CA2303371C - Microchannel laminated mass exchanger and method of making - Google Patents
Microchannel laminated mass exchanger and method of making Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2303371C CA2303371C CA002303371A CA2303371A CA2303371C CA 2303371 C CA2303371 C CA 2303371C CA 002303371 A CA002303371 A CA 002303371A CA 2303371 A CA2303371 A CA 2303371A CA 2303371 C CA2303371 C CA 2303371C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- sheet
- microchannel
- sheets
- transfer medium
- mass transfer
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
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Classifications
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- B01B1/00—Boiling; Boiling apparatus for physical or chemical purposes ; Evaporation in general
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- B01D53/02—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols by adsorption, e.g. preparative gas chromatography
- B01D53/04—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols by adsorption, e.g. preparative gas chromatography with stationary adsorbents
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- B01D53/14—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols by absorption
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- B01F25/422—Static mixers in which the mixing is affected by moving the components jointly in changing directions, e.g. in tubes provided with baffles or obstructions by moving the components in a convoluted or labyrinthine path between stacked plates, e.g. grooved or perforated plates
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- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01K—STEAM ENGINE PLANTS; STEAM ACCUMULATORS; ENGINE PLANTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; ENGINES USING SPECIAL WORKING FLUIDS OR CYCLES
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
- F28D9/00—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary plate-like or laminated conduit assemblies for both heat-exchange media, the media being in contact with different sides of a conduit wall
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
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- G01N1/34—Purifying; Cleaning
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
- H05K7/00—Constructional details common to different types of electric apparatus
- H05K7/20—Modifications to facilitate cooling, ventilating, or heating
- H05K7/20218—Modifications to facilitate cooling, ventilating, or heating using a liquid coolant without phase change in electronic enclosures
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
- H05K7/00—Constructional details common to different types of electric apparatus
- H05K7/20—Modifications to facilitate cooling, ventilating, or heating
- H05K7/20218—Modifications to facilitate cooling, ventilating, or heating using a liquid coolant without phase change in electronic enclosures
- H05K7/20254—Cold plates transferring heat from heat source to coolant
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Abstract
The present invention is a microchannel mass exchanger (100) having a first plurality of inner thin sheets (106, 116, 200, 300) and a second plurality of outer thin sheets (110, 118, 204, 302, 504, 510). The inner thin sheets (106, 118, 200, 300) each have a solid margin (108) around a circumference, the solid margin (108) defining a slot (104, 508) through the inner thin sheet (106, 116, 200, 300) thickness.
The outer thin sheets (110, 118, 204, 302, 504, 510) each have at least two header holes (112, 202) on opposite ends and when sandwiching an inner thin sheet (106, 116, 200, 300). The outer thin sheets (110, 118, 204, 302, 504, 510) further have a mass exchange medium (400, 500). The assembly forms a closed flow channel assembly wherein fluid enters through one of the header holes into the slot and exits through another of the header holes after contacting the mass exchange medium.
The outer thin sheets (110, 118, 204, 302, 504, 510) each have at least two header holes (112, 202) on opposite ends and when sandwiching an inner thin sheet (106, 116, 200, 300). The outer thin sheets (110, 118, 204, 302, 504, 510) further have a mass exchange medium (400, 500). The assembly forms a closed flow channel assembly wherein fluid enters through one of the header holes into the slot and exits through another of the header holes after contacting the mass exchange medium.
Description
1~'tCROCHANNEI~ hAMINATED MASS EXCHANGER
AND METHOD OF MAKING
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a mass exchanger and method of making a mass exchanger. As used herein, the: term "mass exchanger" is defined as an apparatus vuherein solute molecules in a solvent pass from the solvent: to a mass transfer medium, or particles in a fluid pass from the fluid to a mass transfer medium.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Mass transfer has been well known and studied for many years.. Examples include chemical separations, catalytic ~_reactions wherein a species contacts a catalyst surface and exchanges mass with another species to form a compound, _i..e. catalytic reaction. Exemplary apparati include kidney dialysis machines for separations wherein the mass transfer medium is a tube through which certain compounds ~?ass because of a concentration gradient from the fluid inrithin the tube to the fluid exterior to the tube. An Esxample of a catalyzed mass transfer apparatus is a catalytic converter to reduce pollutants in automobile exhaust. Disadvantages of large scale mass transfer have been recognized and efforts made to use small scale mass transfer.
