Flow synthesis apparatus and flow channel apparatus

Abstract

The present invention provides a flow synthesis apparatus and a flow channel apparatus. [Solution] A flow synthesis apparatus is provided comprising a flow channel for flowing fluid and a measurement unit 260 having a plurality of measurement points M1 to M4 arranged from the upstream side to the downstream side in a reaction region 250 through which the fluid undergoing a reaction in the flow channel flows, wherein the flow channel portion in the reaction region where the plurality of measurement points are arranged includes a portion in which the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow channel increases as it proceeds downstream. In the above flow synthesis apparatus, the flow channel includes a pre-reaction region 240 through which the fluid before the reaction flows, and the reaction region may include a portion in which the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow channel is smaller than the total cross-sectional area of ​​the flow channel in the pre-reaction region.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to a flow synthesis apparatus and a flow channel apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 states that "the flow reactor 10 comprises a first pump 11, a liquid delivery pipe 111, a second pump 12, a liquid delivery pipe 112, a mixer 13, and a reaction tube 14" (paragraph 0027 of Patent Document 1), "the temperature measuring unit 16 has a first temperature measuring unit 161, a second temperature measuring unit 162, a third temperature measuring unit 163, and a fourth temperature measuring unit 164 which are arranged in multiple locations along the flow path before and after the mixer 13, for example" (paragraph 0030 of Patent Document 1), and "the reaction analysis system 1 measures the temperature before the reaction and the temperature at multiple locations after the reaction, and estimates the reaction parameters based on the measured temperatures" (paragraph 0031 of Patent Document 1). [Prior art document] [Patent] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2021-159910 [Overview of the project] [Means for solving the problem]

[0003] In a first embodiment of the present invention, a flow synthesizer is provided comprising a flow channel for flowing a fluid, and a measurement unit having a plurality of measurement points arranged from the upstream side to the downstream side in a reaction region through which the fluid undergoing a reaction in the flow channel flows, wherein the portion of the flow channel in the reaction region where the plurality of measurement points are arranged includes a portion where the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow channel increases as it proceeds downstream.

[0004] In the flow synthesis apparatus described above, the flow path includes a pre-reaction region through which a fluid before the reaction flows, and the reaction region may include a portion where the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path is smaller than the total cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path in the pre-reaction region.

[0005] In the flow synthesis apparatus described above, the measurement unit may measure the temperature of the fluid at each of the plurality of measurement points.

[0006] In the flow synthesis apparatus described above, the measurement unit may have a plurality of sensors provided at the plurality of measurement points.

[0007] In the flow synthesis apparatus described above, the flow channel portion in the reaction region where the plurality of measurement points are arranged may have a certain thickness.

[0008] In the flow synthesis apparatus described above, the flow channels may be formed inside a plate-shaped flow channel plate.

[0009] In the flow synthesis apparatus described above, the distances of the multiple measurement points from the upstream end of the reaction region may each be different.

[0010] In the flow synthesis apparatus described above, the plurality of measurement points may be arranged on a straight line along the direction of the fluid flow.

[0011] In the flow synthesis apparatus described above, the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow channel portion in the reaction region may change smoothly along the direction of flow.

[0012] In a second aspect of the present invention, a flow path device is provided comprising at least one opening for introducing fluid and a flow path communicating with the opening for flowing the fluid, wherein the flow path includes a portion of the flow path where a measuring unit having a plurality of measuring points arranged from the upstream side to the downstream side in a reaction region through which the fluid in reaction flows, and the flow velocity decreases as it proceeds downstream.

[0013] In the above-described flow channel device, the flow channel portion where the plurality of measurement points in the reaction region are to be placed may have a certain thickness.

[0014] In the above-described flow channel device, the flow channel portion in the reaction region may have a cross-sectional area that changes smoothly along the direction of flow.

[0015] Note that the above summary of the invention does not enumerate all the features of the present invention. Also, sub - combinations of these feature groups can also be inventions.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016] [Figure 1] It shows the configuration of the flow synthesis device 100 according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] It shows a top view of the flow path device 200 together with the measurement unit 260. [Figure 3] It shows a cross - sectional view of the flow path device 200 together with the measurement unit 260. [Figure 4] It shows the configuration of the processing unit 170. [Figure 5] It shows the operation flow of the flow synthesis device 100. [Figure 6] It shows an example of a computer 1200 in which multiple aspects of the present invention may be embodied in whole or in part.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention. However, the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Also, not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential for the solution means of the invention.

