Atomizer unit

Abstract

To provide an atomizer unit that can resist high pressure and perform efficient cooling on the premise that heat is generated during passage of an object to be processed through an atomization flow path of an atomizer unit.SOLUTION: This atomizer unit having an atomization flow path for atomizing an object to be processed therein comprises: an atomizer that enters the object from a first side of the atomizer to pass through the atomization flow path, exits it from a second side, enters it from the second side of the atomizer to pass through the atomization flow path, and exits it from the first side; a first plunger pump connected through a first pipe path to the first side of the atomizer to pressure-feed the object to the atomizer; a second plunger pump connected through a second pipe path to the second side of the atomizer to pressure-feed the object to the atomizer; and a cooling unit connected into the first and second pipe paths to cool the object flowing through the first and second pipe paths.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an atomizer unit. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, atomizer units are known as homogenizer units that atomize and homogenize a sample or other object to be processed. For example, one such atomizer unit has a configuration that includes an atomizer having an atomization flow path formed therein, and homogenizes the object to be processed by feeding the object to be processed from a container into the atomization flow path of the atomizer using a high-pressure pump and passing the object through the atomization flow path (see Patent Document 1, etc.). As an improvement to such an atomization flow path, an atomizer unit equipped with multiple plunger pumps has been proposed (see Patent Document 2, etc.).

[0003] However, when the workpiece is treated using the atomization flow path, the workpiece passes through the fine pipes under high pressure, and the temperature of the workpiece rises due to the effect of the pressure increase. As a result, the workpiece, such as resin or organic solvent, is easily thermally altered due to heat exposure. As a result, although atomization is possible, the workpiece is also altered by heat (thermal denaturation). In particular, when atomizing the workpiece, as disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 2, the workpiece passes through the atomization flow path many times, and is therefore clearly affected by the heat associated with the high pressure. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3149371 [Patent Document 2] JP 2020-151665 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The inventors have repeatedly studied a structure for efficiently cooling the atomizer unit in order to reduce the effect of heat caused by the pressure of the workpiece. Therefore, the present invention provides an atomizer unit that can withstand high pressure and can be cooled efficiently, assuming that the workpiece generates heat when passing through the atomization flow path of the atomizer. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the atomization device unit of the embodiment is an atomization device having an internal atomization flow path for atomizing the material to be processed, the atomization device being characterized by comprising: an atomization device that allows material to flow in from a first side of the atomization device, pass through the atomization flow path and exit from a second side, and allows material to flow in from the second side of the atomization device, pass through the atomization flow path and exit from the first side; a first plunger pump connected to the first side of the atomization device via a first pipe and pressurizing the material to be processed to the atomization device; a second plunger pump connected to the second side of the atomization device via a second pipe and pressurizing the material to be processed to the atomization device; and a cooling unit connected to the first pipe and the second pipe and cooling the material to be processed flowing through the first pipe and the second pipe.

[0007] Furthermore, in the atomization device unit, the cooling section may be connected to each of the first pipeline and the second pipeline, and may include a first cooling section for cooling the workpiece flowing between the first plunger pump and the atomization device, and a second cooling section for cooling the workpiece flowing between the second plunger pump and the atomization device.

[0008] Furthermore, in the atomization device unit, the cooling section may include a hollow main body, a cooling pipe section which forms a gap within the hollow main body and is inserted through which a refrigerant flows, a first inlet / outlet section formed in the hollow main body and which allows the material to be treated to flow into the gap and out of the gap, and a second inlet / outlet section formed in a position of the hollow main body different from the first inlet / outlet section and which allows the material to be treated to flow into the gap and out of the gap.

[0009] Furthermore, in the atomization device unit, the cooling section may include a cooling jacket section that is provided on the outer surface of the hollow main body section and cools the hollow main body section from the outer surface section.

[0010] Furthermore, the atomizer unit may be provided with a coolant supply section for supplying a coolant to the cooling section.

