Mixing Reactor Perpendicular Inlet for Nanoparticle Quality

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mixing reactors for producing nanoparticles face issues with pre-heating of precursor fluids, leading to particle precipitation and quality control problems, and suffer from uneven flow and oscillation due to multiple inlet ports, resulting in asymmetric mixing environments.

Innovation Solution

A mixing reactor design with a second fluid conduit extending perpendicular to the precursor fluid conduit, introducing the second fluid away from the sidewall to prevent heat exchange and ensure good mixing, and using a single inlet port to maintain uniform flow, which helps in achieving consistent particle size and shape.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the second fluid is introduced via a conduit extending through the precursor fluid parallel to the flow direction, then heat exchange between the fluids occurs, but this results in pre-heating of the precursor fluid which causes particle precipitation and quality problems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat exchange efficiencyVSAvoidparticle quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the spatial arrangement of the second fluid conduit from parallel to perpendicular relative to the precursor fluid flow direction. This dimensional change eliminates the pre-heating problem while maintaining effective heat exchange during mixing, as the conduit still extends into the precursor fluid but in a direction that prevents premature thermal interaction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If multiple inlet ports are used in the first fluid conduit, then fluid intake capacity increases, but this results in uneven flow and oscillation causing asymmetric mixing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid intake capacityVSAvoidmixing uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the multiple inlet ports configuration and replaces it with a single inlet port. This simplification eliminates the flow distribution problems and oscillations that occurred with multiple ports, ensuring uniform flow and symmetric mixing while maintaining adequate fluid intake capacity through proper sizing of the single port

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of manufacture

If the second fluid conduit opening is positioned at the sidewall of the first fluid conduit, then introduction is simple, but this results in poor mixing due to fluid dynamics at the wall

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconduit configuration simplicityVSAvoidmixing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the second fluid conduit opening such that the conduit extends into the first fluid conduit, creating a nested configuration where the opening is surrounded by the precursor fluid flow. This ensures the introduced fluid is immediately entrained in the main flow, achieving excellent mixing while maintaining manufacturing simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 design prevents uncontrolled particle precipitation, ensures uniform mixing, and achieves high-quality nanoparticles with controlled particle size and shape, suitable for continuous synthesis in high-temperature water without blockages, and is scalable for large-scale production.

Implementation Method 1

introducing the second fluid through a second fluid conduit that is perpendicular to the flow direction of the precursor fluid. There is therefore no, or limited, opportunity for the second fluid to exchange heat with the precursor fluid prior to the mixing location.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat exchange prevention through perpendicular flow arrangement:

Implementation Method 2

a mixing reactor for precipitating nanoparticles by mixing a precursor fluid with a second fluid at a higher temperature than the precursor fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPrecipitation: Precipitation

Implementation Method 3

Extending the second fluid conduit into the first fluid conduit results in the second fluid being introduced away from the sidewall of the first fluid conduit so as to ensure good mixing.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid mixing through perpendicular introduction:

Data Source

PatentUS10722860B2Mixing reactor and related process

Publication Date: 2020.07.28 PROMETHEAN PARTICLES

AI summary

A mixing reactor for precipitating nanoparticles by mixing a precursor fluid with a second fluid at a higher temperature than the precursor fluid. The reactor comprises: a first fluid conduit with an inlet region configured to receive a flow of the precursor fluid, and an outlet region configured to output a mixed flow; and a second fluid conduit configured to receive a flow of the second fluid. The second fluid conduit extends into the first fluid conduit in a direction substantially perpendicular to the flow within the first fluid conduit, and has an opening for introducing the second fluid into the first fluid conduit. Related processes for producing nanoparticles are disclosed.