[0018] FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the flow synthesis device 100 according to this embodiment. The flow synthesis device 100 is a device that reacts a plurality of reactants and measures and analyzes the state of the reaction. The flow synthesis device 100 includes a first pump 110, a second pump 120, a first liquid delivery pipe 130, a second liquid delivery pipe 140, a discharge pipe 150, a temperature regulator 160, a processing unit 170, a flow path device 200, and a measurement unit 260.

[0019] The first pump 110 is connected to the first liquid delivery pipe 130. The second pump 120 is connected to the second liquid delivery pipe 140. The first pump 110 and the second pump 120 supply fluids containing each of the multiple reactants to the first liquid delivery pipe 130 and the second liquid delivery pipe 140, respectively. Here, the reactants may be substances that flow into the flow synthesis apparatus 100 and are transformed by chemical reactions or the like within the flow synthesis apparatus 100. In this embodiment, the fluid may be a liquid or a gas. The flow synthesis apparatus 100 may be equipped with three or more pumps and supplied with three or more types of reactants.

[0020] The first liquid delivery pipe 130 and the second liquid delivery pipe 140 are passages through which fluids containing each of the multiple reactants flow. In the example shown in the figure, the first liquid delivery pipe 130 is a passage through which fluid containing the first reactant flows from the upstream side (first pump 110 side) to the downstream side (flow channel device 200 side). The second liquid delivery pipe 140 is a passage through which fluid containing the second reactant flows from the upstream side (second pump 120 side) to the downstream side (flow channel device 200 side). The first liquid delivery pipe 130 and the second liquid delivery pipe 140 may be fixed-shaped pipes or flexible tubes. The first liquid delivery pipe 130 and the second liquid delivery pipe 140 may each have a constant cross-sectional area from upstream to downstream. The first liquid delivery pipe 130 and the second liquid delivery pipe 140 may each have a circular or polygonal cross-section. The first liquid delivery pipe 130 and the second liquid delivery pipe 140 may have the same shape. The flow synthesis apparatus 100 may also be equipped with three or more liquid delivery pipes.

[0021] The flow channel device 200 is connected to the first liquid supply pipe 130 and the second liquid supply pipe 140. The flow channel device 200 mixes the first reactant and the second reactant flowing in from the first liquid supply pipe 130 and the second liquid supply pipe 140 to initiate the reaction. The flow channel device 200 allows the reaction to proceed by flowing the fluid containing the mixture of the first and second reactants from the upstream side (first liquid supply pipe 130 and second liquid supply pipe 140 side) to the downstream side (discharge pipe 150 side). The flow channel device 200 may be connected to three or more liquid supply pipes and may mix and react three or more reactants. The flow synthesis device 100 may include multiple flow channel devices 200 connected in series. In this case, the flow synthesis device 100 may chain multiple reactions and measure and analyze the state of each reaction.

[0022] The discharge pipe 150 is connected to the flow channel device 200. The discharge pipe 150 is a passage for the reaction fluid containing the products of the reaction between the first and second reactants. The fluid that has passed through the discharge pipe 150 may be discharged to the outside of the flow synthesizer 100. If the flow synthesizer 100 has multiple flow channel devices 200, the discharge pipe 150 may be connected to multiple flow channel devices 200, and the fluid that has passed through one flow channel device 200 may be directed to another flow channel device 200. The discharge pipe 150 may be a pipe with a fixed shape or a flexible tube. The discharge pipe 150 may have a constant cross-sectional area from upstream to downstream. The discharge pipe 150 may have a circular or polygonal cross-section.

[0023] The temperature controller 160 adjusts the ambient temperature of the flow channel device 200 to a predetermined temperature. The temperature controller 160 may be a constant temperature water bath. The temperature controller 160 may be capable of housing the flow channel device 200 inside. If the flow synthesis apparatus 100 is equipped with multiple flow channel devices 200, it may be equipped with multiple temperature controllers 160.

[0024] The measuring unit 260 measures the state of the fluid flowing through the flow channel device 200. In the example shown in this figure, the measuring unit 260 has a plurality of sensors 270. If the flow synthesis device 100 is equipped with a plurality of flow channel devices 200, it may be equipped with the same number of measuring units 260 as the flow channel devices 200.

[0025] The processing unit 170 is connected to the temperature controller 160 and the measurement unit 260. The processing unit 170 controls the temperature controller 160. The processing unit 170 receives measurement results from multiple sensors 270 from the measurement unit 260. Based on the received measurement results, the processing unit 170 analyzes the reaction.

[0026] Figure 2 shows a top view of the flow path device 200 together with the measuring unit 260. Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the flow path device 200 together with the measuring unit 260. In the example shown, the flow path device 200 comprises a flow path plate 205, a plurality of openings 210, a discharge unit 220, and a flow path 230.

