Vortex fluid mixer

Abstract

To prevent formation of regions where a fluid may stagnate inside an inline fluid mixer that mixes different types of fluids.SOLUTION: A vortex fluid mixer 11 comprises: a vortex chamber 25 which is defined by a cylindrical peripheral side wall 13 and by a first end wall 15 and a second end wall 17 that are provided at both ends of the peripheral side wall and that face each other; an inlet flow path 19 which opens to the peripheral side wall 13; an outlet flow path 21 which opens to the first end wall 15; and at least one additive flow path 23 which is connected to an intermediate portion of the outlet flow path 21 and which adds an additive fluid to the fluid flowing through the outlet flow path 21. The outlet flow path 21 is provided to pass through an approximate center of the first end wall 15, and the vortex chamber 25 is configured such that the fluid flowing in through the inlet flow path 19 generates a swirling flow in the vortex chamber 25 and flows out through the outlet flow path 21 while generating the swirling flow.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vortex type fluid mixer that is used for fluid transport piping in various industries such as chemical plants, semiconductor manufacturing, food, medical and bio fields, and mixes two or more types of fluids by using a vortex flow. [Background technology]

[0002] In various industrial fields such as chemical plants, semiconductor manufacturing, food, medical, and biotechnology, a static mixer in which a twisted blade-shaped static mixer element is mounted in a pipe is generally used as a method for mixing fluids flowing in a pipe, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example. A static mixer element is usually constructed by connecting a plurality of minimum unit members in series, with a rectangular plate twisted 180 degrees around its longitudinal axis as the minimum unit member. In a typical static mixer, the end of the right element (the end in the torsional axis direction), which is a rectangular plate twisted 180 degrees clockwise, and the end of the left element (the end in the torsional axis direction), which is a rectangular plate twisted 180 degrees counterclockwise, are installed in a pipe in a state where they are joined at right angles to each other at multiple points in the direction of fluid flow. With this configuration, the fluid flowing inside the pipe is divided into two each time it passes through an element, and as the fluid flows along the twisted surface of the element, it is subjected to a diversion action from the center of the pipe to the pipe wall and a reversal of the twisting direction of the flow, causing the fluid to be agitated and mixed uniformly in the radial direction of the piping. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2001-205062 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the static mixer described in Patent Document 1, the static mixer element is simply inserted and arranged in a pipe so as to be detachable, and there is a gap between the pipe wall and the outer periphery of the element. In such a gap, the fluid is likely to remain. In addition, if the shape of the static mixer element is made complex for mixing, it is likely to cause a stagnation part. Such a stagnation of the fluid causes deterioration of the fluid and solidification of the slurry. In particular, when the static mixer is used to mix chemicals, such as when used in the manufacture of semiconductors, the stagnation of the chemicals leads to deterioration of the chemicals, and the application of the deteriorated chemicals to semiconductor wafers causes defective products. In addition, when the static mixer is used to mix the slurry, the solidification of the slurry leads to an increase in the frequency of maintenance.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the problems existing in the prior art and to prevent the occurrence of any areas where fluids stagnate inside an in-line fluid mixer that mixes different types of fluids. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In view of the above object, the present invention provides a vortex type fluid mixer comprising: a vortex chamber defined by a generally cylindrical circumferential side wall and first and second end walls provided at both ends of the circumferential side wall and facing each other; an inlet flow passage extending along a central axis of an inlet flow passage and opening onto the circumferential side wall; an outlet flow passage extending along a central axis of an outlet flow passage and opening onto the first end wall; and at least one addition flow passage connected to an intermediate portion of the outlet flow passage for adding an additive fluid to a fluid flowing through the outlet flow passage, wherein the outlet flow passage is provided such that the central axis of the outlet flow passage passes approximately through the center of the first end wall, and the vortex chamber is configured such that a fluid flowing in via the inlet flow passage generates a vortex-like swirling flow within the vortex chamber and flows out of the outlet flow passage while generating a swirling flow, and the additive fluid added from the addition flow passage is stirred and mixed with a fluid in the outlet flow passage by the action of the swirling flow.

[0007] In the above vortex type fluid mixer, a vortex chamber is defined by a cylindrical circumferential side wall and a first end wall and a second end wall provided at both ends thereof, and the inlet flow passage opens at the circumferential side wall of the vortex chamber, and the outlet flow passage opens at the first end wall. The outlet flow passage is provided so that the central axis of the outlet flow passage passes through the approximate center of the first end wall, and when the fluid flows into the vortex chamber from the inlet flow passage, a vortex-like swirling flow is generated in the vortex chamber. Furthermore, since the vortex chamber has a cylindrical circumferential side wall and the central axis of the outlet flow passage passes through the approximate center of the first end wall, the fluid in the vortex chamber flows out of the outlet flow passage while generating a swirling flow. Therefore, a swirling flow is also generated in the outlet flow passage. Since the additive fluid is added from the additive flow passage to the swirling flow in the outlet flow passage, the additive fluid is stirred and mixed with the fluid in the outlet flow passage by the action of the swirling flow.