[0011] Furthermore, the atomization device unit may be provided with a control unit that controls the operation of each of the first plunger pump and the second plunger pump.

[0012] Furthermore, the atomization device unit may be provided with a supply container section that is connected to the first pipeline or the second pipeline and supplies the material to be processed to the atomization device.

[0013] Furthermore, the atomizer unit may be provided with a pressure pump for pressure-feeding the material to be treated supplied from the supply container to the first pipeline or the second pipeline. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the atomization device unit of the present invention, the atomization device has an internal atomization flow path for atomizing the material to be treated, and the atomization device is provided with an atomization device that allows material to flow in from a first side of the atomization device, pass through the atomization flow path, and flow out from a second side, and also allows material to flow in from the second side of the atomization device, pass through the atomization flow path, and flow out from the first side, a first plunger pump connected to the first side of the atomization device via a first pipe, and pressurizes the material to be treated to the atomization device, a second plunger pump connected to the second side of the atomization device via a second pipe, and pressurizes the material to be treated to the atomization device, and a cooling section connected to the first pipe and the second pipe, and cools the material to be treated flowing through the first pipe and the second pipe. Therefore, the atomization device can withstand high pressure and can be efficiently cooled, assuming that the material to be treated generates heat when it passes through the atomization flow path of the atomization device. In particular, the cooling units provided in the first and second pipes enable cooling each time the liquid travels back and forth through the atomization flow path of the atomization device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic system diagram of an atomizer unit according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the atomization device shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] 3A is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the atomization device shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB, and FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC of the atomization device shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the cooling section in the longitudinal direction. [Figure 6] 11 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a cooling section of another embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] The atomization device unit 1 of the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the atomization device unit 1 is a homogenizer unit that atomizes and homogenizes the object to be treated (sample). The atomization device unit 1 includes an atomization device 10, a supply container section 30, an output container 31, and a pipe 40 that connects these. The atomization device unit 1 further includes a first plunger pump 51, a second plunger pump 52, a pressure-feeding pump 53, a control section 60, a cooling section 80, and a coolant supply section 65 for pressure-feeding the object to be treated to the atomization device 10. The thin arrows in the figure indicate the route of the coolant.

[0017] The atomization device 10 has an atomization flow path through which the object (sample) passes to atomize it. The structure of the atomization device 10 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the atomization device 10, Fig. 3(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 2, Fig. 3(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Fig. 2, and Fig. 3(c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in Fig. 2.

[0018] The atomization device 10 is formed by a first block 21, a second block 22, and a third block 23 interposed between the first block 21 and the second block 22. The first block 21 becomes a first side of the atomization device 10, and a plurality of one-end side flow passage portions 11, 12 are formed in the first block 21 (see Fig. 2 and Fig. 3(a)). The second block 22 becomes a second side of the atomization device 10, and a plurality of other-end side flow passage portions 18, 19 are formed in the second block 22.

[0019] A first gap 14 is intentionally formed at the joint surface between the first block 21 and the third block 23. This first gap 14 becomes the collecting section 13 that collects the multiple one-end side flow passage sections 11, 12 into a single section (see Figs. 2 and 3(b)). Of the collecting section 13 (first gap 14), the side opposite the one-end side flow passage sections 11, 12 in the flow passage direction becomes the third block 23, and an orifice flow passage section 15 is formed in the third block 23 (see Figs. 2 and 3(c)).

[0020] A second gap 16 is also intentionally formed on the downstream side of the orifice flow path section 15, at the joint surface between the third block 23 and the second block 22. This second gap 16 becomes a branch section 17 that branches the orifice flow path section 15 and connects to a plurality of other-end side flow path sections 18, 19. In other words, the atomization flow path is composed of the one-end side flow path sections 11, 12, the orifice flow path section 15, and the other-end side flow path sections 18, 19.

