Plate Mixer

Abstract

To provide a plate-type mixer capable of acquiring sufficient mixing performance.SOLUTION: A plate type mixer comprises: a plurality of plate pairs which is formed of two plates, the plates being stacked in a first direction and forming a first channel space in which a mixing object can be circulated in a second direction being orthogonal to the first direction between the plates. The plate pairs are stacked in the first direction so as to form a second channel space where the mixing object can be circulated in the second direction between the adjacent plate pairs, at least one plate pairs out of the plate pairs has a first wall part which partitions the first channel space and extends in the third direction orthogonal to the first and second directions, each plate forming the plate pair having the first wall part has, a first open hole which penetrates in the first direction on a position where the plate faces the other plate and where is adjacent to one side in the second direction of the first wall part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a plate mixer in which a plurality of fluid materials to be mixed are mixed by passing them between plates. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a plate-type mixer has been known in which multiple plates are stacked and fluid materials to be mixed (two or more types of raw material liquids) are mixed by passing the materials between the plates (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Each plate constituting this plate-type mixer has liquid passage holes at both the top and bottom ends through which the raw material liquid passes, and in the middle has a corrugated section formed in a herringbone pattern to generate turbulence for the purpose of mixing the raw material liquid.

[0004] These multiple plates are stacked alternately, with a seal gasket interposed between them, from the top of the liquid passage hole at the upper end to the bottom of the liquid passage hole at the lower end. When these stacked plates are fastened together in the stacking direction, a mixing passage is formed between each plate, and multiple contact points are formed where the corrugated portions of the two plates that form this mixing passage intersect and collide with each other.

[0005] In this plate mixer, when the materials to be mixed pass through the mixing passages formed between adjacent plates, they collide with multiple impact points, causing the flows to repeatedly split and merge, resulting in mixing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-299772 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, in the plate-type mixers described above, the materials to be mixed are mixed only between the plates (mixing passages), so when mixing materials between multiple plates, there may be variations in the mixed state of the materials between the plates, and sufficient mixing performance may not be achieved.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a plate-type mixer that can provide sufficient mixing performance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The plate mixer of the present invention comprises: a plurality of plate pairs each composed of two plates that are stacked in a first direction and form a first flow path space between them through which the material to be mixed can flow in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; The plurality of plate pairs are overlapped in the first direction so as to form second flow path spaces between adjacent plate pairs through which the materials to be mixed can flow in the second direction, At least one plate pair among the plurality of plate pairs has a first wall portion that extends in a third direction perpendicular to each of the first direction and the second direction and divides the first flow path space, Each plate constituting the plate pair having the first wall portion has a first through hole penetrating in the first direction in an area adjacent to one side of the first wall portion in the second direction and at a position facing each other.

[0010] According to this configuration, when the material to be mixed is circulated through the first flow path space and the second flow path space toward the other side in the second direction, the material to be mixed flowing through the first flow path space collides with the first wall portion and flows into the second flow path spaces on both sides in the first direction through each of the first through holes immediately upstream of the first wall portion (i.e., the material to be mixed that collides with the first wall portion is divided into one side and the other side in the first direction and flows into each of the second flow path spaces), thereby allowing the material to be mixed flowing through the first flow path space and the second flow path space to be mixed appropriately, thereby reducing variations in the mixed state of the material to be mixed for each flow path space and resulting in sufficient mixing performance.

[0011] In the plate mixer, In each of the plate pairs adjacent to each other in the first direction, each plate constituting the plate pair has the first through hole, In the two adjacent plate pairs, the first through holes of the two plates that form the second flow path space between the two plate pairs may face each other.

[0012] According to this configuration, when the materials to be mixed are circulated through the first flow path space and the second flow path space toward the other side of the second direction, the materials to be mixed flowing from the first flow path space of one plate pair into the second flow path space (second flow path space formed between adjacent plate pairs) through the first through holes of that plate pair, the materials to be mixed flowing from the first flow path space of the other plate pair into the second flow path space through the first through holes of that plate pair, and the materials to be mixed flowing through the second flow path space converge (collide) in the region (confluence region) between the opposing first through holes, and the materials to be mixed are effectively mixed in this confluence region.

[0013] In addition, in the plate type mixer, In each of the plate pairs adjacent to each other in the first direction, each plate constituting the plate pair has the first through hole, In the two adjacent plate pairs, the first through holes of the two plates that form the second flow path space between the two plate pairs may be positioned at offset positions in the second direction.

[0014] According to this configuration, when the materials to be mixed are circulated through the first flow path space and the second flow path space toward the other side in the second direction, the junction position of the materials to be mixed flowing between the plates of one plate pair (first flow path space) and the materials to be mixed flowing between the plate pair (second flow path space) and the junction position of the materials to be mixed flowing between the plates of the other plate pair (first flow path space) and the materials to be mixed flowing between the plate pair (second flow path space) are shifted in the second direction, thereby increasing the number of junction positions of the materials to be mixed flowing through different flow path spaces, and thereby allowing the materials to be mixed in an optimal manner.

[0015] In addition, in the plate type mixer, In the two adjacent plate pairs, two plates that form the second flow path space between the plate pairs each have a second through hole that penetrates in the first direction at a position on the other side of the first through hole in the second direction and facing each other, The two adjacent plate pairs may have second wall portions that extend in the third direction in a region adjacent to the other side of the opposing second through holes in the second direction and that separate the second flow path space.

[0016] According to this configuration, the mixture of the material to be mixed flowing through the second flow path space and the material to be mixed flowing through the first flow path space through the first through hole collides with the second wall portion and flows into the first flow path spaces on both sides in the first direction through each second through hole immediately upstream of the second wall portion (i.e., the material to be mixed that collides with the second wall portion is divided into one side and the other side in the first direction and flows into each first flow path space), thereby more effectively mixing the materials to be mixed flowing through the first flow path space and the second flow path space, and thereby further reducing variation in the mixed state of the materials to be mixed for each flow path space.

[0017] In addition, in the plate type mixer, The pair of plates may have at least one wall portion that separates the first flow path space in a portion of the third direction, and at least one first convex portion that protrudes from at least one of the two plates that form the first flow path space toward the first flow path space in the first direction in a portion of the third direction.

[0018] According to this configuration, the material to be mixed flowing through the first flow path space toward the other side of the second direction collides with at least one of the wall portion and the first convex portion, causing the flow of the material to be divided in a third direction, etc., thereby allowing the material to be mixed suitably within the first flow path space.

[0019] In addition, in the plate type mixer, Two pairs of plates adjacent to each other in the first direction may have at least one wall portion that separates the second flow path space in a portion of the third direction, or may have at least one second convex portion that protrudes from at least one of the two plates that form the second flow path space toward the second flow path space in the first direction in a portion of the third direction.

[0020] According to this configuration, the material to be mixed flowing through the second flow path space toward the other side of the second direction collides with at least one of the wall portion and the second convex portion, causing the flow of the material to be divided in a third direction, etc., thereby allowing the material to be mixed suitably within the second flow path space.

[0021] In addition, in the plate type mixer, At least one of the first through holes and the second through holes may be arranged in plurality in the third direction at the same position in the second direction.

[0022] When the materials to be mixed flow from the first flow path space to the second flow path space, or when the materials to be mixed flow from the second flow path space to the first flow path space, the flow becomes more complex (for example, turbulence is promoted) when the materials flow through a plurality of through holes rather than when the materials flow through a single through hole, and this allows the materials to be mixed suitably flowing through the first flow path space and the second flow path space. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] As described above, according to the present invention, a plate-type mixer that can obtain sufficient mixing performance can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a plate-type mixer according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the plate mixer. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the plate-type mixer, with a pair of frames and a part of the mixer body omitted. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the flow of the materials to be mixed and the temperature-adjusting fluid in the plate-type mixer. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a view of the first plate of the mixer body as seen from the first surface side. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a view of the first plate as seen from the second surface side. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a view of the second plate of the mixer body as seen from the first surface side. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a view of the second plate as seen from the second surface side. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a front view of a first gasket included in the mixer body. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a view of the first plate viewed from the first surface side with the first gasket disposed on the first surface. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a front view of a second gasket provided in the mixer body. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a view of the second plate viewed from the first surface side in a state in which the second gasket is disposed on the first surface. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the mixer body at the central vertical cross section. [Figure 14]FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of the XIV position in FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of position XV in FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of position XVI in FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of position XVII in FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a central vertical cross-sectional view of a first portion of a mixer body according to another embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of convex portions of a plate according to another embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of first through holes in a plate according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 , the plate-type mixer (hereinafter also simply referred to as the “mixer”) according to this embodiment includes multiple plates 3 stacked in a predetermined direction, and multiple fluid types of materials A and B to be mixed are mixed by flowing these materials A and B between the plates 3. Materials A and B that can be mixed by this mixer 1 include fluids such as liquids and gases, powders (collections of powders, particles, etc.), mixtures of liquids such as emulsion fluids and slurry fluids, mixtures of fluids and powders, and mixtures of liquids and gases (e.g., carbonated water, foaming soapy water). Hereinafter, a mixture of multiple materials A and B to be mixed (i.e., multiple materials in a mixed state) may also be referred to as a “mixture C.”

[0027] Specifically, the mixer 1 includes a mixer body 2 having a plurality of overlapping plates 3. The mixer 1 also includes a plurality of (two in this embodiment) supply flow paths Ch1 and Ch2 that supply the materials A and B to be mixed into the mixer body 2, respectively, and at least one discharge flow path Ch3 that discharges the mixture C to the outside of the mixer body 2. In the mixer 1 of this embodiment, the plurality of supply flow paths Ch1 and Ch2 and at least one discharge flow path Ch3 are formed by parts of the mixer body 2. The mixer 1 of this embodiment also includes a pair of frames 5a and 5b that sandwich the mixer body 2 in the overlapping direction of the plates 3, a guide unit 6 that guides the mixer body 2 and the pair of frames 5a and 5b to their respective positions, and a plurality of fastening members 7 that can fasten the pair of frames 5a and 5b in a direction that reduces the distance between them.

[0028] The mixer body 2 is arranged so that the overlapping direction of the plates 3 coincides with the horizontal direction, and materials A and B to be mixed are supplied from each of a plurality of supply flow paths Ch1 and Ch2 extending horizontally in the upper part of the mixer body 2, and are mixed by flowing downward within the mixer body 2 from the upper part of the mixer body 2. The mixed materials A and B to be mixed (i.e., mixture C) are then discharged to the outside from a discharge flow path Ch3 extending horizontally in the lower part of the mixer body 2. Hereinafter, the overlapping direction of the plates 3 is referred to as the X-axis direction (first direction), the direction perpendicular to the overlapping direction of the plates 3 and along the plates 3 is referred to as the Y-axis direction (third direction), and the up-down direction is referred to as the Z-axis direction (second direction).

