Mixing reactor

Abstract

A mixing reactor comprising a first body having two or more inlets and one outlet, and a second body concentrically positioned inside the first body so as to define an internal passage formed by the inner surface of the first body and the outer surface of the second body, wherein the internal passage extends along the length of the first body, the two or more inlets are spaced apart along the length of the first body, and no mixing occurs between the liquid that has passed through the second body and the liquid that has passed through the internal passage.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to, for example, a mixing reactor that may be (non - exclusively) suitable for generating particles such as nanoparticles or metal - organic frameworks (MOFs), cascades of such reactors, and methods of mixing fluids using such reactors, and more typically but non - exclusively, methods of generating such particles.

Background Art

[0002] Metal and metal - oxide particles having nanometer - scale dimensions have a wide range of applications, including (but not limited to) catalysts, pigments, abrasives, ultraviolet absorbers, and ceramics. It is well - known that such particles can be formed by the chemical reaction of an aqueous solution of a metal salt with hot water, pressurized water, or supercritical water. In principle, this methodology offers distinct advantages over other methods of creating nanoparticles in terms of cost and feasibility, as it enables the reaction to be carried out as a continuous process. However, with existing reactor configurations, the precipitation reaction cannot be effectively controlled, the reactor frequently clogs, and the particle size and shape cannot be appropriately controlled, making it difficult to implement this reaction on a commercial scale using current methods. Therefore, in this process, the design of the reactor in which water and the salt solution are mixed is extremely important for the particle size and properties of the nanoparticles produced. Furthermore, current reactors are substantially limited in the concentration of reactants that can be used (and thus the rate at which products can be created in the reactor) because the reactor either clogs with the product or fails to mix the reactants adequately.

[0003] A PCT patent application published as W02005 / 077505 describes a countercurrent mixing reactor in which supercritical water is introduced into a first inlet, a metal salt solution into a second inlet, and the resulting nanoparticle-containing suspension is taken out from the outlet. In this case, the first inlet is located within the outlet so that mixing occurs where the flow of supercritical water changes direction by 180 degrees. WO2014 / 111703 and WO2015 / 075439 both disclose mixing reactors in which the first fluid flows through a conduit and the second fluid is introduced into a flow perpendicular to that flow.

[0004] The inventors are also aware of PCT Patent Application Publication WO2013 / 034632, which discloses a mixing reactor in which supercritical water is introduced in parallel with a flow of a metal salt solution, and then mixing is achieved using a mechanical impeller.

[0005] The inventors are also aware of PCT Patent Application Publication WO2011 / 148121, which discloses a parallel-flow mixer in which a metal salt solution is introduced through two opposing inlets having a common outlet, and supercritical water is introduced through a third inlet in the outlet, such that the metal salt solution and supercritical water introduced from each inlet flow in the same direction through the outlet. However, the inventors are aware that in this method, the metal salt solution is preheated before the mixing point (because the inlet of the supercritical fluid must necessarily pass through the flow of the metal salt solution), which can result in the supercritical water being cooled, thereby potentially causing a rapid decrease in the buoyancy of the outflow. This can make it difficult to ensure a symmetrical flow at the outlet because the inlet of the supercritical water cannot be made long enough to ensure a satisfactory symmetrical flow without causing unacceptable premixing heat transfer from the supercritical water to the metal salt solution.

[0006] It has also been pointed out that when existing continuous flow reactor designs are operated at higher flow rates and / or higher concentrations, it is almost impossible to control the particle size of the resulting nanoparticles or MOFs. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] WO2005 / 077505 [Patent Document 2] WO2014 / 111703 [Patent Document 3] WO2015 / 075439 [Patent Document 4] WO2013 / 034632 [Patent Document 5] WO2011 / 148121 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] Therefore, the present invention provides a mixed reactor for the preparation of metal-organic structures (MOFs) that can be operated at a higher total flow rate without the MOF product clogging the reactor, and that allows for more precise control of particle size, especially with high concentrations of reactants or MOFs, without clogging or dissolution problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a mixing reactor comprising a first body having two or more inlets and one outlet, and a second body concentrically positioned inside the first body so as to define an internal passage formed by the inner surface of the first body and the outer surface of the second body, wherein the internal passage extends along the length of the first body.

