Device with a channel conducting a flowable medium and a method for removing inclusions
AssigneeFraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e. V.
InventorsPeter Koltay, Christian Litterst, Steffen Eccarius
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention relates to a device which comprises a channel (1) carrying a flowable medium. The due operation and/or maintenance of the device is associated with the formation of inclusions (3) inside the channel (1) of a fluid or gas distinct from the aforementioned medium. The channel (1) is configured in such a manner that the inclusions are moved towards a channel exit (4) by capillary forces. The invention also relates to a method for removing inclusions (3) from corresponding devices.
Claims16
A device with a channel for removing fluid inclusions formed in the device from a flowable medium in the device, wherein the channel runs bearing on an active surface or on a catalytic membrane or on a catalyser, the channel comprising a channel exit, wherein the channel defines an hydraulic diameter and a largest-inscribable hydraulic diameter at any one of a plurality of cross-sections defined perpendicularly to a longitudinal direction of the channel, the fluid inclusion being urged toward the channel exit by a capillary force, and the channel including at least one of the following:
- (a) the hydraulic diameter or the largest-inscribable hydraulic diameter monotonically increases toward the channel exit;
- or
- (b) a channel wall, the inclusion being located between the flowable medium and the channel wall and defining a contact angle θ between the channel wall and the inclusion, the contact angle θ lying completely in the flowable medium outside the inclusion, and the contact angle θ monotonically increasing as the inclusion moves along the channel toward the channel exit;
- or
- (c) a channel wall, the inclusion being located between the flowable medium and the channel wall and defining a contact angle θ between the channel wall and the inclusion, the contact angle lying completely in the flowable medium outside the inclusion, for which θ>π/2, and wherein the hydraulic diameter or the largest inscribable hydraulic diameter monotonically decreases along the channel towards the channel exit.
A device with a channel for removing fluid inclusions formed in the device from a flowable medium in the device, wherein the channel has a T-profile or a profile containing a T-profile, the channel comprising a channel exit, wherein the channel defines an hydraulic diameter and a largest-inscribable hydraulic diameter at any one of a plurality of cross-sections defined perpendicularly to a longitudinal direction of the channel, the fluid inclusion being urged toward the channel exit by a capillary force, and the channel including at least one of the following:
- (a) the hydraulic diameter or the largest-inscribable hydraulic diameter monotonically increases toward the channel exit;
- or
- (b) a channel wall, the inclusion being located between the flowable medium and the channel wall and defining a contact angle θ between the channel wall and the inclusion, the contact angle θ lying completely in the flowable medium outside the inclusion, and the contact angle θ monotonically increasing as the inclusion moves along the channel toward the channel exit;
- or
- (c) a channel wall, the inclusion being located between the flowable medium and the channel wall and defining a contact angle θ between the channel wall and the inclusion, the contact angle lying completely in the flowable medium outside the inclusion, for which θ>π/2, and wherein the hydraulic diameter or the largest inscribable hydraulic diameter monotonically decreases along the channel towards the channel exit.
A method for removing inclusions from a device with a channel conducting a flowable medium, wherein the device comprises one chosen from:
- a chemical reactor, a micro-reactor, a component of a chemical reactor, and a component of a micro-reactor, the method comprising:
- providing a channel exit at the channel;
- operating the device;
- forming at least one inclusion of a fluid in the flowable medium within the channel;
- moving the inclusion towards the channel exit by capillary forces.
A device which comprises one chosen from a chemical reactor, a micro-reactor, a component of a chemical reactor, and a component of a micro-reactor, the device comprising a channel for removing fluid inclusions formed in the device from a flowable medium in the device, the channel comprising a channel exit, wherein the channel defines an hydraulic diameter and a largest-inscribable hydraulic diameter at any one of a plurality of cross-sections defined perpendicularly to a longitudinal direction of the channel, the fluid inclusion being urged toward the channel exit by a capillary force, and the channel including at least one of the following:
- (a) the hydraulic diameter or the largest-inscribable hydraulic diameter monotonically increases toward the channel exit;
- or
- (b) a channel wall, the inclusion being located between the flowable medium and the channel wall and defining a contact angle θ between the channel wall and the inclusion, the contact angle θ lying completely in the flowable medium outside the inclusion, and the contact angle θ monotonically increasing as the inclusion moves along the channel toward the channel exit;
- or
- (c) a channel wall, the inclusion being located between the flowable medium and the channel wall and defining a contact angle θ between the channel wall and the inclusion, the contact angle lying completely in the flowable medium outside the inclusion, for which θ>π/2, and wherein the hydraulic diameter or the largest inscribable hydraulic diameter monotonically decreases along the channel towards the channel exit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.