[0029] The mixer body 2 includes a plurality of plate pairs 3T each composed of two plates 3A, 3B that are stacked in the X-axis direction and that form (define) a second flow path (first flow path space) R2 between them, through which the materials A and B to be mixed can flow in the Z-axis direction (in this embodiment, downward) (see FIG. 4). In the mixer body 2, these plurality of plate pairs 3T are stacked in the X-axis direction so as to form a first flow path (second flow path space) R1 between adjacent plate pairs 3T, through which the materials A and B to be mixed can flow in the Z-axis direction (in this embodiment, downward) (see FIG. 4).

[0030] Specifically, the mixer body 2 has a plurality of plates 3 stacked in the X-axis direction, and a plurality of gaskets 4 sandwiched between two plates 3 adjacent to each other in the X-axis direction (hereinafter simply referred to as "between the plates 3"). In the mixer body 2, the plurality of plates 3 and the plurality of gaskets 4 form flow paths R1 to R4 between the plates 3 through which the materials A, B, etc. to be mixed can flow (see FIG. 4).

[0031] Each of the multiple plates 3 is a long plate extending in the vertical direction and has heat conductivity. Specifically, each plate 3 is formed by press-molding a metal plate (thin plate) made of stainless steel, titanium, or the like. The plates 3 may also be made of resin, ceramic, or the like. In this case, the plates 3 are formed by extrusion molding, for example.

[0032] The plates 3 include two types of plates (first plate 3A and second plate 3B) as shown in FIGS. 5 to 8 , each of which has thermal conductivity. These two types of plates 3A and 3B are alternately arranged in the X-axis direction in the mixer body 2 (see FIGS. 3 and 4 ). In this embodiment, “having thermal conductivity” refers to a thermal conductivity of 0.2 W / m·K or higher. This value is determined based on the lowest thermal conductivity material (e.g., fluororesin usable for chemical-resistant applications) among the materials intended for use in the mixer 1 of this embodiment, which mixes the materials A and B while controlling their temperature. In other words, in the mixer 1 of this embodiment, the plates 3 are formed from a material with a thermal conductivity of a predetermined value (0.2 W / m·K) or higher so that the materials A and B can be mixed while exchanging heat with other fluids.

[0033] Specifically, each of the plates 3A and 3B has a rectangular shape that extends in a direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction and is elongated in the Z-axis direction, and has one surface (first surface) S1, S3 in the X-axis direction and a surface (second surface) S2, S4 opposite to the first surface S1, S3 (i.e., the other side in the X-axis direction). The outlines of the plates 3A and 3B in this embodiment are the same.

[0034] In the mixer body 2 of this embodiment, the first plate 3A and the second plate 3B are overlapped with the second surface S2 of the first plate 3A facing the first surface S3 of the second plate 3B, thereby constituting a plate pair 3T. In addition, in the mixer body 2, two adjacent plate pairs 3T are overlapped with the second surface S4 of the second plate 3B of one plate pair 3T facing the first surface S1 of the first plate 3A of the other plate pair 3T.

[0035] In other words, in the mixer body 2, the first plate 3A and the second plate 3B are arranged alternately in the X-axis direction so that the second surface S2 of the first plate 3A faces the first surface S3 of the second plate 3B, and the second surface S4 of the second plate 3B faces the first surface S1 of the first plate 3A (see Figures 3 and 4).

[0036] Each plate 3A, 3B has a first region Ar1 and a second region Ar2, arranged in this order from one end (the upper end in this embodiment) to the other end (the lower end in this embodiment) in the Z-axis direction, i.e., toward the downstream side. Each plate 3A, 3B also has a third region Ar3 below (downstream of) the second region Ar2. In each plate 3A, 3B of this embodiment, the first region Ar1 of the first plate 3A and the first region Ar1 of the second plate 3B are in the same region (range) in the Z-axis direction, the second region Ar2 of the first plate 3A and the second region Ar2 of the second plate 3B are in the same region (range) in the Z-axis direction, and the third region Ar3 of the first plate 3A and the third region Ar3 of the second plate 3B are in the same region (range) in the Z-axis direction. Each plate 3A, 3B of this embodiment also has a gasket placement portion 30A in which a gasket 4 is placed and a pair of guide engagement portions 30B formed at both ends in the Z-axis direction.

[0037] The gasket placement portions 30A are portions on the plates 3A and 3B where the gaskets 4A and 4B are placed, and prevent the gaskets 4A and 4B from shifting relative to the plates 3A and 3B when the gaskets 4A and 4B are sandwiched between the plates 3, for example. The gasket placement portions 30A are configured by grooves formed in the plates 3A and 3B, protrusions formed on both sides of the width of each portion of the gaskets 4A and 4B, and the like.

[0038] In Figures 5 to 8, which show the surfaces S1, S2, S3, and S4 of each plate 3A, 3B, the gasket placement portion 30A is shaped to match the shape of the gasket 4A, 4B to be placed thereon, and therefore the first surfaces S1, S3 and the second surfaces S2, S4 of the same plate 3A, 3B have different shapes. However, since the plates 3A, 3B are formed by press-molding a metal plate (thin sheet) as described above, the grooves, protrusions, etc. that actually constitute the gasket placement portion 30A are in a front-back relationship between the first surfaces S1, S3 and the second surfaces S2, S4 of the same plate 3A, 3B (i.e., they have the same shape when viewed from the X-axis direction, but the protruding (or recessing) directions are opposite).

[0039] The guide engagement portions 30B are portions that engage with the guide portion 6 when each of the plates 3A, 3B is placed in the guide portion 6. In this embodiment, the guide engagement portions 30B are notches formed in the upper and lower ends of each of the plates 3A, 3B. Each of the guide engagement portions 30B is located at the center in the Y-axis direction of the upper and lower edges of each of the plates 3A, 3B.

[0040] The configuration of each of the plates 3A and 3B will be described in detail below.

[0041] The first plate 3A has a plurality of communication holes 31A and at least one through-hole 32A in the first region Ar1. The first plate 3A of this embodiment has a plurality of through-holes 32A in the first region Ar1. The first plate 3A also has, on the first surface S1 of the first region Ar1, at least one of at least one convex portion 34a protruding toward the first surface S1 in the X-axis direction and at least one concave portion 33a recessed toward the second surface S2 in the X-axis direction (see FIG. 5). The first plate 3A of this embodiment has a plurality of convex portions 34a and a plurality of concave portions 33a on the first surface S1 of the first region Ar1.

[0042] Since the first plate 3A of this embodiment is formed by press-forming a metal plate (thin sheet) as described above, a recess 34b recessed toward the first surface S1 in the X-axis direction is formed on the back surface (corresponding portion of the second surface S2) of the protrusion 34a protruding toward the first surface S1 in the X-axis direction on the first surface S1, and a protrusion 33b protruding toward the second surface S2 in the X-axis direction is formed on the back surface (corresponding portion of the second surface S2) of the recess 33a recessed toward the second surface S2 in the X-axis direction on the first surface S1 (see Figures 5 and 6).

[0043] The number of the plurality of communication holes 31A is set according to the number (types) of materials to be mixed in the mixer 1. The mixer 1 of this embodiment mixes two types of materials to be mixed (a first material to be mixed A and a second material to be mixed B), and therefore the first plate 3A has two communication holes (a first communication hole 311A ​​and a second communication hole 312A) in the first region Ar1.

[0044] The first communication hole 311A ​​is disposed in the center of the upper end of the first region Ar1 in the Y-axis direction, and the second communication hole 312A is disposed in the first region Ar1 below the first communication hole 311A ​​and offset in the Y-axis direction from the first communication hole 311A. In this embodiment, each of the communication holes 311A, 312A is a circular through-hole penetrating in the X-axis direction, and the inner diameter of the first communication hole 311A ​​is larger than the inner diameter of the second communication hole 312A. There are no limitations on the size relationship between the inner diameters of the first communication hole 311A ​​and the second communication hole 312A.

[0045] The multiple through holes 32A each penetrate in the X-axis direction and are arranged at intervals in the Z-axis direction. These multiple through holes 32A are arranged below the first communication holes 311A ​​and the second communication holes 312A. Each through hole 32A is an elongated hole extending in the Y-axis direction and is arranged at the center of the first region Ar1 in the Y-axis direction. In the first plate 3A of this embodiment, the multiple through holes 32A include multiple first through holes 321A through which the materials A and B to be mixed flow from the second flow path R2 to the first flow path R1, and multiple second through holes 322A through which the materials A and B to be mixed flow from the first flow path R1 to the second flow path R2. These first through holes 321A and second through holes 322A are arranged alternately in the Z-axis direction.

[0046] Each of the protrusions 34a on the first surface S1 extends in the Y-axis direction and is disposed below each of the second through holes 322A on the first surface S1, i.e., in a region (position) adjacent to the other side in the Z-axis direction. In this embodiment, each of the protrusions 34a is shorter than the distance in the Y-axis direction between the gasket mounting portion 30A at a position corresponding to the protrusion 34a in the Z-axis direction. That is, a gap is formed in the Y-axis direction between each end of the protrusion 34a and the corresponding gasket mounting portion 30A. The length of the protrusions 34a in the Y-axis direction is not limited, and the protrusions 34a may extend to a position where they abut against the gasket mounting portion 30A.

[0047] Each recess 33a in the first surface S1 extends in the Y-axis direction and is disposed below each first through hole 321A in the first surface S1, i.e., in a region (position) adjacent to the other side in the Z-axis direction. In this embodiment, each recess 33a is shorter than the distance in the Y-axis direction between the gasket placement portion 30A at a position corresponding to the recess 33a in the Z-axis direction. That is, a gap is formed in the Y-axis direction between each end of the recess 33a and the corresponding gasket placement portion 30A. The dimension of the recess 33a in the Y-axis direction in this embodiment is the same as the dimension of the protrusion 34a in the Y-axis direction. The length of the recess 33a in the Y-axis direction is not limited, and the recess 33a may extend to a position where it abuts against the gasket placement portion 30A. The dimension of the recess 33a in the Y-axis direction may be different from the dimension of the protrusion 34a in the Y-axis direction.

