Apparatus and methods to operate a microreactor
AssigneePharyx, Inc.
InventorsHarry Lee, Kevin Shao-Kwan Lee
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides apparatus and methods to operate microreactor devices through the controlled delivery of pressurized fluids. A heated reservoir, a heated manifold, and a heater for the microreactor device provides for the delivery of a pressurized gas while minimizing evaporation and condensation; and a fluid interface and pressure interlock provides for the delivery of aseptic fluids while minimizing contamination and fluid loss.
Claims18
An apparatus to operate a microreactor device, the microreactor device having a first side and a second side, said first side having a first opening and a second opening, the apparatus comprising:
- a first heater;
- a base plate, in thermal communication with the first heater, comprising:
- a thermally conductive material;
- and a control conduit with a first opening on a first substantially planar surface of the base plate and a second opening on a second substantially planar surface of the base plate, said second opening in fluid communication with the first opening of the microreactor device, wherein at least a portion of the length of the control conduit runs laterally across the base plate;
- a first pressure source;
- a reservoir, comprising a thermally conductive material, in thermal communication with the base plate and in fluid communication with the first pressure source;
- a vent conduit;
- a 3-way solenoid switch comprising a first port in fluid communication with the first opening of the control conduit;
- a second port in fluid communication with the reservoir;
- and a third port in fluid communication with the vent conduit, wherein the 3-way solenoid switch in an on-state fluidically connects the first port and the second port and fluidically isolates the third port, and the 3-way solenoid switch in an off-state fluidically connects the first port and the third port and fluidically isolates the second port;
- and
- a second heater in thermal communication with the second side of the microreactor device.
A method for operating an apparatus to operate a microreactor device, the apparatus comprising:
- a first heater;
- a base plate, in thermal communication with the first heater, comprising:
- a thermally conductive material;
- and a control conduit with a first opening on a first substantially planar surface of the base plate and a second opening on a second substantially planar surface of the base plate, said second opening in fluid communication with the first opening of the microreactor device, wherein at least a portion of the length of the control conduit runs laterally across the base plate;
- a first pressure source;
- a reservoir, comprising a thermally conductive material, in thermal communication with the base plate and in fluid communication with the first pressure source;
- a vent conduit;
- a 3-way solenoid switch comprising a first port in fluid communication with the first opening of the control conduit;
- a second port in fluid communication with the reservoir;
- and a third port in fluid communication with the vent conduit, wherein the 3-way solenoid switch in an on-state fluidically connects the first port and the second port and fluidically isolates the third port, and the 3-way solenoid switch in an off-state fluidically connects the first port and the third port and fluidically isolates the second port;
- and
- a second heater in thermal communication with the second side of the microreactor device;
- the method comprising the steps:
- controlling the temperature of the base plate to a first temperature range T1;
- controlling the temperature of the second heater to a second temperature range T2;
- and
- opening and closing the solenoid switch.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.