Microfluidic separator
First Claim
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
- a microfluidic device comprising a porous membrane for separating a multiphase mixture in a fluid flow stream within a structure wherein a pressure difference across the porous membrane is maintained below a capillary break-through pressure of a nonwetting fluid phase present in the multiphase mixture;
wherein the porous membrane is arranged substantially tangent to an intended fluid flow direction of the multiphase mixture present in the fluid flow stream and disposed across a fluid sample inlet to the microfluidic device; and
a microsieve structured and arranged adjacent to and downstream of the membrane and includes a capillary fluid separator having microfabricated channels arranged substantially tangent to the fluid stream downstream of the porous membrane.
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Abstract
The present invention provides methods and apparatus for separating and/or analyzing fluids of interest. According to principles of the present invention, fluid analysis is accomplished with microfluidic devices and may be reported in real-time or near real-time in a subterranean environment. In addition or alternative to oilfield applications, the principles of the present invention contemplate separation in a laboratory or other environment for biological sample separation and analytical chemistry applications. The present invention is capable of separating liquid-liquid mixtures or emulsions in a microfluidic device without fouling.
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16 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
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a microfluidic device comprising a porous membrane for separating a multiphase mixture in a fluid flow stream within a structure wherein a pressure difference across the porous membrane is maintained below a capillary break-through pressure of a nonwetting fluid phase present in the multiphase mixture; wherein the porous membrane is arranged substantially tangent to an intended fluid flow direction of the multiphase mixture present in the fluid flow stream and disposed across a fluid sample inlet to the microfluidic device; and a microsieve structured and arranged adjacent to and downstream of the membrane and includes a capillary fluid separator having microfabricated channels arranged substantially tangent to the fluid stream downstream of the porous membrane. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A microfluidic system for performing fluid analysis, comprising:
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a submersible housing having a fluid analyzer and a power supply to provide power to said system; a substrate for receiving a multiphase mixture through a fluid sample inlet, wherein said substrate interconnects with said submersible housing; and a membrane disposed across the fluid sample inlet for separating a fluid of interest from the multiphase mixture; and wherein the substrate includes fabricated channels, such that the fabricated channels are arranged substantially tangent to the fluid stream downstream of the porous membrane.
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16. An apparatus, comprising:
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a housing having a fluid flow stream, such that the housing is positioned in a downhole oilfield tool; a microfluidic device positioned in the housing comprising a porous membrane for separating a multiphase mixture in the fluid flow stream wherein a pressure difference across the porous membrane is maintained below a capillary break-through pressure of a nonwetting fluid phase present in the multiphase mixture; wherein the porous membrane is arranged substantially tangent to an intended fluid flow direction of the multiphase mixture present in the fluid flow stream; and a microsieve structured and arranged adjacent to and downstream of the porous membrane and includes a capillary fluid separator having microfabricated channels arranged substantially tangent to the fluid stream downstream of the porous membrane.
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Specification