Parallel Micromixer Guide Matrix for Homogeneous Fluid Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mixer systems face challenges in achieving high mixing efficiency while maintaining low pressure drops and increasing fluid throughput, often resulting in inhomogeneous mixing and potential backmixing due to flow constriction and manufacturing inaccuracies.
Innovation Solution
A mixer system comprising a guide matrix with multiple parallel-connected micromixers, each with rotationally symmetrical mixing chambers and alternating fluid inlets, reduces flow resistance and ensures uniform mixing by distributing fluids into micro-flow filaments, minimizing backmixing and allowing for adjustable residence time in a reactor system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the outlet is provided in the form of a concentric hole in the bottom of the cylindrical mixing chamber, then the mixing chamber can be simple in structure, but the flow is constricted and creates appreciable resistance to flow, significantly limiting the potential throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The single outlet is divided into multiple outlet channels arranged in a circular pattern around the central axis. This segmentation distributes the flow into multiple paths, reducing flow constriction and resistance while maintaining the simple cylindrical chamber structure. The multiple outlets collectively provide the required throughput without the flow constraints of a single concentric hole.
2Manufacturing precision
If miniaturization is used to achieve large mixing contact area by dividing fluids into micro-flow filaments, then mixing occurs rapidly and completely, but the fluid throughput is relatively low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional micro-flow filaments to a three-dimensional radial flow pattern. Fluids are distributed along the lateral surface of the cylindrical chamber and flow radially inward toward the outlet plane, utilizing the third dimension (radial direction) to increase mixing contact area while maintaining high throughput capability through the distributed outlet arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The single outlet is segmented into multiple outlet channels, and the inlet is segmented into multiple feed channels distributed around the chamber. This segmentation allows parallel flow paths that collectively handle high throughput while maintaining the fine mixing characteristics of distributed micro-flow patterns.
3Productivity
If a simple increase in entry channels to a mixing chamber is made, then the fluid throughput can be increased, but unavoidable manufacturing inaccuracies, plugging, and inhomogeneities of flow in the individual fluid feed channels may result in inhomogeneous introduction of the fluid fractions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a symmetric radial distribution pattern where feed channels and outlet channels are arranged in corresponding symmetric positions around the central axis. This geometric symmetry ensures that manufacturing variations affect all channels equally, maintaining flow homogeneity. The symmetric arrangement also provides redundancy, so plugging in one channel does not compromise overall performance.
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 system achieves efficient, rapid mixing with increased throughput and reduced pressure drops, ensuring homogeneous fluid introduction into reactors, minimizing backmixing and premature reactions.
Implementation Method 1
The so-achieved closely adjacent relationship between individual micro-flow filaments of the two or more fluid fractions enables effective mixing to be obtained over a short distance and in a very short time
Implementation Method 2
effective mixing to be obtained over a short distance and in a very short time
Data Source
AI summary
A mixer system for mixing at least two fluids includes a plurality of micromixers that are fluidically connected in parallel. The micromixers are integrated into a guide matrix and are fluidically connected via feed lines for the fluids to be mixed.