[0021] The inner diameter (D1) of the one-end side flow passage portions 11, 12 and the other-end side flow passage portions 18, 19 is the same as each other and is formed to be larger than the inner diameter (D2) of the orifice flow passage portion 15. Specifically, the inner diameter (D1) is 5 to 7 times the inner diameter (D2). In addition, the distance (D3) of the first gap portion 14 is set to be equal to the inner diameter (D1). Therefore, the orifice flow passage portion 15 is a small diameter flow passage portion.

[0022] Next, the operation of the atomization device 10 will be described. The object to be processed (a sample dispersed in water, an organic solvent, etc.) flows in from the first block 21 on the first side of the atomization device 10, and enters the collecting section 13 (the first gap section 14) via the one-end side flow passage sections 11 and 12. Here, the orifice flow passage section 15 is narrower than the one-end side flow passage sections 11 and 12, so the flow rate of the object to be processed decreases. Then, a pressure change occurs in the object to be processed, and the objects to be processed that flow in from the respective one-end side flow passage sections collide in the collecting section 13. At this time, the samples in the object to be processed are crushed by the energy of the collision. In this way, each time the object to be processed flows from the one-end side flow passage sections 11 and 12 to the orifice flow passage section 15, the objects to be processed collide with each other, and as a result, the crushing of the object to be processed is promoted.

[0023] Then, the material to be treated that has passed through the orifice passage portion 15 reaches the second gap portion 16, passes through the other end side passage portions 18, 19, and flows out from the second block 22 on the second side of the atomization device 10.

[0024] In the illustrated atomization device 10, the first block 21 on the first side and the second block 22 on the second side are symmetrical with the same shape. Therefore, the atomization device 10 can function with inflow and outflow from either the first side or the second side. In addition to the inflow of the object to be treated from the first block 21 side of the first side of the atomization device 10 described above, the object to be treated can be inflow from the second block 22 side of the second side, pass through the atomization flow path, and outflow from the first block 21 side of the first side. The inflow and outflow of the object to be treated to the atomization device 10 is controlled by driving the first plunger pump 51 and the second plunger pump 52 described later.

[0025] While two each of the one-end side flow passage sections 11, 12 and the other-end side flow passage sections 18, 19 are shown, the number of the one-end side flow passage sections 11, 12 and the other-end side flow passage sections 18, 19 may be any number greater than or equal to 1 within the range in which the material to be treated can flow. However, in order to promote collision of samples in the material to be treated, it is more preferable that the number of the one-end side flow passage sections 11, 12 and the other-end side flow passage sections 18, 19 is two or more.

[0026] The supply container section 30 is a tank or the like that supplies the material to be treated (a mixture of water, an organic solvent, or the like, and a sample) to the atomization device 10. The supply container section 30 is connected to the upstream side of a pipe 40. The supply container section 30 is also connected to either an end of the first block 21 on the first side of the atomization device 10 or an end of the second block 22 on the second side via the pipe 40. In the disclosure of FIG. 1, a first pipeline 41 is disposed at the end of the first block 21 on the first side, and a second pipeline 42 is disposed at the end of the second block 22 on the second side. The supply container section 30 is pipeline-connected to the first pipeline 41 via the pipe 40.

[0027] The take-out container 31 is a container for recovering the treated material after the treated material is homogenized by passing through the atomization device 10. The take-out container 31 is connected to the most downstream side of the piping 40. In the disclosure of FIG. 1, the take-out container 31 is connected to the second piping 42. The atomization device unit 1 may be configured to recover the homogenized treated material from the first piping 41 or the second piping 42 downstream of the piping 40 via a drain or the like by omitting the take-out container 31.

[0028] The first plunger pump 51 is connected to an end of the first block 21 on the first side of the atomization device 10 via a first pipe 41. The second plunger pump 52 is connected to an end of the second block 22 on the second side of the atomization device 10 via a second pipe 42. The pressure delivery pump 53 is connected to the upstream side of the pipe 40.