[0008] In the above vortex type fluid mixer, it is preferable that the addition passage is connected to the outlet passage in a region where a swirling flow is generated in the outlet passage.

[0009] The inlet passage is preferably arranged so that a central axis of the inlet passage passes through a position away from a central axis of the vortex chamber connecting the center of the first end wall and the center of the second end wall, and more preferably arranged so that fluid flows from the inlet passage in a tangential direction relative to the peripheral side wall.

[0010] In addition, the length of the outlet flow passage is preferably 7.5 times or more the diameter of the outlet flow passage.

[0011] In addition, it is preferable that the additive flow passage is arranged so that the central axis of the additive flow passage is positioned at a distance within 8 times the diameter of the outlet flow passage from the upstream end of the outlet flow passage in the direction of the central axis of the outlet flow passage, and it is even more preferable that the central axis of the additive flow passage is positioned at a distance within 4 times the diameter of the outlet flow passage from the upstream end of the outlet flow passage in the direction of the central axis of the outlet flow passage.

[0012] In one embodiment, the second end wall may be configured by a diaphragm. In this case, the diaphragm can be moved toward and away from the first end wall by a drive unit.

[0013] In one embodiment, the vortex fluid mixer may further include a flow rate adjustment valve for adjusting a flow rate of the additive fluid added from the additive flow passage to the outlet flow passage. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, the fluid flowing into the vortex chamber from the inlet passage generates a swirling flow in the vortex chamber, and the fluid in the vortex chamber flows out of the outlet passage while generating a swirling flow. As a result, a swirling flow is also generated in the outlet passage, and when an additive fluid is added from the additive fluid passage to the swirling flow in the outlet passage, the additive fluid is stirred and mixed with the fluid in the outlet passage by the action of the swirling flow. Therefore, mixing is possible without providing a static mixer element in the passage, and since the fluid flows along the cylindrical peripheral side wall even in the vortex chamber, the generation of stagnation portions can be suppressed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing the overall configuration of a vortex fluid mixer according to a first embodiment of the present invention, with a portion cut away so that the inside can be seen. FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic diagram of flow lines representing the flow of a main fluid and an added fluid when the added fluid is added to and mixed with a main fluid that is supplied from an inlet passage of the vortex type fluid mixer shown in FIG. 1, passes through a vortex chamber, and is discharged from an outlet passage. [Diagram 3] FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of a vortex type fluid mixer according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a schematic side view of a vortex type fluid mixer according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration and dimensions of a vortex fluid mixer used in a numerical simulation. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration and dimensions of a vortex fluid mixer used in a numerical simulation. [Figure 7] 1 is a graph showing the time change of the maximum and minimum values ​​of the passive scalar of the mixed fluid obtained in each region at the downstream end (the end opposite the end connected to the vortex chamber) of the outlet flow passage in a numerical simulation using a vortex type fluid mixer. [Figure 8] 1 is a graph showing the correlation between the ratio of the outlet passage length (outlet passage length) to the outlet passage diameter (outlet passage diameter) and the difference between the maximum and minimum values ​​of the passive scalar of the mixed fluid obtained in each region at the downstream end of the outlet passage, obtained by a numerical simulation using a vortex type fluid mixer. [Figure 9] 11 is a graph showing a correlation between the difference between the maximum and minimum values ​​of the passive scalar of the mixed fluid obtained in each region at the confluence position of the outlet channel and the additive channel and at the downstream end of the outlet channel, obtained by a numerical simulation using a vortex fluid mixer under a first combination of flow rates of the main fluid and the additive fluid. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a graph showing a correlation between the difference between the maximum and minimum values ​​of the passive scalar of the mixed fluid obtained in each region at the confluence position of the outlet channel and the additive channel and at the downstream end of the outlet channel, obtained by a numerical simulation using a vortex fluid mixer under a second combination of flow rates of the main fluid and the additive fluid. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a vortex fluid mixer according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of a vortex type fluid mixer according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the overall configuration of a vortex type fluid mixer 11 of a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0017] The vortex type fluid mixer 11 includes a circumferential side wall 13 having a generally cylindrical shape extending along the central axis, a first end wall 15 and a second end wall 17 provided at both ends of the circumferential side wall 13 in the central axis direction so as to face each other, an inlet passage 19, an outlet passage 21, and an additive passage 23 connected to an intermediate portion of the outlet passage 21. The first end wall 15 and the second end wall 17 have the same generally circular shape and are provided so as to close both ends of the circumferential side wall 13 in the central axis direction, and a space surrounded by the circumferential side wall 13, the first end wall 15, and the second end wall 17 constitutes a vortex chamber 25. A vortex chamber central axis O extending to connect the center of the first end wall 15 and the center of the second end wall 17 coincides with the central axis of the circumferential side wall 13 and extends perpendicular to the first end wall 15 and the second end wall 17.