[0027] The flow channel plate 205 is a component that is resistant to deformation and has a cavity formed inside that serves as a flow channel. In this embodiment, the flow channel plate 205 is plate-shaped. Alternatively, the flow channel plate 205 may be circular or polygonal columnar, or rectangular parallelepiped. The flow channel plate 205 may be made of glass, quartz, or other material that does not react easily with the fluid used.

[0028] The multiple openings 210 may each be connected to the first liquid delivery pipe 130 and the second liquid delivery pipe 140 in Figure 1. Each opening 210 introduces fluid from each liquid delivery pipe into the flow path 230 inside the flow path plate 205 in the flow path device 200. The multiple openings 210 may have the same shape and be of equivalent size. Alternatively, the multiple openings 210 may have different cross-sectional areas depending on the mixing ratio of the first reactant and the second reactant, etc.

[0029] The flow path 230 is formed inside the flow path plate 205. The flow path 230 carries the fluids introduced from the first pump 110 and the second pump 120, combines and mixes these fluids, and flows the mixed fluid downstream. The flow path 230 has a flow path section 230-1 whose upstream end communicates with the opening 210 of the first liquid delivery pipe 130, a flow path section 230-2 whose upstream end communicates with the opening 210 of the second liquid delivery pipe 140, and a flow path section 230-3 whose upstream end is connected to the downstream ends of flow path sections 230-1 and 230-2.

[0030] The flow path 230 has a pre-reaction region 240 and a reaction region 250. In the example shown in this figure, flow path portions 230-1 and 230-2 of the flow path 230 are included in the pre-reaction region 240, and flow path portion 230-3 is included in the reaction region 250.

[0031] The pre-reaction region 240 is located on the upstream side of the flow path 230. The pre-reaction region 240 is the portion of the flow path 230 through which the fluid flows before the reaction. The pre-reaction region 240 has multiple flow path sections that merge at its downstream end. In the example shown in this figure, the pre-reaction region 240 corresponds to the area from the upstream end of flow path section 230-1 and flow path section 230-2 to just before the point where the fluids merge at the downstream end. In the example shown in this figure, the flow path section in the pre-reaction region 240 is V-shaped. That is, the angles between flow path section 230-1 and flow path section 230-3, and between flow path section 230-2 and flow path section 230-3 are acute angles, and the angle θ between flow path section 230-1 and flow path section 230-2 is less than 180°. Alternatively, the flow path section in the pre-reaction region 240 may be T-shaped or Y-shaped. In other words, the angle θ formed by the flow channel portion in the pre-reaction region 240 may be 180° or greater.

[0032] The reaction region 250 is located downstream of the pre-reaction region 240 in the flow path 230. The reaction region 250 is the portion of the flow path 230 through which the reacting fluid flows. In the example shown in this figure, the reaction region 250 corresponds to the area from where the fluids from flow path sections 230-1 and 230-2 merge to the downstream side of flow path section 230-3. At the upstream end of the reaction region 250, the pre-reaction fluids flowing in from flow path sections 230-1 and 230-2 merge and mix, and the reaction between the first reactant and the second reactant begins. Flow path section 230-3, where multiple measurement points Mk are located in the reaction region 250, includes a section where the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path 230 increases as it proceeds downstream. Here, k may be a positive integer, and in the example shown in this figure, k = 1, 2, 3, or 4. In the example shown in this figure, the flow path portion 230-3 includes a position X3 where the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path 230 increases compared to position X2. Here, position X3 is located downstream of position X2. In a series of flow paths, the volume of fluid passing through each point per unit time is the same, so the flow velocity decreases as the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path 230 increases. Therefore, the flow velocity at position X3, where the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path 230 is larger, is lower than the flow velocity at position X2, where the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path 230 is smaller. Thus, in the reaction region 250, the flow path 230 may include a section of the flow path portion 230-3 where the measurement unit 260 should be placed, where the flow velocity decreases as it moves downstream.

[0033] The reaction region 250 may include a location where the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow channel 230 is smaller than the total cross-sectional area of ​​the flow channel 230 in the pre-reaction region 240. With such a flow synthesis apparatus 100, multiple reactants flowing into the reaction region 250 are more easily mixed. The reaction region 250 may include a location near the upstream end where the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow channel 230 is smaller than the total cross-sectional area of ​​the flow channel 230 in the pre-reaction region 240. In the example shown in the figure, the reaction region 250 includes a position X1 where the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow channel 230 is smaller than the total cross-sectional area of ​​flow channel portion 230-1 and flow channel portion 230-2 in the pre-reaction region 240.