[0029] The first plunger pump 51, the second plunger pump 52, and the pressure pump 53 are each composed of a known cylinder and plunger. The plunger reciprocates inside the cylinder, filling the cylinder with the material to be treated and pushing the material out of the cylinder. A known hydraulic control mechanism is used to drive the plunger forward and backward. Alternatively, a drive mechanism of a ball screw and a motor may be used.

[0030] The pressure-feed pump 53 pressure-feeds the material to be treated supplied from the supply container section 30 to the first plunger pump 51 through the piping 40 and the first pipeline 41. In the drawing, the pressure-feed pump 53 first pressure-feeds the material to be treated supplied from the supply container section 30 to the first plunger pump 51. Depending on the pipeline configuration, the pressure-feed pump 53 may pressure-feed the material to be treated supplied from the supply container section 30 to the second plunger pump 52, and the atomization device unit 1 may omit the pressure-feed pump 53 itself when, for example, the viscosity of the material to be treated is low.

[0031] In the embodiment, the control unit 60 controls the first plunger pump 51 and the second plunger pump 52 so that the object to be treated reciprocates through the atomization flow path of the atomization device 10. That is, when the first plunger pump 51 pressure-feeds the object to be treated toward the atomization device 10, the first plunger 51B is pushed into the first cylinder 51A of the first plunger pump 51 (forward movement). Then, the second plunger 52B is pulled out from the second cylinder 52A of the second plunger pump 52 (retraction). As a result, the object to be treated in the first plunger pump 51 passes through the atomization flow path of the atomization device 10 and is transferred into the second plunger pump 52.

[0032] Next, when the second plunger pump 52 pressure-feeds the object to be treated toward the atomization device 10, the second plunger 52B is pushed into the second cylinder 52A of the second plunger pump 52 (forward movement). Then, the first plunger is pulled out from the first cylinder 51A of the first plunger pump 51 (retraction). As a result, the object to be treated in the second plunger pump 52 passes through the atomization flow path of the atomization device 10 and is transferred into the first plunger pump 51.

[0033] In this way, the control unit 60 controls the first plunger pump 51 and the second plunger pump 52 to synchronize in opposite phases, so that the material to be treated moves back and forth through the atomization flow path. The material to be treated repeatedly passes back and forth through the atomization flow path of the atomization device 10, which promotes homogenization of the material to be treated. The number of times the material to be treated moves back and forth through the atomization flow path of the atomization device 10 is optimally adjusted depending on the properties of the material to be treated, the desired particle size after pulverization, etc.

[0034] The control unit 60 is a control device that implements a microcomputer such as a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) and performs calculations and executes predetermined input contents by sequence processing. The first plunger pump 51, the second plunger pump 52, and the pressure delivery pump 53 are connected to the control unit 60 by a signal line 61, and these are controlled under the control of the control unit 60 to control the inflow and outflow of hydraulic pressure for operation, motor rotation, etc.

[0035] The piping 40 is provided with a plurality of valves 71, 72, and 73. A first valve 71 is provided between the supply container section 30 and the pressure-feeding pump 53. A second valve 72 is provided between the pressure-feeding pump 53 and the first plunger pump 51. A third valve 73 is provided between the second plunger pump 52 and the take-out container 31. By opening and closing each valve, a part of the piping 40 can be opened or closed. For the valves, solenoid valves or the like that can be easily controlled to open and close and have excellent pressure resistance are used. The opening and closing of the plurality of valves is controlled by the control section 60.

[0036] The atomization device unit 1 includes a heat exchanger 68. The heat exchanger 68 is provided in the piping 40 between the second plunger pump 52 and the take-out container 31. The heat exchanger 68 is used for dissipating heat from the object to be treated that has been finally atomized by passing through the atomization flow path. When the object to be treated is sufficiently cooled by the cooling section 80, the heat exchanger 68 can be omitted.