[0018] The inlet passage 19 extends along an inlet passage central axis P1 perpendicular to the vortex chamber central axis O, and opens to the peripheral side wall 13. The inlet passage central axis P1 extends so as to pass through the center of the cross section of the inlet passage 19. The outlet passage 21 extends from the vortex chamber 25 to the outside along an outlet passage central axis P2 parallel to the vortex chamber central axis O and perpendicular to the first end wall 15, and opens to the first end wall 15 of the vortex chamber 25. The outlet passage central axis P2 extends so as to pass through the center of the cross section of the outlet passage 21. In the illustrated embodiment, the inlet passage 19 and the outlet passage 21 are both formed of circular pipes having a circular cross section. However, the cross sections of the inlet passage 19 and the outlet passage 21 are not limited to a circular shape, and may be polygonal, such as an elliptical shape or a rectangular shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the inlet passage 19 is formed of a straight circular pipe, but may be formed in other shapes, such as a nozzle shape, as long as it can cause the fluid to flow into the vortex chamber 25.

[0019] The inlet passage 19 is provided so that the inlet passage central axis P1 passes through an eccentric position away from the vortex chamber central axis O. Therefore, the fluid flowing in from the inlet passage 19 hits the peripheral side wall 13 in the vortex chamber 25, flows along the peripheral side wall 13, and generates a swirling flow, which flows toward the outlet passage 21 and flows out from the outlet passage 21. In order to easily generate a swirling flow, the inlet passage 19 is preferably provided so that the fluid flowing into the vortex chamber 25 from the inlet passage 19 flows along the peripheral side wall 13. In the illustrated embodiment, the inlet passage 19 extends in a tangential direction of the generally cylindrical peripheral side wall 13 and is connected to the peripheral side wall 13 so that the inlet passage central axis P1 is parallel to the tangent, and the fluid flows from the inlet passage 19 into the vortex chamber 25 in a substantially tangential direction to the peripheral side wall 13.

[0020] The outlet passage 21 is provided so that the outlet passage central axis P2 extends perpendicular to the first end wall 15 and passes through the approximate center of the first end wall 15, i.e., so that the outlet passage central axis P2 extends substantially aligned in a straight line with the vortex chamber central axis O. With this configuration, as shown in Fig. 2, the fluid that has flowed in from the inlet passage 19 flows along the peripheral side wall 13 in the vortex chamber 25, generating a vortex-like swirling flow toward the outlet passage 21, and is discharged from the vortex chamber 25 to the outlet passage 21 as a swirling flow. Therefore, in the outlet passage 21, at least near the inlet from the vortex chamber 25 to the outlet passage 21 (the connection end of the vortex chamber 25 and the outlet passage 21, i.e., the upstream end of the outlet passage 21), the swirling flow is maintained and flows downstream in a vortex state.

[0021] The additive flow passage 23 extends along the additive flow passage central axis P3, and is connected to the vicinity of the inlet from the vortex chamber 25 to the outlet flow passage 21 (i.e., the upstream end of the outlet flow passage 21) in the range where the above-mentioned swirling flow is generated in the outlet flow passage 21 to form a confluence. That is, the confluence is configured to add the additive fluid from the additive flow passage 23 to the main flow while the main flow discharged from the vortex chamber 25 to the outlet flow passage 21 maintains a swirling flow. The confluence (confluence position) of the outlet flow passage 21 and the additive flow passage 23 is preferably provided so that the additive flow passage central axis P3 of the additive flow passage 23 is located within a distance range of 8 times the diameter of the outlet flow passage 21 from the inlet of the outlet flow passage 21 (i.e., the upstream end of the outlet flow passage 21), and more preferably so that the additive flow passage central axis P3 is located within a distance range of 4 times the diameter of the outlet flow passage 21.

[0022] In the illustrated first embodiment, one end of a straight additive flow passage 23 is connected near the upstream end of the straight outlet flow passage 21 so that the outlet flow passage 21 and the additive flow passage 23 extend vertically, forming a T-shaped flow passage, and fluid A, which is the main fluid supplied to the inlet flow passage 19, flows into the upstream end of the outlet flow passage 21 through the vortex chamber 25, and fluid B, which is the additive fluid, is supplied from the other end of the additive flow passage 23, and fluid A and fluid B are merged at the junction. The shape of the junction is not limited to a T-shape, and may be, for example, a Y-shape in which the additive flow passage 23 merges obliquely with the outlet flow passage 21. In the illustrated first embodiment, the additive flow passage central axis P3 of the additive flow passage 23 extends parallel to the inlet flow passage central axis P1 of the inlet flow passage 19 in order to reduce the installation space, and the inlet flow passage 19 and the additive flow passage 23 are arranged on the same side of the vortex chamber 25. However, the additive flow passage central axis P3 does not need to extend parallel to the inlet flow passage central axis P1, and the inlet flow passage 19 and the additive flow passage 23 do not need to be arranged on the same side of the vortex chamber 25, and the additive flow passage 23 can extend in any direction. Furthermore, two or more additive flow passages 23 may be connected to the outlet flow passage 21, and three or more types of fluids may be merged. The additive flow passage 23 is preferably a straight circular pipe with a circular cross section, like the outlet flow passage 21, but is not limited to a circular pipe and can be a pipe with a cross section of any shape.