[0034] The flow channel section 230-3 in the reaction region 250, where multiple measurement points Mk are located, or where multiple measurement points Mk should be located, may have a certain thickness. With such a flow synthesis apparatus 100, the occurrence of convection in the flow channel 230 is prevented, and the reaction in the reaction region 250 can be accurately measured. The flow channel section in the reaction region 250 where multiple measurement points M1, M2, M3, and M4 are located may have a thickness less than its width. The flow channel section in the reaction region 250 where multiple measurement points Mk are located may have a width of 0.1 μm to several tens of centimeters.

[0035] The flow channel portion 230-3 in the reaction region 250 may have a cross-sectional area that changes smoothly along the direction of flow. In the example shown in the figure, the width of the flow channel portion 230-3 increases smoothly from position X1 to X3, and decreases smoothly from position X3 to the discharge portion 220. Such a flow synthesis apparatus 100 prevents the generation of convection in the flow channel 230 and allows for accurate measurement of the reaction in the reaction region 250. In the example shown in the figure, the flow channel portion in the reaction region 250 has a cross-sectional area that increases smoothly to a certain value and then decreases smoothly. Alternatively, the flow channel portion in the reaction region 250 may have a cross-sectional area that continues to increase smoothly as it moves downstream, and may have a cross-sectional area that increases smoothly to a certain value and then becomes a constant cross-sectional area. The flow channel portion in the reaction region 250 may have an inner wall surface that is streamlined when viewed from above.

[0036] The discharge section 220 may be connected to the discharge pipe 150 in Figure 1. The discharge section 220 is the outlet from which the measured fluid is discharged from the flow path device 200. The discharge section 220 may have the same shape as at least one of the openings 210 and may be of the same size. The discharge section 220 may have a different shape from the openings 210 and may be of a different size. The discharge section 220 may have the same cross-sectional area as the sum of the cross-sectional areas of flow path sections 230-1 and 230-2, for example, to discharge the product at a flow velocity approximately the same as the inflow velocity of the first reactant flowing into flow path section 230-1 and the second reactant flowing into flow path section 230-2.

[0037] The measurement unit 260 has a plurality of measurement points Mk. The measurement unit 260 may have any other number of measurement points Mk. The plurality of measurement points Mk are arranged from the upstream side to the downstream side. The plurality of measurement points Mk may be at different distances from the upstream end of the reaction region 250. Having such Mk allows the measurement unit 260 to measure the state of the fluid at different time intervals since the start of the reaction. The plurality of measurement points Mk may be arranged on a straight line along the direction of fluid flow. Having such Mk allows the measurement unit 260 to measure the state of the fluid without being affected by convection. Alternatively, the plurality of measurement points Mk may be positioned off-center from the straight line along the direction of fluid flow. For example, if the flow path 230 has a flattened shape, the plurality of measurement points Mk may be arranged to be distributed in two dimensions corresponding to the spread of the flow path 230. The plurality of measurement points Mk may be arranged obliquely, meandering, or in any other manner relative to the straight line along the direction of fluid flow. Multiple measurement points Mk may be arranged at equal intervals in the direction of flow, or they may be arranged at different intervals.

[0038] The measurement unit 260 has a plurality of sensors 270 provided at a plurality of measurement points Mk. In the example shown in the figure, the measurement unit 260 has a first sensor 270-1, a second sensor 270-2, a third sensor 270-3, and a fourth sensor 270-4 as sensors 270. The plurality of sensors 270 may be provided at a plurality of measurement points Mk. The sensors 270 may be provided on the upper surface of the flow path plate 205. At least a portion of the sensors 270 may be provided in the wall surface that forms the inner wall of the flow path 230. The sensors 270 may be in direct contact with the fluid, or they may be in contact with the fluid via the wall surface of the flow path plate 205, etc. The sensors 270 may be at least one of a heat flux meter, a thermocouple, and an infrared camera. That is, the measurement unit 260 may measure the temperature of the fluid at each of the plurality of measurement points Mk. If the sensor 270 is an infrared camera, the measurement unit 260 may acquire an image showing the temperature distribution of a region including multiple measurement points Mk. Alternatively, the sensor 270 may be a pressure gauge. The sensor 270 may also be a photodetector. In this case, the measurement unit 260 may irradiate each of the multiple measurement points Mk with inspection light and measure the intensity of the inspection light transmitted through the fluid. The spacing between the multiple measurement points Mk may be larger than the size of the sensor 270.

[0039] According to the flow synthesis apparatus 100 described above, the flow channel portion in the reaction region 250 where multiple measurement points Mk are arranged includes a section where the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow channel 230 increases as it moves downstream. As a result, the flow synthesis apparatus 100 increases the distance the fluid flows per unit time (i.e., the flow velocity) by making the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow channel 230 relatively small in the section where the temperature distribution changes rapidly in the initial stages of the reaction. As a result, even if the measurement points Mk are spaced apart in such sections according to the spacing required for the placement of the sensors 270, the flow synthesis apparatus 100 can densely arrange the measurement points Mk with respect to the elapsed time from the start of the reaction and perform highly accurate measurements.