[0048] Each recess 34b on the second surface S2 is opposite to the protrusion 34a on the first surface S1. Specifically, each recess 34b on the second surface S2 extends in the Y-axis direction and is disposed in a region (position) on the second surface S2 adjacent to the lower side of each second through-hole 322A.

[0049] Each convex portion 33b on the second surface S2 is opposite to the concave portion 33a on the first surface S1. Specifically, each convex portion 33b on the second surface S2 extends in the Y-axis direction and is disposed in a region (position) on the second surface S2 adjacent to the lower side of each first through-hole 321A.

[0050] The first plate 3A also has at least one pair of third communicating holes 313A in the second region Ar2. The first plate 3A also has at least one mixing protrusion 35a protruding toward the first surface S1 in the X-axis direction and at least one mixing recess 36a recessed toward the second surface S2 in the X-axis direction on the first surface S1 of the second region Ar2. The first plate 3A of this embodiment has a pair of third communicating holes 313A, and has a plurality of mixing protrusions 35a and a plurality of mixing recesses 36a on the first surface S1 of the second region Ar2.

[0051] Since the first plate 3A of this embodiment is formed by press-molding a metal plate (thin plate) as described above, a mixing recess 35b recessed toward the first surface S1 in the X-axis direction is formed on the back surface (corresponding portion of the second surface S2) of the mixing protrusion 35a protruding toward the first surface S1 in the X-axis direction on the first surface S1, and a mixing protrusion 36b protruding toward the second surface S2 in the X-axis direction is formed on the back surface (corresponding portion of the second surface S2) of the mixing recess 36a recessed toward the second surface S2 in the X-axis direction on the first surface S1.

[0052] The pair of third communication holes 313A are arranged at both ends in the Y-axis direction in the second region Ar2. Specifically, the pair of third communication holes 313A are arranged on both sides in the Y-axis direction of a flow path (first flow path R1: see FIG. 4) formed between the first surface S1 of the first plate 3A and the second surface S4 of the second plate 3B (between the plates 3) from the first communication holes 311A ​​and 311B to the fourth communication holes 314A and 314B, as viewed in the X-axis direction. More specifically, one third communication hole 313A1 of the pair of third communication holes 313A is arranged at one end of the second region Ar2 in the Y-axis direction and at a predetermined position in the Z-axis direction (in this embodiment, the lower end of the second region Ar2), and the other third communication hole 313A2 is arranged at the other end of the second region Ar2 in the Y-axis direction and at a position higher than the one third communication hole 313A1 (in this embodiment, the upper end of the second region Ar2).

[0053] The mixing convex portions 35a and the mixing concave portions 36a on the first surface S1 are arranged alternately in the Z-axis direction. In this embodiment, the mixing convex portions 35a and the mixing concave portions 36a on the first surface S1 of the second region Ar2 are arranged in a herringbone pattern in which V-shaped convex portions and concave portions are alternately formed in the Z-axis direction (see FIG. 15).

[0054] Furthermore, each mixing convex portion 36b on the second surface S2 is opposite to the mixing concave portion 36a on the first surface S1, and each mixing concave portion 35b on the second surface S2 is opposite to the mixing convex portion 35a on the first surface S1. Therefore, in this embodiment, the mixing convex portions 36b and mixing concave portions 35b on the second surface S2 in the second region Ar2 are arranged in a so-called herringbone pattern, in which V-shaped convex portions and concave portions are alternately formed in the Z-axis direction (see FIG. 15).

[0055] These multiple mixing convex portions 35a, 36b and multiple mixing concave portions 36a, 35b generate turbulence or the like in the flow of the objects A, B, temperature-controlling fluid D, etc., between the first plate 3A and the second plate 3B, i.e., between the plates 3, thereby improving the mixing efficiency and heat exchange efficiency of the objects A, B, etc., flowing through the flow paths R1, R3. In the mixer body 2 of this embodiment, flow paths (first flow path R1, third flow path R3: see FIG. 4) are formed in part of the spaces between the plates 3, and the multiple mixing convex portions 35a, 36b and multiple mixing concave portions 36a, 35b generate turbulence or the like in the flow of the objects A, B, etc., flowing through the flow paths R1, R3. 2, 3, 5 to 8, 10, 12, etc., the number, shape, and arrangement of the mixing convex portions 35a, 36b and mixing concave portions 36a, 35b are shown schematically.

[0056] The first plate 3A also has at least one fourth communicating hole 314A and a plurality of through holes 37A in the third region Ar3. The first plate 3A of this embodiment has one fourth communicating hole 314A in the third region Ar3. The first plate 3A also has at least one of at least one convex portion 38a protruding toward the first surface S1 in the X-axis direction and at least one concave portion 39a recessed toward the second surface S2 in the X-axis direction on the first surface S1 of the third region Ar3. The first plate 3A of this embodiment has one convex portion 38a and one concave portion 39a on the first surface S1 of the third region Ar3.

[0057] Since the first plate 3A of this embodiment is formed by press-molding a metal plate (thin sheet) as described above, a recess 38b recessed toward the first surface S1 in the X-axis direction is formed on the back surface (corresponding portion of the second surface S2) of the protrusion 38a protruding toward the first surface S1 in the X-axis direction on the first surface S1, and a protrusion 39b protruding toward the second surface S2 in the X-axis direction is formed on the back surface (corresponding portion of the second surface S2) of the recess 39a recessed toward the second surface S2 in the X-axis direction on the first surface S1.

[0058] The fourth communication hole 314A is located at the lower end of the third region Ar3. In this embodiment, the fourth communication hole 314A is a circular through-hole located at the center of the lower end of the third region Ar3 in the Y-axis direction. The inner diameter of this fourth communication hole 314A is the same as that of the first communication hole 311A.

[0059] The multiple through holes 37A are aligned at intervals in the Z-axis direction. These multiple through holes 37A are located above the fourth communication hole 314A. Each through hole 37A is an elongated hole extending in the Y-axis direction and is located at the center of the third region Ar3 in the Y-axis direction. In this embodiment, each through hole 37A has the same shape as the first through hole 321A and the second through hole 322A in the first region Ar1.

[0060] The convex portions 38a of the first surface S1 extend in the Y-axis direction and are disposed between predetermined through-holes 37A on the first surface S1. The concave portions 39a of the first surface S1 extend in the Y-axis direction and are disposed between other through-holes 37A (different from the positions where the convex portions 38a are disposed) on the first surface S1.

[0061] The recesses 38b of the second surface S2 are opposite to the protrusions 38a of the first surface S1, and the protrusions 39b of the second surface S2 are opposite to the recesses 39a of the first surface S1. That is, the recesses 38b of the second surface S2 extend in the Y-axis direction between predetermined through holes 37A on the second surface S2, and the protrusions 39b of the second surface extend in the Y-axis direction between other through holes 37A on the second surface S2.

[0062] The second plate 3B has a plurality of communication holes 31B and at least one through-hole 32B in the first region Ar1. The second plate 3B of this embodiment has a plurality of through-holes 32B in the first region Ar1. The second plate 3B also has, on the first surface S3 of the first region Ar1, at least one of at least one convex portion 33c protruding toward the first surface S3 in the X-axis direction and at least one concave portion 34c recessed toward the second surface S4 in the X-axis direction (see FIG. 7). The second plate 3B of this embodiment has a plurality of convex portions 33c and a plurality of concave portions 34c on the first surface S3 of the first region Ar1.

[0063] In addition, since the second plate 3B of this embodiment is also formed by press-molding a metal plate (thin plate) as described above, a recess 33d that is recessed toward the first surface S3 in the X-axis direction is formed on the back surface (corresponding portion of the second surface S4) of the protrusion 33c that protrudes toward the first surface S3 in the X-axis direction on the first surface S3, and a protrusion 34d that protrudes toward the second surface S4 in the X-axis direction is formed on the back surface (corresponding portion of the second surface S4) of the recess 34c that is recessed toward the second surface S4 in the X-axis direction on the first surface S3 (see Figures 7 and 8).

[0064] The number of the multiple communication holes 31B is the same as the number of the communication holes 31A of the first plate 3A, and each communication hole 31B is arranged at a position overlapping with the communication hole 31A of the first plate 3A when viewed from the X-axis direction (hereinafter simply referred to as an "overlapping position"). The second plate 3B of this embodiment has two communication holes (a first communication hole 311B and a second communication hole 312B) in the first region Ar1. The first communication hole 311B is arranged at a position overlapping with the first communication hole 311A ​​of the first plate 3A, i.e., at the center in the Y-axis direction at the upper end of the first region Ar1, and the second communication hole 312B is arranged at a position overlapping with the first communication hole 311A ​​of the first plate 3A, i.e., at a position below the first communication hole 311B in the first region Ar1 and shifted in the Y-axis direction from the first communication hole 311B. Like the communication holes 311A ​​and 312A of the first plate 3A, the communication holes 311B and 312B of this embodiment are circular through-holes that penetrate in the X-axis direction, and the inner diameter of the first communication hole 311B is larger than the inner diameter of the second communication hole 312B. There are no limitations on the size relationship between the inner diameters of the first communication hole 311B and the second communication hole 312B.

[0065] The multiple through holes 32B each penetrate in the X-axis direction and are arranged at intervals in the Z-axis direction. In this embodiment, each through hole 32B is arranged at a position overlapping with a corresponding through hole 32A in the first plate 3A. Specifically, each through hole 32B has the same shape (a long hole extending in the Y-axis direction) as the corresponding through hole 32A in the first plate 3A, and is arranged at the center of the first region Ar1 in the Y-axis direction.

[0066] Furthermore, in the second plate 3B of this embodiment, like the plurality of through holes 32A of the first plate 3A, the plurality of through holes 32B include a plurality of first through holes 321B through which the materials A and B to be mixed flow from the second flow path R2 to the first flow path R1, and a plurality of second through holes 322B through which the materials A and B to be mixed flow from the first flow path R1 to the second flow path R2. These first through holes 321B and second through holes 322B are arranged alternately in the Z-axis direction.

[0067] Each of the protrusions 33c on the first surface S3 extends in the Y-axis direction and is disposed below each of the second through holes 322B on the first surface S3, i.e., in a region (position) adjacent to the other side in the Z-axis direction. In this embodiment, each of the protrusions 33c overlaps with and has the same shape as a corresponding protrusion 33b on the second surface S2 of the first plate 3A. Furthermore, the protrusions 33c on the first surface S3 of the second plate 3B and the corresponding protrusions 33b on the second surface S2 of the first plate 3A, which face each other, abut against each other at their respective peaks (the portions that protrude most in the X-axis direction). As a result, the protrusions 33b on the first plate 3A and the protrusions 33c on the second plate 3B form a first wall W1 that extends in the Y-axis direction and partitions the second flow path R2 (see FIGS. 13 and 14). That is, each plate pair 3T has a first wall portion W1 formed by the abutment of the tops of the convex portions 33b and 33c, and this first wall portion W1 is arranged in an area adjacent to the lower side of the opposing first through holes 321A, 321B.