[0037] Next, a procedure for atomizing a sample contained in a processing object will be described. First, the sample to be atomized is dispersed in water or an organic solvent to become the processing object. Dispersion may be performed in the supply container section 30 or in a separate container. The sample to be atomized is a wide variety of substances such as cellulose, graphite, graphene, carbon nanotubes, and composite metal oxides (crystalline substances such as spinel and perovskite). Atomization through the atomization device 10 improves uniform dispersibility when mixed with resin, etc. This is expected to improve the performance of the material.

[0038] The first valve 71 is opened and the material to be treated is supplied into the pressure-feeding cylinder 53A. Then, the first valve 71 is closed and the second valve 72 is opened, the pressure-feeding plunger 53B of the pressure-feeding pump 53 is pushed (moved forward) into the pressure-feeding cylinder 53A, and the material to be treated is supplied into the first cylinder 51A of the first plunger pump 51.

[0039] Next, after the object to be treated is supplied into the first cylinder 51A, the second valve 72 and the third valve 73 are closed, and the first plunger 51B of the first plunger pump 51 is pushed into the first cylinder 51A (forward movement). Then, the second plunger 52B of the second plunger pump 52 is pulled out from the second cylinder 52A (retraction). Thus, the object to be treated in the first cylinder 51A and the object to be treated located between the first plunger pump 51 and the atomization device 10 in the first pipe 41 pass through the atomization flow path of the atomization device 10 and are supplied into the second cylinder 52A.

[0040] Then, the second valve 72 and the third valve 73 are closed. The second plunger 52B of the second plunger pump 52 is pushed into the second cylinder 52A (forward), and the first plunger 51B of the first plunger pump 51 is pulled out from the first cylinder 51A (retract). As a result, the object to be treated in the second cylinder 52A and the object to be treated located between the second plunger pump 52 and the atomization device 10 in the second pipe 42 pass through the atomization flow path of the atomization device 10 and are supplied into the first cylinder 51A.

[0041] This operation is repeated multiple times, and the material to be treated travels back and forth through the atomization flow path of the atomization device 10. Then, the third valve 73 is opened, and the atomized material to be treated is supplied into the discharge container 31 via the heat exchanger 68 by pressure from either the first plunger pump 51 or the second plunger pump 52. The atomized material to be treated is collected from the discharge container 31, completing the series of processes.

[0042] As is clear from the above description, the material to be treated repeatedly passes back and forth through the atomization flow passage of the atomization device 10 by the operation of the first plunger pump 51 and the second plunger pump 52. Therefore, the temperature of the material to be treated increases with compression every time the material passes through the atomization flow passage of the atomization device 10. To address this problem, in the atomization device unit 1 of the embodiment, a cooling section 80 for cooling the material to be treated flowing through the first pipe 41 and the second pipe 42 is connected in the first pipe 41 and the second pipe 42.

[0043] As can be seen from Fig. 1, the cooling section 80 is connected to each of the first pipe 41 and the second pipe 42 due to the cooling efficiency and the symmetrical structure of the atomization device 10. Specifically, a first cooling section 81 for cooling the object to be treated flowing between the first plunger pump 51 and the atomization device 10, and a second cooling section 82 for cooling the object to be treated flowing between the second plunger pump 52 and the atomization device 10 are provided. In addition, a refrigerant supply section 65 for supplying refrigerant to the first cooling section 81, the second cooling section 82, and the heat exchanger 68, a refrigerant supply pipe 66, and a refrigerant return pipe 67 are provided.

[0044] The first cooling section 81 and the second cooling section 82 that constitute the cooling section 80 have the same shape. Regarding the cooling section 80, the first cooling section 81 will be mainly described using the overall perspective view of Fig. 4 and the vertical cross-sectional view of Fig. 5. The cooling section 80 includes a hollow main body section 85, a cooling pipe section 86, a first inlet / outlet section 91, and a second inlet / outlet section 92, and further includes a cooling jacket section 95. Piping and connectors are omitted in the drawings.