[0010] In a second aspect, a cascade of mixed reactors is provided, comprising a first mixed reactor according to a first aspect of the present invention and a second mixed reactor according to a first aspect of the present invention, wherein the outlet of the first body of the first mixed reactor is connected to the inlet of the first body of the second mixed reactor.

[0011] In a third aspect, the present invention provides a method for mixing two fluids, comprising the steps of: delivering a first fluid through one inlet of a first body of a mixing reactor according to a first aspect of the present invention; delivering a second fluid through one or more other inlets of the first body of the mixing reactor; and extracting the mixed fluids from an outlet.

[0012] A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a method for mixing two solutions, comprising the steps of: introducing a first solution into a first inlet of a first reactor; introducing a second solution into a second inlet of the first reactor to generate a first mixed fluid at the outlet of the first reactor; transporting the first mixed fluid to a first inlet of a second reactor; and introducing a further second solution into a second inlet of the second reactor, wherein the concentrations of the second fluids introduced into the first and second reactors are different.

[0013] According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a mixing reactor comprising a first body having two or more inlets and one outlet, and a second body concentrically positioned inside the first body so as to define an internal passage formed by the inner surface of the first body and the outer surface of the second body, wherein the internal passage extends along the length of the first body.

[0014] In the context of this invention, concentric or concentric means having a common center or a common axis. Therefore, if the second body is located concentrically inside the first body, the second body and the first body have the same center or share a common axis.

[0015] The second body may have an inlet and an outlet. The inlet may be at the first end of the second body, and the outlet may be at the second end of the second body. The inlet and outlet of the second body may be outside the internal passage. The second body is generally elongated and has a certain length.

[0016] The second body can be a pipe. The second body may be made of a metallic material or a suitable polymeric material. The second body may be a metallic pipe such as a copper pipe or a stainless steel pipe.

[0017] The heated or cooled liquid can pass through the second body to control the core temperature. The core temperature can be from -20°C to 350°C, or from 0°C to 100°C. The heated or cooled liquid can enter the second body through the inlet of the second body and exit the second body through the outlet of the second body.

[0018] The second body is placed at the center or concentrically within the first body.

[0019] The first body is generally elongated and has a length. The first body can be a pipe. The first body may be a transparent pipe. The first body may be a PVC pipe or may be made of other suitable polymeric materials. The first body may be a metallic pipe such as a copper pipe or a stainless steel pipe.

[0020] The first body has an inner surface. The first body may have an outer surface.

[0021] The internal passage formed by the inner surface of the first body and the outer surface of the second body creates a continuous void. The internal passage extends along the length of the first body. The length of the internal passage may be the same as or shorter than the length of the first body. The internal passage may extend from a first inlet at a first end of the first body to an outlet at a second end of the first body.

[0022] The internal passage may have a width defined by the distance from the inner surface of the first body to the outer surface of the second body. The width of the passage may be constant along its length. The width of the passage may be from 1 mm to 150 mm, for example from 1 mm to 100 mm, or from 1 mm to 50 mm.

[0023] The mixing reactor comprises a first body having two or more inlets and one outlet. The first body may typically have a first inlet at a first end of the first body and an outlet at a second end of the first body.

[0024] The two or more inlets of the first body allow the liquid to be pumped along the length of the first body into an internal passage formed by the inner surface of the first body and the outer surface of the second body.

[0025] The first body may have two or more inlets, or three or more inlets, for example, four or more inlets, or five or more inlets, or six or more inlets, or seven or more inlets. The first body may have two to ten inlets, preferably two to nine inlets, or two to eight inlets, or two to seven inlets, or two to six inlets, or two to five inlets, or two to four inlets, or two to three inlets.

