Patent · US Active

Twin-vortex micromixer for enforced mass exchange

US7794136B2 · kind B2 · utility

13Cited by
5References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 9, 2006
Grant dateSep 14, 2010
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 5, 2028

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S366/03
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

The present invention discloses a vortex-modulation based micromixer for enforced mass exchange. The micromixer of the present invention comprises a mixing chamber with grooves on one wall thereof and a special-shape barrier on another wall. As different fluids are injected into the mixing chamber respectively from two inlets of the micromixer, the grooves and barriers of the micromixer of the present invention create the constructive interferences to form the active-like agitation of the fluid. For every groove, the flux passed by can be increased via its high pressure gradient. Understandably, the mixing efficiency of the fluids can be greatly improved within a very short distance. At last, the outlet of the micromixer is located in the downstream of the mixing chamber and further is able to connect with other elements. The present invention is entirely a passive micromixer and no additional energy is required. The present invention can apply to a continuous chemical analysis, particularly to a lab-on-a-chip or a micro total analysis system.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.