[0045] The hollow main body 85 is a tubular member into which the material to be treated flows in and out. In particular, the tubular body of the hollow main body 85 is a metal tubular material such as a corrosion-resistant stainless steel that has pressure resistance capable of withstanding the pressing force of the first plunger pump 51 and the second plunger pump 52 when they travel back and forth through the atomization flow path of the atomization device 10 and that can withstand corrosion of the material to be treated.

[0046] The cooling pipe section 86 is inserted into the inside of the pipe of the hollow main body section 85, and the coolant K (see the thick dashed arrow in the figure) flows through the inside of the cooling pipe section 86. A gap section 87 is formed between an inner surface 85i of the pipe of the hollow main body section 85 and an outer surface 86o of the cooling pipe section 86. The first inlet / outlet section 91 is an inlet / outlet port formed in the hollow main body section 85, which allows the workpiece L (see the thick solid arrow in the figure) to flow into the gap section 87 and to flow out from the gap section 87. Similarly, the second inlet / outlet section 92 is formed in a position in the hollow main body section 85 different from the first inlet / outlet section 91, and is an inlet / outlet port which allows the workpiece L to flow into the gap section 87 and to flow out from the gap section 87. As can be understood from the operation of the first plunger pump 51 and the second plunger pump 52 arranged on either side of the atomization flow path of the atomization device 10, the inflow and outflow of the workpiece L is always reversed in the first cooling section 81 and the second cooling section 82. Therefore, the first inflow / outflow section 91 and the second inflow / outflow section 92 are configured to have the same shape.

[0047] A first cover portion 93 is provided at the first tube end 83 of the tube of the hollow main body portion 85, and a second cover portion 94 is provided at the second tube end 84. The first cover portion 93 is fastened to the first tube end 83 with a bolt 99, and similarly the second cover portion 94 is fastened to the second tube end 84 with a bolt 99. As can be seen from the figure, a gap portion 87 is generated between the hollow main body portion 85 and the cooling tube portion 86, and is a space surrounded by the first cover portion 93 and the second cover portion 94. In consideration of the pressure resistance performance of the hollow main body portion 85, the first cover portion 93 and the second cover portion 94 are firmly fastened to the hollow main body portion 85 with the bolt 99.

[0048] A packing 100 is attached as a watertight member to the first pipe end 83 and the second pipe end 84 of the tube of the hollow main body 85. The packing 100 is made of a resin material such as nitrile rubber, fluororubber, silicone rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, or chloroprene rubber, taking into consideration corrosion resistance by the material to be treated. By interposing the packing 100 between the first pipe end 83 and the first lid 93, and between the second pipe end 84 and the second lid 94, the airtightness of the gap 87 is improved, and liquid leakage during pressure transfer of the material to be treated is suppressed.

[0049] The packing 100 of the embodiment is annular without any breaks, and has a generally V-shaped vertical cross section. When the pressurized material enters the generally V-shaped recess of the packing 100, the packing 100 itself is pressed and deformed, and the packing 100 comes into close contact with the first pipe end 83 and the first cover portion 93, and the second pipe end 84 and the second cover portion 94, further improving the airtightness.

[0050] 4 and 5, a cooling jacket portion 95 is further provided on the outer surface portion 85o of the hollow main body portion 85. The cooling jacket portion 95 is provided with a jacket inlet portion 97 for the refrigerant K and a jacket outlet portion 98 for the refrigerant K, and a jacket interior 96 of the cooling jacket portion 95 is filled with the refrigerant K. The positions of the jacket inlet portion 97 and the jacket outlet portion 98 can be interchanged. In the drawings, the jacket inlet portion 97 and the jacket outlet portion 98 are provided at the farthest positions in the cooling jacket portion 95.

