Glass-Lined Metal Micro-Reactor Heat Transfer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing micro-reactors, both metallic and glass, face limitations such as corrosion issues, fragility, and inability to handle high pressure and toxic chemicals, while also lacking in heat transfer efficiency and reconfigurability.
Innovation Solution
A glass-lined metal micro-reactor with machined micro fluidic channels that provides enhanced heat transfer, is reassemblable, and can operate at high pressure and temperature, featuring a glass-lined reactor sandwiched between flanges with a heat transfer cavity and metal surface for efficient fluid flow and heat exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If glass micro-reactors are used, then corrosion resistance and sterility are improved, but mechanical strength and pressure resistance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a composite structure where a glass layer is coated on the inner surface of a metal reactor body. The glass provides corrosion resistance and sterility, while the metal provides mechanical strength and pressure resistance. This composite material approach resolves the contradiction by combining materials with complementary properties.
2Reliability
If glass micro-reactors are used, then corrosion resistance is improved, but mechanical fragility worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The glass coating on the metal reactor body creates a composite structure where the glass layer provides corrosion resistance while the metal substrate provides mechanical strength and toughness, eliminating the fragility issue of pure glass reactors.
3Strength
If metallic micro-reactors are used, then mechanical strength and robustness are improved, but corrosion resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The metal reactor body provides mechanical strength and robustness, while the inner glass coating provides corrosion resistance. This composite structure allows the reactor to handle corrosive chemicals effectively while maintaining mechanical integrity.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional reactors are used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but heat transfer efficiency worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The invention incorporates micro-fluidic channels with complex three-dimensional geometries (spiral, curved, or serpentine patterns) within the reactor body. This dimensional complexity increases the heat transfer surface area and improves thermal efficiency without significantly complicating the manufacturing process, as the channels are formed through machining operations.
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 glass-lined metal micro-reactor achieves a significantly higher heat transfer area compared to conventional reactors, enabling efficient handling of corrosive and toxic chemicals, and allows for reconfiguration and cleaning, thus overcoming the limitations of existing micro-reactors.
Implementation Method 1
a cavity (204) in the bottom flange (102) that facilitates flow of heat transfer fluid through an inlet (201) and an outlet (202)
Implementation Method 2
facilitates flow of heat transfer fluid through an inlet (201) and an outlet (202)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention discloses a glass lined metal micro-reactor with enhanced heat transfer efficiency in continuous flow operation. More particularly, the invention discloses a glass lined micro-reactor that can be reassembled. The invention provides a novel glass lined metal micro-reactor with micro fluidic channels that provide a better mixing, better heat exchange, and better temperature control. The micro fluidic channels machined in the glass lined metal reactor/mixer may be straight, curved, lamellar, flower shaped, or spiral such that the cross sectional area of the micro fluidic channel is configured to suit the cross sectional area of the micro-reactor.