[0023] In the vortex type fluid mixer 11, the inlet flow passage central axis P1 passes through an eccentric position away from the vortex chamber central axis O, and the outlet flow passage central axis P2 extends through a position away from the inlet flow passage central axis P1. Therefore, in the vortex chamber 25, the main fluid supplied to the inlet flow passage 19 and flowing into the vortex chamber 25 hits the peripheral side wall 13 and flows along the peripheral side wall 13 to generate a swirling flow, which then becomes a vortex flow toward the outlet flow passage 21 and is discharged into the outlet flow passage 21. Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the main fluid in the vortex chamber 25 is discharged from the outlet flow passage 21 while still generating a swirling flow, and the additive fluid is added to the main fluid from the additive flow passage 23 within the range in which the main fluid generates a swirling flow in the outlet flow passage 21 and merges with it. Therefore, the additive fluid added from the additive flow passage 23 to the main fluid of the swirling flow in the outlet flow passage 21 is diffused in the main fluid by the stirring action of the swirling flow, and the variation in concentration (unevenness in concentration distribution) of different types of fluids can be reduced. For this reason, as long as a swirling flow is maintained within the outlet flow passage 21, the longer the outlet flow passage 21 and the higher the flow velocity of the mainstream fluid, the greater the effect of reducing concentration variations, and it is preferable that the length of the outlet flow passage 21 is 7.5 times or more the diameter of the outlet flow passage 21.

[0024] The vortex type fluid mixer according to the present invention can achieve the effect of reducing the variation in concentration (unevenness in concentration distribution) of different types of fluids if it generates a vortex-like swirling flow in the vortex chamber 25, discharges a main fluid into the outlet passage 21 while maintaining the swirling flow, and adds an additive fluid from the additive passage 23 to the main fluid in which the swirling flow has been generated in the outlet passage 21. Therefore, the vortex type fluid mixer is not limited to the configuration of the embodiment shown in FIG.

[0025] For example, as in the vortex type fluid mixer 51 according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the second end wall may be constituted by a diaphragm 17'. In the second embodiment, the diaphragm 17' is driven by a driving unit (not shown) to approach and move away from the first end wall 15, thereby increasing and decreasing the volume of the vortex chamber 25, thereby adjusting the flow rate of the fluid (main fluid) in the vortex chamber 25. The driving unit may adopt various driving methods such as manual, air-driven, and electric. By adjusting the flow rate of the fluid (main fluid) in the vortex chamber 25, the swirl speed of the main body in the vortex chamber 25 and the outlet passage 21 can be changed, and appropriate mixing with less concentration unevenness can be performed according to the type of the fluid to be mixed.

[0026] FIG. 4 shows a vortex type fluid mixer 61 according to the third embodiment in which a flow rate control valve 63 is provided on the additive flow passage 23. In the vortex type fluid mixer 61 according to the third embodiment, the flow rate control valve 63 is used to change the flow rate of the additive fluid added from the additive flow passage 23 to the outlet flow passage 21, thereby adjusting the mixing ratio of the main fluid and the additive fluid. However, as long as the flow rate of the additive fluid added from the additive flow passage 23 to the outlet flow passage 21 can be adjusted, the position where the flow rate control valve 63 is provided is not limited to on the additive flow passage 23. For example, the flow rate control valve 63 may be provided between the supply source of the additive fluid and the additive flow passage 23. In addition, the flow rate of the main fluid, not the additive fluid, may be changed. For example, a flow rate control valve not shown may be provided to adjust the flow rate of the main fluid supplied from the inlet flow passage 19 into the vortex chamber 25. In this case, the flow rate control valve may be provided on the inlet flow passage 19, or the flow rate control valve may be provided between the supply source of the main fluid and the inlet flow passage 19.

[0027] In the vortex type fluid mixer 51 according to the second embodiment and the vortex type fluid mixer 61 according to the third embodiment shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the same reference symbols are used for components common to the vortex type fluid mixer 11 of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1. Moreover, components with the same reference symbols have the same configuration. Therefore, a description of the components common to the vortex type fluid mixer 11 of the first embodiment will be omitted here. EXAMPLES

[0028] Hereinafter, a description will be given of the analysis results by a numerical simulation using a vortex fluid mixer having a configuration similar to that of the vortex fluid mixer 11 of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1. In the following description, for ease of understanding, the same reference numerals as those of the vortex fluid mixer 11 will be used for each component of the vortex fluid mixer used in the numerical simulation.