[0051] The refrigerant K is selected from water (cold water, water at room temperature), ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, liquid ammonia, and the like. From the schematic system diagram of FIG. 1, the refrigerant is supplied from the refrigerant supply unit 65 through the refrigerant supply pipe 66 to the first cooling unit 81 and the second cooling unit 82, and further to the heat exchanger 68. Then, the refrigerant whose temperature has risen in each unit returns to the refrigerant supply unit 65 through the refrigerant return pipe 67. For the route of the refrigerant, refer to the thin arrows in FIG. 1. The refrigerant is cooled in the refrigerant supply unit 65 and is again supplied through the refrigerant supply pipe 66 to circulate. The heat exchanger 68 does not require the pressure resistance performance of the cooling unit 80 (the first cooling unit 81, the second cooling unit 82), so a known heat exchanger is used. Note that when the refrigerant is water at room temperature and does not need to be circulated to the refrigerant supply unit 65, the refrigerant return pipe 67 is omitted and the refrigerant is discarded as it is.

[0052] The hollow main body 85 is formed thick in consideration of the pressure resistance during pumping of the workpiece L, and has a structure in which it is difficult to cool due to the thermal conductivity of the material. Thus, as in the structure of the cooling section 80 (first cooling section 81, second cooling section 82) in the embodiment of Figs. 4 and 5, the workpiece whose temperature has risen is cooled through the cooling pipe section 86 inside the hollow main body 85. Then, the workpiece L is cooled from the outside of the hollow main body 85 through the cooling jacket section 95. In this way, cooling from both the inside and outside of the hollow main body 85 is possible, thereby improving the cooling efficiency.

[0053] The vertical cross-sectional view of Fig. 6 shows a cooling section 80x of another embodiment. In this cooling section 80x, the cooling jacket section 95 of the embodiment of Figs. 4 and 5 is omitted, and the structure is simplified. This is a configuration for cases where it is not necessary to provide a cooling jacket section 95 to improve cooling efficiency depending on the degree of temperature rise of the workpiece, the type of refrigerant, etc. It can be used according to the application, purpose, etc.

[0054] As explained above, in the atomization device unit 1 of the embodiment, the first plunger pump 51 and the second plunger pump 52 are connected to the atomization device 10. The control unit 60 controls the first plunger pump 51 and the second plunger pump 52, so that the object to be treated moves back and forth through the atomization flow path of the atomization device 10. This allows the object to pass through the atomization flow path multiple times, and the object to be treated is easily homogenized. Even if the atomization flow path of the atomization device 10 is clogged by large particles contained in the object to be treated, the blockage in the flow path can be eliminated by applying pressure from the opposite direction.

[0055] For example, as a conventional technique, a configuration is known in which the workpiece is circulated through the flow path and supplied to the atomization device 10 by a pump multiple times. In such a case, for example, when the viscosity of the workpiece is high, it is difficult to circulate the workpiece through the entire flow path with one pump. On the other hand, in the configuration of the atomization device unit 1 of the embodiment, the control unit 60 controls the first plunger pump 51 and the second plunger pump 52, respectively, so that the workpiece travels back and forth through the atomization flow path of the atomization device 10, and the workpiece can be supplied to the other plunger pump by the pressure of either plunger pump, which is particularly effective when the workpiece with high viscosity is passed through the atomization flow path multiple times.

[0056] Furthermore, since the supply container section 30 is provided to supply the material to be treated to the atomization flow path, the material to be treated can be filled in the supply container section 30 to perform a large amount of treatment at once. Also, since the pressure-feed pump 53 is provided to pressure-feed the material to be treated supplied from the supply container section 30 to the first plunger pump 51, the material to be treated is reliably supplied from the supply container section 30 to the first plunger pump 51 even if the viscosity of the material to be treated is high.

[0057] For example, the atomization device unit 1 of the embodiment has a configuration in which the material to be treated is supplied from the supply container section 30 to the first plunger pump 51, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The material to be treated may be supplied from the supply container section 30 to the second plunger pump 52. Alternatively, the material to be treated that has passed through the heat exchanger 68 may be supplied again to the supply container section 30, and a series of processes may be repeated. The structure of the flow path of the atomization device 10 can be changed as desired.