Separations and catalyzed reactions have been shown in microscale apparati as well. U.S. patent 5,534,328 to Ashmead et al. show a laminated structure wherein flow channels are made by etching a laminate partially through its thickness and stacking another laminate upon it to form a flow channel. Header holes through the laminate thickness are provided for inlets and outlets. Ashmead et al. suggest incorporating catalytic activity by packing a segment of a channel with catalytic beads or depositing catalytic materials onto the surface of a channel. Ashmead et al. further suggest mixer chambers formed by a half channel etched on the bottom of one laminate in combination with a half channel on the top of another laminate. A disadvantage of the construction of Ashmead et al. is the complexity and expense of carving laminates partially through the thickness of the laminates.
A further disadvantage of the construction of Ashmead et al.
is the small aspect ratio of width to depth of their channels for flow resistance and pressure drop. The construction of Ashmead et al. cannot achieve diffusive mass transfer, or controlled mixing by actuation.
Thus, there remains a need for a microchannel mass exchanger having a lower cost of fabrication and which provides a reduced pressure drop.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a mass exchanger and method of making it.
According to one aspect the invention provides a method of making a microchannel mass exchanger, comprising the steps of: (a) forming at least one inner sheet having a solid margin around a circumference, said solid margin defining a slot through the entire thickness of the inner sheet; (b) forming at least one outer sheet having at least two header holes positioned within said solid margin and positioned at opposite ends of a slot length, wherein said at least one inner sheet is placed adjacent said at least one outer sheet, said solid margin sealably spacing said at least one outer sheet said at least one outer sheets defining at least one longitudinal wall of a flow channel having a length parallel to a sheet length, wherein a fluid enters through one of said header holes into said slot to flow in a direction parallel or longitudinal to the length of said flow channel and exits through another of said header holes; wherein said at least one outer sheet comprises a mass transfer medium within the solid margin;
(c) stacking said at least one inner sheet in contact with said at least one outer sheets into a stack and placing an end block or outer sheet on said at least one inner sheet as a pre-bonded assembly; and (d) bonding the pre-bonded assembly.
According to another aspect the invention provides a microchannel mass exchanger, comprising: (a) an inner sheet having a solid margin around a circumference, said solid margin defining a slot through the entire thickness of said inner sheet; (b) a first outer sheet having at least two header holes positioned within said solid margin and positioned at opposite ends of a slot length, (c) an end block or second outer sheet; wherein said inner sheet is disposed between said first outer sheet and said end block or second outer sheet such that said solid margin sealably spaces said first outer sheet and said end block or second outer sheet, wherein said first outer sheet and said end block or second outer sheet define longitudinal walls of a flow channel having a length parallel to a sheet length, wherein a fluid enters through one of said header holes into said slot to flow in a direction parallel or longitudinal to the length of said flow channel; and (d) a mass transfer medium within the solid margin and on or integral with at least one of said outer sheets or said end block.
According to another aspect the invention provides a microchannel mass exchanger, comprising: (a) at least one inner sheet having a solid margin around a circumference, said solid margin defining a slot through a thickness;
AND METHOD OF MAKING
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a mass exchanger and method of making a mass exchanger. As used herein, the: term "mass exchanger" is defined as an apparatus vuherein solute molecules in a solvent pass from the solvent: to a mass transfer medium, or particles in a fluid pass from the fluid to a mass transfer medium.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Mass transfer has been well known and studied for many years.. Examples include chemical separations, catalytic ~_reactions wherein a species contacts a catalyst surface and exchanges mass with another species to form a compound, _i..e. catalytic reaction. Exemplary apparati include kidney dialysis machines for separations wherein the mass transfer medium is a tube through which certain compounds ~?ass because of a concentration gradient from the fluid inrithin the tube to the fluid exterior to the tube. An Esxample of a catalyzed mass transfer apparatus is a catalytic converter to reduce pollutants in automobile exhaust. Disadvantages of large scale mass transfer have been recognized and efforts made to use small scale mass transfer.
