Device for carrying out chemical reactions using a microlaminar mixer

• US 6,264,900 B1
• Filed: 05/05/1998
• Issued: 07/24/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe Gmbh
• Original Assignee: Bayer AG, Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe Gmbh
• Inventors: Herrmann, Erhard, Linder, Gerd, Koglin, Bernd, Bier, Wilhelm, Menzel, Thomas, Schubert, Klaus, Maul, Christine
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Hien
• Assistant Examiner(s): RIDLEY, BASIA ANNA
• Application Number:
  US09/068,322
• Time in Patent Office: 1,176 Days
• Field of Search: 422/171, 422/211, 422/224, 422/228, 366/336, 366/337, 366/144, 366/340, 138/38, 165/109.1, 165/166
• US Class Current: 422/224
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/23 Mixing by intersecting jets
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/4323 using elements provided with a plurality of channels or using a plurality of tubes which can either be placed between common spaces or collectors
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/3012 Interdigital streams, e.g. lamellae
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/3017 Mixing chamber
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/304 the mixing being performed in a mixing chamber where the products are brought into contact
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/0093 Microreactors, e.g. miniaturised or microfabricated reactors laboratory containers with capillary fluid transport in microfabricated channels or chambers B01L3/5027
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/18 Stationary reactors having moving elements inside B01J19/08, B01J19/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/2415 Tubular reactors
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00085 Plates; Jackets; Cylinders
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00164 controlling the flow
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00783 Laminate assemblies, i.e. the reactor comprising a stack of plates
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00873 Heat exchange
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00889 Mixing
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 2260/02 having microchannels
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 366/03 Micromixers: variable geometry from the pathway influences mixing/agitation of non-laminar fluid flow
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2514 Self-proportioning flow systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2516 Interconnected flow displacement elements
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2559 Self-controlled branched flow systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2562 Dividing and recombining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2564 Plural inflows

Abstract

A microstructures lamellae mixer comprising a guide component for supplying fluids to be mixed to a mixing chamber, the guide component being composed of a plurality of foils which are layered one above the other and into which microchannels are incorporated such that separate fluids supplied to the guide component are formed into spatially separated microstreams which then emerge adjacent to each other in a mixing chamber.

Claims

1. A microstructure lamellae mixer having at least one mixing chamber and a guide component for supplying fluids to be mixed to the mixing chamber, the guide component being composed of several planar elements which are layered one above the other and which have at least one surface which comprises microchannels running at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the mixer, the microchannels of adjacent elements crossing each other without contact and having outlets into the mixing chamber, and wherein:

a) the planar elements comprise foils into which in each case an individual or a system of adjacent microchannels oriented at alternating angles to the mixer longitudinal axis is incorporated, such that when the foils are layered one above the other, an individual or a series of closed microchannels for guiding fluids to be mixed are formed;

b) the microchannels have a depth of <

1,000 μ

m, a width b which is at least 10 times the depth and a base wall thickness of <

1,000 μ

m;

c) the openings of the microchannels adjoining the mixing chamber lie in line one above the other, the microchannels of adjacent foils diverging towards fluid inlets to the mixer such that the fluids to be mixed can be fed to separate inlets.

2. The microstructure lamellae mixer of claim 1, wherein the microchannels have bases that are supported at regular intervals by pins permanently connected to such bases.

3. The microstructure lamellae mixer of claim 1, wherein an intermediate foil is inserted between in each case two foils with the microchannels which diverge towards the fluid entry side, said intermediate foils having microchannels running perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the mixer, for passing a cooling or heating medium through.

4. The microstructure lamellae mixer of claim 1, wherein a micro-heat exchanger is connected to the mixing chamber.

5. The microstructure lamellae mixer of claim 1, wherein the mixing chamber is a micro-heat exchanger connected to the guide component.