[0026] The first body may have at least one further outlet.

[0027] The reactor of the present invention may comprise a first body having a first inlet and a second inlet and outlet. The first body may comprise a first inlet, a second inlet, a third inlet and outlet. The first body may comprise a first inlet, a second inlet, a third inlet, a fourth inlet and outlet. The first body may comprise a first inlet, a second inlet, a third inlet, a fourth inlet, a fifth inlet and outlet. The first inlet may be located at a first end of the first body, and the outlet may be located at a second end of the first body.

[0028] In one embodiment of the present invention, two or more inlets of the first body are aligned axially with respect to the first body. Two or more inlets and one outlet may also be aligned axially.

[0029] The first body may have two or more inlets, for example, a first inlet, a second inlet, a third inlet, a fourth inlet, and a fifth inlet, that are aligned axially and continuously along the length of the first body.

[0030] In one embodiment of the present invention, each inlet may be positioned to introduce fluid into the passage at least partially tangentially with respect to a common axis. Each inlet may be positioned to introduce fluid into the passage at 15 degrees, 10 degrees, 5 degrees, or no more than 1 degree tangentially with respect to the axis.

[0031] Since the fluid is introduced at least partially tangentially and / or through two or more inlets aligned axially with the first body, a turbulent swirling flow of the reactant mixture is generated within the internal passage and flows toward the outlet of the first body. This achieves efficient mixing without the need for mechanical mixing means or the like.

[0032] Two or more inlets may be spaced apart along the length of the first body. Two or more inlets may be spaced apart axially along the length of the first body. Two or more inlets may be aligned axially along the length of the first body and spaced apart. Two or more inlets that introduce fluid at least partially tangentially and / or are aligned axially along the length of the first body and spaced apart allow the fluid to be supplied to the internal passages of the mixing reactor to generate a swirling flow.

[0033] In one embodiment, the distance between inlets along the length of the first body may increase toward the outlet, so that the distance between the first inlet and the second inlet may be less than the distance between the second inlet and the third inlet, the distance between the second inlet and the third inlet may be less than the distance between the third inlet and the fourth inlet, and the distance between the third inlet and the fourth inlet may be less than the distance between the fourth inlet and the fifth inlet.

[0034] The distance between the first entrance and the second entrance can be between 1 cm and 25 cm.

[0035] In one embodiment, the reactor of the present invention comprises a first body having four inlets and one outlet, the four inlets being arranged to introduce fluid into the passage at least partially tangentially with respect to a common axis, aligned axially along the first body and spaced apart, the first inlets being at the first end of the first body and the outlet being at the second end of the first body.

[0036] In one embodiment, the reactor of the present invention comprises a first body having five inlets and one outlet, the five inlets being arranged to introduce fluid into the passage at least partially tangentially with respect to a common axis, aligned axially along the first body and spaced apart, the first inlets being at the first end of the first body and the outlet being at the second end of the first body.

[0037] The outlet of the first body allows for the collection of liquid (e.g., reaction products) from the internal passage.

[0038] No mixing occurs between the liquid that has passed through the second body (e.g., a coolant or heating agent) and the liquid flowing / swirling within the internal passage.

[0039] The reactor may be suitable for mixing two fluids. Typically, the reactor is suitable for forming particles such as nanoparticles or metal-organic framework (MOF) particles.

[0040] The first fluid and the second fluid may be introduced into the internal passage through two or more inlets of the first body, or pumped in. Each of the first fluid and the second fluid may be introduced through different inlets of the first body, or pumped in.

[0041] The first fluid may be a metal salt solution. The metal salt solution may be, for example, a solution of a metal nitrate, metal sulfate, metal acetate, metal acetylacetonate, metal halide, or metal carbonate, and more specifically, any of iron nitrate, iron acetate, iron sulfate, aluminum nitrate, zinc nitrate, copper nitrate, copper acetate, nickel nitrate, calcium acetate, calcium nitrate, barium nitrate, cobalt acetate, titanium bis(ammonium lactate) dihydroxyl, titanium tetrachloride, platinum nitrate, palladium nitrate, cerium nitrate, etc. The first fluid may further contain a base such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, an amine (e.g., triethylamine), or a combination thereof.