Separations and catalyzed reactions have been shown in microscale apparati as well. U.S. patent 5,534,328 to Ashmead et al. show a laminated structure wherein flow channels are made by etching a laminate partially through its thickness and stacking another laminate upon it to form a flow channel. Header holes through the laminate thickness are provided for inlets and outlets. Ashmead et al. suggest incorporating catalytic activity by packing a segment of a channel with catalytic beads or depositing catalytic materials onto the surface of a channel. Ashmead et al. further suggest mixer chambers formed by a half channel etched on the bottom of one laminate in combination with a half channel on the top of another laminate. A disadvantage of the construction of Ashmead et al. is the complexity and expense of carving laminates partially through the thickness of the laminates.
A further disadvantage of the construction of Ashmead et al.
is the small aspect ratio of width to depth of their channels for flow resistance and pressure drop. The construction of Ashmead et al. cannot achieve diffusive mass transfer, or controlled mixing by actuation.
Thus, there remains a need for a microchannel mass exchanger having a lower cost of fabrication and which provides a reduced pressure drop.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a mass exchanger and method of making it.
According to one aspect the invention provides a method of making a microchannel mass exchanger, comprising the steps of: (a) forming at least one inner sheet having a solid margin around a circumference, said solid margin defining a slot through the entire thickness of the inner sheet; (b) forming at least one outer sheet having at least two header holes positioned within said solid margin and positioned at opposite ends of a slot length, wherein said at least one inner sheet is placed adjacent said at least one outer sheet, said solid margin sealably spacing said at least one outer sheet said at least one outer sheets defining at least one longitudinal wall of a flow channel having a length parallel to a sheet length, wherein a fluid enters through one of said header holes into said slot to flow in a direction parallel or longitudinal to the length of said flow channel and exits through another of said header holes; wherein said at least one outer sheet comprises a mass transfer medium within the solid margin;
(c) stacking said at least one inner sheet in contact with said at least one outer sheets into a stack and placing an end block or outer sheet on said at least one inner sheet as a pre-bonded assembly; and (d) bonding the pre-bonded assembly.
According to another aspect the invention provides a microchannel mass exchanger, comprising: (a) an inner sheet having a solid margin around a circumference, said solid margin defining a slot through the entire thickness of said inner sheet; (b) a first outer sheet having at least two header holes positioned within said solid margin and positioned at opposite ends of a slot length, (c) an end block or second outer sheet; wherein said inner sheet is disposed between said first outer sheet and said end block or second outer sheet such that said solid margin sealably spaces said first outer sheet and said end block or second outer sheet, wherein said first outer sheet and said end block or second outer sheet define longitudinal walls of a flow channel having a length parallel to a sheet length, wherein a fluid enters through one of said header holes into said slot to flow in a direction parallel or longitudinal to the length of said flow channel; and (d) a mass transfer medium within the solid margin and on or integral with at least one of said outer sheets or said end block.
According to another aspect the invention provides a microchannel mass exchanger, comprising: (a) at least one inner sheet having a solid margin around a circumference, said solid margin defining a slot through a thickness;
(b) at least one outer sheet having at least two header holes positioned within said solid margin and positioned at opposite ends of the slot length, wherein said at least one inner sheet is placed adjacent said outer sheet, said solid margin sealably spacing said outer sheet, said outer sheet defining one longitudinal wall of a flow channel having a length parallel to a sheet length, wherein a fluid enters through one of said header holes into said slot to flow in a direction parallel or longitudinal to the length of said flow channel; (c) a mass transfer medium within the solid margin and integral with and passing through the entire thickness of said outer sheet.
According to another aspect the invention provides a microchannel mass exchanger, comprising a laminate bonded from sheets comprising: (a) an inner sheet having a solid margin around a circumference, said solid margin defining a slot through a thickness of said inner sheet; (b) at least one outer sheet having at least two header holes positioned within said solid margin and positioned at opposite ends of a slot length; wherein the inner sheet is adjacent to the at least one outer sheet; wherein the solid margin sealably spaces the at least one outer sheet; wherein the at least one outer sheet defines at least one longitudinal wall of a flow channel having a length parallel to a sheet length, such that a fluid can enter through one of said header holes into said slot to flow in a direction parallel or longitudinal to the length of said flow channel; (c) a fluid within the flow channel; (d) a mass transfer medium within the solid margin and on or integral with at least one of said outer sheet or an end block; wherein said microchannel mass exchanger has an outer surface defined by a plurality of edge thicknesses of inner and outer sheets, said outer surface proximate a thermal load so that said thermal load - 4a -is transmitted via conduction through said outer surface and also transmitted via convection between said inner sheet and said at least one outer sheet and said fluid.