[0040] In contrast, the flow synthesis apparatus 100 makes the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path 230 relatively large in the downstream area where the temperature distribution changes relatively slowly as time has passed since the start of the reaction. This makes it possible to perform measurements with the necessary accuracy even if the measurement points Mk are spaced relatively far apart relative to the elapsed time since the start of the reaction. Furthermore, the flow synthesis apparatus 100 can prevent blockage, leakage due to increased pressure loss, and damage to the flow path 230 in the downstream area of ​​the flow path 230, as well as prevent the flow path 230 from becoming excessively long. With the flow path apparatus 200 described above, in the reaction region 250, the flow path portion where the measurement unit 260 should be placed includes a section where the flow velocity decreases as it moves downstream. This allows for highly accurate measurements by densely placing measurement points relative to the reaction time in areas where the temperature distribution changes drastically, and also prevents the flow path from becoming excessively long.

[0041] Figure 4 shows the configuration of the processing unit 170. The processing unit 170 may be a computer such as a PC (personal computer), tablet computer, smartphone, workstation, server computer, or general-purpose computer, or it may be a computer system in which multiple computers are connected. Such a computer system is also a computer in a broad sense. Furthermore, the processing unit 170 may be implemented by a virtual computer environment that can run one or more times within the computer. Alternatively, the processing unit 170 may be a dedicated computer designed for the flow synthesis apparatus 100, or it may be dedicated hardware realized by dedicated circuits. In the example shown in this figure, the processing unit 170 has an acquisition unit 410, a fitting unit 420, and a concentration distribution determination unit 430.

[0042] The acquisition unit 410 is connected to the measurement unit 260. The acquisition unit 410 acquires measured values ​​from the measurement unit 260. The acquisition unit 410 may have a receiving circuit that receives measurement data from the measurement unit 260 or each sensor 270, and may have an AD converter that samples the analog measured values ​​output by each sensor 270 and converts them to digital.

[0043] The fitting unit 420 is connected to the acquisition unit 410. Based on the measured values ​​acquired by the acquisition unit 410, the fitting unit 420 determines the reaction parameters used in the equation by fitting the equation, which represents the theoretical value of the reaction state, to the actual reaction.

[0044] The concentration distribution determination unit 430 is connected to the fitting unit 420. The concentration distribution determination unit 430 obtains reaction parameters from the fitting unit 420. Based on the obtained reaction parameters, the concentration distribution determination unit 430 determines the concentration distribution of the reaction carried out in the flow synthesis apparatus 100.

[0045] Figure 5 shows the operation flow of the flow synthesis apparatus 100. When the reaction taking place in the reaction region 250 of the flow channel device 200 reaches a steady state, the flow synthesis apparatus 100 starts the flow shown in this figure. In step 510 (S510), the measurement unit 260 measures the fluid state at multiple measurement points.

[0046] In S520, the acquisition unit 410 acquires the measured values ​​of the fluid at multiple measurement points Mk from the measurement unit 260. The acquisition unit 410 may acquire the temperature of the fluid at multiple measurement points Mk. The acquisition unit 410 may acquire the inspection light intensity or pressure at multiple measurement points Mk. The acquisition unit 410 may acquire the ambient temperature of the flow device 200 from the temperature controller 160.

[0047] In S530, the fitting unit 420 determines the reaction parameters by fitting the equations representing the reaction state to the actual measured values. The fitting unit 420 may determine the reaction parameters by fitting a function T(x), which represents the temperature at position x in the flow path 230 and is theoretically derived according to the shape of the flow path 230 or the flow velocity of the fluid during the reaction, to the measured temperature distribution of the fluid, i.e., a set of fluid temperatures at each position x of multiple measurement points. Here, x represents the distance from the reaction start point, i.e., the upstream end of the reaction region 250. x may be expressed as a function of the time t that has elapsed since passing the reaction start point. The fitting unit 420 may determine the reaction parameters such that the error between the estimated value of the fluid temperature at each position using the function T(x) and the measured value by the measurement unit 260 at each measurement point is within a predetermined value. The fitting unit 420 may calculate the error between multiple temperature estimates and multiple temperature measurements using, for example, the Mean Square Error (MSE) or any other arbitrary method. Here, the function T(x) is given by position x, reaction parameter ΔH and ΔG, as shown in equation (1) below. ‡ It can be a function of .

[0048]

number

[0049] Alternatively, the function T(x) is given by position x, reaction parameter ΔH and E, as shown in equation (2) below. a It can also be a function of that nature.

