Synthesis system

Abstract

To provide a synthesis system capable of reducing burden of an operator in flow synthesis.SOLUTION: A synthesis system 100 comprises a channel part 101 to a channel part 103 and a switching part 40. The channel part 101 is connected to a container 10 capable of housing a liquid raw material. The channel part 102 is connected to a container 20 capable of housing a liquid raw material. The channel part 103 connects the container 10 and the container 20. The channel part 103 is connected to a synthesis reaction apparatus 60 which generates a reactant from the liquid raw material. The switching part 40 is capable of switching a channel state of leading gas supplied by the gas supply part 30 to the channel part 101 and a channel state of leading gas supplied by the gas supply part 30 to the channel part 102.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a synthesis system. [Background technology]

[0002] By synthesis such as polymerization, reactants such as medicines, foods, or chemical substances are produced from raw materials (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In recent years, flow synthesis has been used as a synthesis method for producing reactants from raw materials. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6733985 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a synthesis system that performs flow synthesis, it is possible to place a photopolymerization reactor between two containers. An operator connects an inert gas supply device to one of the containers. In this case, inert gas is supplied to one of the containers, and the raw material contained in that container is pressure-fed through the photopolymerization reactor to the other container. In the photopolymerization reactor, a reactant is generated from a part of the raw material by irradiating the raw material with light for a certain period of time. Therefore, a mixture of the reactant and unreacted raw material is contained in the other container.

[0005] The operator then connects the inert gas supply device to the other container. In this case, the inert gas is supplied to the other container, and the raw material contained in that container is pressure-fed through the photopolymerization reactor to the one container. As a result, the one container contains a mixture of the reactants and the remaining unreacted raw material. By repeating this operation, a sufficient amount of reactants is produced.

[0006] However, in the above-mentioned reaction product production process, the raw material needs to be repeatedly irradiated with light dozens of times, which places a heavy burden on the operator. Therefore, it is desirable to develop a synthesis system that can reduce the burden on the operator.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a synthesis system capable of reducing the burden on an operator. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] One aspect of the present invention relates to a synthesis system comprising: a first flow path section connected to a first container capable of accommodating a liquid raw material; a second flow path section connected to a second container capable of accommodating the liquid raw material; a third flow path section connecting the first container and the second container and connected to a synthesis reaction device that produces a reactant from the liquid raw material; and a switching section capable of switching between a flow path state in which a gas supplied by a gas supply section is introduced to the first flow path section and a flow path state in which the gas supplied by the gas supply section is introduced to the second flow path section. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, the burden on an operator in flow synthesis can be reduced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a synthesis system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the synthesis system. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the synthesis system. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the synthesis system. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the synthesis system. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a control unit. [Figure 7] 7 is a flowchart showing an example of an algorithm for a synthesis process executed by the control unit in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration of a synthesis system according to a first modified example. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration of a synthesis system according to a second modified example. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a synthesis system according to a third modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] (1) Composition of the synthesis system A synthesis system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a synthesis system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, synthesis system 100 is connected to an analysis device 200. Analysis device 200 includes a fractionation device. In this embodiment, analysis device 200 is a liquid chromatograph, but may be another analysis device.

[0012] The synthesis system 100 includes containers 10 and 20, a gas supply unit 30, switching units 40 and 50, a synthesis reaction device 60, a sample supply unit 70, and a control unit 80. The synthesis system 100 also includes flow path units 101 to 104. The flow path units 101 to 103 are examples of first to third flow path units, respectively. Each of the flow path units 101 to 104 may be configured by one or more pipes.

[0013] The containers 10 and 20 are examples of the first and second containers, respectively. Each of the containers 10 and 20 is, for example, a flask, and can accommodate a liquid raw material. In this embodiment, the liquid raw material is a monomer. The gas supply unit 30 supplies nitrogen gas. The gas supply unit 30 may supply other inert gases, or may supply gases such as clean air.