According to another aspect the invention provides a microchannel mass exchanger, comprising a laminate bonded from sheets comprising: (a) at least one inner sheet having a solid margin around a circumference, said solid margin defining a slot through a thickness; (b) at least one outer sheet having at least two header holes positioned within said solid margin and positioned at opposite ends of a slot length, wherein said at least one inner sheet is adjacent said outer sheet, said solid margin sealably spacing said outer sheet, said outer sheet defining one longitudinal wall of a flow channel having a length parallel to a sheet length, wherein a fluid enters through one of said header holes into said slot to flow in a direction parallel or longitudinal to the length of said flow channel; (c) a mass transfer medium within the solid margin and integral with and passing through the entire thickness of said outer sheet.
According to another aspect the invention provides a microchannel mass exchanger, comprising a laminate bonded from sheets comprising: (a) a first cover sheet comprising a microplenum or at least one microcomponent and further comprising an inlet and an outlet; (b) a contactor sheet comprising a porous or perforated material; and (c) a second cover sheet comprising a microplenum or at least one microcomponent and further comprising an inlet and an outlet; wherein the contactor sheet is disposed between the first and second cover sheets; and wherein, during operation, an element or compound disposed between the contactor sheet and first cover sheet can flow across the - 4b -contactor into a space between the contactor and the second cover sheet.
An advantage of the present invention is that the slot may have a large aspect ratio of its width to its depth or thickness. Another advantage of the present invention is that it accommodates a variety of materials including materials not amenable to bulk or surface micromachining, for example ceramics. A further advantage is that the method may be used in a high volume production which is a key to economical and commercially viable products.
The subject matter of the present invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of this specification. However, both the organization and method of operation, together with further advantages and objects thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to like elements.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. la is an exploded view of a stack of thin sheets forming a one-pass serpentine path once through mass exchanger.
FIG. lb is a side view of an inner thin sheet with no header holes.
FIG. lc is a side view of an outer thin sheet with two header holes.
FIG. ld is a side view of an end block with one header hole.
_5_ _ FIG. 2a is an explodedview of a stack of thin sheets forming a two-pass serpentine path once through mass exchanger.
FIG. 2b is a side viewof an inner thin sheet with two header holes.
FIG. 2c is a side viewof an outer thin sheet with four header holes .
FIG. 2d is a side viewof an end block with two header holes.
10FIG. 3a is an explodedview of a dual fluid microchannel mass exchanger.
FIG. 3b is a side viewof an inner thin sheet with two header holes on one sideof the inner thin sheet.
FIG. 3c is a side viewof an outer thin sheet with 15four header holes .
FIG. 3d is a side viewof an end block with two header holes.
FIG. 3e is a side viewof an inner thin sheet with two header holes on diagonalcorners of the inner thin 20sheet.
FIG. 3f is a side view of a semi-circular inner thin sheet.
FIG. 3g is a side view of a semi-circular outer thin sheet.
25 FIG. 3h is a side view of a semi-circular end block.
FIG. 4 is an isometric view of an outer thin sheet with a mass transfer medium bonded thereto.
FIG. 5a is an isometric view of an outer thin sheet 30 with a mass transfer medium integral thereto.
FIG. 5b is a magnified view of the mass transfer medium.
FIG. 5c is a side view of an inner thin sheet with a perforated mass transfer medium.
_6_ _ FIG. 5d is a side view of an inner thin sheet with an offset perforated mass transfer medium.
FIG. 5e is cross section of an assembly of perforated inner thin sheets with outer thin sheets therebetwe~sn .
FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a microcomponent mass exchanger.
FIG. 7. is a graph of ammonia concentration versus absorption film thickness for Example 1.
