Multi-Flow Passage Device Blockage Detection via Segmented Pressure Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-flow passage devices, such as micro-channel reactors, face difficulties in detecting and cleaning blockages in their reaction flow passages due to the fine grooves, making it challenging to maintain efficient fluid mixing and chemical reaction processes.
Innovation Solution
The method involves partitioning the reaction flow passage into sections using communication flow passages to measure pressure losses, allowing for easy detection of blockages and facilitating cleaning by passing a cleaning liquid through the blocked sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the reaction flow passage is formed by very fine grooves to increase mixing efficiency, then the area of contact between raw material fluids per unit volume is dramatically increased, but the reaction flow passage becomes prone to blockage and difficult to clean
Solution Approach 1:
The reaction flow passage is divided into multiple sections by introducing communication flow passages that extend from the reaction flow passage to the outer peripheral surface. This segmentation allows pressure to be measured at different locations, enabling identification of specific blocked sections without requiring disassembly of the entire substrate.
Solution Approach 2:
Communication flow passages serve as intermediaries between the reaction flow passage and the external environment. These passages allow pressure measurement at accessible locations and provide routes for injecting cleaning liquids, eliminating the need to disassemble the substrate for blockage detection or cleaning operations.
2Ease of repair
If the substrate is disassembled to clean the reaction flow passage, then the entire reaction flow passage can be cleaned, but the operation becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
Communication flow passages act as intermediaries that provide access to the reaction flow passage interior without requiring substrate disassembly. Cleaning liquids can be injected through these communication passages, allowing maintenance operations to be performed while the substrate remains assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication flow passages enable the system to perform its own cleaning without external intervention or disassembly. The passages themselves provide the cleaning route, allowing the multi-flow passage device to maintain its reaction flow passages independently while assembled.
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 approach enables straightforward blockage detection and effective cleaning of the reaction flow passage, ensuring continuous operation and maintaining the efficiency of chemical reactions and fluid mixing processes.
Implementation Method 1
measuring pressure of the raw material fluids or the reaction product flowing through the respective sections to determine blockage of the sections based on the pressure loss of the respective sections
Data Source
AI summary
In an operation method of a multi-flow passage device, and a multi-flow passage of the present invention, blockage detection of a reaction flow passage can be readily performed and cleaning of the reaction passage can be easily performed.The operation method of the multi-flow passage device of the present invention is an operation method of a multi-flow passage device 1 formed with a reaction flow passage 20 for producing a reaction product S by allowing raw material fluids Q, R to flow and making chemical reaction, the method including steps of: partitioning the reaction flow passage 20 into a plurality of sections; and allowing the raw material fluids Q, R to flow in the reaction flow passage 20 and measuring pressure of the raw material fluids Q, R or the reaction product S flowing through the respective sections to determine blockage of the sections based on the pressure loss of the respective sections.