[0029] Numerical simulations were performed using a vortex type fluid mixer 11 having the configuration and dimensions shown in Figures 5 and 6, unless otherwise specified. In detail, the vortex chamber 25 has a cylindrical shape with a diameter of 20 mm and a height of 4 mm, and a circular tubular inlet passage 19 with a diameter of 4 mm is connected to the peripheral side wall 13 so that the inlet passage central axis P1 passes through a position 8 mm away from the center of the vortex chamber 25. In addition, a circular tubular outlet passage 21 with a diameter D and a length L1 is connected to the first end wall 15 so as to extend along the outlet passage central axis P2 aligned in a straight line with the vortex chamber central axis O. In other words, the outlet passage 21 passes through the center of the first end wall 15 and extends from the first end wall 15 along the outlet passage central axis P2 perpendicular to the first end wall 15. Furthermore, an additive flow passage 23 having a diameter of 4 mm and a circular pipe shape extends through the center of the outlet flow passage 21 along an additive flow passage central axis P3 perpendicular to the outlet flow passage central axis P2 to a position 15 mm away from the outlet flow passage central axis P2, and is connected to the outlet flow passage 21 such that the distance from the upstream end of the outlet flow passage 21 where the outlet flow passage 21 and the first end wall 15 are connected to the additive flow passage central axis P3 of the additive flow passage 23 is L2. In the vortex type fluid mixer 11 having such a configuration, blue water is supplied to the inlet flow passage 19 as the main fluid, and red water is supplied to the additive flow passage 23 as the additive fluid. The additive fluid is added from the additive flow passage to the main fluid supplied from the inlet flow passage 19, passes through the vortex chamber 25, and is discharged from the outlet flow passage 21 in a swirling flow state, so that the two fluids are merged, and the passive scalar of the mixed fluid generated by the merging and mixing of the main fluid and the additive fluid is obtained at the downstream end of the outlet flow passage 21. A passive color is a proxy for the concentration of a mixed fluid, with red being 1 (100% concentration of red water) and blue being 0 (0% concentration of red water).

[0030] First, the variation in the concentration of the mixed fluid (unevenness in the concentration distribution) depending on the radial position at the downstream end of the outlet passage 21 (the end located on the most downstream side opposite the end connected to the vortex chamber 25) was confirmed by a numerical simulation. In the numerical simulation, a vortex type fluid mixer 11 having the configuration and dimensions shown in Figures 5 and 6, with the diameter D of the outlet passage 21 being Φ4 mm, the length L1 of the outlet passage 21 being 80 mm, and the distance L2 from the upstream end of the outlet passage 21 to the central axis P3 of the additive passage being 5 mm was used, and blue water was supplied as the main fluid to the inlet passage 19 at 800 mL / min, and red water was supplied as the additive fluid to the additive passage 23 at 200 mL / min. The passive scalar of the mixed fluid obtained by adding the additive fluid to the main fluid and mixing it was obtained at the downstream end of the outlet passage 21, and the mixing of the blue water and the red water was evaluated using the passive scalar as an index.

[0031] FIG. 7 is a graph showing the change over time of the passive scalar of the mixed fluid at the downstream end of the outlet flow passage 21. In FIG. 7, the cross section at the downstream end of the outlet flow passage 21 is divided into a plurality of regions to obtain the passive scalar of the mixed fluid in each region, and the change over time of the maximum value of the passive scalar of each region is shown by a solid line, and the change over time of the minimum value is shown by a dashed line. As shown in FIG. 7, at the downstream end of the outlet flow passage 21, the maximum value and the minimum value of the passive scalar of the mixed fluid are almost the same, and there is almost no difference between the regions of the passive scalar of the mixed fluid at the downstream end of the outlet flow passage 21, and there is almost no change over time. That is, from FIG. 7, it can be seen that at the downstream end of the outlet flow passage 21, there is almost no unevenness in the concentration distribution of the mixed fluid in the radial direction and the flow direction, and the mixed fluid is sufficiently mixed. Therefore, it was confirmed that by using the vortex type fluid mixer 11, the variation in concentration (unevenness in concentration distribution) of different types of fluids depending on the radial position and flow direction is reduced, and the effect of uniforming the concentration is obtained.

[0032] Next, the influence of the length L1 of the outlet flow passage 21 on the variation in the concentration of the mixed fluid (unevenness in the concentration distribution) was confirmed by a numerical simulation. In the numerical simulation, a vortex type fluid mixer 11 having the configuration and dimensions shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 was used, but the distance L2 from the upstream end of the outlet flow passage 21 to the central axis P3 of the additive flow passage was set to 5 mm, the diameter D of the outlet flow passage 21 was fixed to Φ4 mm, and the ratio of the length L1 of the outlet flow passage 21 to the diameter D was changed in the range of 5 to 25, and the passive scalar of the mixed fluid was obtained at the downstream end of the outlet flow passage 21. In addition, for each vortex type fluid mixer 11 having an outlet flow passage 21 with a different ratio of the length L1 to the diameter D, the above numerical simulation was performed under different combinations of the flow rates of the main fluid and the additive fluid while maintaining the same mixing ratio to enable comparison, and the passive scalar of the mixed fluid was obtained at the downstream end of the outlet flow passage 21.