DE:3CRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS) Referring to FIG's la and 2a, two embodiments of the present invention of a once through mass exchanger 100 are shown. Common to both embodiments are (a) at least two 'thin sheets 102 stacked and bonded to form at least one flow channel 104. The plurality of thin sheets 102 has su:bcategories of (b) at least one inner thin 20 sheet 106, each having a solid margin 108 around a circumference, the solid margin 108 defining a slot 104 through a 'thickness; and (c) at least one outer thin sheet 110, each having at least two header holes 112 positioned within the solid margin 108 and positioned at 25 opposite ends of a slot length L1. Each of the inner thin sheets 106 may be sandwiched between a pair of the outer thin sheets 110 to form a closed flow channel assembly 114 wherein fluid enters through one of the header holes 112 into the slot 104 and exits through 30 another of the header holes 112.
When each of the inner thin sheets 106 is sandwiched between a pair of the outer thin sheets 110, the solid margin 108 sealably spaces the outer thin sheets 110 and the outer thin sheets 110 define 35 longitudinal walls of a flow channel 104 with a length _~_ _ L-1 para11E~1 to a thin sheet length L-2, wherein a fluid enters through one of the header holes 112 into the slot 104 to flow in a direction parallel or longitudinal to the length L-2 o:f the flow channel 104 and exits through 5 another of the header holes 112. Aspect ratios of the width W of the slot 104 to the thickness range from about to about 100.
The atacked plurality of thin sheets 102 define an outer surface defined by a plurality of edge thicknesses 10 115 of the stacked plurality of thin sheets 102. The outer surf<~ce may be proximate a thermal load (not shown) so that the, thermal load (heat or cool) is transmitted via conduction tlhrough the stacked plurality of thin sheets 102 margin and also transmitted via convection 15 between they stacked plurality of thin sheets 102 and the fluid in the flow channel 104.
Distinctions between the embodiments are shown in FIG's lb, a.c, 1d, 2b, 2c, 2d. In FIG. lb, the inner thin sheet 116 has the slot 104 defined by the solid margin 20 108 but no other features. In FIG. 2b, the inner thin sheet 200 lzas the slot 104 defined by the solid margin 108 and it has header holes 202. In FIG. lc, the outer thin sheet 118 has two header holes 112 whereas in FIG.
2c, the oul:.er thin sheet 204 has four header holes 112.
25 In FIG. ld, the end block 120 has one header hole 112 for an inlet on one end and an outlet on the opposite end, whereas in FIG. 2d, the end block 206 has two header holes 112 :ao that the inlet and outlet are on the same end. In operation, the embodiment of FIG's 1a, lb, 1c 30 and 1d has a single fluid that passes through sequential inner thin sheets 116 in a serpentine path. In the embodiment of FIG's 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d, the single fluid passes through every other inner thin sheet 200 in a serpentine path then reverses and passes through the 35 alternating inner thin sheets 200 in a reverse serpentine _g_ _ path. In both embodiments, the single fluid passes though each inner thin sheet 106 once.
The flow channels 104 may be any length or width (e. g. 5 cm. X 1 cm), but must have a thickness less than about 0.015 cm to achieve the enhanced mass transfer coefficients characteristic of microchannels.
The materi.al(s) of construction may be the same for each element or varied. In a preferred embodiment, the materials) of construction is the same for each element 10 to facilitate banding and sealing of the elements one to another. Materials include but are not limited to metals, for example stainless steel or copper, plastics, and ceramics.
A dual fluid embodiment is shown in FIG's 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e:. Fins may be made, if desired for facilitating heat transfer to or from the outer surface, by offsetting the alignment of slots 104 and header holes 112.
Further geometric arrangements are shown in FIG's 3f, 3g, 3h. FIG. 3f shows an inner thin sheet 300 that has a semi-circular side view. FIG. 3g shows an outer thin sheet: 302 that has a semi-circular side view, and FIG. 3.h shows an end block that has a semi-circular side view. A semi-circular design permits compact 25 construction araund other system components, for example a pipe or electrical chase. Of course, other non-linear geometrie:; may be used .
Bonding of metallic laminates may be by brazing, soldering, or diffusion bonding. Each laminate is 30 cleaned to remove any oxide coating that would interfere with bonding. A preferred method of cleaning is with an acid rinse:. The pre-bonded assembly or stack is compressed in a jig and heated under vacuum. For copper, the temperature is about 630°C at a pressure of 6000 psi 35 for about 4 hours to achieve a reliable diffusion bond.
