Helix-Shaped Tube for Ultrasound Crystallization Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasound crystallization processes face challenges in accurately controlling the temperature of the process fluid, particularly in reacting to changes, which affects the solubility of the substance being crystallized and the uniformity of crystal production.
Innovation Solution
The ultrasound crystallization device features a tubular reactor with a temperature-control structure that includes a flow-guide structure to circulate temperature-control fluid around the ultrasound source, enhancing heat transfer control and allowing for more precise temperature management, using a helix-shaped tube configuration to ensure uniform ultrasound distribution and temperature control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a helix-shaped tube is used for temperature control, then the temperature control accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a helix-shaped tube configuration for the temperature control structure. This curved geometry allows the temperature control fluid to flow in a spiral pattern around the process fluid pathway, maximizing the surface area for heat exchange and improving thermal coupling between the temperature control fluid and process fluid, thereby enhancing temperature control accuracy.
2Speed
If the temperature control fluid flows around the ultrasound source, then the responsiveness to temperature changes is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The helix-shaped tube configuration enables the temperature control fluid to circulate rapidly around the ultrasound source and process fluid pathway. This spiral flow pattern reduces the thermal response time by minimizing the distance heat must travel and maximizing the contact surface area, allowing the system to respond quickly to temperature changes.
3Manufacturing precision
If uniform ultrasound distribution is achieved through helix-shaped tube, then the uniformity of crystal production is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The helix-shaped tube configuration creates a uniform flow distribution pattern for both the process fluid and temperature control fluid. The spiral geometry ensures that ultrasound energy is distributed evenly throughout the crystallization process, promoting uniform nucleation and crystal growth conditions, which results in more consistent crystal uniformity.
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 configuration enables more accurate and responsive temperature control, leading to the production of finer and more uniform crystals, suitable for continuous crystallization processes in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasound source for radiating ultrasound to the tubular crystallization reactor
Implementation Method 2
Mechanisms and advantages of the ultrasound crystallization are discussed... the application of ultrasound reduces the induction time, narrows the width of the metastable zone, and leads to production of finer and more uniform crystals
Implementation Method 3
a temperature-control structure for controlling the temperature of the process fluid so that the process fluid is in heat transfer relation with temperature-control fluid
Data Source
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AI summary
An ultrasound crystallization device comprises a tubular crystallization reactor (102) for conducting process fluid containing substance to be crystallized, an ultrasound source (104) for radiating ultrasound to the tubular crystallization reactor, and a temperature-control structure (105) for controlling the temperature of the process fluid with the aid of temperature-control fluid. The tubular crystallization reactor is shaped to conduct the process fluid to flow around the ultrasound source, and the temperature-control structure comprises a flow-guide structure (106) for guiding at least a part of the temperature-control fluid to flow around the ultrasound source. The flow-guide structure improves the accuracy of the temperature control of the process fluid and also the ability of the temperature control to react to changes.