[0014] The switching unit 40 is, for example, a multi-way switching valve, and has six ports 41 to 46. The switching unit 40 is an example of a switching unit, and can be switched between a first flow path state and a second flow path state. In the first flow path state, ports 41 and 42 are connected, ports 43 and 44 are connected, and ports 45 and 46 are connected. In the second flow path state, ports 42 and 43 are connected, ports 44 and 45 are connected, and ports 46 and 41 are connected.

[0015] Port 41 is connected to the gas supply unit 30. Port 42 is connected to the container 10 through a flow path portion 101. Ports 43 and 45 are open to the atmosphere. Port 46 is connected to the container 20 through a flow path portion 102. According to this connection, in a first flow path state, gas supplied by the gas supply unit 30 is guided to the container 10 through the flow path portion 101. In a second flow path state, gas supplied by the gas supply unit 30 is guided to the container 20 through the flow path portion 102.

[0016] The vessel 10 and the vessel 20 are connected by a flow path section 103. A switching section 50 and a synthesis reaction device 60 are provided in the flow path section 103. The switching section 50 is connected to an analysis device 200. The switching section 50 is a multi-way switching valve similar to the switching section 40, and can be switched between a third flow path state and a fourth flow path state. In the third flow path state, liquid is guided between the vessel 10 and the vessel 20. In the fourth flow path state, the liquid flowing through the flow path section 103 is guided to the analysis device 200. Here, the liquid includes a liquid raw material or a reactant described later.

[0017] The liquid raw material flowing through the flow path section 103 passes through the synthesis reaction device 60 over a certain period of time while remaining there. The synthesis reaction device 60 generates a reactant from the liquid raw material by reacting the liquid raw material passing through it. In this embodiment, the synthesis reaction device 60 is a photopolymerization reaction device and includes a light source capable of emitting ultraviolet light. The liquid raw material passing through the synthesis reaction device 60 is irradiated with ultraviolet light, whereby a polymer is generated as a reactant.

[0018] The sample supply unit 70 includes a plurality of bottles 71-74 (four in the example of FIG. 1), a switching unit 75, and a liquid delivery unit 76. The bottle 71 contains a liquid raw material for refilling. Each of the bottles 72-74 contains a liquid additive. The switching unit 75 has five ports 75a-75e, and can be switched to any of fifth to eighth flow path states. In the fifth to eighth flow path states, the ports 75a-75d are connected to the port 75e, respectively.

[0019] Ports 75a to 75d are connected to bottles 71 to 74, respectively. Port 75e is connected to switching unit 75. With this connection, in the fifth flow path state, the liquid raw material contained in bottle 71 is guided to liquid delivery unit 76. In the sixth to eighth flow path states, the liquid additives contained in bottles 72 to 74 are guided to liquid delivery unit 76, respectively.

[0020] The liquid delivery unit 76 includes, for example, a pump, and supplies the liquid raw material or liquid additive guided by the switching unit 75 to the container 10 through the flow path unit 104. This makes it possible to replenish the liquid raw material in the container 10. Alternatively, it is possible to add a liquid additive to the liquid raw material in the container 10. The liquid delivery unit 76 may be connected to the container 20 through the flow path unit 104. In this case, the liquid delivery unit 76 supplies the liquid raw material or liquid additive guided by the switching unit 75 to the container 20 through the flow path unit 104.

[0021] The control unit 80 includes a memory 81 and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 82. In this embodiment, the control unit 80 further includes a timer 83 that measures elapsed time. The memory 81 stores a synthesis program for generating a reactant from a liquid raw material. The CPU 82 controls the operations of the gas supply unit 30, the switching units 40 and 50, the synthesis reaction device 60, and the sample supply unit 70 in accordance with the synthesis program stored in the memory 81. The control unit 80 will be described in detail later.

[0022] (2) Operation of the synthesis system 2 to 5 are diagrams for explaining the operation of the synthesis system 100. In the initial state of the synthesis system 100, it is assumed that no liquid raw material is contained in the containers 10 and 20. Therefore, the flow path state of the switching unit 75 of the sample supply unit 70 is switched to the fifth flow path state, and the liquid delivery unit 76 is driven. In this case, as shown by the thick solid arrow in FIG. 2, the liquid raw material contained in the bottle 71 is pressure-fed to the container 10 through the flow path unit 104. After a predetermined time has elapsed, the drive of the liquid delivery unit 76 is stopped. As a result, a certain amount of liquid raw material is contained in the container 10.