[0050]

number

[0051] In equations (1) and (2), the reaction parameter ΔH represents the reaction enthalpy (kJ / mol). Reaction parameter ΔG ‡ This indicates the activation free energy (kJ / mol). Reaction parameter E aThis represents the activation energy (kJ / mol). The following explanation uses the example of calculating a function T(x) of the form of equation (1).

[0052] Here, the function T(x) is derived from the steady-state energy conservation equation. Assuming that the physical properties of the solution, such as density, specific heat, and heat transfer coefficient, are constant before and after the reaction, and that the ambient temperature of the flow channel apparatus 200 is uniform and constant, the temperature change at any position x in the flow channel is given by the following equation (3).

number

[0053] In equation (3), ρ, c p , and u represent solution density, specific heat capacity, and flow rate, respectively. U represents the overall heat transfer coefficient. ΔA represents the heat transfer area per unit volume ΔV. T B This indicates the ambient temperature of the flow channel device 200. The reaction enthalpy at position x is expressed by the following equation (4).

[0054]

number

[0055] In equation (4), [P] represents the molar concentration of the product, and d[P] / dt represents the reaction rate. If the reaction in question is a second-order reaction and the cross-sectional area and shape of the flow channel in reaction region 250 are constant, the function T(x) is expressed by the following equation (5).

[0056]

number

[0057] In equation (5), k B R, and h represent Boltzmann's constant, the gas constant, and Planck's constant, respectively. [A] represents the molar concentration of reactant A, and [B] represents the molar concentration of reactant B. inletrepresents the temperature of the fluid at the reaction start point (x = 0). When sufficient heat exchange is performed before the reaction, T inlet = T B can be considered. When the flow path has a constant circular cross-section, a can be expressed as a = 4U / ρc h using the diameter d p of the flow path, and is shown as a = 4U / ρc h d

[0058] In this embodiment, the cross-sectional area of the flow path 230 changes along the flow direction in the reaction region 250. Therefore, ΔV, ΔA, and u in the above formula (3) are functions of the position x. Depending on the shape of the flow path 230, if a function formula of T(x) similar to formula (5) can be derived by transforming the formula even when the cross-sectional area changes, the fitting unit 420 may use such a function T(x). Instead of this, by using formula (3) as a difference equation and calculating and integrating ΔT(x) / Δx for each minute interval Δx from x = 0 to the position of the most downstream measurement point, the position x k of each measurement point Mk k The temperature formula T(x k ) may be obtained in advance. The temperature formula T(x k ) of each position x ‡ thus obtained includes the reaction parameters ΔH and ΔG k . The fitting unit 420 may estimate the reaction parameters ΔH and ΔG k by fitting the temperature formula T(x k ) of each position x ‡ thus obtained in advance to the measured values at each position x

[0059] In S540, the concentration distribution determination unit 430 acquires the reaction parameters from the fitting unit 420. The concentration distribution determination unit 430 determines the concentration distributions P(x) of the product and the reactant based on the reaction parameters. When the reaction parameters determined in S530 are ΔH and ΔG ‡ , the concentration distribution determination unit 430 obtains P(x) by solving the following differential equation.

[0060]

number

[0061] The reaction parameters determined in S530 are ΔH and E a In this case, the concentration distribution determination unit 430 obtains P(x) by solving the following differential equation.

[0062]

number

[0063] In the above equation, A represents the frequency factor in the Arrhenius equation.

[0064] Various embodiments of the present invention may be described with reference to flowcharts and block diagrams, where a block may represent (1) a stage in a process in which an operation is performed or (2) a section of a device having the role of performing the operation. Specific stages and sections may be implemented by dedicated circuits, programmable circuits supplied with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable medium, and / or processors supplied with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable medium. Dedicated circuits may include digital and / or analog hardware circuits, and may include integrated circuits (ICs) and / or discrete circuits. Programmable circuits may include reconfigurable hardware circuits, including logical AND, logical OR, logical XOR, logical NAND, logical NOR, and other logic operations, flip-flops, registers, memory elements such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic arrays (PLAs), etc.

[0065] Computer-readable media may include any tangible device capable of storing instructions to be executed by a suitable device, and as a result, computer-readable media having instructions stored therein will comprise a product containing instructions that can be executed to create means for performing operations specified in a flowchart or block diagram. Examples of computer-readable media may include electronic storage media, magnetic storage media, optical storage media, electromagnetic storage media, semiconductor storage media, etc. More specific examples of computer-readable media may include floppy disks, diskettes, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), static random access memory (SRAM), compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital multipurpose disc (DVD), Blu-ray® disc, memory stick, integrated circuit card, etc.