[0033] Fig. 8 is a line graph showing the correlation between the ratio of the length L1 of the outlet passage 21 to the diameter D of the outlet passage 21 and the difference between the maximum and minimum values ​​of the passive scalar of the mixed fluid at the downstream end of the outlet passage 21 for each combination of the flow rates of the main fluid and the additive fluid while maintaining the same mixture ratio. In Fig. 8, the horizontal axis shows the ratio of the length L1 of the outlet passage 21 to the diameter D of the outlet passage 21, and the vertical axis shows the difference between the maximum and minimum values ​​of the passive scalar of the mixed fluid obtained in each of multiple regions obtained by dividing the cross section at the downstream end of the outlet passage 21, and the results of the numerical simulation are shown. In Figure 8, the symbol "◆" indicates the relationship between the ratio of the length L1 of the outlet passage 21 to the diameter D of the outlet passage 21 and the difference between the maximum and minimum values ​​of the passive scalar of the mixed fluid at the downstream end of the outlet passage 21 when the flow rate of the mainstream fluid supplied to the inlet passage 19 is 0.2 L / min and the flow rate of the additive fluid supplied to the additive passage 23 is 0.05 L / min, the symbol "▲" indicates the relationship between the flow rate of the mainstream fluid supplied to the inlet passage 19 is 0.4 L / min and the flow rate of the additive fluid supplied to the additive passage 23 is 0.1 L / min, the symbol "■" indicates the relationship between the ratio of the length L1 of the outlet passage 21 to the diameter D of the outlet passage 21 and the difference between the maximum and minimum values ​​of the passive scalar of the mixed fluid at the downstream end of the outlet passage 21 when the flow rate of the mainstream fluid supplied to the inlet passage 19 is 0.8 L / min and the flow rate of the additive fluid supplied to the additive passage 23 is 0.2 L / min, and the symbol "●" indicates the relationship between the ratio of the length L1 of the outlet passage 21 to the diameter D of the outlet passage 21 and the difference between the maximum and minimum values ​​of the passive scalar of the mixed fluid at the downstream end of the outlet passage 21 when the flow rate of the mainstream fluid supplied to the inlet passage 19 is 0.2 L / min and the flow rate of the additive fluid supplied to the additive passage 23 is 0.4 L / min.

[0034] From FIG. 8, it can be seen that the greater the ratio of the length L1 of the outlet flow passage 21 to the diameter D of the outlet flow passage 21, the smaller the difference between the maximum and minimum values ​​of the passive scalar of the mixed fluid at the downstream end of the outlet flow passage 21. The smaller the difference between the maximum and minimum values ​​of the passive scalar of the mixed fluid in each region of the cross section of the downstream end of the outlet flow passage 21, the more uniformly the mixed fluid is mixed at the downstream end of the outlet flow passage 21. Therefore, the greater the ratio of the length L1 of the outlet flow passage 21 to the diameter D of the outlet flow passage 21, the more the effect of mixing the mixed fluid is enhanced. This is because the longer the length L1 of the outlet flow passage 21 and the higher the flow velocity of the mainstream fluid flowing through the outlet flow passage 21, the more the additive fluid is dispersed in the mainstream fluid by the action of the swirling flow. Considering the conditions and results of the numerical simulation shown in FIG. 7 and the conditions and results of the numerical simulation shown in FIG. 8, it can be said that the length L1 of the outlet flow passage 21 is preferably 7.5 times or more the diameter D of the outlet flow passage 21.

[0035] Furthermore, the influence of the position (junction position) of the junction (connection point) of the outlet flow passage 21 and the additive flow passage 23 on the concentration variation (unevenness of concentration distribution) of the mixed fluid was confirmed by a numerical simulation. In the numerical simulation, a vortex-type fluid mixer 11 having the configuration and dimensions shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 was used, but in the case where the diameter D of the outlet flow passage 21 was Φ4 mm, Φ6 mm, Φ8 mm, and Φ10 mm, the length L1 of the outlet flow passage 21 was 25 times the diameter D of the outlet flow passage 21, i.e., 25D, and the distance L2 from the upstream end of the outlet flow passage 21 to the central axis P3 of the additive flow passage was changed to 1 time, 2 times, 4 times, 8 times, and 12 times the diameter D of the outlet flow passage 21, i.e., D, 2D, 4D, 8D, and 12D, and the passive scalar of the mixed fluid at the downstream end of the outlet flow passage 21 was obtained.