[0023] Next, the flow path state of the switching unit 40 is switched to the first flow path state, and the flow path state of the switching unit 50 is switched to the third flow path state. In this state, the gas supply unit 30 is driven. In this case, the gas supplied by the gas supply unit 30 is guided to the container 10 through the flow path unit 101, and the liquid raw material contained in the container 10 is pressure-fed to the container 20 through the flow path unit 103, as shown by the thick solid arrow in Fig. 3. The gas supplied to the container 10 passes through the flow path unit 103, the container 20, the flow path unit 102, and the ports 46 and 45 of the switching unit 40 in this order, and is discharged to the atmosphere.

[0024] In the flow path 103, a reaction occurs in a part of the liquid raw material as the liquid raw material passes through the synthesis reaction device 60. As a result, a reactant is generated from a part of the liquid raw material. Therefore, the container 20 contains a liquid (hereinafter simply referred to as the liquid raw material) in which the unreacted liquid raw material and the reacted reactant are mixed.

[0025] Thereafter, when a switching condition for the flow path state of the switching unit 40 is satisfied, the flow path state of the switching unit 40 is switched from the first flow path state to the second flow path state. The switching condition for the flow path state of the switching unit 40 is, for example, that the amount of liquid in the containers 10, 20 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value. Therefore, when the amount of liquid in the container 10 becomes equal to or less than the predetermined value, the flow path state of the switching unit 40 is switched from the first flow path state to the second flow path state.

[0026] The operator may determine the time until the amount of liquid in the containers 10, 20 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value through experiments, calculations, or the like, and set the determined time in the control unit 80. In this case, when the time measured by the timer 83 reaches the set time, it is determined that the amount of liquid in the containers 10, 20 becomes equal to or less than the predetermined value, and the flow path state of the switching unit 40 is switched.

[0027] Alternatively, the condition for switching the flow path state of the switching unit 40 may be that the amount of liquid in the containers 10, 20 becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value. In this case, when the amount of liquid in the container 20 becomes equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the flow path state of the switching unit 40 is switched from the first flow path state to the second flow path state. Even in this case, the operator may specify the time until the amount of liquid in the containers 10, 20 becomes equal to or greater than the predetermined value by experiment, calculation, or the like, and set the specified time in the control unit 80. In this case, when the time measured by the timer 83 reaches the set time, it is determined that the amount of liquid in the containers 10, 20 has become equal to or greater than the predetermined value, and the flow path state of the switching unit 40 is switched.

[0028] By switching the flow path state of the switching unit 40 to the second flow path state, the gas supplied by the gas supply unit 30 is guided to the container 20 through the flow path unit 102. In this case, as shown by the thick solid arrow in Fig. 4, the liquid raw material contained in the container 20 is pressure-fed to the container 10 through the flow path unit 103. The gas supplied to the container 20 passes through the flow path unit 103, the container 10, the flow path unit 101, and the ports 42 and 43 of the switching unit 40 in this order, and is discharged to the atmosphere.

[0029] In the flow path 103, a reaction occurs in a part of the unreacted liquid raw material as the liquid raw material passes through the synthesis reaction device 60. As a result, a reactant is further produced from a part of the unreacted liquid raw material. Therefore, the container 10 contains a liquid in which the unreacted liquid raw material and the reacted reactant are mixed.

[0030] Thereafter, when the switching condition of the switching unit 40 flow path state is satisfied, the flow path state of the switching unit 40 is switched from the second flow path state to the first flow path state. This causes the operations of Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 to be repeated alternately. Each time these operations are repeated, the amount of reactant in the liquid raw material contained in the container 10 or the container 20 increases.