[0042] The second fluid may contain ligand solutions such as terephthalic acid, citric acid, fumaric acid, isophthalic acid, dihydroxyisophthalic acid, trimesic acid, 2-methylimidazole, 2-aminoterephthalic acid, 2,5-dihydroxyterephthalic acid, or pyrazole-2,5-dicarboxylic acid. The second fluid may further contain a base that deprotonates the ligand, such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, an amine (e.g., triethylamine), or a combination thereof.

[0043] More than two different fluids (for example, a third reactant solution) may be introduced into the internal passages through two or more inlets of the first body, or pumped in.

[0044] For example, the third fluid may be introduced into the internal passage through two or more inlets of the first body, or pumped in. The third fluid may be, for example, a secondary metal salt solution, or a solution containing a "capping agent," which includes, but is not limited to, organic acids (e.g., citric acid), thiols (e.g., methanethiol), and polymers (e.g., polyvinylpyrrolidone). Alternatively, the third fluid may be the same as the first or second fluid but at a different concentration, or it may be a basic solution for deprotonating the ligand (e.g., sodium hydroxide NaOH).

[0045] The first fluid is introduced into the internal passage through a first inlet at the first end of the first body, or it may be pumped in. The second fluid is introduced into the internal passage through a second inlet of the first body, or it may be pumped in.

[0046] In one embodiment, the first body may have three or more inlets, so that the first fluid is introduced into the internal passage through a first inlet at the first end of the first body or pumped in, and the second fluid is introduced into the internal passage through a second inlet and subsequent inlets or pumped in.

[0047] The first fluid is introduced into the internal passage through the first inlet of the first body or pumped in, and the second fluid may be introduced into the internal passage through the second inlet of the first body, or through the second and third inlets, or through the second, third and fourth inlets, or through the second, third, fourth and fifth inlets or pumped in.

[0048] The mixing reactor of the present invention can be operated at a flow rate of at least 1 L / min, 10 L / min, or 100 L / min as measured at the outlet.

[0049] A second aspect of the present invention provides a mixed reactor cascade comprising a first mixed reactor according to the first aspect of the present invention and a second mixed reactor according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the outlet of the first body of the first mixed reactor is connected to the inlet of the first body of the second mixed reactor.

[0050] The outlet of the first body of the first mixing reactor may be connected to the first inlet of the first body of the second mixing reactor. The outlet of the first body of the first mixing reactor may be connected to the first and / or second inlets of the first body of the second mixing reactor.

[0051] In one embodiment, the outlet of the first body of the first mixing reactor is connected to a first inlet at the first end of the first body of the second mixing reactor, and additional fluid (e.g., a metal salt solution or a ligand solution) can be introduced into the internal passages of the first body of the second mixing reactor through a second inlet or a subsequent inlet of the first body of the second mixing reactor, or pumped in.

[0052] A third aspect of the present invention provides a method for mixing two fluids, comprising the steps of: introducing a first fluid through one inlet of a first body of a mixing reactor according to a first aspect of the present invention; introducing a second fluid through one or more other inlets of the first body of the mixing reactor; and removing the mixed fluid from an outlet.

[0053] The first fluid may contain a metal salt solution. The second fluid may contain a ligand solution or the like. The concentration of the solution forming the second fluid can be changed at different inlets of the first body.

[0054] This has been found to be a particularly efficient method for mixing two fluids. Typically, the first fluid, the second fluid, or the mixed fluid can be a liquid, including a solution or suspension.

[0055] In the method of the present invention, the first fluid and the second fluid are introduced through different inlets.