[0066] Computer-readable instructions may include assembler instructions, instruction set architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state setting data, or source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Smalltalk®, Java®, C++, and traditional procedural programming languages ​​such as the C programming language or similar programming languages.

[0067] Computer-readable instructions are provided locally or via a wide area network (WAN) such as a local area network (LAN) or the internet to the processor or programmable circuit of a programmable data processing device such as a computer, and may be executed to create means for performing operations specified in a flowchart or block diagram. Here, the computer may be a PC (personal computer), tablet computer, smartphone, workstation, server computer, general-purpose computer, or special-purpose computer, and may also be a computer system in which multiple computers are connected. Such a computer system in which multiple computers are connected is also called a distributed computing system and is a computer in a broad sense. In a distributed computing system, multiple computers execute a program collectively by each computer executing a part of the program and passing data during program execution between computers as needed.

[0068] Examples of processors include computer processors, central processing units (CPUs), processing units, microprocessors, digital signal processors, controllers, and microcontrollers. A computer may have one or more processors. In a multiprocessor system with multiple processors, each processor executes a portion of the program, and the processors collectively execute the program by passing program execution data between them as needed. For example, in the execution of multitasking, each of the multiple processors may execute a portion of each task in small chunks by switching tasks at each time slice. In this case, which part of a program each processor executes changes dynamically. Which part of a program each of the multiple processors executes may also be statically determined by multiprocessor-aware programming.

[0069] Figure 6 shows an example of a computer 1200 in which multiple aspects of the present invention may be embodied in whole or in part. A program installed on the computer 1200 can cause the computer 1200 to function as an operation or one or more sections of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, or to execute such operation or one or more sections, and / or to cause the computer 1200 to execute a process or a stage of such process according to an embodiment of the present invention. Such a program may be executed by the CPU 1212 to cause the computer 1200 to perform a particular operation associated with some or all of the blocks in the flowcharts and block diagrams described herein.

[0070] The computer 1200 according to this embodiment includes a CPU 1212, RAM 1214, a graphics controller 1216, and a display device 1218, which are interconnected by a host controller 1210. The computer 1200 also includes input / output units such as a communication interface 1222, a storage device 1224 such as a hard disk drive, a DVD-ROM drive 1226, and an IC card drive, which are connected to the host controller 1210 via an input / output controller 1220. The computer also includes legacy input / output units such as a ROM 1230 and a keyboard 1242, which are connected to the input / output controller 1220 via an input / output chip 1240.

[0071] The CPU 1212 operates according to programs stored in the ROM 1230 and RAM 1214, thereby controlling each unit. The graphics controller 1216 acquires image data generated by the CPU 1212 from a frame buffer provided in RAM 1214 or from itself, and displays the image data on the display device 1218.

[0072] The communication interface 1222 communicates with other electronic devices via a network. The storage device 1224 stores programs and data used by the CPU 1212 in the computer 1200. The DVD-ROM drive 1226 reads programs or data from the DVD-ROM 1227 and provides them to the storage device 1224 via the RAM 1214. The IC card drive reads programs and data from the IC card and / or writes programs and data to the IC card.

[0073] The ROM 1230 stores boot programs and / or programs that depend on the computer 1200's hardware, which are executed by the computer 1200 when activated. The input / output chip 1240 may also connect various input / output units to the input / output controller 1220 via a parallel port, serial port, keyboard port, mouse port, etc.

[0074] The program is provided on a computer-readable medium such as a DVD-ROM 1227 or an IC card. The program is read from the computer-readable medium and installed on a storage device 1224, RAM 1214, or ROM 1230, which are also examples of computer-readable medium, and executed by the CPU 1212. The information processing described within these programs is read by the computer 1200, resulting in coordination between the program and the various types of hardware resources described above. The apparatus or method may be configured to realize the manipulation or processing of information in accordance with the use of the computer 1200.

[0075] For example, when communication is performed between a computer 1200 and an external device, the CPU 1212 may execute a communication program loaded into RAM 1214 and, based on the processing described in the communication program, instruct the communication interface 1222 to perform communication processing. Under the control of the CPU 1212, the communication interface 1222 reads transmission data stored in a transmission buffer processing area provided in a recording medium such as RAM 1214, storage device 1224, DVD-ROM 1227, or IC card, transmits the read transmission data to the network, or writes received data received from the network to a receive buffer processing area provided on the recording medium.

[0076] Furthermore, the CPU 1212 may read all or necessary parts of a file or database stored on an external storage medium such as the memory device 1224, DVD-ROM drive 1226 (DVD-ROM 1227), or IC card into the RAM 1214, and perform various types of processing on the data in the RAM 1214. The CPU 1212 then writes the processed data back to the external storage medium.