_g_ _ For aluminum, 35G°C, 10,000 psi for 2 hours; and for stainless steel type 304, 600°C, 6000 psi for 2 hours.
The mass transfer medium may be a solid material, for example catalyst, absorbent material, adsorbent material, hydrophobic layer, hydrophilic layer, or combination. thereof. The mass transfer medium may also be a porous or perforated material, wherein the term "porous material'° refers to material through which diffusion occurs but bulk flow or "weeping" flow is prevented. When the pores or holes are of a size to permit bulk. flow or weeping, the mass transfer medium is referred to herein as a perforated material. The porous or perforated material may also be a solid material or have a solid material thereon. A perforated material may be used for mixing two streams. An alternative form of mass transfer medium is a self assembling monolayer bonded to the surface of the outer thin sheet 118 within the margin 108, ar bonded within the pores of a porous or perforated sheet wherein the self assembling monolayer further has one ar more functional groups that would contact a fluid. The mass transfer medium may include active microcomponents, for example micro-propellers for imparting motion to a fluid.
For attachment of a self assembling monolayer, it may be necessary to coat a surface with an oxide material, f:or example silica, titanic, or zirconia.
Organic molecules useful as self assembling monolayers include sil.ane, for example chlorosilane, alkoxysilane, and combinations thereof. Functional groups include but are not limited to mercaptan, mercaptan related compounds, amines, methyl, halogen, nitrile, pyradines, alkyls, polymers, and combinations thereof. For binding metals, tri_s(methoxy)mercaptopropysilane (TMMPS) has a thiol group with a high affinity for binding metals.
Alternatively, therefore, using TN~IPS on both ends of the organic molecule may permit attachment of the organic molecule directly to a metal outer thin sheet without a coating. By placing only hydroxyl functional groups on the organic molecule, water may be removed from a mixture to parts per trillion levels. For example a mixture of oil and water may have the water removed in this manner. This may be especially useful for removing tritiated water from oil.
Inorganic materials may be attached via self assembling monolayers as described in W091/17286 published November 14, 1991, PROCESS FOR DEPOSITING THIN FILM LAYERS ONTO SURFACES
MODIFIED WITH ORGANIC FUNCTIONAL GROUPS AND PRODUCTS FORMED
THEREBY. Briefly, a polymeric surface is sulfonated then exposed to a solution of metal ionic species so that the metal ionic species deposits on the sulfonated surface as a solid layer.
Alternatively, the mass transfer medium 500 may be a non-porous, solid catalyst or absorbent material.
The mass transfer medium may be in different forms as illustrated in FIG's 4, 5a and 5b, and 5c, 5d, 5e.
FIG. 4 shows the mass transfer medium as a solid material 400 bonded to an outer thin sheet 118. Alternatively, the catalyst material 400 may be bonded to an end block 120.
Another form of mass transfer medium is shown in FIG's 5a and 5b wherein the mass transfer medium 500 is integral to the outer thin sheet 118 as a mass transfer sheet. In this form, the mass transfer medium 500 extends through the thickness of the outer thin sheet and deployed as sandwiched between a pair of inner thin sheets 116 and closed with a pair of end blocks 120. In FIG's 5a and 5b, the mass transfer medium 500 is a porous material having pores 502 or holes either straight through the thickness or not straight as interconnected porosity.
-11- ' Yet another form of mass transfer medium is shown in FIG's 5c, 5d and 5e. Outer thin sheet 504 has ribs defining s7Lots 508 as a perforated material. In FIG. 5d, outer thin sheet 510 has ribs 512 defining slots 514 that are offset compared to those of outer thin sheet 504.
Upon alternate stacking of these outer thin sheets 504, 510 with inner thin sheets 116 therebetween, the cross section shown in FIG. 5e is obtained which is useful for mixing two streams.
Chemical Separations and Conversions Chemical separations as used herein includes any exchange of: a compound or element from one solvent to 15 another where the solvents may be liquid or gas or both.
An example is an absorption cycle refrigeration system.
In chemica7_ separations, a mass transfer medium 500 in the form of. a porous membrane is selected so that a first solvent containing the element or compound does not wet 20 the porous membrane but a second solvent wets the porous membrane and the element or compound in the first solvent transfers t:o the second solvent and through the porous membrane.