[0056] In the method of the present invention, the first fluid can be introduced through a first inlet located at the first end of the first body of the mixing reactor according to a first aspect of the present invention, the second fluid can be introduced through the remaining inlets of the first body of the mixing reactor, i.e., the second inlet, or the second and third inlets, or the second, third and fourth inlets, or the second, third, fourth and fifth inlets, and the mixed fluid is withdrawn through the outlet of the first body.

[0057] The method of the present invention may also include the step of introducing a third fluid through one or more inlets of the first body. The first, second, and third fluids can be introduced through different inlets. The third fluid may be, for example, a secondary metal salt solution or a solution containing a “capping agent,” which includes, but is not limited to, organic acids (e.g., citric acid), thiols (e.g., methanethiol), amines (e.g., ethylenediamine), and polymers (e.g., polyvinylpyrrolidone).

[0058] The method may include passing the mixed fluid through a further mixing reactor according to a first aspect of the present invention, in which case the mixed fluid is introduced into the inlet of the first body of the further mixing reactor, an additional fluid is introduced into the inlet of the first body of the further mixing reactor, and the further mixed fluid is removed from the outlet of the further mixing reactor. The additional fluid may be the first, second, or third fluid described herein.

[0059] The mixed fluid may be a particle-containing suspension. Therefore, the mixing reactor mixes the first fluid and the second fluid (or third fluid) so that they are mixed together and form particles. As discussed above, the mixing becomes more efficient due to the swirling induced in the flow.

[0060] The method may include a step of heating or cooling the mixed fluid as it passes through or swirls in an internal passage formed by the inner surface of the first body and the outer surface of the second body.

[0061] The mixing reactor and further mixing reactors can form a cascade according to a second aspect of the present invention.

[0062] The particles may be nanoparticles, metal-organic frame (MOF) particles, or other suitable particles that can be formed by combining a metal salt solution with a fluid.

[0063] The reactor and method of the present invention provide improved control over MOF particle generation compared to current reactors, enabling finer control of particle size, and / or an increase in MOF precursors and the resulting increase in product concentration.

[0064] For example, by using the reactor and method of the present invention, higher flow rates (or higher concentrations of the first and second fluids) are possible without the MOF product clogging the reactor. The reactor and method of the present invention can be operated at a higher total flow rate than existing reactor designs, for example, 10 L / min.

[0065] Furthermore, it was confirmed that there were no problems with blockage or dissolution, and that higher concentrations were possible. The presence of two or more inlets, preferably three, more preferably four or five, means that reagents with higher solubility can be introduced in a single supply, and reagents with lower solubility can be introduced in multiple supplies at lower concentrations.

[0066] The reactor and method of the present invention also generate larger particles by sequentially adding one of two main reagents (metal or ligand), thereby prioritizing particle growth over nucleation and resulting in larger particles.

[0067] A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a method for mixing two solutions, comprising the steps of: introducing a first solution into a first inlet of a first reactor; introducing a second solution into a second inlet of the first reactor to generate a first mixed fluid at the outlet of the first reactor; transporting the first mixed fluid to a first inlet of a second reactor; and introducing a further second solution into a second inlet of the second reactor, wherein the concentrations of the second fluids introduced into the first and second reactors are different.

[0068] Therefore, this allows the second fluid to react with the first fluid in sufficient quantities without the reactor becoming clogged or the mixing efficiency decreasing as a result of increased particle density near each inlet along the path.

[0069] This method may have any of the optional features of the fourth aspect of the present invention.