[0068] Each recess 34c in the first surface S3 extends in the Y-axis direction and is disposed below each first through-hole 321B in the first surface S3, i.e., in a region (position) adjacent to the other side in the Z-axis direction. Each recess 34c in this embodiment is positioned to overlap with and has the same shape as the corresponding recess 34b in the second surface S2 of the first plate 3A.

[0069] Each recess 33d on the second surface S4 is opposite to the protrusion 33c on the first surface S3. Specifically, each recess 33d on the second surface S4 extends in the Y-axis direction and is disposed in a region (position) on the second surface S4 adjacent to the lower side of each second through hole 322B. Each recess 33d in this embodiment is positioned to overlap with and has the same shape as the corresponding recess 33a on the first surface S1 of the first plate 3A.

[0070] Each of the protrusions 34d on the second surface S4 is opposite to the recesses 34c on the first surface S3. Specifically, each of the protrusions 34d on the second surface S4 extends in the Y-axis direction and is disposed in a region (position) adjacent to the lower side of each of the first through holes 321B on the second surface S4. In this embodiment, each of the protrusions 34d overlaps with and has the same shape as the corresponding protrusion 34a on the first surface S1 of the first plate 3A. Furthermore, the protrusions 34d on the second surface S4 of the second plate 3B and the corresponding protrusions 34a on the first surface S1 of the first plate 3A, which face each other, abut against each other at their respective peaks (the portions that protrude most in the X-axis direction). As a result, the protrusions 34a on the first plate 3A and the protrusions 34d on the second plate 3B form a second wall W2 that extends in the Y-axis direction and partitions the first flow path R1 (see FIGS. 13 and 14). That is, two adjacent plate pairs 3T have a second wall portion W2 formed by the abutment of the tops of the convex portion 34a and the convex portion 34d, and this second wall portion W2 is arranged in an area adjacent to the lower side of the opposing second through holes 322A, 322B.

[0071] The second plate 3B also has at least one pair of third communicating holes 313B in the second region Ar2. The second plate 3B also has at least one mixing protrusion 36c protruding toward the first surface S3 in the X-axis direction and at least one mixing recess 35c recessed toward the second surface S4 in the X-axis direction on the first surface S3 of the second region Ar2. The second plate 3B of this embodiment has a pair of third communicating holes 313B, and has a plurality of mixing protrusions 36c and a plurality of mixing recesses 35c on the first surface S3 of the second region Ar2.

[0072] Furthermore, since the second plate 3B of this embodiment is also formed by press-molding a metal plate (thin plate) as described above, a mixing recess 36d recessed toward the first surface S3 in the X-axis direction is formed on the back surface (corresponding portion of the second surface S4) of the mixing protrusion 36c that protrudes toward the first surface S3 in the X-axis direction on the first surface S3, and a mixing protrusion 35d protruding toward the second surface S4 in the X-axis direction is formed on the back surface (corresponding portion of the second surface S4) of the mixing recess 35c that protrudes toward the second surface S2 in the X-axis direction on the first surface S1.

[0073] The pair of third communication holes 313B are arranged at both ends in the Y-axis direction in the second region Ar2. Specifically, each third communication hole 313B is positioned to overlap with the corresponding third communication hole 313A of the first plate 3A, i.e., one third communication hole 313B1 of the pair of third communication holes 313B is arranged at one end of the second region Ar2 in the Y-axis direction and at a predetermined position in the Z-axis direction (a position overlapping with one third communication hole 313A1 of the first plate 3A), and the other third communication hole 313B2 is arranged at the other end of the second region Ar2 in the Y-axis direction and at a position higher than the one third communication hole 313B1 (a position overlapping with the other third communication hole 313A2 of the first plate 3A).

[0074] The mixing convex portions 36c and the mixing concave portions 35c on the first surface S3 are arranged alternately in the Z-axis direction. In this embodiment, the mixing convex portions 36c and the mixing concave portions 35c on the first surface S3 of the second region Ar2 are arranged in a so-called herringbone pattern in which V-shaped convex portions and concave portions bent in the opposite direction to the bending direction of the mixing convex portions 35a and the mixing concave portions 36a on the first surface S1 of the first plate 3A are alternately formed in the Z-axis direction (see FIG. 15).

[0075] Furthermore, each mixing recess 36d on the second surface S4 is opposite to the mixing protrusion 36c on the first surface S3, and each mixing protrusion 35d on the second surface S4 is opposite to the mixing recess 35c on the first surface S3. For this reason, the mixing recess 36d and the mixing protrusion 35d on the second surface S4 of the second region Ar2 in this embodiment are arranged in a so-called herringbone pattern, in which V-shaped recesses and protrusions bent in the opposite direction to the bending direction of the mixing protrusion 36b and the mixing recess 35b on the second surface S2 of the first plate 3A are alternately formed in the Z-axis direction (see FIG. 15).

[0076] Each mixing protrusion 36c on the first surface S3 of the second plate 3B crosses and abuts (abuts in a state where they partially cross when viewed from the X-axis direction) with a corresponding mixing protrusion 36b on the second surface S2 of the first plate 3A. Also, each mixing protrusion 35d on the second surface S4 of the second plate 3B crosses and abuts with a corresponding mixing protrusion 35a on the first surface S1 of the first plate 3A. This causes sufficient turbulence to be generated in the flow of the materials A, B, etc., when the materials A, B, temperature-adjusting fluid D, etc., flow between the first plate 3A and the second plate 3B, i.e., between the plates, thereby effectively improving the mixing efficiency and heat exchange efficiency of the materials A, B, etc., flowing through the flow paths R1 and R3.

[0077] The second plate 3B also has at least one fourth communication hole 314B and a plurality of through holes 37B in the third region Ar3. The second plate 3B of this embodiment has one fourth communication hole 314B in the third region Ar3. The second plate 3B also has at least one of at least one convex portion 39c protruding toward the first surface S3 in the X-axis direction and at least one concave portion 38c recessed toward the second surface S4 in the X-axis direction on the first surface S3 of the third region Ar3. The second plate 3B of this embodiment has one convex portion 39c and one concave portion 38c on the first surface S3 of the third region Ar3.

[0078] Furthermore, since the second plate 3B of this embodiment is also formed by press-molding a metal plate (thin sheet) as described above, a recess 39d recessed toward the first surface S3 in the X-axis direction is formed on the back surface (corresponding portion of the second surface S4) of the protrusion 39c that protrudes toward the first surface S3 in the X-axis direction on the first surface S3, and a protrusion 38d protruding toward the second surface S4 in the X-axis direction is formed on the back surface (corresponding portion of the second surface S4) of the recess 38c that protrudes toward the second surface S4 in the X-axis direction on the first surface S3.

[0079] The fourth communication hole 314B is located at the lower end of the third region Ar3. In this embodiment, the fourth communication hole 314B is located at a position overlapping with the fourth communication hole 314A of the first plate 3A, i.e., at the center in the Y-axis direction of the lower end of the third region Ar3. The fourth communication hole 314B in this embodiment is a circular through-hole like the fourth communication hole 314A of the first plate 3A, and the inner diameter of this fourth communication hole 314B is the same as the fourth communication hole 314A of the first plate 3A (i.e., the same as the first communication holes 311A ​​and 311B).

[0080] The multiple through holes 37B are aligned at intervals in the Z-axis direction. In this embodiment, each through hole 37B is disposed at a position overlapping with a corresponding through hole 37A in the first plate 3A. Specifically, each through hole 37B has the same shape (a long hole extending in the Y-axis direction) as the corresponding through hole 37A in the first plate 3A, and is disposed at the center of the third region Ar3 in the Y-axis direction.

[0081] The protrusions 39c on the first surface S3 extend in the Y-axis direction and are disposed between predetermined through-holes 37B on the first surface S3. In this embodiment, the protrusions 39c are positioned to overlap with and have the same shape as the corresponding protrusions 39b on the second surface S2 of the first plate 3A. Furthermore, the protrusions 39c on the first surface S3 of the second plate 3B and the corresponding protrusions 39b on the second surface S2 of the first plate 3A, which face each other, abut against each other at their peaks (the portions that protrude most in the X-axis direction). As a result, the protrusions 39b on the first plate 3A and the protrusions 39c on the second plate 3B form a third wall W3 that extends in the Y-axis direction and partitions the third flow path R3 (see FIGS. 13 and 16). That is, the plate pair 3T has a third wall portion W3 formed by the abutment of the tops of the convex portions 39b and 39c, and this third wall portion W3 is arranged in an area adjacent to the lower side of the through holes 37A and 37B that face each other at a predetermined position.

[0082] The recesses 38c in the first surface S3 extend in the Y-axis direction and are disposed between the other through holes 37B (positions different from those of the protrusions 39c) in the first surface S3. The recesses 38c in this embodiment are positioned to overlap with and have the same shape as the corresponding recesses 38b in the second surface S2 of the first plate 3A.

[0083] The recesses 39d on the second surface S4 are opposite to the protrusions 38a on the first surface S1, are disposed between predetermined through-holes 37B on the second surface S4, and extend in the Y-axis direction. The recesses 39d in this embodiment are positioned to overlap with and have the same shape as the corresponding recesses 39a on the first surface S1 of the first plate 3A.

[0084] The protrusions 38d on the second surface S4 are opposite to the recesses 38c on the first surface S1, are disposed between the other through-holes 37B on the first surface S3, and extend in the Y-axis direction. In this embodiment, the protrusions 38d overlap the corresponding protrusions 38a on the first surface S1 of the first plate 3A and have the same shape. The protrusions 38d on the second surface S4 of the second plate 3B and the corresponding protrusions 38a on the first surface S1 of the first plate 3A, which face each other, abut against each other at their peaks (the portions that protrude most in the X-axis direction). As a result, the protrusions 38a on the first plate 3A and the protrusions 38d on the second plate 3B form a fourth wall W4 that extends in the Y-axis direction and partitions the first flow path R1 (see FIGS. 13 and 16). That is, two adjacent plate pairs 3T have a fourth wall portion W4 formed by the abutment of the tops of the convex portions 38a and 38d, and this fourth wall portion W4 is arranged in an area adjacent to the lower side of the opposing through holes 37A and 37B at another position (a position different from the through holes 37A and 37B in the area adjacent to the upper side of the third wall portion W3).