By making the depths of the solvents small, i.e.
25 less than about :1 micron, higher absorption rates are achieved than with larger depths. A microporous contactor unit may be a microporous contactor sheet as shown in FIG. 5 placed between cover sheets. Each cover sheet has a microplenum or at least one microcomponent 30 together with an inlet and an outlet permitting fluid flow across the rnicroporous contactor sheet. A
microplenurn may be formed with an inner thin sheet 116 in combination with an end block 120.
In most practical systems, to achieve high 35 absorption,/desorption rates, heat will need to. be transferred either to or from the absorption/desorption fluids. Accordingly, heat transfer may be combined with the microporous c:ontactor unit .
The pores are preferably as small as practical, on S the order of a few microns, i.e. less than about 10 microns, and moat: preferably leas than about 3 microns.
The small pore size provides a strong resistance to a through-sheet velocity or pressure gradient. A cover or combination of inner thin sheet 116 with end block 120 is 10 placed over- the outer thin sheet having the porous material. A fluid plenum may thereby be formed that is less than about 10 microns in height from the sheet to the cover. Mass diffusion then occurs within a stagnant film and through the microporous contactor sheet.
15 Micro-components,, for example microgrooves, may be manufactured on one or both sides of the microporous contactor sheet. Additionally, the micropvroua contactor sheet may have no microcomponents itself, but the cover sheet (s) may have, microcomponents for directing fluid 20 flow across; the microporous contactor sheet. A further embodiment is simply a fluid microplenum on either side of the micz-oporous contactor sheet.
The microporous contactor sheet may be made by micromachining a metal, ceramic or plastic by, for 25 example Lithography, Galvanoformung (electrodepoaition), Abformung (injection molding), laser micromachining, electrochemical micromachining, or sintering. Advantages of micromac:hined contactor sheets include precise control of the pore. size throughout the sheet.
30 In operation, fluids may flow in parallel, counterflow, or crossflow. The parallel flow results in lesser mass flux or extraction, but permits lesser pressure differential or gradient across the microporous sheet. When gas .is one of the fluids and the gas is to be 35 absorbed into a liquid, it is preferred that the gas pass through the: micraporous sheet, but not the liquid.
Accordingly, it is preferred that the microporous sheet either be coated so that the liquid does not wet the microporous; sheet: or have pores sufficiently small so 5 that the liquid is supported by its surface tension and does not flow through the pores.
In tree case wherein a microporous sheet is not sufficiently self supporting between the covers, the covers may be made with projections or lands for support 10 of the microporous sheet. Alternatively, as previously discussed, the microporous sheet may have grooves or microcomponents. In either case, projections or lands would support the microporous sheet.
A mic:roporaus contactor unit is shown in FIG. 6. A
15 microporous contactor sheet 1300 is placed between two covers 1302, 1304 each having an end block 1306 and an inner thin sheet 1308 that create microplena between the microporou.~ contactor sheet 1300 and the end blocks 1306 upon assembly. Note in this embodiment, the inlet and 20 outlet are through the side of the inner thin sheets 1308. When used as an absorber, a gas is introduced into cover 1302 through inlet 1310. A weak solution enters the cover 1304 through inlet 1312 and the strong solution exits through outlet 1314. When used for solvent 25 extraction, the solvent enters the cover 1302 at inlet 1310 and extract exits outlet 1316. Feed enters inlet 1312 and raffinate exits from outlet 1314. For either absorption or solvent extraction, if heat must be removed or added, a micrachannel heat exchanger sheet 1318 may be 30 used as shown. When used as a chemical reactor, specifically for partial oxidation of liquid organics, the gas is oxygen that passes through the microporous contactor sheet :1300.
Example 1 An experiment was conducted to demonstrate separation in the form of gas absorption into a liquid.
More specifically, ammonia vapor was absorbed into liquid water. A microparous contactor sheet made of sintered stainless steel having a nominal thickness of 4 mm (1/16 inch), average pore size of 2-5 micron and a porosity of from 30% to 50%,. Cover sheets provided microplena having a thicknes~~ or distance from the microporous contactor sheet to the inside surface of the cover sheet (film thickness) ranging from about 100 to 300 microns. within the liquid film on the microporous contactor, the ammonia was absorbed into the water. Ammonia flow rate varied from 0-4 gfmin with water flow rate ranging from 0-33 g/min. Temp>erature ranged from 20-60 C for isothermal and adiabatic test runs. Absorption pressure was from 15 to 30 psia.