[0031] When the liquid raw material contained in the container 10 decreases, the switching unit 75 in the sample supplying unit 70 may be switched to the fifth flow path state and the liquid sending unit 76 may be driven to appropriately replenish the liquid raw material to the container 10. Furthermore, when the reaction of the liquid raw material has progressed to a certain extent, the switching unit 75 may be switched to any one of the sixth to eighth flow path states and the liquid sending unit 76 may be driven to supply a predetermined additive to the container 10. This can promote the reaction.

[0032] Thereafter, when a switching condition for the flow path state of the switching unit 50 is satisfied, the flow path state of the switching unit 50 is switched from the third flow path state to the fourth flow path state. In this embodiment, the switching condition for the flow path state of the switching unit 50 is that the elapsed time measured by the timer 83 reaches a time set in the control unit 80. The operator may specify the time required for a sufficient amount of reactants to be generated by experiment, calculation, or the like, and set the specified time in the control unit 80. In this case, when a sufficient amount of reactants is generated, the flow path state of the switching unit 50 is switched from the third flow path state to the fourth flow path state.

[0033] Alternatively, the condition for switching the flow path state of the switching unit 50 may be that the number of times the flow path state of the switching unit 40 is switched reaches the number set in the control unit 80. The operator may specify the number of times the flow path state of the switching unit 40 is switched until a sufficient amount of reactant is produced by experiment, calculation, or the like, and set the specified number in the control unit 80. Even in this case, when a sufficient amount of reactant is produced, the flow path state of the switching unit 50 is switched from the third flow path state to the fourth flow path state.

[0034] 5, the liquid raw material contained in the container 20 is pressure-fed to the analysis device 200 through the flow path section 103. Depending on the timing at which the flow path state of the switching unit 50 is switched to the fourth flow path state, the liquid raw material contained in the container 10 is pressure-fed to the analysis device 200 through the flow path section 103. In the analysis device 200, the reactants produced by the synthesis reaction device 60 are analyzed. The analyzed reactants are collected by a fractionation device (not shown).

[0035] (3) Composition processing Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of the control unit 80. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of an algorithm of a synthesis process executed by the control unit 80 of Fig. 6. As shown in Fig. 6, the control unit 80 includes, as functional units, a sample control unit 84, a gas control unit 85, switching control units 86 and 87, and a synthesis control unit 88. The functional units of the control unit 80 are realized by the CPU 82 of the control unit 80 of Fig. 1 executing a synthesis program stored in the memory 81. Some or all of the functional units of the control unit 80 may be realized by hardware such as electronic circuits.

[0036] The synthesis process will be described below with reference to the synthesis system 100 in Figures 2 to 5, the control unit 80 in Figure 6, and the flow chart in Figure 7. First, the sample control unit 84 controls the sample supply unit 70 to replenish the liquid raw material in the container 10 (step S1 and Figure 2). Note that, in the initial state of the synthesis system 100, if the liquid raw material is contained in the container 10, step S1 may be omitted.

[0037] Next, the gas control unit 85 supplies gas from the gas supply unit 30 (step S2). Furthermore, the switching control unit 87 switches the flow path state of the switching unit 50 to the third flow path state (step S3). Furthermore, the switching control unit 86 switches the flow path state of the switching unit 40 to the first flow path state (step S4). Any one of steps S2 to S4 may be executed first, or steps S2 to S4 may be executed simultaneously.

[0038] By executing steps S2 to S4, the liquid raw materials contained in vessel 10 are pressure-transferred to vessel 20 through flow path 103 (FIG. 3). Here, synthesis control unit 88 controls synthesis reaction device 60 to generate reactants from the liquid raw materials passing through synthesis reaction device 60 (step S5).

[0039] Next, the switching control unit 86 determines whether or not the switching condition of the flow path state of the switching unit 40 is satisfied (step S6). If the switching condition of the flow path state of the switching unit 40 is not satisfied, the switching control unit 86 returns the process to step S5. Steps S5 and S6 are repeated until the switching condition of the flow path state of the switching unit 40 is satisfied.