[0085] The multiple gaskets 4 are sealing members made of synthetic rubber such as acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) or ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM), fluororesin, or the like, and are sandwiched between the plates 3 to form flow paths (flow path spaces) R1 to R4 between the plates 3. These multiple gaskets 4 include two types of gaskets (first gasket 4A and second gasket 4B) as shown in Figures 3, 4, and 9 to 12, and are arranged alternately in the X-axis direction in the mixer body 2. In this embodiment, the first gasket 4A and the second gasket 4B have the same outline shape when viewed in the X-axis direction.

[0086] The first gasket 4A is sandwiched between the first surface S1 of the first plate 3A and the second surface S4 of the second plate 3B. As a result, the first gasket 4A forms at least one flow path (in this embodiment, a first flow path R1: see the smoked area indicated by the symbol R1 in FIG. 10) between the first surface S1 of the first plate 3A and the second surface S2 of the second plate 3B.

[0087] Specifically, when the first gasket 4A is placed on the first surface S1 of the first plate 3A (see FIG. 10), it has a first flow path forming portion 41A that surrounds the periphery of a region (first flow path R1) through which the materials A and B to be mixed flow, and a plurality of first sealing portions 42A that surround the periphery of predetermined communication holes 312A, 313A1, and 313A2. The first gasket 4A also has a plurality of connecting portions 43A that connect the first flow path forming portion 41A and each of the first sealing portions 42A.

[0088] When viewed from the X-axis direction, the first flow path forming portion 41A is a portion that surrounds the first communication hole 311A ​​and the fourth communication hole 314A on the first surface S1 of the first plate 3A, and also surrounds the first communication hole 311B and the fourth communication hole 314B on the second surface S4 of the second plate 3B. This first flow path forming portion 41A forms a flow path (first flow path R1) between the first surface S1 of the first plate 3A and the second surface S4 of the second plate 3B, through which the materials A and B to be mixed can flow from the first communication holes 311A ​​and 311B to the fourth communication holes 314A and 314B.

[0089] More specifically, on the first surface S1 of the first plate 3A, the first flow path forming portion 41A surrounds the first communication hole 311A, the plurality of first through holes 321A and the plurality of second through holes 322A, the plurality of convex portions 34a and the plurality of concave portions 33a, the plurality of mixing convex portions 35a and the plurality of mixing concave portions 36a, the plurality of through holes 37A, the convex portion 38a and the concave portion 39a, and the fourth communication hole 314A (see Figure 10). Furthermore, on the second surface S4 of the second plate 3B, the first flow path forming portion 41A surrounds the first communicating hole 311B, the plurality of first through holes 321B and the plurality of second through holes 322B, the plurality of convex portions 34d and the plurality of concave portions 33d, the plurality of mixing convex portions 35d and the plurality of mixing concave portions 36d, the plurality of through holes 37B, the convex portion 38d and the concave portion 39d, and the fourth communicating hole 314B.

[0090] In this embodiment, the first flow path forming portion 41A is annular and extends in the Z-axis direction, with a width (dimension in the Y-axis direction) that is approximately constant at each position in the Z-axis direction (flow direction of the objects A and B to be mixed: see arrow α in Figure 10), and first communication holes 311A, 311B and fourth communication holes 314A, 314B are located at both ends in the Z-axis direction of the area (first flow path R1) surrounded by the first flow path forming portion 41A.

[0091] Each of the multiple first sealing portions 42A is a portion that, when viewed from the X-axis direction, surrounds the second communication hole 312A and each of the pair of third communication holes 313A1 and 313A2 on the first surface S1 of the first plate 3A, and also surrounds the second communication hole 312B and each of the pair of third communication holes 313B1 and 313B2 on the second surface S4 of the second plate 3B.

[0092] Each of the multiple connection portions 43A connects the first flow path forming portion 41A and each of the first sealing portions 42A at a position that overlaps a corresponding portion of the second gasket 4B when viewed from the X-axis direction. This makes it possible to prevent or suppress deformation of each of the plates 3A, 3B when a force is applied to the multiple plates 3A, 3B (mixer body 2) in a sandwiching direction from outside in the X-axis direction with the gaskets 4A, 4B sandwiched between the plates 3.

[0093] The second gasket 4B is sandwiched between the second surface S2 of the first plate 3A and the first surface S3 of the second plate 3B. As a result, the second gasket 4B forms at least one flow path (in this embodiment, a second flow path R2, a third flow path R3, and a fourth flow path R4: see the smoked areas indicated by the symbols R2 to R4 in FIG. 12) between the second surface S2 of the first plate 3A and the first surface S3 of the second plate 3B.

[0094] Specifically, when the second gasket 4B is disposed on the first surface S3 of the second plate 3B (see FIG. 12), it has a second flow path-forming portion 41B that surrounds the periphery of a region (second flow path R2) through which the materials A and B to be mixed flow, a third flow path-forming portion 42B that surrounds the periphery of a region (third flow path R3) through which the temperature-adjusting fluid D can flow, a fourth flow path-forming portion 43B that surrounds the periphery of a region (fourth flow path R4) through which the materials A and B to be mixed flow, and a second sealing portion 44B that surrounds the periphery of the first communication hole 311B. The second gasket 4B also has a plurality of connecting portions 45B that connect the flow path-forming portions 41B, 42B, 43B to each other or that connect the second flow path-forming portion 41B to the second sealing portion 44B.

[0095] The second flow path forming portion 41B is a portion that surrounds the second communication hole 312B, the plurality of first through holes 321B and second through holes 322B, the plurality of convex portions 33c and the plurality of concave portions 34c on the first surface S3 of the second plate 3B when viewed from the X-axis direction (see FIG. 12), and also surrounds the second communication hole 312A, the plurality of first through holes 321A and second through holes 322A, the plurality of convex portions 33b and the plurality of concave portions 34b on the second surface S2 of the first plate 3A. The second flow path forming portion 41B forms a flow path (second flow path R2) between the second surface S2 of the first plate 3A and the first surface S3 of the second plate 3B, through which the materials A and B to be mixed can flow from the second communication holes 312A and 312B to the lowermost through holes 32A and 32B (in this embodiment, the first through holes 321A and 321B). In the second flow path R2, the materials A and B to be mixed flow in the direction indicated by the arrow β in FIG.

[0096] The second flow path forming section 41B of this embodiment is annular in shape with a substantially constant width at each position in the flow direction of the materials A and B to be mixed (see arrow α in Figure 12), and second communication holes 312A, 312B and the lowest first through holes 321A, 321B are located at both ends in the flow direction α of the area surrounded by the second flow path forming section 41B.

[0097] When viewed from the X-axis direction, the third flow path forming portion 42B is a portion that surrounds one of the third communication holes 313B1, the multiple mixing convex portions 36c and the multiple mixing concave portions 35c, and the other third communication hole 313B2 on the first surface S3 of the second plate 3B (see Figure 12), and also surrounds one of the third communication holes 313A1, the multiple mixing convex portions 36b and the multiple mixing concave portions 35b, and the other third communication hole 313A2 on the second surface S2 of the first plate 3A. The third flow path forming portion 42B forms a flow path (third flow path R3) between the second surface S2 of the first plate 3A and the first surface S3 of the second plate 3B, through which the fluid D can flow from one of the third communication holes 313A1, 313B1 to the other of the third communication holes 313A2, 313B2, or from the other of the third communication holes 313A2, 313B2 to one of the third communication holes 313A1, 313B1. In the third flow path R3, the materials A and B to be mixed flow in the direction indicated by the arrow γ in FIG.

[0098] When viewed from the X-axis direction, the fourth flow path forming portion 43B surrounds the plurality of through holes 37B, the convex portions 39c and the concave portions 38c, and the fourth communication hole 314B on the first surface S3 of the second plate 3B (see FIG. 12 ), and also surrounds the plurality of through holes 37A, the convex portions 39b and the concave portions 38b, and the fourth communication hole 314A on the second surface S2 of the first plate 3A. The fourth flow path forming portion 43B forms a flow path (fourth flow path R4) between the second surface S2 of the first plate 3A and the first surface S3 of the second plate 3B, through which the materials A and B to be mixed can flow from the uppermost through holes 37A and 37B to the fourth communication holes 314A and 314B. In the fourth flow path R4, the materials A and B to be mixed flow in the direction indicated by arrow δ in FIG. 12 .

[0099] The second sealing portion 44B is a portion that surrounds the first communication hole 311B on the first surface S3 of the second plate 3B (see Figure 12) and also surrounds the first communication hole 311A ​​on the second surface S2 of the first plate 3A when viewed from the X-axis direction.

[0100] Each of the multiple connection portions 45B connects flow path forming portions 41B, 42B, 43B to one another or connects second flow path forming portion 41B to second sealing portion 44B at a position that overlaps a corresponding portion of first gasket 4A when viewed from the X-axis direction. This makes it possible to prevent or suppress deformation of each of plates 3A, 3B when a force is applied to multiple plates 3A, 3B (mixer body 2) in a sandwiching direction from outside in the X-axis direction with gaskets 4A, 4B sandwiched between each of plates 3A, 3B.

[0101] In the plates 3 and gaskets 4 configured as described above, the first plates 3A and the second plates 3B are alternately arranged in the X-axis direction, and the first gasket 4A is sandwiched between the first surface S1 of the first plate 3A and the second surface S4 of the second plate 3B, and the second gasket 4B is sandwiched between the second surface S2 of the first plate 3A and the first surface S3 of the second plate 3B, thereby configuring the mixer body 2 (see FIGS. 3 and 13). Note that in FIG. 13, the shape of the second region Ar2 of each plate 3A, 3B is simplified to make the configuration easier to understand.

[0102] At this time, in the mixer body 2, a first flow path R1 is formed between the first surface S1 of the first plate 3A and the second surface S4 of the second plate 3B, inside the first flow path forming portion 41A of the first gasket 4A (the area surrounded by the first flow path forming portion 41A) when viewed from the X-axis direction (see Figures 10 and 13).

[0103] Furthermore, in the mixer body 2, between the second surface S2 of the first plate 3A and the first surface S3 of the second plate 3B, a second flow path R2 is formed inside the second flow path forming portion 41B of the second gasket 4B (the area surrounded by the second flow path forming portion 41B) when viewed from the X-axis direction, a third flow path R3 is formed inside the third flow path forming portion 42B (the area surrounded by the third flow path forming portion 42B), and a fourth flow path R4 is formed inside the fourth flow path forming portion 43B (the area surrounded by the fourth flow path forming portion 43B) (see Figures 12 and 13).

