JP2004024992A - Microreacter and chemical reaction method using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a microreactor capable of effectively dispersing and mixing fluids, and hence, capable of excellently reacting fluids with each other, and to provide a chemical reaction method. <P>SOLUTION: Different kinds of fluids supplied from each of fluid supply ports P1 and P2 are supplied to a reaction passage 5 through a fluid introduction port 21 of a first reaction element 2. In the reaction passage 5, the fluid is alternately inducted inside each compartment 22a of a first mixing compartment group 22 and inside each compartment 32a of a second mixing compartment group 32, and radially flows while meandering. In the cross section, the fluid flows while being divided and joined. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a microreactor for mixing and reacting a plurality of kinds of trace fluids and a chemical reaction method using the same.
[0002]
Problems to be solved by the prior art and the invention
BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, a microreactor, which is a microreaction vessel for performing a chemical reaction with a small amount of sample, has been provided. Since the reaction volume of this microreactor is usually on the order of μL, a small and lightweight experimental system that can react at high speed with a small amount of raw materials can be realized, integration and parallelization are easy, and impurities are not mixed. There are various advantages such as being suppressed, easy to keep the reaction conditions such as temperature control constant, and excellent in safety. For this reason, it is used for chemical reactions such as chemical synthesis reactions and biochemical reactions, detection of biological samples, and the like.
[0003]
For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the microreactor is formed by laminating a second chip 102 on a first chip 101 to form a substrate 100 and forming a microchip on one or both of the chips 101 and 102 in advance. The reaction channel 103 is formed between the two by the elongated concave groove, and two fluid supply ports 104 and one fluid discharge port 105 communicating with the reaction channel 103 are formed in the first chip 102. (For example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-337173).
In this microreactor, two kinds of fluids respectively injected from the two fluid supply ports 104 are mixed in the reaction channel 103 and discharged from the fluid discharge port 105. However, the mixing of the fluids in the reaction channel 103 is performed by collision of two types of fluids or mutual diffusion at the time of flow, so that the two are not sufficiently mixed. For this reason, there is a problem that the two kinds of fluids are not mixed promptly, and the reaction yield is inferior and a side reaction occurs.
[0004]
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, there has been proposed an apparatus in which the reaction channel 103 is meandering to extend the residence time of the fluid (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-27984). However, also in this microreactor, the total length of the reaction channel 103 is simply increased, and the mixing efficiency of the two types of fluids is still insufficient because the two types of fluids are mixed by collision or mutual diffusion during flow. It is.
Further, in any of the microreactors, the reaction channel 103 is minute, and the flow of the fluid is usually a laminar flow in the minute channel. Therefore, the Reynolds number is very small, and the generation of turbulent flow is suppressed. Therefore, fluids are hardly mixed in the width direction and the depth direction of the reaction channel 103, and only mixing by diffusion can be expected. However, it takes a very long time to effectively mix fluids only by diffusion. Therefore, in the conventional microreactor, it is extremely difficult to disperse and mix fluids, which are the basis of a chemical reaction.
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a microreactor capable of effectively performing dispersion and mixing of fluids.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a microreactor according to the present invention includes a fluid supply element having a plurality of fluid supply ports, and a plurality of types of fluids provided adjacent to the fluid supply element and supplied from the respective fluid supply ports at a central portion. A first reaction element having a fluid introduction port for guiding the fluid from one side to the other side, and having a fine uneven surface around the fluid introduction port on the other side, and a first reaction element provided adjacent to the first reaction element. A second reaction element having a fluid receiving portion that receives a plurality of types of fluids that have passed through the fluid introduction port at a central portion of the side surface, and a second reaction element having a fine uneven surface around the fluid receiving portion on the other side surface; A plurality of fluids provided between the first and second reaction elements and received by the fluid receiving portion meandering along the fine uneven surface of the first and second reaction elements. A reaction channel for causing the fluid to flow in a dispersive manner to be dispersed and mixed; a collecting path for collecting fluid passing through the reaction channel; and a fluid discharge element having a fluid discharge port communicating with the collecting path. 1).
[0006]
According to the microreactor having such a configuration, a plurality of types of fluids supplied from the respective fluid supply ports of the fluid supply element are guided to the fluid receiving portion of the second reaction element through the fluid introduction port and supplied to the reaction channel. However, it is possible to disperse and mix while radially flowing while meandering by the fine uneven surface formed in the reaction channel. For this reason, mixing of fluids can be performed effectively in a short time.
[0007]
In the microreactor, the uneven surface of the first reaction element includes a honeycomb-shaped first mixed chamber group having a number of small chambers opened on the second reaction element side, and the uneven surface of the second reaction element. Consists of a honeycomb-shaped second mixing chamber group having a number of small chambers with the first reaction element side opened, and the small chambers of each of the mixing chamber groups opposing each other are arranged at different positions. Is preferable (claim 2). In this case, a plurality of types of fluids can be alternately introduced into each of the small chambers of the first mixed small chamber group and each of the small chambers of the second mixed small chamber group, and can be more efficiently dispersed and mixed.