[0040] When the switching condition for the flow path state of the switching unit 40 is satisfied, the switching control unit 86 switches the flow path state of the switching unit 40 to the second flow path state (step S7). As a result, the liquid raw material contained in the container 20 is pressure-fed from the flow path unit 103 (FIG. 4). Here, the synthesis control unit 88 controls the synthesis reaction device 60 to generate a reactant from the liquid raw material passing through the synthesis reaction device 60 (step S8).

[0041] Thereafter, the switching control unit 87 determines whether or not the switching condition for the flow path state of the switching unit 50 is satisfied (step S9). If the switching condition for the flow path state of the switching unit 50 is not satisfied, the liquid raw material pumped from the container 20 is guided to the container 10. In this case, the switching control unit 86 determines whether or not the switching condition for the flow path state of the switching unit 40 is satisfied (step S10).

[0042] If the switching condition for the flow path state of the switching unit 40 is satisfied, the switching control unit 86 returns the process to step S4. This causes the liquid raw material to be pressure-fed from the container 10 to the container 20 again. At this point, the sample control unit 84 may control the sample supply unit 70 to replenish the liquid raw material in the container 10 or add a liquid additive to the liquid raw material in the container 10. On the other hand, if the switching condition for the flow path state of the switching unit 40 is not satisfied, the switching control unit 86 returns the process to step S8.

[0043] If the switching condition for the flow path state of the switching unit 50 is satisfied in step S9, the switching control unit 87 switches the flow path state of the switching unit 50 to a fourth flow path state (step S11). As a result, the reactants generated in steps S5 and S8 are supplied to the analysis device 200 (FIG. 5). In the analysis device 200, the supplied reactants are analyzed and separated. Thereafter, the process returns to step S1. As a result, the same process is repeated. The synthesis process may be terminated after execution of step S11.

[0044] (4) Variations In the synthesis system 100, the liquid raw material may be adjusted to a temperature suitable for the reaction. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of the synthesis system 100 according to the first modified example. As shown in Fig. 8, the synthesis system 100 according to this example includes one or more temperature adjustment units 90. Each temperature adjustment unit 90 may be, for example, a heater or a Peltier element.

[0045] 8, a temperature adjustment unit 90 is attached to the container 10, the container 20, and the flow path section 103. As a result, the temperature of the liquid raw material contained in the container 10, the liquid raw material contained in the container 20, and the liquid raw material flowing through the flow path section 103 is adjusted by the temperature adjustment unit 90. The temperature adjustment unit 90 does not need to be attached to all of the container 10, the container 20, and the flow path section 103, and it is sufficient that the temperature adjustment unit 90 is attached to any one of the container 10, the container 20, and the flow path section 103. Furthermore, when the temperature adjustment unit 90 is attached to the flow path section 103, it is also possible to promote the reaction.

[0046] In the present embodiment, the flow path state of the switching unit 40 is switched based on the elapsed time measured by the timer 83, but the embodiment is not limited to this. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the configuration of a synthesis system 100 according to a second modified example. As shown in FIG. 9, the synthesis system 100 according to this example further includes liquid level sensors 11 and 21. In the second modified example or a third modified example described later, the control unit 80 does not include a timer 83.

[0047] The liquid level sensors 11 and 21 detect the liquid levels of the liquid raw materials contained in the containers 10 and 20, respectively. The liquid level sensors 11 and 21 may be, for example, cameras that capture images of the liquid raw materials contained in the containers 10 and 20, respectively. In this case, the liquid levels of the liquid raw materials contained in the containers 10 and 20, respectively, are detected based on the images of the liquid raw materials.

[0048] For example, the operator may set in the control unit 80 the height of the liquid level when the amount of liquid in the containers 10, 20 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value. Alternatively, the height of the liquid level when the amount of liquid in the containers 10, 20 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value may be set in advance to a specified value. In these cases, when the height of the liquid level detected by the liquid level sensors 11, 21 reaches the set height, it is determined that the amount of liquid in the container 10 or 20 has become equal to or less than the predetermined value, and the flow path state of the switching unit 40 is switched.