[0070] Herein, some embodiments of the present invention will be further described using only examples with reference to the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0071] [Figure 1] This is a side view of a mixing reactor according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the mixing reactor. [Figure 3] This is a diagram showing both ends of the mixing reactor according to the present invention. [Figure 4] These are scanning electron microscope images of particles produced by the mixed reactor according to the present invention and by a conventional reactor. [Figure 5] This is a BET isothermal adsorption graph of particles produced by the mixed reactor according to the present invention and the conventional reactor. [Figure 6] This figure shows the amount of CO2 taken up, quantified using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of particles produced by the mixed reactor according to the present invention and the conventional reactor. [Figure 7] This figure shows the thermogravimetric analysis plots of particles produced by the mixed reactor according to the present invention and the conventional reactor. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0072] Figures 1 and 2 show a mixed reactor 1 according to a first aspect of the present invention. This reactor comprises a first body 2, the first body 2 having a first inlet 3 at a first end 9 and an outlet 8 at a second end 10. The first body 2 has further inlets, such as a second inlet 4, a third inlet 5, a fourth inlet 6, and a fifth inlet 7, aligned along the length of the first body 2 between the first inlet 3 and the outlet 8. The first body 2 is elongated and has a length A.

[0073] The reactor is used with its second end 10 facing upwards (i.e., as if viewing the attached drawing vertically).

[0074] The reactor further comprises a second body 11 (for example, a metal body), the second body 11 having an inlet 12 at a first end 13 and an outlet 14 at a second end 15. The second body 11 is generally elongated and has a length B.

[0075] An internal passage 16 is defined between the inner surface 17 of the first body 2 and the outer surface 18 of the second body 11. The internal passage 16 extends along the length of the first body 2. The internal passage has a width C defined by the distance from the inner surface 17 of the first body 2 to the outer surface 18 of the second body 11.

[0076] In Figures 1 and 2, the distance between entrances of the first body 2 increases with the number of entrances. The first distance D from the first entrance 3 to the second entrance 4 of the first body is smaller than the second distance E from the second entrance 4 to the third entrance 5, and this second distance E is also smaller than the third distance F from the third entrance 5 to the fourth entrance 6, and this third distance F is also smaller than the fourth distance G from the fourth entrance 6 to the fifth entrance 7.

[0077] As shown in detail in Figure 2 of the attached drawings, the inlets 3-7 and outlet 8 of the first body 2 are aligned along the length of the first body 2 and spaced apart.

[0078] Therefore, when the metal salt solution is introduced into the first inlet 3 and the ligand solution is introduced from the second inlet to the fifth inlets 4, 5, 6, and 7, the induced swirling will induce mixing of the metal salt solution and the ligand solution. This mixing is carried out consistently and completely, yielding consistent nanoparticles or MOFs in satisfactory yield. When the ligand solution is introduced from the second inlet to the fifth inlets 4, 5, 6, and 7, the swirling and the resulting mixing continue. There is no need to use a mechanical impeller or similar device. The particle suspension can then be removed from the outlet 8 of the first body.

[0079] The heated or cooled liquid enters the second body 11 through the inlet 12, passes through the second body 11 to control the core temperature, and exits the second body 11 through the outlet 14.

[0080] Figure 3 shows front views of both ends of the mixing reactor 1. Figure 3(a) shows the first end 9 of the first body 2, the first end 13 of the second body 11 having an inlet 12, and the first inlet 3 of the first body 2 which introduces fluid tangentially into the internal passage 16. Figure 3(b) shows the second end 10 of the first body 2, the second end 15 of the second body 11 having an outlet 14, and the outlet 8 of the first body 2 which is tangential to the cross-sectional center of the first body 2.

[0081] The positions of two or more entrances and one exit of the first body 2 can be changed on the circumference of the first body, as long as the tangent elements of the entrances are maintained.

[0082] Furthermore, as demonstrated by the SEM image analysis in Figure 3, the inventors have found that the reactor of the present invention produces larger particles than those produced by existing continuous flow reactors. Moreover, the particles produced using the reactor of the present invention also have a larger CO2 uptake rate, a larger surface area, and a higher thermal decomposition temperature.

[0083] The reactor of the present invention shows virtually no opportunity for particle accumulation and / or lining of the reactor's inner surface to occur. The design of the present invention makes it possible to have a reactor with no zones that allow for particle accumulation.

