Fluid Mixing Apparatus with Pressure Loss Distribution Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid mixing methods in microreactors face challenges in uniformly distributing fluids across multiple channels, leading to non-uniform flow rates and stability issues, which hinder efficient chemical reactions and increase operational losses due to air bubbles and pressure variations.
Innovation Solution
A fluid mixing apparatus with a rectifying section that converts fluids into concentric annular flows, a distribution section with pressure loss increasing devices such as orifices to ensure uniform distribution, and a converging section for stable mixing or reactions, where the pressure loss in distribution channels is optimized to prevent accumulation and maintain stable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If tubes are used to split liquid flow to microreactors, then flow distribution is achieved, but variations in head pressure and tube inner diameters cause flow resistance and non-uniform distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the distribution channels, specifically making the channel cross-sectional area decrease in the flow direction. This parameter change creates a pressure-compensating effect that counteracts variations in head pressure and tube inner diameters, achieving uniform flow distribution without requiring precise manufacturing tolerances on upstream components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a simple tube-based 1D flow path to a 3D distribution channel structure with varying cross-sectional area. This dimensional change allows the system to compensate for pressure variations by adjusting the channel geometry along the flow path, enabling uniform flow distribution despite upstream pressure fluctuations.
2Productivity
If numbering-up technique is used to increase the number of channels, then throughput is increased, but uniform distribution of reaction fluids becomes difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies parameter changes to the distribution channel geometry, specifically designing channels with cross-sectional areas that decrease in the flow direction. This allows the system to maintain uniform flow distribution across multiple channels (numbering-up configuration) by compensating for pressure drops through geometric adjustment, thereby achieving both high throughput and flow uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the fluid distribution system into multiple independent channels while using a common distribution structure. Each channel receives fluid through a distribution channel with optimized geometry, allowing the system to scale throughput by increasing channel count while maintaining uniform flow distribution through the shared pressure-compensating distribution structure.
3Stability of the object's composition
If buffer storage space is used to temporarily store fluid, then uniform pressure is attempted to be maintained, but fluid accumulates in the buffer making it difficult to remove air bubbles
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the air bubble removal function from the buffer storage concept by designing distribution channels that allow air bubbles to be naturally expelled during fluid flow. The channel geometry enables air bubbles to rise and exit through specific pathways, eliminating the harmful accumulation effect while maintaining pressure uniformity through the same geometric design.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the potential harm of air bubble accumulation into a beneficial self-cleaning mechanism. By designing distribution channels with appropriate geometry, air bubbles that enter the system are naturally carried to exit points where they can be removed, transforming what would be a harmful accumulation into a harmless or even useful air venting function.
4Manufacturing precision
If distribution holes with smaller diameter than main channel are used, then pressure loss is provided for uniform flow, but heat exchange effectiveness may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the distribution channels, specifically making the channel cross-sectional area decrease gradually in the flow direction rather than using abrupt small-diameter holes. This gradual parameter change provides the necessary pressure loss for uniform flow distribution while minimizing disruption to heat exchange effectiveness by maintaining smoother flow transitions and larger effective heat transfer areas.
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
The solution enables uniform and stable fluid distribution across multiple channels, reducing operational losses and allowing for continuous, efficient mixing or reactions by minimizing air bubbles and pressure variations, thus enhancing the overall performance of microreactors.
Implementation Method 1
pressure loss increasing devices are provided in the distribution channels... pressure losses of the rectified plural kinds of fluids are increased in the distributing step
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a fluid mixing apparatus having a numbering-up mechanism that distributes plural kinds of fluids and concurrently performs multiple mixing or reactions, comprising: a rectifying section having a plurality of annular channels that rectify the plural kinds of fluids into respective concentric annular flows; a distribution section having a plurality of distribution channels that distribute the plural kinds of fluids rectified by the rectifying section into a plurality of flows; a converging section having a plurality of converging channels that converge different kinds of fluids among the plural kinds of fluids distributed by the distribution section; and a mixing/reaction section having a plurality of mixing/reaction channels that cause mixing or reaction of the plural kinds of fluids converged by the converging section, wherein a plurality of pressure loss increasing devices are provided in the distribution channels.