Method and apparatus for diffusive transfer between immiscible liquids
AssigneeBritish Nuclear Fuels plc
InventorMichael Jonathan Harper
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus for carrying out a process between first and second immiscible fluids comprises channels defining first and second primary flow paths for permitting fluid flow of the respective first and second fluids therethrough. Portions of the flow paths are disposed close to or adjacent one another and communicate with one another at a region where the flow paths are constructed and arranged so as to permit the fluids to form a stable interface between them. At least one of the fluids is induced to flow in a secondary direction perpendicular to the direction of its primary flow path at the region either by bending the primary flow path around a curve, or by positioning flow detectors within the flow path.
Claims31
Apparatus for carrying out a process between first and second immiscible fluids comprising first and second channels constructed to define primary flow paths for permitting parallel and co-current fluid flow of the respective first and second fluids therethrough white inhibiting mixing of the fluids, portions of said channels being disposed close to or adjacent one another and constructed to communicate with one another to define a region, where a stable interface is formed between the fluids, and secondary flow inducing means, which is operable, in use, to induce at least one of the fluids to flow in a secondary direction perpendicular to the direction of the primary flow path at said region.
Apparatus for carrying out a process between first and second immiscible fluids, comprising first and second channels constructed to define respectively first and second primary flow paths for permitting parallel and co-current fluid flow of the respective first and second immiscible fluids therethrough while inhibiting mixing of the fluids, portions of the channels being disposed close to or adjacent one another and constructed to communicate with one another to define a region where, in use, a stable interface is formed between the first and second fluids, at least the first channel at said region being curved so that, in use, the fluid flow therein has a curved trajectory in a direction along the primary flow path which generates a secondary circulation of the fluid in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the primary flow path.
Apparatus for carrying out a process between first and second immiscible fluids, comprising a stacked structure of adjacent plates, each adjacent pair of plates defining one or more pairs of first and second channels defining primary flow paths for permitting fluid flow of the respective first and second immiscible fluids therethrough, portions of the channels being disposed close to or adjacent one another and constructed to communicate with one another to define a region where, in use, a stable interface is formed between the first and second fluids, and wherein at least the, or each first channel is curved at said region so that, in use, the fluid flow therein has a curved trajectory in a direction along the primary flow path and generates a secondary circulation of the fluid in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the flow path.
A method of carrying out a process between first and second immiscible fluids, the method comprising:
- the steps of:
- a) providing first and second flow paths having portions disposed adjacent to or close to one another and communicating with one another to define a region where, in use, the fluids can contact one another;
- b) flowing the first and second immiscible fluids along respective said first and second primary flow paths such that, at least in said region, the flow of both fluids is essentially laminar and, a stable interface is formed between the fluids;
- c) simultaneously causing at least one of the fluids to flow in a direction perpendicular to the primary path flow;
- d) permitting significant transfer of a desired component of at least one of the fluids to the other fluid at said interface between the fluids by diffusive transport within the fluids without mixing of the fluids;
- and
- e) flowing the fluids away from the interface region in their respective flow paths.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.