[0058] In addition, as in the atomization device unit 1 of the embodiment, the first plunger pump 51 and the second plunger pump 52 are arranged on either side of the atomization device 10, and the treated material travels back and forth through the atomization flow path of the atomization device 10, so that heat associated with compression accumulates in the treated area each time the material passes through the atomization flow path. Therefore, a first cooling section 81 is provided between the first plunger pump 51 and the atomization device 10, and a second cooling section 82 is provided between the second plunger pump 52 and the atomization device 10, so that the treated material is cooled immediately after flowing out of the atomization device 10 each time the treated material travels back and forth through the atomization flow path of the atomization device 10, and thus the treated material can be cooled in response to flow in and out from either direction, and the cooling efficiency is improved.

[0059] In the cooling section 80 (first cooling section 81, second cooling section 82), the hollow main body section 85 is cooled from the inside by the cooling pipe section 86 and from the outside of the hollow main body section 85 by the cooling jacket section 95. In particular, the low thermal conductivity of the hollow main body section 85 is improved by cooling from both the inside and outside. Note that the cooling jacket section 95 can be omitted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 1 Atomization unit 10 Atomization device 30 supply container 31 Removal container 40 Piping 41 1st pipeline 42 2nd pipeline 51 First plunger pump 52 Second plunger pump 53 Pressure Pump 60 Control section 61 Signal Line 65 Refrigerant supply section 66 Refrigerant supply piping 67 Refrigerant return pipe 80,80x cooling section 81 1st cooling section 82 Second cooling section 85 Hollow body 86 Cooling pipe section 87 Gap 91 1st inflow / outflow section 92 2nd inflow / outflow section 95 Cooling jacket section K refrigerant L Processed object

Claims

1. an atomization device having an atomization flow path therein for atomizing a material to be treated, the atomization device comprising: an atomization device for allowing material to flow in from a first side of the atomization device, pass through the atomization flow path, and flow out from a second side, and an atomization device for allowing material to flow in from the second side of the atomization device, pass through the atomization flow path, and flow out from the first side; a first plunger pump connected to the first side of the atomization device via a first pipeline and pressure-feeding the material to the atomization device; a second plunger pump connected to the second side of the atomization device via a second pipeline and pressure-feeding the material to the atomization device; a cooling unit connected to the first pipeline and the second pipeline and configured to cool the workpiece flowing through the first pipeline and the second pipeline. The atomization device unit is characterized by the above.

2. the cooling unit is connected to each of the first pipe and the second pipe, a first cooling unit that cools the object to be processed flowing between the first plunger pump and the atomization device; 2. The atomizer unit according to claim 1, further comprising a second cooling section for cooling the object to be processed flowing between said second plunger pump and said atomizer.

3. The cooling unit includes: A hollow body portion; a cooling pipe portion that is inserted into the hollow main body portion and forms a gap therein, and into which a refrigerant flows; a first inlet / outlet portion formed in the hollow main body portion for allowing the material to flow into and out of the gap; 2. The atomization device unit according to claim 1, further comprising: a second inlet / outlet portion formed at a location different from the first inlet / outlet portion of the hollow main body portion, for allowing the material to flow into the gap and for allowing the material to flow out of the gap.

4. 4. The atomizer unit according to claim 3, wherein the cooling section comprises a cooling jacket section provided on an outer surface of the hollow main body section to cool the hollow main body section from the outer surface.

5. The atomizer unit according to claim 1 , further comprising a coolant supplying section for supplying a coolant to the cooling section.

6. 2. The atomizer unit according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit for controlling the operation of each of the first plunger pump and the second plunger pump.

7. 2. The atomization device unit according to claim 1, further comprising a supply container section connected to said first pipeline or said second pipeline for supplying the material to said atomization device.

8. The atomization device unit according to claim 7 , further comprising a pressure pump for pressure-feeding the material to be processed supplied from the supply container to the first pipeline or the second pipeline.

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