[0049] On the other hand, the operator may set, for example, the liquid level when the amount of liquid in the containers 10, 20 becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value in the control unit 80. Alternatively, the liquid level when the amount of liquid in the containers 10, 20 becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value may be set in advance to a specified value. In these cases, when the liquid level detected by the liquid level sensors 11, 21 reaches the set height, it is determined that the amount of liquid in the container 10 or 20 has become equal to or greater than the predetermined value, and the flow path state of the switching unit 40 is switched.

[0050] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a synthesis system 100 according to a third modified example. As shown in Fig. 10, the synthesis system 100 according to this example further includes weight sensors 12 and 22. The weight sensors 12 and 22 detect the weights of the liquid raw materials contained in the containers 10 and 20, respectively.

[0051] For example, the operator may set in the control unit 80 the weight of the liquid raw material when the amount of liquid in the containers 10, 20 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value. Alternatively, the weight of the liquid raw material when the amount of liquid in the containers 10, 20 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value may be set in advance to a specified value. In these cases, when the weight detected by the weight sensor 12, 22 reaches the set weight, it is determined that the amount of liquid in the container 10 or 20 becomes equal to or less than the predetermined value, and the flow path state of the switching unit 40 is switched.

[0052] On the other hand, the operator may set, for example, the weight of the liquid raw material when the amount of liquid in the containers 10, 20 becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value in the control unit 80. Alternatively, the weight of the liquid raw material when the amount of liquid in the containers 10, 20 becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value may be set in advance to a specified value. In these cases, when the weight detected by the weight sensor 12, 22 reaches the set weight, it is determined that the amount of liquid in the container 10 or 20 has become equal to or greater than the predetermined value, and the flow path state of the switching unit 40 is switched.

[0053] (5) Effects In the synthesis system 100 according to the present embodiment, gas is supplied from the gas supply unit 30 to the container 10 through the flow path unit 101, whereby the liquid raw material contained in the container 10 is transported to the container 20 through the flow path unit 103 and the synthesis reaction device 60. Also, gas is supplied from the gas supply unit 30 to the container 20 through the flow path unit 102, whereby the liquid raw material contained in the container 20 is transported to the container 10 through the flow path unit 103 and the synthesis reaction device 60. By repeating this operation, a sufficient amount of reactant is produced.

[0054] Here, by switching the flow path state of the switching unit 40, gas can be easily supplied to the container 10 and gas can be easily supplied to the container 20. Therefore, the operator does not need to reconnect the gas supply unit 30 to the container 10 or the container 20 each time. This reduces the burden on the operator.

[0055] The synthesis system 100 also includes a control unit 80 that switches the flow path state of the switching unit 40 when a predetermined switching condition is satisfied. This can further reduce the burden on the operator. The switching condition may be that the amount of liquid in the container 10 or the container 20 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, or that the amount of liquid in the container 10 or the container 20 becomes equal to or more than a predetermined value. In this case, the flow path state of the switching unit 40 can be easily switched at an appropriate timing.

[0056] (6) Other embodiments (a) In the above embodiment, the control unit 80 switches the flow path state of the switching units 40, 50, but the embodiment is not limited to this. An operator may manually switch the flow path state of the switching units 40, 50. Even in this case, the operator does not need to reconnect the gas supply unit 30 to the container 10 or 20 each time. This reduces the burden on the operator. In this configuration, the control unit 80 does not include the switching control units 86, 87.

[0057] (b) In the above embodiment, the synthesis reactor 60 is a photopolymerization reactor, but the embodiment is not limited to this. The synthesis reactor 60 may be a reactor such as a plug flow reactor. In this case, the synthesis reactor 60 produces a reactant from the liquid raw material by adjusting the temperature and pressure of the liquid raw material passing through the synthesis reactor 60.

[0058] (c) In the above embodiment, the sample supply unit 70 replenishes the liquid raw material and adds the liquid additive, but the embodiment is not limited to this. The sample supply unit 70 may replenish the liquid raw material but not add the liquid additive. In this case, the sample supply unit 70 does not include the bottles 72 to 74 and the switching unit 75.