[0077] Various types of information, such as various types of programs, data, tables, and databases, may be stored on the recording medium and subjected to information processing. The CPU 1212 may perform various types of processing on the data read from RAM 1214, including various types of operations, information processing, conditional judgments, conditional branching, unconditional branching, information retrieval / replacement, etc., as described throughout this disclosure and specified by the program instruction sequence, and write the results back to RAM 1214. The CPU 1212 may also retrieve information in files, databases, etc., within the recording medium. For example, if multiple entries are stored in the recording medium, each having an attribute value of a first attribute associated with an attribute value of a second attribute, the CPU 1212 may search among the multiple entries for an entry that matches the condition for which the attribute value of the first attribute is specified, read the attribute value of the second attribute stored in that entry, and thereby obtain the attribute value of the second attribute associated with the first attribute that satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0078] The programs or software modules described above may be stored on or near computer 1200 on a computer-readable medium. Alternatively, recording media such as hard disks or RAM provided within a server system connected to a dedicated communication network or the Internet can be used as computer-readable media, thereby providing programs to computer 1200 via the network.

[0079] Although the present invention has been described above using embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be made to the above embodiments. It will be clear from the claims that such modified or improved forms may also be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0080] It should be noted that the execution order of operations, procedures, steps, and stages in the apparatus, systems, programs, and methods shown in the claims, specifications, and drawings is not explicitly stated as "before," "prior to," etc., and that these can be implemented in any order unless the output of a previous process is used in a later process. Even if the operation flow in the claims, specifications, and drawings is described using phrases such as "first," "next," etc. for convenience, it does not mean that it is essential to perform the operations in that order. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 100 Flow synthesis apparatus 110 Pump No. 1 120 Second pump 130 First liquid delivery pipe 140 Second liquid delivery pipe 150 Discharge pipe 160 Temperature regulator 170 Processing Unit 200 Flow Path Device 205 Flow Plate 210 Opening 220 Discharge section 230 flow path 230-1 Flow channel section 230-2 Flow channel section 230-3 Flow channel section 240 Pre-reaction region 250 reaction region 260 Measurement Unit 270 sensors 270-1 First Sensor 270-2 Second Sensor 270-3 Third Sensor 270-4 Fourth Sensor 410 Acquisition Department 420 Fitting section 430 Concentration distribution determination section X1, X2, X3 position M1, M2, M3, M4 measurement points 1200 Computers 1210 Host Controller 1212 CPU 1214 RAM 1216 Graphics Controller 1218 Display Devices 1220 Input / Output Controller 1222 Communication Interface 1224 Storage device 1226 DVD-ROM drive 1227 DVD-ROM 1230 ROM 1240 input / output chip 1242 keyboard

Claims

1. A fluid channel and In the reaction region through which the fluid undergoing the reaction flows in the aforementioned channel, there is a measurement unit having a plurality of measurement points arranged from the upstream side to the downstream side. Equipped with, The flow channel portion in the reaction region where the plurality of measurement points are located includes a section where the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow channel increases as it moves downstream. Flow synthesis apparatus.

2. The flow path includes a pre-reaction region through which the fluid before the reaction flows, The reaction region includes a portion where the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path is smaller than the total cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path in the pre-reaction region. The flow synthesis apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The measurement unit measures the temperature of the fluid at each of the plurality of measurement points. The flow synthesis apparatus according to claim 1.

4. The flow synthesis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the measurement unit has a plurality of sensors provided at the plurality of measurement points.

5. The flow channel portion in the reaction region where the plurality of measurement points are arranged has a certain thickness. The flow synthesis apparatus according to claim 1.

6. The flow synthesis apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the flow channel is formed inside a plate-shaped flow channel plate.

7. The aforementioned multiple measurement points are each at different distances from the upstream end of the reaction region. The flow synthesis apparatus according to claim 1.

8. The plurality of measurement points are arranged on a straight line along the direction of the fluid flow. The flow synthesis apparatus according to claim 7.

9. In the reaction region, the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow channel portion changes smoothly along the direction of flow. The flow synthesis apparatus according to claim 1.

10. At least one opening for introducing fluid, A flow path that communicates with the aforementioned opening and through which fluid flows Equipped with, The aforementioned flow path includes a section of the flow path where a measurement unit, having multiple measurement points arranged from the upstream to the downstream side in a reaction region through which a fluid undergoing a reaction flows, is to be installed, and where the flow velocity decreases as it moves downstream. Flow channel device.

11. The flow channel portion in the reaction region where the plurality of measurement points are to be placed has a certain thickness The flow path device according to claim 10.

12. In the reaction region, the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow channel portion changes smoothly along the direction of flow. The flow path device according to claim 10.

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