 200 Control device 202 Acquisition Department 204 Reaction condition setting section 206 Threshold setting unit 208 Detection unit 210 Output section 212 Display control unit 214 Ultrasonic control unit 216 Disposal Department 218 Collection Department 220 Route control unit 222 Pump control section 300 display device 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 detecting blockage of a flow path in a flow reactor in which a reaction fluid is caused to flow and react, comprising: An acquisition unit that acquires a state of a fluid in the flow path; a detection unit that detects a blockage of the flow path based on the state of the fluid acquired by the acquisition unit; a prediction unit that predicts a blockage position of the flow path based on a state of the fluid when the detection unit detects a blockage; and an output unit that outputs the result predicted by the prediction unit. Device.

2. The flow path is configured by combining a plurality of components, The prediction unit predicts at least one of the plurality of components as a blockage position of the flow path.

2. The apparatus of claim 1.

3. The acquisition unit acquires pressures at a plurality of inlets to the flow channel for a raw material fluid that is a raw material for the reaction fluid, The prediction unit predicts a blockage position of the flow path based on a combination of the inlets at which the pressure of the raw material fluid exceeds a threshold value, among the plurality of inlets.

2. The apparatus of claim 1.

4. The acquisition unit acquires a pressure of the fluid in the flow path, The prediction unit predicts a blockage position of the flow path based on a change profile of the pressure of the fluid.

2. The apparatus of claim 1.

5. The prediction unit predicts a distance from the inlet to a blockage position of the flow path in accordance with a rate of change of pressure of the fluid at the inlet of the flow path.

5. The apparatus of claim 4.

6. The flow path has a plurality of flow inlets connected to a mixer, and a flow path from another flow inlet connected downstream of the mixer.

2. The apparatus of claim 1.

7. The output unit displays information regarding a blockage position of the flow path on a display device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1.

8. The output unit controls the ultrasonic device to apply ultrasonic waves to a mixer provided upstream of the blockage position of the flow path predicted by the prediction unit.

2. The apparatus of claim 1.

9. A method for detecting a blockage of a flow path in a flow reactor in which a reaction fluid is caused to flow, comprising the steps of: acquiring a state of a fluid in the flow path; detecting a blockage of the flow path based on the acquired state of the fluid; predicting a location of the blockage in the flow path based on a state of the fluid if the blockage is detected; and outputting the predicted result. method.

10. A program for detecting blockage of a flow path in a flow reactor in which a reaction fluid is caused to flow, the program comprising: Computer, An acquisition unit that acquires a state of a fluid in the flow path; a detection unit that detects a blockage of the flow path based on the state of the fluid acquired by the acquisition unit; a prediction unit that predicts a blockage position of the flow path based on a state of the fluid when the detection unit detects a blockage; an output unit for outputting the predicted result of the prediction unit; A program to function as a

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