Preliminary Development of Mini-fluidic OFR Technology

Preliminary Development of Minifluidic OFR Technology

Conventional correlations & pressure field generation

A. Donaldson, Dept. of Process Eng. Dalhousie University

K. Shanmugam, Dept. of Process Eng. Dalhousie University

Micro/Mini/Meso Fluidic Systems

• Micro-fluidics

• Mini-fluidics

• Meso - OFR Systems

• Analytical Applications• Multi-kg / day processing capacity• Capillary/surface forces dominate• Laminar flow conditions & mixing

limitations• Emerging & established

technology base • Limited industrial process

applications due to capacity constraints

Micro/Mini/Meso Fluidic Systems

• Micro-fluidics

• Mini-fluidics

• Meso - OFR Systems

• Increased applicability to industrial processing applications

• Multi-tonne / day capacity• Transitional flow conditions, with

some mixing limitations• Multi-phase applications still in

development phase• Scaling strategies, solids handling,

reliability, pilot-scale demonstration

Single-phase Mini-fluidics

• Mix & React

Mixing Region Low residence time

High energy dissipation

Contactor

Reaction Region High residence time

Low energy dissipation

Multi-phase Mini-fluidics

• Continuous Interfacial Renewal• Between emulsification & plug flow

Micro/Mini/Meso Fluidic Systems

• Micro-fluidics

• Mini-fluidics

• Meso - OFR Systems

• Notable development by Harvey & Mackley at Cambridge University

• Centimeter+ scale geometries• Plug flow characteristics, multi-

phase applications, demonstrated at pilot-scale

• Capability to control shear and energy dissipation independently from processing rate (flexibility in scaling)

Conventional OFR

• Radial mixing through vortex shedding propagation

A.P. Harvey, M.R. Mackley, T. Seliger. “Operation and optimization of an oscillatory flow continuous reactor” Ind Eng Chem Res, 40 (23) (2001), pp. 5371–5377

OFR Technology - Mini-fluidic scale

• Can the same benefits be achieved in mini-fluidic channels without prohibitive energy loss?

• Application for shear dependent chemistry

• Solids Handling & flow pattern control

• Contactor Design for OFR: Not just baffles at this scale…

Preliminary Evaluation

• Heat transfer analysis through scaling of conventional correlations – representative of mixing

(Not to scale)

• Assumed properties of water

Nu vs. Re (for Water)

Based on correlations from

Nu vs. Energy Dissipation

Reo/Re ranging from:0.2 at high Re to 4 at low Re

Comparison to Other Geometries?

dh ~ 0.67 mmdh ~ 1mm

Corning “Heart” reactor

Data from Plouffe P., Anthony R., Donaldson A., Roberge D.M., Kockmann N., Macchi A., ICNMM 2012

Current Efforts

• Development and characterization of a “high-frequency” oscillating pressure field generator (0 to 30 hz) with significant displacement capabilities

• Combined CFD and experimental analysis of contactor designs specifically for Oscillatory flow

Experimental System in Development

• Design of coupled high-speed switching device for alternating the pressure field

• Resistance model & characterization of flow (fluid displacement vs. time under oscillatory conditions)

Modular Fluidic Platform

• Fluidic platform integrated with high-resolution rapid prototypingcapabilities to construct and testnew geometries

• Capable of 3D printswith 20-100 μm practical resolution

Questions?

Graduate Positions Available:MASc Fundamental contactor design for minifluidic OFR

technology – Manufacture, Measurement & Simulation

PhD Design and optimization of mini-fluidics based vacuum steam extraction technology for food-grade oil deodorization

Description of Conventional Correlations

References1. P.Stonestreet and A.P.Harvey. “A mixing based design methodology for

continuous oscillatory flow reactors" Trans.I.Chem.Engg. 80, pp 31-44, 2002.2. A.P. Harvey, M.R. Mackley, T. Seliger. “Process intensification of biodiesel

production using a continuous oscillatory flow reactor” Journal of ChemicalTechnology and Biotechnology, 78 (2–3) (2003), pp. 338–341.

3. A.P. Harvey, M.R. Mackley, T. Seliger. “Operation and optimization of anoscillatory flow continuous reactor” Ind Eng Chem Res, 40 (23) (2001), pp. 5371–5377.

4. Norbert Kockmann and Dominique M.Roberge. “ Scale-up concept for modularmicro structured reactors based on mixing, heat transfer and reactor safety”Chemical Engineering and Processing, 50, 1017-1026,2011.

5. M.R. Mackley and P.Stonestreet. “Heat Transfer and Associated EnergyDissipation for Oscillatory flow in Baffled tubes” Chemical Engineering Science,50,14,2211-2224,1995.