[0008]
In the microreactor, the collecting path includes a first flow path that guides the fluid that has passed through the reaction flow path to the other side surface of the second reaction element, and a fluid that has passed through the first flow path in the second reaction element. A second flow path for flowing toward the center of the element, wherein the fluid passing through the first flow path is linearly moved toward the center of the second reaction element. It is preferable that the flow straightening portion is radially provided and the fluid discharge port is provided so as to correspond to the center of the second reaction element.
In this case, the fluid that has passed through the reaction channel is guided to the other side of the second reaction element through the first channel, and the fluid that has been guided to the other side is subjected to rectification in the second channel by the rectification unit. It can flow linearly towards the center of the two reaction elements. Thus, the fluid can be smoothly collected at the center of the second reaction element and efficiently discharged from the fluid discharge port. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the back flow from obstructing the flow of the fluid in the reaction channel. In this case, it is preferable that the diameter of the virtual circle connecting the ends on the center side of the rectifying portion is smaller than the inner diameter of the fluid discharge port (claim 4). Fluids flowing toward the parts can be effectively merged at the central portion to further promote the dispersive mixing.
[0009]
Further, the chemical reaction method of the present invention is characterized in that a plurality of types of fluids are injected from the fluid supply port of the microreactor according to any one of claims 1 to 4, and the plurality of types of fluids are mixed in the reaction channel. It is characterized by performing a dispersion reaction (claim 6).
According to this chemical reaction method, a plurality of types of fluids can be caused to flow while meandering, and can be effectively dispersed and mixed by the fine uneven surface formed in the reaction channel of the microreactor. The reaction can be performed effectively in a short time.
[0010]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the microreactor of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of the microreactor M of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway plan view thereof. The microreactor M is provided with a fluid supply element 1 having a plurality of fluid supply ports P1, a first reaction element 2 provided adjacent to the fluid supply element 1, and provided adjacent to the first reaction element 2. It comprises a second reaction element 3 and a fluid discharge element 4 having a fluid discharge port P2 in the center.
[0011]
The microreactor M is formed by laminating the respective elements 1 to 4 into a disk shape, and has a diameter of, for example, 10 to 50 mm and a thickness of, for example, about 5 to 15 mm. In addition, as a material of each element, metal, glass, ceramics, plastic, or the like is used, and the material is appropriately selected from the above materials according to the properties of the applied fluid, reaction conditions such as photoreaction and reaction under light blocking. Selected.
[0012]
Each fluid supply port P1 formed in the fluid supply element 1 is open on one side (upper surface), and is mutually connected by a concave portion 11 having a circular cross section formed on the other side (lower surface) of the fluid supply element 1. Is communicated to. Different types of fluids are individually supplied to each fluid supply port P1 by a micropump such as a diffuser type or a diaphragm type, a microvalve, a microsyringe, or the like. Examples of the fluid include a liquid, a gas, and a powder.
[0013]
The first reaction element 2 has one side surface joined to the fluid supply element 1, and introduces a plurality of types of fluids supplied from the respective fluid supply ports P <b> 1 to a central portion of the first reaction element 2 to the other side surface. The opening 21 is formed through.
An annular flat seat portion 23 is formed on the outer peripheral side of the other side surface, and a first honeycomb-shaped honeycomb formed of a plurality of small chambers 22 a is provided between the seat portion 23 and the fluid introduction port 21. (See FIG. 3). The small chamber 22a is open on the side of the second reaction element 3, and has a hexagonal cross section in the figure. The adjacent small chambers 22a share a part of the peripheral wall.
[0014]
The second reaction element 3 has an outer peripheral surface on one side joined to the seat 23 of the first reaction element 2, and an annular flat seat 33 formed on the outer peripheral side on the other side. At the same time, a recess 30 is formed inside the seat 33. At the center of the one side surface of the second reaction element 3, a fluid receiving portion 31 for receiving a plurality of kinds of fluids passing through the fluid inlet 21 of the first reaction element 2 is formed. The fluid receiving portion 31 has a flat surface perpendicular to the axis of the fluid inlet 21 and radially diffuses the fluid introduced from the fluid inlet 21 without bias. The fluid receiving portion 31 may be a flat surface, a conical surface projecting in the direction of the first reaction element 2 or a spherical surface.
[0015]
A second mixed small chamber group 32 including a plurality of small chambers 32a is formed around the fluid receiving portion 31 (see FIG. 5). The second mixing chamber group 32 has a honeycomb shape similar to that of the first mixing chamber group 22, and the small chamber 32a is open on the first reaction element 2 side.