[0104] Furthermore, in the mixer main body 2, as shown in FIG. 4, the first communication holes 311A, 311B of each plate 3A, 3B are connected in the X-axis direction to form a first supply flow path Ch1, the second communication holes 312A, 312B of each plate 3A, 3B are connected in the X-axis direction to form a second supply flow path Ch2, the third communication holes 313A1, 313B1 of one of the plates 3A, 3B are connected in the X-axis direction to form an inlet flow path Ch4, the third communication holes 313A2, 313B2 of the other plate 3A, 3B are connected in the X-axis direction to form an outlet flow path Ch5, and the fourth communication holes 314A, 314B of each plate 3A, 3B are connected in the X-axis direction to form an outlet flow path Ch3.

[0105] The first supply flow path Ch1 extends in the X-axis direction and is connected only to each of the first flow paths R1, and allows a first mixing object A supplied from the outside to flow into (supply) each of the first flow paths R1. The second supply flow path Ch2 extends in the X-axis direction and is connected only to each of the second flow paths R2, and allows a second mixing object B supplied from the outside to flow into (supply) each of the second flow paths R2. The inflow path Ch4 extends in the X-axis direction and is connected only to each of the third flow paths R3, and allows a temperature adjustment fluid D supplied from the outside to flow into (supply) each of the third flow paths R3. The outflow path Ch5 extends in the X-axis direction and is connected only to each of the third flow paths R3, and allows the temperature adjustment fluid D that has flowed through each of the third flow paths R3 to flow out (discharge) to the outside. In addition, the discharge flow path Ch3 extends in the X-axis direction and is connected only to each of the first flow paths R1 and each of the fourth flow paths R4, and causes (discharges) the mixed materials A and B (mixture C) that have flowed through each of the first flow paths R1 and each of the fourth flow paths R4 to flow out (discharge) to the outside.

[0106] Returning to FIGS. 1 to 4, each of the pair of frames 5a and 5b is a thick plate-like member having a shape corresponding to the plates 3A and 3B when viewed from the X-axis direction.

[0107] One frame 5a of the pair of frames 5a, 5b is a rectangular thick plate that is long in the Z-axis direction and has a plurality of (five in this embodiment) through-holes 51 that penetrate in the X-axis direction at positions that overlap with the communication holes 311A, 311B, 312A, 312B, 313A1, 313B1, 313A2, 313B2, 314A, and 314B of plates 3A and 3B (in other words, the supply channels Ch1 and Ch2, the inflow channel Ch4, the outflow channel Ch5, and the discharge channel Ch3) as viewed from the X-axis direction. Furthermore, one frame 5a has a plurality of notches 52 that are spaced apart in the Z-axis direction on both ends in the Y-axis direction.

[0108] The other frame 5b of the pair of frames 5a, 5b is a rectangular thick plate that is long in the Z-axis direction and has a plurality of notches 53 spaced apart in the Z-axis direction at both ends in the Y-axis direction. Each of these notches 53 is positioned so as to overlap with a corresponding notch 52 of the other frame 5a when viewed in the X-axis direction.

[0109] The guide unit 6 has a pair of guide bars 61 each extending in the X-axis direction. The guide unit 6 of this embodiment also has support members 62 that maintain the distance between the ends of the pair of guide bars 61.

[0110] The pair of guide bars 61 extend parallel to each other from both ends of one frame 5a in the Z-axis direction. The pair of guide bars 61 guide the other frame 5b so that it can move toward and away from the one frame 5a in the X-axis direction while maintaining a parallel state (posture) relative to the one frame 5a. Each of the pair of guide bars 61 engages with the guide engagement portions 30B at both ends of the plates 3A and 3B in the Z-axis direction, thereby guiding each of the plates 3A and 3B to their respective placement positions. The guide engagement portions 30B in this embodiment are notches as described above, and each of the pair of guide bars 61 fits into the notches (guide engagement portions) 36 formed at both ends of the plates 3A and 3B in the Z-axis direction, thereby guiding each of the plates 3A and 3B to their respective placement positions.

[0111] The support member 62 extends in the Z-axis direction and connects the ends of a pair of guide bars 61 (the ends opposite the ends connected to one frame 5a) to each other, thereby maintaining the distance between the ends in the Z-axis direction.

[0112] Each of the multiple fastening members 7 has a bolt 71 extending in the X-axis direction and a nut 72 that screws onto the bolt 71. Each fastening member 7 fits into the corresponding notch 52, 53 (which overlap when viewed in the X-axis direction) of the pair of frames 5a, 5b and fastens the pair of frames 5a, 5b in a direction that reduces the distance between them in the X-axis direction. Fastening the pair of frames 5a, 5b with the multiple fastening members 7 sandwiches the gaskets 4A, 4B disposed between the plates 3 with sufficient force, thereby making each of the flow paths R1 to R4 formed between the plates 3 liquid-tight.

[0113] In the mixer 1 configured as above, when a first material to be mixed A and a second material to be mixed B are mixed while adjusting their temperatures, the first material to be mixed A is supplied from the first supply flow path Ch1 into the mixer body 2, the second material to be mixed B is supplied from the second supply flow path Ch2 into the mixer body 2, and a temperature adjusting fluid (fluid at a predetermined temperature) D is supplied from the inlet channel Ch4 (see FIGS. 1, 2, and 4). Then, the materials to be mixed A and B flow downward inside the mixer body 2, thereby mixing the materials A and B. More details are as follows.

[0114] 4, 13, and 14, a first material to be mixed A supplied from the first supply flow path Ch1 and a second material to be mixed B supplied from the second supply flow path Ch2 are mixed at a portion (first portion Ar10) corresponding to the first region Ar1 of each plate 3 in the mixer body 2. This is described in detail below.

[0115] First, in the first portion Ar10 of the mixer body 2, while the first mixing material A that has flowed from the first supply flow path Ch1 into each first flow path R1 is flowing through the first flow path R1, a portion of the second mixing material B that has flowed from the second supply flow path Ch2 into each second flow path R2 flows (moves) into the first flow path R1 adjacent to the second flow path R2 through the first through holes 321A, 321B.

[0116] Specifically, the materials to be mixed B flowing through each second flow path R2 collides with the first wall portion W1 of the second flow path R2 and flows into each first flow path R1 adjacent to the second flow path R2 through the first through holes 321A, 321B arranged immediately upstream of the first wall portion W1 (i.e., arranged in a region adjacent to the first wall portion W1 on one side in the Z-axis direction). That is, when the materials to be mixed B flowing downward through the second flow path R2 collides with the first wall portion W1, the flow of the materials to be mixed B is divided into one side and the other in the X-axis direction, and these divided flows of the materials to be mixed B flow into the first flow paths R1 adjacent to the second flow path R2 through the first through holes 321A, 321B arranged immediately upstream of the first wall portion W1.

[0117] In addition, a portion of the material to be mixed B that collides with the first wall portion W1 in the second flow path R2 passes between the end of the first wall portion W1 in the Y-axis direction and the second gasket 4B and flows downstream (downward) through the second flow path R2.

[0118] At this time, in the first flow path R1 formed between two adjacent plate pairs 3T, the first through holes 321A and 321B through which the material B to be mixed flows from the second flow path R2 into the first flow path R1 are opposed to each other, so in the region (confluence region) Ar5 (see Figure 14) between the opposing first through holes 321A and 321B in this first flow path R1, the flow of the material A to be mixed flowing through the first flow path R1, the flow of the material A to be mixed flowing in from one of the first through holes 321A, and the flow of the material B to be mixed flowing in from the other first through hole 321B collide (confluence).

[0119] Subsequently, the materials A and B to be mixed that have joined (mixed) in the joining region Ar5 of the first flow path R1 collide with the second wall portion W2 formed below (downstream of) the joining region Ar5, and flow into each of the second flow paths R2 adjacent to the first flow path R1 through the second through-holes 322A and 322B that are arranged immediately upstream of the second wall portion W2 (i.e., arranged in an area adjacent to the second wall portion W2 on one side in the Z-axis direction). That is, when the materials A and B to be mixed flowing downward through the first flow path R1 collide with the second wall portion W2, the flows of the materials A and B to be mixed are divided into one side and the other in the X-axis direction, and these divided flows of the materials A and B to be mixed flow into the second flow paths R2 adjacent to the first flow path R1 through the second through-holes 322A and 322B.

[0120] In addition, some of the materials A and B to be mixed that collide with the second wall portion W2 in the first flow path R1 pass between the end of the second wall portion W2 in the Y-axis direction and the first gasket 4A and flow downstream (downward) through the first flow path R1.

[0121] At this time, in the second flow path R2 formed between the plates 3 that make up the plate pair 3T, the second through holes 322A and 322B through which the materials A and B to be mixed flow from the first flow path R1 into the second flow path R2 face each other, so in the region (confluence region) Ar6 (see Figure 14) between the second through holes 322A and 322B that face each other in this second flow path R2, the flows of the materials A and B to be mixed flowing through the second flow path R2, the flows of the materials A and B to be mixed flowing in from one of the second through holes 322A, and the flows of the materials A and B to be mixed flowing in from the other second through hole 322B collide (confluence).

[0122] In the first section Ar10 of the mixer body 2, in each flow path R1, R2, the materials A and B to be mixed are split into flows due to collisions with the respective wall sections W1, W2 as described above, and the flows are joined together due to the materials A and B flowing into joining areas Ar5, Ar6 between the opposing through holes 321A, 321B, 322A, 322B, thereby mixing the materials A and B flowing through the first flow path R1 with the materials A and B flowing through the second flow path R2 (inter-flow path mixing), i.e., the materials A and B flowing between different plates 3 are effectively mixed with each other.

[0123] The materials A and B to be mixed (mixture C) thus mixed between the flow paths in the first region Ar10 of the mixer body 2 then flow into the region (second region Ar20) corresponding to the second region Ar2 of each of the plates 3A and 3B in the mixer body 2, and are further mixed in this second region Ar20, as shown in Figures 4, 13, and 15. Note that in Figure 15, the shape of the second region Ar2 of each of the plates 3A and 3B is shown in a simplified form to make the configuration easier to understand.

