Micro Reactor Substrate Stacking for Mixing Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional micro reactors face inefficiencies in mixing fluids due to complex structures and pressure loss, which hinder the formation of reaction interfaces and reduce mixing efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A substrate with integrated channels and a micro reactor design where substrates are stacked with 180-degree rotational symmetry, forming interfaces in a matrix arrangement to enhance mixing efficiency, utilizing a housing with inlet and outlet ports and diffusion portions to manage fluid flow with minimal pressure loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a plate is added to form mixing channels in conventional micro reactors, then mixing capability is improved, but device complexity and pressure loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the mixing channel directly into the substrate structure, merging the substrate and mixing channel into a single component. This eliminates the need for a separate plate, reducing device complexity while maintaining mixing capability through the integrated channel design
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both the structural base and the mixing channel carrier. The substrate's central portion forms the mixing space, eliminating the need for additional components and reducing overall device complexity
2Ease of operation
If a plate is added to form mixing channels in conventional micro reactors, then mixing capability is improved, but pressure loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the mixing channel into the substrate, the patent eliminates the additional plate structure that causes pressure loss. The integrated design reduces flow resistance and pressure drop while maintaining effective mixing through diffusion in the mixing space
3Productivity
If substrates are stacked in matrix arrangement to increase reaction interfaces, then mixing efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the mixing function into multiple independent substrates that can be stacked. Each substrate contains first and second channels that form interfaces with adjacent substrates, creating a segmented matrix arrangement that increases mixing efficiency while maintaining modular simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-plane mixing structure to a three-dimensional stacked configuration. Substrates are arranged in multiple layers with channels extending in different directions, creating interfaces in the vertical dimension and significantly increasing reaction surface area
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 design effectively increases the number of reaction interfaces, improving mixing efficiency and allowing for the handling of large quantities of fluids with reduced pressure loss, thereby enhancing chemical reaction outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
mixing can be performed by a diffusion generated on the interface
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses the substrate and the micro reactor for mixing two kinds of fluids. The micro reactor of the present invention comprises a housing having first and second inlet ports and an outlet port formed thereon; and a plurality of substrates stacked in the housing, wherein the substrate has a space formed at a central portion thereof in one direction; a plurality of first channels extended from one side thereof to the space and corresponding to the first inlet port; and a plurality of second channels extended from the other side thereof to the space and corresponding to the second inlet port; wherein a portion between two neighboring first channels corresponds to the second channel and a portion between two neighboring second channels corresponds to the first channel to form sequentially reaction interfaces of the first and second fluids in the space.