Micropump Degassing Apparatus for Microfluidic Bubble Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Microfluidic systems face challenges with gas bubbles, which can cause component failure and falsified measurements due to capillary forces and the difficulty in maintaining a bubble-free state, as existing degassing technologies rely on external vacuum pumps or expensive ultrasound methods.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a pressure chamber and a micropump integrated into the system, generating a negative pressure in a gas-carrying region to reduce the partial pressure of dissolved gases, using a gas-permeable and liquid-impermeable separating element to separate gases from the liquid, allowing for portable and efficient degassing without external vacuum pumps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If external vacuum pumps are used for active degassing, then the degassing rate is improved, but the device complexity and portability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the vacuum pump and pressure chamber into a single integrated unit, eliminating the need for external vacuum pumps. The micropump is housed within the pressure chamber itself, creating a self-contained degassing apparatus that maintains high degassing efficiency while reducing overall system complexity and improving portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The micropump is nested within the pressure chamber, with the pump housing forming part of the chamber structure. This nested configuration allows the vacuum generation component to be contained within the pressure application component, achieving space-efficient integration that simplifies the external system architecture.
2Productivity
If ultrasound methods are used for degassing, then the degassing rate is improved, but the cost and device complexity are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the ultrasound-based mechanical degassing system with a pressure-based chemical/physical degassing mechanism. By using a micropump to create negative pressure and a semipermeable membrane for gas extraction, the system achieves effective degassing without requiring expensive ultrasound generators, transducers, and associated control electronics, thereby significantly reducing manufacturing costs.
3Reliability
If a non-wetting membrane is used for passive degassing, then bubble separation is improved, but the ability to remove dissolved gas is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pressure parameter by applying negative pressure (vacuum) to the liquid containing dissolved gases. This pressure reduction decreases the solubility of gases in the liquid, causing dissolved gases to come out of solution and form bubbles that can then be separated by the non-wetting membrane, thereby enhancing both dissolved gas removal and bubble separation simultaneously.
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
Achieves a high degassing rate of up to 54% with a compact and portable unit, capable of maintaining negative pressures of -30 kPa to -55 kPa, effectively reducing gas bubbles and dissolved gases in liquids, enhancing system reliability and mobility.
Implementation Method 1
the micropump is configured to generate a pneumatic pressure within the gas-carrying region that is lower than a fluid pressure of liquid flowing through the liquid-carrying region
Implementation Method 2
dissolved gas gathers in gas bubbles and can be removed
Implementation Method 3
a gas-permeable and liquid-impermeable separating element separates the gas-carrying region and the liquid-carrying region from each other
Implementation Method 4
gas-permeable and liquid-impermeable separating element
Implementation Method 5
an ultrasound wave is generated which locally causes pressure variations which again result in cavitation in the negative pressure regions. There, the dissolved gas gathers in gas bubbles and can be removed
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an apparatus having a pressure chamber and a micropump in fluid connection with the pressure chamber. The pressure chamber includes a gas-carrying region and a liquid-carrying region. The micropump is configured to generate a pneumatic pressure within the gas-carrying region that is lower than a fluid pressure of a liquid flowing through the liquid-carrying region. According to the invention, a gas-permeable and liquid-impermeable separating element separates, at least in sections, the gas-carrying region and the liquid-carrying region. According to the present invention, the micropump is disposed on the pressure chamber.