[0036] 9 and 10 are line graphs showing the correlation between the difference between the maximum and minimum values ​​of the passive scalar of the mixed fluid at the junction of the outlet channel 21 and the additive channel and at the downstream end of the outlet channel 21, obtained in a numerical simulation in which the flow rate of the main fluid supplied to the inlet channel 19 is 0.2 L / min and the flow rate of the additive fluid supplied to the additive channel 23 is 0.05 L / min, and in which the flow rate of the main fluid supplied to the inlet channel 19 is 1.6 L / min and the flow rate of the additive fluid supplied to the additive channel 23 is 0.4 L / min. Note that, to enable comparison, the flow rate ratio of the main fluid to the additive fluid is set to be the same so that the same mixture ratio is maintained in the numerical simulations for obtaining FIGS. 9 and 10. 9 and 10, the results of the numerical simulation are shown, with the horizontal axis representing the confluence position based on the ratio of “distance L2 from the upstream end of the outlet flow passage 21 in the direction of the outlet flow passage central axis P2 to the additive flow passage central axis P3” to “diameter D of the outlet flow passage 21,” and the vertical axis representing the difference between the maximum and minimum values ​​of the passive scalar of the mixed fluid obtained in each of multiple regions obtained by dividing the cross section at the downstream end of the outlet flow passage 21. 9 and 10, the symbol "◆" indicates the correlation between the confluence position (the ratio of "distance L2 from the upstream end of the outlet flow passage 21 in the direction of the outlet flow passage central axis P2 to the additive flow passage central axis P3" to "diameter D of the outlet flow passage 21") and the difference between the maximum and minimum values ​​of the passive scalar of the mixed fluid at the downstream end of the outlet flow passage 21 when the diameter D of the outlet flow passage 21 is Φ10 mm, the symbol "▲" indicates the correlation between the confluence position (the ratio of "distance L2 from the upstream end of the outlet flow passage 21 to the additive flow passage central axis P3 in the direction of the outlet flow passage central axis P2 to the diameter D of the outlet flow passage 21" to "diameter D of the outlet flow passage 21") when the diameter D of the outlet flow passage 21 is Φ10 mm, the symbol "▲" indicates the correlation between the confluence position and the difference between the maximum and minimum values ​​of the passive scalar of the mixed fluid at the downstream end of the outlet flow passage 21 when the diameter D of the outlet flow passage 21 is Φ8 mm, the symbol "■" indicates the correlation between the confluence position and the difference between the maximum and minimum values ​​of the passive scalar of the mixed fluid at the downstream end of the outlet flow passage 21 when the diameter D of the outlet flow passage 21 is Φ6 mm, and the symbol "●" indicates the correlation between the confluence position and the difference between the maximum and minimum values ​​of the passive scalar of the mixed fluid at the downstream end of the outlet flow passage 21 when the diameter D of the outlet flow passage 21 is Φ4 mm.

[0037] 9 and 10, regardless of the flow rates of the main fluid and the additive fluid, the closer the joining position of the outlet flow passage 21 and the additive flow passage 23 is to the upstream end of the outlet flow passage 21, i.e., the closer it is to the vortex chamber 25, the smaller the difference between the maximum and minimum values ​​of the passive scalar of the mixed fluid at the downstream end of the outlet flow passage 21 becomes. As described above, a small difference between the maximum and minimum values ​​of the passive scalar of the mixed fluid in each region of the cross section at the downstream end of the outlet flow passage 21 means that the mixed fluid is mixed uniformly at the downstream end of the outlet flow passage 21. Therefore, the closer the joining position of the outlet flow passage 21 and the additive flow passage 23 is to the upstream end of the outlet flow passage 21, i.e., the closer it is to the vortex chamber 25, the more the effect of mixing the mixed fluid more uniformly is enhanced. This is because the closer the joining position of the outlet flow passage 21 and the additive flow passage 23 is to the upstream end of the outlet flow passage 21, the more the strength of the swirling flow generated in the vortex chamber 25 is maintained in the outlet flow passage 21, and a higher stirring effect is obtained by the swirling flow. Furthermore, from the results shown in Figures 9 and 10, it can be said that the confluence position of the outlet flow path 21 and the additive flow path 23 (distance L2 from the upstream end of the outlet flow path 21 to the additive flow path central axis P3 in the direction of the outlet flow path central axis P2) is preferably close to the upstream end of the outlet flow path 21, and in particular, it is preferably located within a distance of 8 times the diameter D of the outlet flow path 21, and it is even more preferable to locate it within a distance of 4 times the diameter D of the outlet flow path 21.

[0038] 9 and 10, it can be seen that, under the condition that the volume of vortex chamber 25 is constant, the greater the flow rate of the mainstream fluid, the smaller the difference between the maximum and minimum values ​​of the passive scalar of the mixed fluid at the downstream end of outlet passage 21 can be kept, even if the junction of outlet passage 21 and additive passage 23 is farther away from the upstream end of outlet passage 21. Therefore, under the condition that the volume of vortex chamber 25 is constant, the greater the flow rate of the mainstream fluid, the greater the effect of mixing the mixed fluid more uniformly.