The second reaction element 3 has a first flow path 61 for guiding a fluid that has passed through a reaction flow path 5, which will be described later, to the other side of the second reaction element 3. Are formed at predetermined pitches along the line (see FIGS. 5 and 6).
[0016]
The small chamber 22a of the first mixed small chamber group 22 and the small chamber 32a of the second mixed small chamber group 32 are vertically moved in FIGS. 3 and 5 so that one of the small chambers facing each other does not face the other small chamber. The positions are shifted from each other by a predetermined pitch in the direction and in the left-right direction. In addition, the lower surface of the first mixing chamber group 22 and the upper surface of the second mixing chamber group 32 are arranged on substantially the same plane. Thereby, a reaction channel 5 (see FIG. 1) is formed between the mixing small chamber groups 22 and 32, in which a plurality of types of fluids received by the fluid receiving portion 31 meander while flowing radially. .
[0017]
The diameter of the circumscribed circle of the peripheral wall of each of the small chambers 22a and 32a is set, for example, in the range of 0.1 to 1 mm, and the depth is set, for example, in the range of 0.01 to 0.5 mm. Therefore, the reaction channel 5 is formed with a fine uneven surface by the mixing small chamber groups 22 and 32. The small chambers 22a and 32a are formed by, for example, a lithography method or a stereolithography method.
[0018]
The gap formed between the first reaction element 2 and the fluid discharge element 4 by the concave portion 30 is configured as a second flow path 62 for guiding the fluid that has passed through the first flow path 61 to the center. The flow paths 61 and 62 form a collecting path 6 for collecting the fluid that has passed through the reaction flow path 5 at the center.
A plurality of rectifying units 7 are radially arranged in the second flow path 62 (see FIGS. 1 and 6). Each rectifying portion 7 is a rib-like member projecting from the other side surface of the second reaction element 3 and divides the second flow path 62 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The rectifying section 7 allows the fluid guided to the second flow path 62 to linearly flow toward the center of the second reaction element 3.
[0019]
The end 71 on the center side of the rectifying unit 7 is located closer to the center than the inner periphery of the fluid discharge port P2 facing the end 71. That is, the diameter D of the imaginary inscribed circle connecting the center-side ends 71 of the respective flow regulating portions 7 is smaller than the inner diameter d of the fluid discharge port P2 (see FIG. 1). Thereby, the fluids flowing toward the central portion in the second flow path 62 can be effectively combined at the central portion to generate a strong turbulent flow.
The fluid discharge element 4 in which the fluid discharge port P2 is formed has one outer peripheral surface joined to the seat 33 of the second reaction element 3.
[0020]
With the above configuration, different types of fluids supplied from the respective fluid supply ports P1 pass through the fluid inlet 21 of the first reaction element 2 and then pass through the fluid receiving portion 31 of the second reaction element 3. It is received and supplied to the reaction channel 5, and while flowing radially in the reaction channel 5, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 1 in the longitudinal section, the inside of each small chamber 22a of the first mixing small chamber group 22 and It is alternately introduced into each of the small chambers 32a of the second mixing small chamber group 32 and flows while meandering, and can flow while dividing and merging as shown by arrows in FIG. For this reason, different types of fluids can be dispersed and mixed as well as diffusion mixed, and the fluids can be efficiently mixed and reacted in a very short time. In addition, since the small chambers 22a and 32a are arranged at high density in a honeycomb shape, the fluids can be more efficiently dispersed and mixed.
[0021]
Then, the fluid that has passed through the reaction flow path 5 is guided to the second flow path 62 through the first flow path 61, collected at the center, and discharged through the fluid discharge port P2. At this time, the fluid guided to the second flow path 62 can be caused to flow linearly toward the center by the rectifying unit 7, so that the fluid smoothly flows to the center of the second reaction element 3. They can be collected and discharged efficiently from the fluid discharge port P2. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the flow of the fluid in the reaction channel 5 from being hindered by the back pressure. Further, the diameter D of the virtual inscribed circle connecting the ends 71 on the center side of the respective rectifying portions 7 is smaller than the inner diameter d of the fluid discharge port P2, and is located at the center in the second flow path 62. Fluids flowing toward each other can be effectively merged at the central portion to generate strong turbulence, so that the fluids can be more effectively mixed.
[0022]
The sectional shape of the small chambers 22a and 32a may be various polygons such as a triangle, a pentagon, and an octagon, a circle, and the like, in addition to the hexagon, and in any case, the diameter of the circumscribed circle is 0.1. Preferably, the depth is set in a range of 1 to 1 mm, and the depth is set in a range of 0.01 to 0.5 mm. When the diameter of the circumscribed circle exceeds the above range, the volume of the fluid required for the reaction increases, and the mixing effect of the fluid decreases. If the diameter of the circumscribed circle is too small, it is difficult to manufacture the small chambers 22a and 32a.