[0124] At this time, because the second flow paths R2 are closed below the first through-holes 321A, 321B at the lowest position (see reference numeral 41B in FIG. 14), when the materials A and B to be mixed flow from the first region Ar10 to the second region Ar20, they flow only through the first flow paths R1 (only between the plates 3 where the first flow paths R1 are formed) and do not flow between the plates 3 where the second flow paths R2 are formed. In this second region Ar20, the materials A and B to be mixed (mixture C) are mixed in each of the first flow paths R1 (intra-flow path mixing).

[0125] In detail, a plurality of mixing convex portions 35a, 35d and a plurality of mixing concave portions 36a, 36d are formed on the first surface S1 of the first plate 3A and the second surface S4 of the second plate 3B, which define the first flow path R1, respectively. Therefore, when the objects A and B to be mixed flow through each first flow path R1, disturbances such as turbulence (division and merging of multiple flows) occur in the flows of the objects A and B to be mixed, and as a result, the objects A and B to be mixed are mixed with each other within each first flow path R1 (intra-flow path mixing), that is, the objects A and B are mixed between the common plates 3.

[0126] At this time, a temperature-adjusting fluid (fluid at a predetermined temperature) D supplied from the inflow channel Ch4 flows through the third flow path R3 (between the plates 3 where the second flow path R2 is formed in the first region Ar10). Because the plates 3A and 3B separating the first flow path R1 and the third flow path R3 are heat-conductive, the materials A and B flowing through the first flow path R1 are mixed in the second region Ar20 while exchanging heat with the fluid D flowing through the third flow path R3 (i.e., being heated or cooled by the fluid D). Therefore, by adjusting the temperature of the fluid D supplied to the inflow channel Ch4 in the mixer 1, the materials A and B can be mixed while maintaining them at a predetermined temperature. In other words, the mixer 1 can mix the materials A and B while adjusting their temperature in the second region Ar20. Furthermore, by adjusting (controlling) the temperature and flow rate of the temperature-adjusting fluid D, the temperature and viscosity of the materials A and B mixed in the second region Ar20 can be changed.

[0127] The materials A and B to be mixed (mixture C) mixed in the flow path in the second region Ar20 of the mixer body 2 in this manner then flow into the region (third region Ar30) corresponding to the third region Ar3 of each plate 3A, 3B, as shown in Figures 4, 13, and 16, and are mixed (inter-flow path mixing) by moving between adjacent flow paths R1, R4 in this third region Ar30 through each through-hole 37A, 37B.

[0128] Specifically, a portion of the materials A and B to be mixed that have flowed to the position of the uppermost through holes 37A and 37B in each first flow path R1 of the third region Ar30 moves (flows into) the fourth flow path R4 adjacent to the first flow path R1 through the through holes 37A and 37B.

[0129] Then, the materials A and B to be mixed flowing through each first flow path R1 of the third region Ar30 collide with the fourth wall portion W4 and flow into each fourth flow path R4 adjacent to the first flow path R1 through the through holes 37A and 37B located immediately upstream of the fourth wall portion W4 (i.e., located in an area adjacent to the fourth wall portion W4 on one side in the Z-axis direction).

[0130] In addition, the materials A and B to be mixed flowing through each fourth flow path R4 of the third section Ar30 collide with the third wall portion W3 and flow into each first flow path R1 adjacent to the fourth flow path R4 through the through holes 37A and 37B located immediately upstream of the third wall portion W3 (i.e., located in an area adjacent to the third wall portion W3 on one side in the Z-axis direction).

[0131] In this way, in the third section Ar30 in the mixer body 2, at least a portion of the materials A and B to be mixed in each first flow path R1 flows into each fourth flow path R4 adjacent to the first flow path R1, and at least a portion of the materials A and B to be mixed in each fourth flow path R4 flows into each first flow path R1 adjacent to the fourth flow path R4, and this is done at least once, so that the materials A and B to be mixed flowing in the first flow path R1 and the materials A and B to be mixed flowing in the fourth flow path R4 are mixed (inter-flow path mixing), that is, the materials A and B to be mixed flowing between different plates 3 are mixed with each other.

[0132] At this time, if there are differences (variations) in temperature and degree of mixing between the materials A and B to be mixed flowing through the first flow path R1 of the second region Ar20, the differences (variations) in temperature and degree of mixing between the materials A and B to be mixed flowing through each of the flow paths R1 and R4 are suppressed by inter-flow path mixing in the third region Ar30.

[0133] The materials A and B (mixture C) mixed in the mixer body 2 (inter-flow path mixing and intra-flow path mixing) as described above flow from each of the first flow paths R1 and each of the fourth flow paths R4 into the discharge flow path Ch3, and are discharged to the outside through the discharge flow path Ch3, as shown in Figures 4, 13, and 17.

[0134] In the above mixer 1, at least one plate pair 3T among the multiple plate pairs 3T has a first wall portion W1 that extends in the Y-axis direction and separates the second flow path (first flow path space) R2. Each of the plates 3A, 3B that constitute the plate pair 3T having the first wall portion W1 has first through holes 321A, 321B that penetrate in the X-axis direction in adjacent regions immediately upstream of the first wall portion W1 and at positions facing each other. Therefore, when the materials A and B to be mixed are circulated downward (to the other side in the Z-axis direction) through the second flow path (first flow path space) R2 and the first flow path (second flow path space) R1, the materials A and B flowing through the second flow path (first flow path space) R2 collide with the first wall portion W1 and flow into the first flow paths (second flow path spaces) R1 on both sides in the X-axis direction through the first through-holes 321A and 321B immediately upstream of the first wall portion W1 (i.e., the materials A and B to be mixed that collide with the first wall portion W1 are split into one side and the other side in the X-axis direction and flow into each first flow path (second flow path space) R1), thereby favorably mixing the materials A and B flowing through the second flow path (first flow path space) R2 and the first flow path (second flow path space) R1 (inter-flow path mixing). This reduces variation in the mixed state of the materials A and B between the flow paths (flow path spaces) R1 and R2, and as a result, sufficient mixing performance can be achieved in the mixer 1.

[0135] In the mixer 1 of this embodiment, in each of the plate pairs 3T adjacent to each other in the X-axis direction, the plates 3A and 3B constituting the plate pair 3T have first through holes 321A and 321B, respectively. In two adjacent plate pairs 3T, the first through holes 321A and 321B of the two plates 3A and 3B that form the first flow path (second flow path space) R1 between the two plate pairs 3T face each other. Therefore, when the materials A and B to be mixed are circulated downward (to the other side in the Z-axis direction) through the second flow path R2 and the first flow path R1, the materials A and B flowing from the second flow path R2 of one plate pair 3T through the first through-hole (e.g., 321A) of that plate pair 3T into the first flow path R1 (the first flow path R1 formed between the adjacent plate pairs 3T), the materials A and B flowing from the second flow path R2 of the other plate pair 3T through the first through-hole (e.g., 321B) of that plate pair 3T into the first flow path R1, and the materials A and B flowing through the first flow path (the first flow path R1 formed between two adjacent plate pairs 3T) merge (collide) in a region (a confluence region) Ar5 (see FIG. 14 ) between the opposing first through-holes 321A and 321B in the first flow path R1. This allows the materials A and B to be mixed to be effectively mixed in this confluence region Ar5.

[0136] In the mixer 1 of this embodiment, in two adjacent plate pairs 3T, the two plates 3A and 3B that form the first flow path (second flow path space) R1 between the plate pairs 3T have second through holes 322A and 322B that penetrate in the X-axis direction below (the other side in the Z-axis direction) the first through holes 321A and 321B in the plates 3A and 3B and at positions facing each other. Each of the two adjacent plate pairs 3T has a second wall portion W2 that extends in the Y-axis direction in a region adjacent to the lower side (the other side in the Z-axis direction) of the opposing second through holes 322A and 322B and partitions the first flow path (second flow path space) R1. Therefore, the mixture (mixture C) of the materials A and B flowing through the first flow path (second flow path space) R1 and the materials A and B flowing through the second flow path (first flow path space) R2 through the first through-holes 321A and 321B collides with the second wall portion W2 and flows into the second flow paths (first flow path spaces) R2 on both sides in the X-axis direction through the second through-holes 322A and 322B immediately upstream of the second wall portion W2. That is, the materials A and B that collide with the second wall portion W2 are split into two parts in the X-axis direction and flow into the second flow paths (first flow path spaces) R2. This more effectively mixes the materials A and B flowing through the second flow path (first flow path space) R2 and the first flow path (second flow path space) R1. As a result, the variations in the mixed state of the materials A and B between the flow paths (flow path spaces) R1 and R2 are further reduced.

[0137] The plate-type mixer of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the configuration of one embodiment can be added to the configuration of another embodiment, or part of the configuration of one embodiment can be replaced with the configuration of another embodiment. Furthermore, part of the configuration of one embodiment can be deleted.

[0138] In the mixer body 2 of the above embodiment, the first wall portion W1 and the two opposing first through holes 321A, 321B arranged in a region adjacent to the immediately upstream side of the first wall portion W1, and the second wall portion W2 and the two opposing second through holes 322A, 322B arranged in a region adjacent to the immediately upstream side of the second wall portion W2 are arranged in the first region Ar10 (i.e., the upper part of the mixer body 2) of the mixer body 2, but are not limited to this configuration. At least one of the first wall portion W1 and the two opposing first through holes 321A, 321B, and the second wall portion W2 and the two opposing second through holes 322A, 322B may be arranged at any position of the mixer body 2 in the Z-axis direction, such as the second region Ar20 or the third region Ar30.

[0139] Furthermore, in the first region Ar10 of the mixer body 2 in the above embodiment, each of the plurality of plate pairs 3T constituting the first region Ar10 has a first wall portion W1, but this configuration is not limited to this. Alternatively, at least one plate pair 3T among the plurality of plate pairs 3T constituting the first region Ar10 of the mixer body 2 may have a first wall portion W1, and each of the plates 3A, 3B constituting the plate pair 3T having this first wall portion W1 may have first through holes 321A, 321B penetrating in the X-axis direction in a region adjacent to the upper side (one side in the Z-axis direction) of the first wall portion W1 and at positions facing each other.

[0140] In the first region Ar10 of the mixer body 2 in the above embodiment, the plate pair 3T has a plurality of first wall portions W1, but is not limited to this configuration. The plate pair 3T may have a single first wall portion W1.

[0141] Furthermore, in the first region Ar10 of the mixer body 2 in the above embodiment, the first wall portion W1 is configured by two protrusions 33b, 33c that protrude in directions approaching each other from opposing positions of the two plates 3A, 3B that constitute the plate pair 3T, but is not limited to this configuration. The first wall portion W1 may be configured by a protrusion 33b that protrudes from one plate 3A of the two plates 3A, 3B that constitute the plate pair 3T abutting against a flat portion (surface) of the other plate 3B, or may be configured by a member that is sandwiched between the two plates 3A, 3B.

