3D Lattice Mixer for Viscous Fluids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inline mixing systems face challenges in thoroughly mixing components with different viscosities, leading to inadequate mixing and potential clogging issues, especially in applications like tissue sealants where precise mixing is critical for efficacy.
Innovation Solution
A device featuring a three-dimensional lattice mixer with tortuous, interconnecting passages that ensures thorough mixing of components by controlling mean flow pore size, thickness, and porosity, independent of flow rate, and is designed to minimize fouling and clogging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional inline mixing systems are used to mix components with different viscosities, then the mixing process is simple, but the mixing thoroughness is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a porous mixer with controlled pore size, porosity, and thickness parameters. The porous structure creates tortuous flow paths that enhance mixing of components with different viscosities by forcing the fluids to follow complex trajectories through the porous medium, thereby improving mixing thoroughness without requiring complex mechanical mixing mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional one-dimensional or two-dimensional mixing approaches to a three-dimensional porous structure. The porous mixer introduces a third dimension of mixing through its depth and interconnected pore network, enabling thorough mixing of viscous components by utilizing flow paths in multiple spatial dimensions simultaneously.
2Reliability
If components with different viscosities are mixed in conventional systems, then the process is straightforward, but clogging issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The porous mixer is designed with optimized pore size and porosity parameters that prevent clogging while maintaining mixing effectiveness. The interconnected porous structure allows viscous components to flow through without creating pressure buildup or blockages, as the distributed pore network provides multiple flow paths rather than single constrained channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The porous structure enables components to rapidly pass through the mixing zone by creating efficient flow paths through the porous medium. The optimized pore geometry allows viscous fluids to be propelled through the mixer quickly, reducing residence time and minimizing the opportunity for clogging to occur during the mixing process.
3Productivity
If flow rate is increased to improve productivity, then output increases, but mixing quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The porous mixer maintains consistent mixing quality across varying flow rates due to its structure-independent mixing mechanism. The porous geometry creates flow patterns and residence time distributions that ensure thorough mixing regardless of the overall flow rate, as each fluid element follows tortuous paths through the porous medium that promote mixing independent of bulk flow velocity.
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 achieves reliable and thorough mixing of components, ensuring consistent quality of the combined fluid stream, even at varying flow rates, and reduces the risk of fouling and clogging, enhancing the effectiveness of applications such as tissue sealants.
Implementation Method 1
a three-dimensional lattice defining a plurality of tortuous, interconnecting passages therethrough... which characteristics include a selected one or more of mean flow pore size, thickness and porosity
Data Source
AI summary
A device or system includes a mixer comprising a three-dimensional lattice defining a plurality of tortuous, interconnecting passages therethrough. The mixer is in communication with sources or streams of at least two separate components which, when mixed, form a combined fluid stream. The sources or streams may be, at least initially, on opposite sides of the mixer, or the sources or streams may be on the upstream side of the mixer with an outlet disposed downstream of the mixer. A related method may include providing a mixer comprising a three-dimensional lattice defining a plurality of tortuous, interconnecting passages therethrough, and selecting a material for the mixer based on physical characteristics of said material, said characteristics including a selected one or more of mean flow pore size, thickness and porosity volume.