Laminated microchannel devices, mixing units and method of making same
AssigneeBattelle Memorial Institute
InventorsWendy D. Bennett, Donald J. Hammerstrom, Peter M. Martin, Dean W. Matson
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Abstract
A laminated microchannel device is described in which there is a unit operation process layer that has longitudinal channel. The longitudinal channel is cut completely through the layer in which the unit process operation resides. Both the device structure and method of making the device provide significant advantages in terms of simplicity and efficiency. A static mixing unit that can be incorporated in the laminated microchannel device is also described.
Claims15
A laminated microchannel device comprising:
- a unit operation process layer comprising
- top and bottom surfaces;
- a channel extending longitudinally through the process layer and having a depth equal to or greater than the depth of the layer such that the channel has an opening through the top and bottom surfaces of the process layer;
- an inlet in fluid communication with said channel;
- an outlet in fluid communication with said channel;
- a first channel containment layer adjacent the top or bottom surface of said channel;
- a second channel containment layer;
- a first fluid passage extending through one of said first or second channel containment layers;
- and
- a second fluid passage extending through one of said first or second channel containment layers;
- wherein the unit operation process layer is disposed between the first and second channel containment layers;
- wherein the first fluid passage is in fluid communication with said inlet;
- wherein the second fluid passage is in fluid communication with said outlet;
- and
- wherein said first channel containment layer, said unit operation process layer, and said second channel containment layer are composed of plastic.
A method of making a laminated microchannel device comprising the steps of:
- stacking a first cover layer, a unit operation process layer, and a second cover layer,
- wherein the unit operation process layer comprises:
- a unit operation process layer comprising
- top and bottom surfaces;
- a channel extending longitudinally through the process layer and having a depth equal to or greater than the depth of the layer such that the channel has an opening through the top and bottom surfaces of the process layer;
- an inlet in fluid communication with said channel;
- an outlet in fluid communication with said channel;
- a first channel containment layer adjacent the top or bottom surface of said channel;
- a second channel containment layer;
- first fluid passage extending through one of said first or second channel containment layers;
- and
- a second fluid passage extending through one of said first or second channel containment layers;
- wherein the unit operation process layer is disposed between the first and second layers;
- wherein the first fluid passage is in fluid communication with said inlet;
- and
- wherein the second fluid passage is in fluid communication with said outlet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.