[0084] Mixing reactor 1 can be used in series with various other devices without negatively impacting its advantages. [Examples]

[0085] The performance of the mixed reactor of the present invention was evaluated for the preparation of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), and compared with MOFs prepared using a known continuous-flow reactor described in WO2015 / 075439.

[0086] (Example 1) All chemicals were used as purchased, without further purification. Solution A was prepared by adding 58.99 g of trimesic acid (95%), 82.42 g of triethylamine (95%), 2 L of methanol, and 6 L of deionized water to a 10 L drum. Solution B was prepared by adding 98.6 g of copper nitrate (98%) to a 5 L drum along with 2 L of deionized water. Both solutions were stirred until all solid material was removed and the solutions were homogeneous.

[0087] (a) Conventional continuous flow reactor The inlet tubes from both pumps of the continuous flow reactor were inserted into the corresponding solutions, and the flow rates were set to 2,000 mL / min (Solution A) and 1,000 mL / min (Solution B). The solutions were pumped into the reactor, and the reaction products were collected. After collection, the samples were immediately centrifuged at 3,000 RPM for 5 minutes, and the supernatant was discarded. The isolated solid reaction products were redispersed / washed with methanol, allowed to stand for 24 hours, and then subjected to final centrifugation at 3,000 RPM for 5 minutes. The centrifuged solids were oven-dried at 110°C for 18 hours. Each unactivated (before drying) sample of the MOF (sample (a)) was cyan in color, but after activation (after drying), the samples changed to dark purple.

[0088] (b) Reactor of the present invention A reactor according to the present invention, having four inlets, was used.

[0089] The inlet tubes from all four pumps of the mixing reactor were inserted into the corresponding solutions. Feed 1 was supplied to the metal salt solution (solution B), and feeds 2, 3, and 4 were supplied to the basic ligand and solution (solution A). The pumps supplied feed 1 at 600 mL / min. -1 For supplies 2, 3, and 4, the flow rate is 800 mL / min. -1 The flow rate (i.e., a total flow rate of 4 L / min) -1The temperature was set to ). The solution was pumped into the reactor, and the reaction product was collected at the feed outlet. After collection, the sample was immediately centrifuged at 3,000 RPM for 5 minutes, and the supernatant was discarded. The isolated solid reaction product was redispersed / washed with methanol, allowed to stand for 24 hours, and then centrifuged a second time at 3,000 RPM for 5 minutes. The supernatant was removed, and the centrifuged solid was oven-dried at 110°C for 18 hours. Each unactivated (before drying) sample of the MOF (sample (b)) was cyan in color, but after activation (after drying), the sample changed to dark purple.

[0090] (Example 2) MOFs produced in a conventional continuous-flow reactor (sample (a)) and MOFs produced in the mixed reactor of the present invention (sample (b)) were analyzed under scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Micrographs are shown in Figure 4. When both reactors were operated at the same flow rate of 3 L / min, the reactor of the present invention produced larger particles than the existing continuous-flow reactor, as demonstrated by the SEM image analysis.

[0091] (Example 3) MOFs produced in a conventional continuous-flow reactor (sample (a)) and MOFs produced in the mixed reactor of the present invention (sample (b)) were analyzed by BET isothermal adsorption. When both reactors were operated at the same flow rate of 3 L / min, sample (a) yielded 1,584.3 m³. 2 / g -1 In contrast, sample (b) is 1,712.9 m 2 / g -1 It showed a higher BET surface area.

[0092] (Example 4) The amount of CO2 uptake was quantified using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). (15% CO2, 25°C, flow rate 100 mL / min) -1 Sample (b) was activated at 150°C for 30 minutes, while sample (a) was activated for 60 minutes.

[0093] Compared to sample (b) at 5.5 wt.%, sample (b) has a higher CO2 uptake rate of 7.5 wt.%.

[0094] (Example 5) TGA degradation analysis was performed using 100 mL / min of air and a heating rate of 10°C / min.