In addition, you may implement by providing fine unevenness | corrugation in the bottom face of each said small chamber 22a, 32a. Further, a chamfer having a curved surface may be formed at the opening edge of each of the small chambers 22a and 32a. In this case, the small chamber 22a of the first mixed small chamber group 22 and the small chamber 32a of the second mixed small chamber group 32 are formed. Can be suppressed by the chamfering at the portion where the fluid crosses.
[0023]
The number of the small chambers 22a and 32a is appropriately selected according to the type of the fluid. The number of the fluid supply ports P1 is selected according to the type of the fluid to be reacted. Further, a plurality of pairs of the first reaction element 2 and the second reaction element 3 forming a pair may be provided when a long reaction time is required (see FIG. 8). Further, the rectifying section 7 may be provided to protrude from the fluid discharge element 4. A plurality of the microreactors M may be formed on the base 8 (see FIG. 9). In this case, since a large number of chemical reactions can be performed simultaneously, the chemical reactions can be performed efficiently. it can.
[0024]
Since the microreactor M of the present invention can achieve a high degree of dispersion and mixing of the raw material fluids, it can also carry out various chemical reactions which were conventionally difficult to carry out on a flask scale. The chemical reaction of the present invention can be carried out in various systems such as liquid-liquid, liquid-gas, liquid-solid, and liquid-solid-gas.
Further, the microreactor M of the present invention is used for biochemical reactions and other chemical reactions, and can be applied to combinatorial chemistry, drug discovery and the like. In addition, it is used for detection of DNA using the principle of hybridization, antibody-antigen reaction, and various enzyme reactions.
[0025]
As described above, according to the present invention, the dispersion and mixing of the raw material fluids can be performed effectively, and the reaction between the fluids can be favorably performed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of a microreactor of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view partially cut away.
FIG. 3 is a bottom view showing a first reaction element.
FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a first reaction element.
FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a second reaction element.
FIG. 6 is a bottom view showing a second reaction element.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a flow of a fluid in a reaction channel.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a plan view showing still another embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a partially cutaway plan view showing a conventional example.
FIG. 11 is a partially cutaway plan view showing another conventional example.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Fluid supply element 2 1st reaction element 21 Fluid inlet 22 1st mixing small chamber group 22a Small chamber 3 2nd reaction element 31 Fluid receiving part 32 2nd mixing small chamber group 32a Small chamber 5 Reaction channel 6 Collecting path 61 First flow path 62 Second flow path 7 Rectifier P1 Fluid supply port P2 Fluid discharge port

Claims (5)

A fluid supply element having a plurality of fluid supply ports;
A fluid introduction port is provided adjacent to the fluid supply element and guides a plurality of types of fluids supplied from the respective fluid supply ports from one side to the other side at a central portion, and a fine portion is provided around the fluid introduction port on the other side. A first reaction element having a rough surface,
A fluid receiving portion that is provided adjacent to the first reaction element and that receives a plurality of types of fluids that have passed through the fluid introduction port at a central portion on one side surface; and fine irregularities around the fluid receiving portion on the other side surface. A second reaction element having a surface;
A plurality of types of fluids provided between the first and second reaction elements and received by the fluid receiving portion are radially formed while meandering along fine uneven surfaces of the first and second reaction elements. A reaction channel for flowing and dispersing and mixing
A collecting path for collecting the fluid that has passed through the reaction channel,
A fluid discharge element having a fluid discharge port communicating with the collecting passage. The uneven surface of the first reaction element is composed of a honeycomb-shaped first mixing chamber group having a large number of small chambers opened on the second reaction element side, and the uneven surface of the second reaction element is formed of the first mixed chamber. 2. The micro-micrometer according to claim 1, comprising a honeycomb-shaped second mixing chamber group having a number of chambers each having an opening on the reaction element side, wherein the chambers of each of the mixing chamber groups opposing each other are arranged at different positions. reactor. A first flow path that guides the fluid that has passed through the reaction flow path to the other side surface of the second reaction element, and a fluid that has passed through the first flow path is disposed at the center of the second reaction element. And a rectifying unit that causes the fluid that has passed through the first flow path to flow linearly toward the center of the second reaction element in the second flow path. The microreactor according to claim 1, wherein the fluid discharge ports are provided radially, and the fluid discharge ports are provided corresponding to the center of the second reaction element. 　 The microreactor according to claim 3, wherein a diameter of an imaginary circle connecting end portions on the center side of the rectifying portion is smaller than an inner diameter of the fluid discharge port. A chemical reaction, comprising injecting a plurality of types of fluids from a fluid supply port of the microreactor according to any one of claims 1 to 4, and dispersing and mixing the plurality of types of fluids in a reaction channel thereof. Reaction method.

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