Compact Interaction Chamber with Cross Micro Impinging Jets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pharmaceutical mixing devices require high volumes of fluid and energy to achieve consistent mixing, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
The interaction chamber design features multiple parallel flow paths that converge to a single area, maximizing energy dissipation and reducing the fluid flow rate while maintaining mixing quality, using a combination of compression and thermal expansion to secure the mixing chamber elements with reduced torque and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple parallel flow paths with cross impinging jets are used, then mixing quality and consistency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing chamber is divided into multiple parallel flow paths, each handling a portion of the fluid stream. This segmentation allows for controlled impingement of fluid streams while maintaining manageable complexity in each individual path, achieving high mixing quality through distributed parallel processing rather than a single complex mixing zone
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple parallel flow paths are merged into a single mixing chamber where cross impinging jets occur. The individual fluid streams from different parallel paths converge and impinge upon each other, combining their mixing effects to achieve superior overall mixing quality while distributing the complexity across multiple simpler parallel channels
2Manufacturing precision
If high pressure pumping is used to achieve consistent mixing, then mixing quality is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cross impinging jet configuration creates periodic flow interaction patterns as fluids from perpendicular directions collide and mix. This periodic action enhances mixing efficiency by continuously renewing the mixing interface, achieving consistent mixing results with reduced energy input compared to sustained high-pressure pumping
Solution Approach 2:
The high pressure that would normally require significant energy to maintain is converted into a beneficial impingement force. The cross-flow impingement utilizes the kinetic energy from pressure-driven flow to create intense mixing zones, transforming what would be energy-wasting high-pressure transport into productive mixing action
3Device complexity
If traditional mixing chamber design with parallel flow paths is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but mixing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing chamber introduces a cross-dimensional flow arrangement where fluid streams impinge from perpendicular directions rather than flowing parallel. This dimensional change from parallel to cross-flow geometry creates intense mixing zones without requiring complex multi-component devices, achieving high mixing efficiency through geometric configuration
4Productivity
If high fluid flow rate is used to achieve mixing, then mixing is achieved, but hold-up volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing chamber creates localized high-intensity mixing zones where cross impinging jets concentrate mixing action in specific regions. This local quality approach achieves effective mixing in compact zones rather than requiring large-volume chambers, reducing hold-up volume while maintaining mixing productivity through concentrated mixing intensity
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 design achieves superior fluid mixing with less energy and reduced hold-up volume, enhancing mixing quality and consistency while minimizing the fluid flow rate and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
using a combination of compression and thermal expansion to secure the mixing chamber elements with reduced torque and complexity
Implementation Method 2
using a combination of compression and thermal expansion to secure the mixing chamber elements with reduced torque and complexity
Implementation Method 3
the orientation of the plurality of second impinging paths cause the multiple fluid flows carried within the paths to converge to the concentrated area in the mixing chamber. By converging each of the multiple fluid flow paths to one single concentrated area in the mixing chamber, the total energy dissipated from the collision of the all of the flow paths is maximized
Data Source
AI summary
A mixing assembly includes an inlet, an outlet and a mixing chamber, the inlet is fluidly connected to the outlet through a plurality of micro fluid flow paths in a direction perpendicular from the inlet. The micro fluid flow paths fluidly connect to the perpendicular inlet via a transition portion. The micro fluid flow paths are constructed radially inwardly to a concentration area in the mixing chamber. By directing multiple fluid flows to a concentrated area within the mixing chamber at high speeds, the energy dissipated at the point of collision is maximized, which helps to increase consistency and quality of mixing, and to reduce particle size of the fluid in the mixing chamber.