Method for delivering a fine particle dispersion, and device for delivering a fine particle dispersion

• US 7,182,552 B2
• Filed: 11/19/2004
• Issued: 02/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fuji Xerox Company Limited (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Fuji Xerox Company Limited (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Takagi, Seiichi, Ohta, Tetsuo
• Primary Examiner(s): DILLON JR, JOSEPH A
• Application Number:
  US10/991,999
• Publication Number:
  US 20050249034A1
• Time in Patent Office: 830 Days
• Field of Search: 406/86, 406/191, 406/197
• US Class Current: 406/86
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 14/00 Chemical processes in general for reacting liquids with liquids; Apparatus specially adapted therefor B01J8/00, B01J19/08 take precedence
• 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 2219/00831 Glass
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00833 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0086 Dimensions of the flow channels
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00889 Mixing micromixers B01F33/30

Abstract

Provided are a method for delivering a fine particle dispersion which makes it possible to flow the fine particle dispersion, as a stable flow, in a microflow-channel without sedimentation, being deposited on the bottom face of the inner surface of the channel or blocking up or clogging the channel, so as to give a high efficiency for recovering the fine particles; and a device for delivering a fine particle dispersion which can be used for a long period of time and which makes it possible to flow the fine particle dispersion as a stable flow in a microflow-channel without sedimentation, being deposited on the bottom face of the inner surfaces of the channel or blocking up or clogging the channel.

Claims

1. A method for delivering a fine particle dispersion to minimize stagnation, deposition or clogging comprising:

arranging a microflow-channel such that a discharge section is positioned below an inlet section in a gravitational direction;

setting an angle of the microflow-channel extending from the inlet section to the discharge section within a range of 0°

to 45°

relative to the gravitational direction;

introducing a fine particle dispersion into the inlet secton; and

delivering the introduced fine particle dispersion to the discharge section by a liquid medium in a laminar flow state;

wherein the fine particle dispersion comprises fine particles which are dispersed in the liquid medium, the fine particles having a volume-average particle size within a range of 0.1 to 1000 μ

m and a specific gravity of the fine particles within a range of 1.01 to 21.00 times that of the liquid medium such that stagnation, deposition or clogging is minimized.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the fine particles are selected from resin fine particles, inorganic fine particles, metal fine particles and ceramic fine particles.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the volume-average particle size of the fine particles is within a range of 0.1 to 500 μ

m.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein a ratio of a long axial length of the fine particles to a short axial length of the fine particles is within a range of 1:

1 to 50;

1.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the specific gravity of the fine particles is within a range of 1.05 to 12.00 times that of the liquid medium.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the content of the fine particles in the fine particle dispersion is within a range of 0.1 to 60% by volume.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein an angle of the microflow-channel extending from the inlet section to the discharge section is within a range of 0°

to 30°

relative to the gravitational direction.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein an angle of the microflow-channel extending from the inlet section to the discharge section is within a range of 0°

to 15°

relative to the gravitational direction.

9. A method for delivering a fine particle dispersion to minimize stagnation, deposition or clogging, comprising:

using a microflow-channel comprising an inlet section, a discharge section, and comprising at least one portion at which the cross-sectional diameter of the microflow-channel changes;

arranging the microflow-channel such that the discharge section is positioned below the inlet section in the gravitational direction;

setting an angle of the-wall surfaces of the microflow-channel extending from the inlet section to the discharge section within a range of 0°

to 45°

relative to the gravitational direction; and

introducing a fine particle dispersion into the inlet section and delivering the introduced fine particle dispersion to the discharge section by a liquid medium in a laminar flow state;

wherein the fine particle dispersion comprises fine particles which are dispersed in the liquid medium, the fine particles having a volume-average particle size within a range of 0.1 to 1000 μ

m and a specific gravity of the fine particles is within a range of 1.01 to 21.00 times that of the liquid medium such that stagnation, deposition or clogging is minimized.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the fine particles are selected from resin fine particles, inorganic fine particles, metal fine particles and ceramic fine particles.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the specific gravity of the fine particles is within a range of 1.05 to 12.00 times that of the liquid medium.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the angle of the wall surfaces of the at least one portion at which the cross-sectional diameter of the microflow-channel changes is within a range of 0°

to 30°

relative to the gravitational direction.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the angle of the wall surfaces of the at least one portion at which the cross-sectional diameter of the microflow-channel changes is within a range of 0°

to 15°

relative to the gravitational direction.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the volume-average particle size of the fine particles is within a range of 0.1 to 500 μ

m.

15. A device for delivering a fine particle dispersion which minimizes stagnation, deposition or clogging, comprising:

a microflow-channel having an inlet section and a discharge section,

wherein the microflow-channel is arranged such that the discharge section is positioned below the inlet section in the gravitational direction, and an angle of the microflow-channel extending from the inlet section to the discharge section is set within a range of 0°

to 45°

relative to the gravitational direction, and

wherein the fine particle dispersion comprises fine particles which are dispersed in a liquid medium, the fine particles having a volume-average particle size within a range of 0.1 to 1000 μ

m and a specific gravity of the fine particles within a range of 1.01 to 21.00 times that of the liquid medium, and the fine particle dispersion is delivered from the inlet section to the discharge section by the liquid medium flowing in a laminar flow state such that stagnation, deposition or clogging is minimized.

16. The device according to claim 15, wherein an angle of the microflow-channel extending from the inlet section to the discharge section is within a range of 0°

to 30°

relative to the gravitational direction.

17. The device according to claim 15, wherein an angle of the microflow-channel extending from the inlet section to the discharge section is within a range of 0°

to 15°

relative to the gravitational direction.

18. A device for delivering a fine particle dispersion which minimizes stagnation, deposition or clogging, comprising:

a microflow-channel having an inlet section;

a discharge section; and

at least one portion at which the cross-sectional diameter of the microflow-channel changes,

wherein the microflow-channel is arranged such that the discharge section is positioned below the inlet section in the gravitational direction, and an angle of the wall surfaces of the microflow-channel extending from the inlet section to the discharge section is set within a range of 0°

to 45°

relative to the gravitational direction, and

wherein the fine particle dispersion comprises fine particles which are dispersed in a liquid, the fine particles having a volume-average particle size within a range of 0.1 to 1000 μ

m and a specific gravity of the fine particles is within a range of 1.01 to 21.00 times that of the liquid medium, and the fine particle dispersion is delivered from the inlet section to the discharge section by the liquid medium flowing in a laminar flow state such that stagnation, deposition or clogging is minimized.

19. The device according to claim 18, wherein an angle of the wall surfaces of the at least one portion at which the cross-sectional diameter of the microflow-channel changes is within a range of 0°

to 30°

relative to the gravitational direction.

20. The device according to claim 18, wherein an angle of the wall surfaces of the at least one portion at which the cross-sectional diameter of the microflow-channel changes is within the range of 0°

to 15°

relative to the gravitational direction.