Capillary Flow Splitter with Thermal Resistance Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reaction systems face challenges in accurately controlling and maintaining equal flow rates for secondary fluid flows when splitting a primary fluid flow, especially in small-scale experiments, due to variations in capillary dimensions and resistance, requiring cumbersome calibration processes.
Innovation Solution
The system employs capillary units with built-in heaters and coolers to adjust the flow resistance by controlling the temperature of the capillaries, allowing for precise control of flow rates through thermal insulation and temperature management, enabling easy selection and exchange of capillary units for different experiments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If capillaries are used to split primary fluid flow into secondary flows, then flow distribution is achieved, but manufacturing tolerances cause variation in flow resistance and flow rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by heating the capillary to increase its internal diameter, thereby reducing flow resistance. This thermal parameter modification compensates for manufacturing tolerances and enables precise control of flow rates without requiring extremely tight manufacturing specifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical adjustment methods (such as manually cutting or assembling capillaries of different lengths) with thermal control mechanisms. By using heating elements to dynamically adjust capillary dimensions, the system achieves flow rate control without mechanical intervention, improving both precision and ease of operation.
2Measurement precision
If individual calibration of capillaries is performed to achieve equal flow rates, then flow rate accuracy is improved, but the calibration process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the capillary system to automatically adjust its own flow characteristics through thermal control. The heating elements allow the system to self-calibrate by modifying capillary dimensions in response to flow rate requirements, eliminating the need for manual calibration operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamics by making the capillary internal diameter adjustable through heating. This dynamic parameter modification allows the system to adapt flow rates in real-time without static calibration, transforming a previously static, manually-calibrated system into a dynamic, self-adjusting system.
3Productivity
If capillary length is reduced to decrease flow resistance, then flow rate increases, but manufacturing precision requirements increase due to the need for accurate cutting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical cutting operations with thermal expansion control. Instead of mechanically reducing capillary length to adjust flow resistance, the system uses heating to dynamically increase the effective internal diameter, achieving the same flow rate improvement without any cutting operations and without associated precision requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the thermal state of the capillary to alter its internal diameter. This parameter modification provides a continuous, adjustable method for controlling flow resistance without the discrete, precision-critical steps involved in mechanical cutting.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a set of capillaries is used to split primary flow, then flow distribution is achieved, but changing the flow resistance of one capillary requires re-adaptation of all other capillaries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamics by making each capillary's flow resistance independently adjustable through individual heating control. This allows any capillary to be modified without affecting others, as each heating element independently controls its associated capillary's internal diameter and flow characteristics, breaking the interdependence present in static systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by providing each capillary with its own independent heating control system. This segmentation of control functions allows individual capillaries to be adjusted without requiring system-wide recalibration, as each segment (capillary-heating element pair) operates independently.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach simplifies the process of achieving desired flow rates, reduces the need for manual calibration, and ensures accurate and reliable distribution of primary fluid flows into secondary flows, even in small-scale experiments, while accommodating variations in viscosity and pressure differences.
Implementation Method 1
by heating a capillary, the viscosity of the fluid flowing through the capillary can be influenced, and thereby the flow rate of the fluid through the capillary can be influenced
Implementation Method 2
The capillary unit is at least partly accommodated in a housing, which is provided with thermal insulation
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention pertains to reaction systems in which at least one capillary unit is applied. The capillary unit comprises: - a unit inlet for receiving a fluid flow, - a unit outlet for releasing said fluid flow, - a capillary, which capillary is arranged between the unit inlet and the unit outlet such that said fluid flow passes through the capillary, - a heater and/or a cooler for adjusting the temperature of the capillary and therewith influencing the flow rate of the fluid flow passing through said capillary, - a housing for accommodating at least the capillary and heater and/or cooler of said capillary unit, which housing provides thermal insulation of the capillary, - a flow sensor for measuring the flow rate of the fluid flow through the capillary unit, which flow sensor can be arranged either inside or outside the housing, A capillary unit is combined with or further has a flow adjustment unit for adjusting the flow rates of the secondary fluid flows, which flow adjustment unit comprises a temperature control device for individually controlling the heater and/or cooler of each capillary unit in response to the flow rate that is measured by the flow sensor of that capillary unit.