[0039] Although the vortex type fluid mixers 11, 51, and 61 according to the present invention have been described above with reference to the illustrated embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments. For example, in the illustrated embodiments, one additive flow path 23 is connected to the outlet flow path 21, and two types of fluids are joined together, but two or more additive flow paths 23 may be connected to the outlet flow path 21, and three or more types of fluids may be joined together.

[0040] 11, a further vortex type fluid mixer 71 may be provided downstream of the outlet passage 21. In this case, the vortex type fluid mixer 71 includes a cylindrical peripheral side wall 73 extending along the central axis, a first end wall 75 and a second end wall 77 provided at both ends in the central axis direction of the peripheral side wall 73 so as to face each other, and an outlet passage 79 opening into the first end wall 75. The space surrounded by the peripheral side wall 73, the first end wall 75, and the second end wall 77 constitutes a vortex chamber, and the outlet passage 21 of the vortex type fluid mixer 11 is connected to the peripheral side wall 73 so as to open into the vortex chamber of the vortex type fluid mixer 71. Further, the outlet flow passage 21 is connected to the peripheral side wall 73 so that the outlet flow passage central axis P2 of the outlet flow passage 21 passes through an eccentric position away from the central axis of the vortex chamber of the vortex type fluid mixer 71, and the outlet flow passage 79 is provided so that its central axis extends through a position away from the outlet flow passage central axis P2 of the outlet flow passage 21. When the outlet flow passage 21 of the vortex type fluid mixer 11 is connected to the vortex type fluid mixer 71 having such a configuration, the fluid flowing from the outlet flow passage 21 into the vortex chamber of the vortex type fluid mixer 71 becomes a swirling flow in the vortex chamber of the vortex type fluid mixer 71, generates a vortex, and is then discharged from the outlet flow passage 79. Therefore, the fluid flowing from the outlet flow passage 21 into the vortex chamber of the vortex type fluid mixer 71 is stirred by the action of the vortex in the vortex chamber and mixed more uniformly. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 11 Vortex fluid mixer 13 Peripheral wall 15 First End Wall 17 Second End Wall 17' diaphragm 19 Inlet channel 21 Outlet flow path 23 Addition flow path 25 Vortex chamber 51 Vortex-type fluid mixer 61 Vortex-type fluid mixer 71 Vortex-type fluid mixer 73 Peripheral side wall 75 First end wall 77 Second end wall 79 Outlet flow path

Claims

1. a vortex chamber defined by a generally cylindrical peripheral wall and a first end wall and a second end wall provided at both ends of the peripheral wall and opposed to each other; an inlet passage extending along a central axis of the inlet passage and opening at the peripheral side wall; an outlet passage extending along an outlet passage central axis and opening at the first end wall; At least one additive flow passage connected to a middle portion of the outlet flow passage for adding an additive fluid to the fluid flowing through the outlet flow passage; Equipped with the outlet flow passage is provided such that a central axis of the outlet flow passage passes approximately through a center of the first end wall, and the vortex chamber is configured such that a fluid flowing in through the inlet flow passage generates a vortex-like swirling flow within the vortex chamber and flows out of the outlet flow passage while generating a swirling flow, and an additive fluid added from the additive flow passage is agitated and mixed with the fluid in the outlet flow passage by the action of the swirling flow.

2. The vortex type fluid mixer according to claim 1 , wherein the addition passage is connected to the outlet passage in a region where a swirling flow is generated in the outlet passage.

3. 3. The vortex type fluid mixer according to claim 2, wherein the inlet flow passage is provided such that a central axis of the inlet flow passage passes through a position away from a central axis of a vortex chamber connecting a center of the first end wall and a center of the second end wall.

4. 4. The vortex type fluid mixer according to claim 3, wherein the inlet passage is provided such that fluid flows from the inlet passage in a tangential direction relative to the peripheral side wall.

5. 2. The vortex type fluid mixer according to claim 1, wherein the length of the outlet passage is 7.5 times or more the diameter of the outlet passage.

6. The vortex type fluid mixer according to claim 1, wherein the additive flow passage is provided such that a central axis of the additive flow passage is disposed at a distance within 8 times a diameter of the outlet flow passage from the upstream end of the outlet flow passage in a direction toward the central axis of the outlet flow passage.

7. The vortex type fluid mixer according to claim 6, wherein the additive flow passage is provided such that a central axis of the additive flow passage is disposed at a distance within four times a diameter of the outlet flow passage from the upstream end of the outlet flow passage in a direction toward the central axis of the outlet flow passage.

8. The vortex fluid mixer of claim 1 , wherein the second end wall is formed by a diaphragm.

9. The swirl fluid mixer of claim 8 , wherein the diaphragm is moved toward and away from the first end wall by a driver.

10. The vortex fluid mixer according to claim 1 , further comprising a flow rate adjustment valve for adjusting a flow rate of the additive fluid added from the additive flow passage to the outlet flow passage.

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