[0095] Sample (a) showed a higher thermal decomposition temperature of 310°C compared to 298°C for sample (a). [Explanation of Symbols]

[0096] 1 Mixing reactor 2. The first body 3. First entrance 4. Second entrance 5. The third entrance 6. The fourth entrance 7. The fifth entrance 8 exit 9 First end 10 Second end 11 The second body 12 Entrance 13 First end 14 Exit 15. Second end 16 Internal passage 17. Inner self 18 Exterior A Length B Length C width D First distance E Second distance F Third distance G, 4th distance

Claims

1. A mixing reactor comprising a first body having two or more inlets and one outlet, and a second body concentrically positioned inside the first body so as to define an internal passage formed by the inner surface of the first body and the outer surface of the second body, wherein the internal passage extends along the length of the first body, the two or more inlets are spaced apart along the length of the first body, and no mixing occurs between the liquid that has passed through the second body and the liquid that has passed through the internal passage.

2. The mixing reactor according to claim 1, wherein the first body has a first inlet at a first end of the first body and the outlet is at a second end of the first body.

3. The mixing reactor according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first body has between 2 and 10 inlets.

4. The mixing reactor according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the two or more inlets of the first body are aligned axially with respect to the first body.

5. The mixing reactor according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each of the two or more inlets of the first body is arranged to introduce fluid into the passage at least partially tangentially with respect to a common axis.

6. The mixing reactor according to claim 4, wherein each inlet is arranged to introduce fluid into the passage at an angle of 15, 10, 5, or 1 degree tangentially to the axis.

7. The mixing reactor according to claim 1, wherein the first body comprises a first inlet, a second inlet, a third inlet, and a fourth inlet that are continuously aligned axially along the length of the first body.

8. The mixing reactor according to claim 1, wherein the distance between inlets along the length of the first body increases toward the outlet.

9. A cascade of mixed reactors comprising a first mixed reactor according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and a second mixed reactor according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the outlet of the first body of the first mixed reactor is connected to the inlet of the first body of the second mixed reactor.

10. The mixed reactor cascade according to claim 9, wherein the outlet of the first body of the first mixed reactor is connected to the first inlet of the first body of the second mixed reactor.

11. A method for mixing two fluids, comprising the steps of: introducing a first fluid through one inlet of a first body of a mixing reactor according to any one of claims 1 to 8; introducing a second fluid through one or more other inlets of the first body of the mixing reactor; and removing the mixed fluid from an outlet.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the first fluid is a metal salt solution.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the mixed fluid is a particle-containing suspension.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the particles are nanoparticles or metal-organic frame (MOF) particles.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the mixing reactor is used with its second end facing upward.

16. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the second fluid is a solution, typically a ligand solution.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the concentration of the second fluid varies between other different inlets.

18. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 17, further comprising the step of heating or cooling the mixed fluid as it passes through or swirls in an internal passage formed by the inner surface of the first body and the outer surface of the second body.

19. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 18, further comprising the step of introducing a third fluid through one or more inlets of the first body.

20. A cascade of mixed reactors comprising a first mixed reactor and a second mixed reactor, wherein each of the first and second mixed reactors comprises a first body having two inlets and one outlet, and a second body concentrically positioned inside the first body so as to define an internal passage formed by the inner surface of the first body and the outer surface of the second body, the internal passage extending along the length of the first body, and the outlet of the first body of the first mixed reactor being connected to one inlet of the first body of the second mixed reactor.

21. The mixed reactor cascade according to claim 20, wherein the outlet of the first body of the first mixed reactor is connected to a first inlet at the first end of the first body of the second mixed reactor.

22. A method for mixing two solutions, comprising the steps of: introducing a first solution into a first inlet of a first reactor; introducing a second solution into a second inlet of the first reactor to produce a first mixed fluid at the outlet of the first reactor; transporting the first mixed fluid to a first inlet of a second reactor; and introducing a further second solution into a second inlet of the second reactor, wherein the concentrations of the second fluids introduced into the first and second reactors are different.

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