Fluid Treatment System with Bypass Channels for Microreactor Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid treatment systems face challenges in adjusting the flow rate of treatment target fluids across multiple microreactors effectively, especially when an abnormality occurs, as they rely on a single pump and lack practical solutions for precise flow control, leading to inefficiencies and potential treatment disruptions.
Innovation Solution
A fluid treatment system with multiple fluid treatment modules, each equipped with a regular channel, fluid channel devices, flow control valves, bypass channels, and bypass selector valves, allowing for adjustable flow rates and bypassing of abnormal units to maintain treatment efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single pump is used to supply raw material solution to multiple microreactors, then the system complexity is reduced, but the ability to adjust flow rate to each microreactor individually is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the flow control function by providing individual flow control valves for each microreactor inlet, segmenting the previously unified pump output into independently controllable streams. This allows each microreactor to receive precisely controlled flow rates while maintaining overall system modularity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a new control dimension by introducing flow control valves at the microreactor inlet level, creating a hierarchical control structure where both the main pump flow rate and individual valve openings can be adjusted to achieve precise flow distribution across multiple microreactors.
2Adaptability or versatility
If flow control valves are provided on the inlet side of each microreactor, then individual flow rate adjustment is achieved, but the system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Flow control valves are strategically positioned only at the inlet sides of microreactors that require individual flow rate adjustment, rather than uniformly across all components. This localized approach provides necessary control flexibility while minimizing the total number of valves and associated complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow control valves serve multiple functions: they regulate flow rate to individual microreactors, enable isolation of specific reactors for maintenance or abnormality handling, and work in conjunction with the main pump to achieve precise overall system flow distribution.
3Reliability
If an abnormality occurs in one microreactor and the inlet solenoid valve is closed, then the abnormal microreactor is isolated, but the flow rate to other microreactors cannot be appropriately adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
Individual flow control valves are pre-installed at each microreactor inlet, ready for immediate use when abnormalities occur. This preliminary preparation enables rapid response by allowing the system to isolate affected microreactors while simultaneously adjusting flow rates to healthy microreactors without requiring system shutdown or complex reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static flow distribution mode to a dynamic adaptive mode when abnormalities are detected. The combination of solenoid valves and flow control valves enables real-time reconfiguration of flow paths and rates, allowing the system to dynamically adapt to changing operational conditions and maintain optimal performance of healthy microreactors.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a fluid treatment system, including: a plurality of fluid channel devices arranged in series along a regular channel; a plurality of flow control valves each adjusting the flow rate of a treatment target fluid flowing into each of the plurality of fluid channel devices; a flow control valve provided on the upstream side of the plurality of fluid channel device and operable to change the flow rate of the treatment target fluid flowing into each of the plurality of fluid channel device; a bypass channel allowing the treatment target fluid to flow so as to bypass the fluid channel device in which abnormality has occurred, and a plurality of bypass selector valves selectable between a state of allowing the flow of the treatment target fluid in the bypass channel and a state of blocking the flow.