[0059] Furthermore, the sample supplying unit 70 may add a liquid additive but not replenish the liquid raw material. In this case, the sample supplying unit 70 does not include the bottle 71. Furthermore, the sample supplying unit 70 may be provided with only one of the bottles 72 to 74. In this case, the sample supplying unit 70 does not include the switching unit 75.

[0060] (d) In the above embodiment, the generated reactants are analyzed, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. The generated reactants do not have to be analyzed. In this case, the analysis device 200 does not have to be connected to the switching unit 50, and a fractionation device for collecting the generated reactants may be connected. In addition, when the container 10 or container 20 containing the reactants is collected after the generation of the reactants, the switching unit 50 does not have to be provided in the flow path unit 103.

[0061] (7) Description It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the above exemplary embodiments are illustrative of the following aspects.

[0062] (Item 1) A synthesis system according to one embodiment comprises: a first flow path portion connected to a first container capable of accommodating a liquid raw material; a second flow path portion connected to a second container capable of accommodating a liquid raw material; a third flow path section that connects the first container and the second container and is connected to a synthesis reaction device that produces a reactant from a liquid raw material; The gas supply unit may further include a switching unit that is switchable between a flow path state in which the gas supplied by a gas supply unit is guided to the first flow path portion and a flow path state in which the gas supplied by the gas supply unit is guided to the second flow path portion.

[0063] In this synthesis system, gas is supplied from the gas supply unit through the first flow path to the first container, whereby the liquid raw material contained in the first container is transported to the second container through the third flow path and the synthesis reaction device. Also, gas is supplied from the gas supply unit through the second flow path to the second container, whereby the liquid raw material contained in the second container is transported to the first container through the third flow path and the synthesis reaction device. By repeating this operation, a sufficient amount of reactant is produced.

[0064] Here, by switching the flow path state of the switching unit, gas can be easily supplied to the first container and gas can be easily supplied to the second container. Therefore, the operator does not need to reconnect the gas supply unit to the first container or the second container each time. This reduces the burden on the operator.

[0065] (2) The synthesis system according to (1), The device may further include a control unit that switches the flow path state of the switching unit when a predetermined switching condition is satisfied.

[0066] In this case, the user of the synthesis system does not need to switch the flow path state of the switching unit, which can further reduce the burden on the user.

[0067] (Item 3) In the synthesis system according to item 2, The switching condition may be that the amount of liquid in the first container or the second container becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value.

[0068] In this case, the flow path state of the switching section can be easily switched at an appropriate timing.

[0069] (4) In the synthesis system according to (2), The switching condition may be that the amount of liquid in the first container or the second container becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

[0070] In this case, the flow path state of the switching section can be easily switched at an appropriate timing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 10, 20...container, 11, 21...liquid level sensor, 12, 22...weight sensor, 30...gas supply unit, 40, 50, 75...switching unit, 41-46, 75a-75e...port, 60...synthesis reaction device, 70...sample supply unit, 71-74...bottles, 76...liquid delivery unit, 80...control unit, 81...memory, 82...CPU, 83...timer, 84...sample control unit, 85...gas control unit, 86, 87...switching control unit, 88...synthesis control unit, 90...temperature control unit, 100...synthesis system, 101-104...flow path unit, 200...analytical device

Claims

1. a first flow path portion connected to a first container capable of accommodating a liquid raw material; a second flow path portion connected to a second container capable of accommodating a liquid raw material; a third flow path portion that connects the first container and the second container and is connected to a synthesis reaction device that produces a reactant from a liquid raw material; A synthesis system comprising: a switching unit capable of switching between a flow path state in which a gas supplied by a gas supply unit is guided to the first flow path portion and a flow path state in which the gas supplied by the gas supply unit is guided to the second flow path portion.

2. The synthesis system according to claim 1 , further comprising a control unit that switches a flow path state of the switching unit when a predetermined switching condition is satisfied.

3. The synthesis system according to claim 2 , wherein the switching condition is that the amount of liquid in the first container or the second container becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value.

4. The synthesis system according to claim 2 , wherein the switching condition is that the amount of liquid in the first container or the second container becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

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