[0142] Furthermore, in the first region Ar10 of the mixer body 2 in the above embodiment, in two adjacent plate pairs 3T, the first through holes 321A, 321B of the two plates 3A, 3B that form the first flow path (second flow path space) R1 between the two plate pairs 3T face each other (see FIG. 14), but this configuration is not limited to this. As shown in FIG. 18, in two adjacent plate pairs 3T, the first through holes 321A, 321B of the two plates 3A, 3B that form the first flow path R1 between the two plate pairs 3T may be configured to be shifted in the Z-axis direction. In this way, the joining position of the materials A and B to be mixed flowing between the plates 3 of one plate pair 3T (second flow path R2) and the materials A and B to be mixed flowing between the plate pair 3T (first flow path R1) is offset in the Z-axis direction from the joining position of the materials A and B to be mixed flowing between the plates 3 of the other plate pair 3T (second flow path R2) and the materials A and B to be mixed flowing between the plate pair 3T (first flow path R1).As a result, when the materials A and B to be mixed are circulated downward (to the other side in the Z-axis direction) through the first flow path R1 and the second flow path R2, there are more joining positions where the materials A and B to be mixed flowing through the different flow paths R1, R2 join, and depending on the viscosity of the materials A and B to be mixed, the materials A and B can be mixed suitably.

[0143] Furthermore, in the mixer body 2 of the above embodiment, each of two adjacent plate pairs 3T in the first region Ar10 has the second wall portion W2, but is not limited to this configuration. At least one of the sets of plate pairs 3T (two adjacent plate pairs 3T) in the first region Ar10 of the mixer body 2 may have the second wall portion W2, and the two plates 3A, 3B that define the first flow path R1 between the plate pair 3T in the set of plate pairs 3T having this second wall portion W2 may have second through holes 322A, 322B that penetrate in the X-axis direction in regions adjacent to the upper side (one side in the Z-axis direction) of the second wall portion W2 and at positions facing each other.

[0144] In the first region Ar10 of the mixer body 2 in the above embodiment, the set of plate pairs 3T has multiple second wall portions W2, but is not limited to this configuration. The set of plate pairs 3T may have one second wall portion W2.

[0145] Furthermore, in the first region Ar10 of the mixer body 2 in the above embodiment, the second wall portion W2 is configured by two protrusions 34a, 34d that protrude in directions approaching each other from opposing positions of the two plates 3A, 3B that define the first flow path R1 in two adjacent plate pairs 3T, but is not limited to this configuration. The second wall portion W2 may be configured by the protrusion 34a protruding from one plate 3A of the two plates 3A, 3B that define the first flow path R abutting against a flat portion (surface) of the other plate 3B, or may be configured by a member sandwiched between the two plates 3A, 3B.

[0146] In the first region Ar10 of the mixer body 2 in the above embodiment, through-holes 321A, 321B, 322A, and 322B are arranged immediately upstream of each wall portion W1, W2 or each convex portion 33b, 33c, 34a, and 34d in the first flow path R1 and the second flow path R2, but this configuration is not limited to this. A configuration in which there are no through-holes immediately upstream of each wall portion W1, W2 or each convex portion 33b, 33c, 34a, and 34d (regions adjacent to one side in the Z-axis direction) may also be used (see FIG. 19). In this case, multiple wall portions W1, W2 or convex portions 33b, 33c, 34a, and 34d may be arranged at the same position in the Z-axis direction. According to these configurations, the materials A and B to be mixed flowing downward (the other side of the second direction) through the first flow path R1 and the second flow path R2 collide with the wall portions W1 and W2 and the convex portions 33b, 33c, 34a, and 34d, causing the flow to repeatedly split and merge in the Y-axis direction, thereby allowing the materials A and B to be mixed in the flow paths to be mixed in an optimal manner.

[0147] In the first region Ar10 of the mixer body 2 in the above embodiment, the first through-holes 321A, 321B and the second through-holes 322A, 322B are arranged one at a time at the same position in the Z-axis direction on each of the plates 3A, 3B, but this configuration is not limited thereto. Each of the plates 3A, 3B may have a configuration in which at least one of the first through-holes 321A, 321B and the second through-holes 322A, 322B is arranged multiple times in the Y-axis direction at the same position in the Z-axis direction (see FIG. 20).

[0148] When the materials A and B to be mixed flow from the first flow path R1 into the second flow path R2, or when the materials A and B flow from the second flow path R2 into the first flow path R1, the flow of the materials A and B to be mixed becomes more complex (for example, turbulence is promoted) when the materials flow through multiple through holes rather than through a single through hole at the same position in the Z-axis direction, and this allows the materials A and B to be mixed flowing through the first flow path R1 and the second flow path R2 to be mixed in an optimal manner.

[0149] Furthermore, although the mixer body 2 in the above embodiment mixes two types of materials to be mixed, the configuration is not limited to this. The mixer body 2 may be configured to mix three or more types of materials to be mixed.

[0150] In the mixer 1 of the above embodiment, the materials A and B to be mixed are mixed by flowing downward between the plates 3, but the configuration is not limited to this. The mixer 1 may also be configured such that the materials A and B to be mixed flow upward between the plates 3.

[0151] Furthermore, in the mixer 1 of the above embodiment, the materials A and B to be mixed flow in the same direction (downward in the example of the above embodiment) between all of the plates 3, but this configuration is not limited to this. For example, the mixer 1 may be configured such that plates 3 between which the materials A and B to be mixed flow downward and plates 3 between which the materials flow upward are alternately arranged, or a configuration may be adopted in which a plurality of regions are defined in the overlapping direction of the plates 3 in the mixer body 2, and in each region, the materials A and B to be mixed flow in the same direction between the plates 3, but the flow directions of the materials A and B to be mixed differ between the regions.

[0152] Furthermore, in the mixer 1 of the above embodiment, the overlapping direction of the plates 3 is horizontal, but this configuration is not limiting. The mixer 1 may be configured so that the overlapping direction of the plates 3 is a direction other than horizontal, such as up and down. [Explanation of symbols]

[0153] 1...plate type mixer, 2...mixer body, 3...plate, 3A...first plate (plate), 3B...second plate (plate), 3T...plate pair, 30A...gasket placement portion, 30B...guide engagement portion, 31A, 31B...communicating hole, 311A, 311B...first communicating hole, 312A, 312B...second communicating hole, 313A, 313B...third communicating hole, 313A1, 313B1...one third communicating hole, 313A2, 313B2...other third communicating hole, 314A, 314B...fourth communicating hole, 32A, 32B ...Through holes, 321A, 321B...First through holes, 322A, 322B...Second through holes, 33a, 33d, 34b, 34c...Concave portions in first region, 33b, 33c, 34a, 34d...Convex portions in first region, 35a, 35d, 36b, 36c...Mixing convex portions, 35b, 35c, 36a, 36d...Mixing concave portions, 37A, 37B...Through holes, 38a, 38d, 39b, 39c...Convex portions in third region, 38b, 38c, 39a, 39d...Concave portions in third region, 4...Gasket, 4A...First gasket (gasket), 41A ...First flow path forming portion, 42A...First sealing portion, 43A...Connecting portion, 4B...Second gasket (gasket), 41B...Second flow path forming portion, 42B...Third flow path forming portion, 43B...Fourth flow path forming portion, 44B...Second sealing portion, 45B...Connecting portion, 5a, 5b...Frame, 51...Through hole, 52, 53...Notch portion, 6...Guide portion, 61...Guide bar, 62...Support member, 7...Fastening member, 71...Bolt, 72...Nut, A...First mixed object (mixed object), B...Second mixed object (mixed object), C...Mixture, Ar 1...First region, Ar2...Second region, Ar3...Third region, Ar5, Ar6...Confluence region, Ar10...First site, Ar20...Second site, Ar30...Third site, Ch1...First supply channel, Ch2...Second supply channel, Ch3...Discharge channel, Ch4...Inflow channel, Ch 5... Outflow channel, D... Fluid, R1... First channel (second channel space), R2... Second channel (first channel space), R3... Third channel, R4... Fourth channel, S1, S3... First surface, S2, S4... Second surface, W1... First wall, W2... Second wall, W3... Third wall, W4... Fourth wall.

Claims

1. a plurality of plate pairs each composed of two plates that are stacked in a first direction and form a first flow path space between them through which the material to be mixed can flow in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; The plurality of plate pairs are overlapped in the first direction so as to form second flow path spaces between adjacent plate pairs through which the materials to be mixed can flow in the second direction, The plurality of plate pairs each have a first wall portion that extends in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction and divides the first flow path space, Each plate constituting the plate pair having the first wall portion has a first through hole penetrating in the first direction in a region adjacent to the upstream side of the first wall portion in the second direction, which is the flow direction of the material to be mixed in the first flow path space, and at a position facing each other. A plate-type mixer.

2. A plate-type mixer as described in Claim 1, wherein in the two adjacent plate pairs, the first through holes of the two plates forming the second flow path space between the two plate pairs are opposite to each other.

3. A plate-type mixer as described in Claim 1, wherein in the two adjacent plate pairs, the first through holes of the two plates forming the second flow path space between the two plate pairs are positioned offset in the second direction.

4. In the two adjacent plate pairs, two plates forming the second flow path space between the plate pairs each have a second through hole that penetrates the plate in the first direction at a position downstream of the first through hole in the plate and facing each other in the second direction, The plate-type mixer according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the two adjacent plate pairs have second wall portions extending in the third direction in regions adjacent to the downstream side of the opposing second through holes in the second direction and separating the second flow path space.

5. The plate-type mixer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the pair of plates has at least one wall portion that separates the first flow path space in a portion of the third direction, the wall portion being formed by a member sandwiched between two plates that form the first flow path space, or has at least one first convex portion that protrudes from at least one of the two plates that form the first flow path space toward the first flow path space in the first direction in a portion of the third direction.

6. The plate-type mixer according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein two pairs of plates adjacent to each other in the first direction have at least one wall portion that separates the second flow path space in a portion of the third direction, the wall portion being formed by a member sandwiched between the two plates that form the second flow path space, or at least one second convex portion that protrudes from at least one of the two plates that form the second flow path space toward the second flow path space in the first direction in a portion of the third direction.

7. The plate-type mixer according to claim 4 , wherein a plurality of the first through holes or the second through holes are arranged at the same position in the second direction and spaced apart from each other in the third direction.

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