Results are shown in FIG. 7. Considering first the measured data for the adiabatic test, the points 1400 represent actual measurements of ammonia concentration at film thicknesses of 100 and 300 microns. The theoretical maximum absorption or "equilibrium" (which is a function of temperature) was calculated and represented by point 1402 for the adiabatic test. As the absorption film thickness is decreased, the measured ammonia concentrat~_on approaches the theoretical maximum.
Simi7~ar results are shown for the isothermal test represented by actual measurement points 1404 and equilibriurn points 1406. Had the test been truly isothermal,, the equilibrium line would have been horizontal.. The slight slope of that line indicates a difference in temperature at the different film thicknesses .
Comparing the adiabatic data and the isothermal data, it i:~ clear that greater absorption is achievable with heat removal (isothermal) than with no heat removal (adiabatic).
Porous or Perforated Material Fabrication 5 Stainless steel porous material or membranes were produced using commercial photochemical machining at Microphoto,, Inc., Roseville, MI. The porous material was very clean,, well defined, had no burrs, and excellent part to part reproducibility. However, this process is 10 limited to producing holes of a diameter no smaller than the thickness of the sheet. We made a perforated sheet with holes of about 100 micrometers in diameter spaced 250 micromesters apart on 50 micrometer thick stock.
Using a 50 micrometer thick polyimide (Kapton) 15 sheet, hole, of 15 micrometer diameter were individually laser dril:Led in a 15 X 15 square pattern on a 35 micrometer spacing. An overall matrix was 10 mm X 80 mm.
The laser micromachining system was a Potomac model LMT-4000 using a 248-nm KrF excimer laser (Potomac model TGX-20 1000). The laser ran 75 msec per location at 2-KHz pulse rate (0.045 mJ/pulse) and no aperture in the beam. Total machine time to ;produce the matrix was nearly 45 hours.
A po:Lymer ;porous material was also made using a mask patterning process. A commercial excimer laser 25 machine (Resonetics, Inc., Nashua, NH) had a rectangular beam profile (about 8 mm X about 25 mm) permitting multiple holes at a time to be made through a mask, significantly reducing overall machining time. Holes of 31 micrometer diameter spaced 61.5 micrometer in a 10 mm 30 X 80 mm matrix were made in about 20 minutes. The KrF
excimer laser (248 nm) had a pulse energy of 257 mJ and pulse rate of 100 Hz was used.
In assemblies using polymer porous materials, it is possible to use metal inner thin sheets and outer thin 35 sheets, but bonding would be by clamping or bolting, WO 99/16542 PCT/US98/1956~
relying on the polymer margin for sealing.
Alternatively, the inner thin sheets and outer thin sheets may be a ;polymer as well wherein the entire assembly could be heat or chemically bonded.
CLOSURE
While a preferred embodiment of the present invention lass been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention :in its broader aspects. The appended claims are therefore intended to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention .
According to another aspect the invention provides a microchannel mass exchanger, comprising a laminate bonded from sheets comprising: (a) an inner sheet having a solid margin around a circumference, said solid margin defining a slot through a thickness of said inner sheet; (b) at least one outer sheet having at least two header holes positioned within said solid margin and positioned at opposite ends of a slot length; wherein the inner sheet is adjacent to the at least one outer sheet; wherein the solid margin sealably spaces the at least one outer sheet; wherein the at least one outer sheet defines at least one longitudinal wall of a flow channel having a length parallel to a sheet length, such that a fluid can enter through one of said header holes into said slot to flow in a direction parallel or longitudinal to the length of said flow channel; (c) a fluid within the flow channel; (d) a mass transfer medium within the solid margin and on or integral with at least one of said outer sheet or an end block; wherein said microchannel mass exchanger has an outer surface defined by a plurality of edge thicknesses of inner and outer sheets, said outer surface proximate a thermal load so that said thermal load - 4a -is transmitted via conduction through said outer surface and also transmitted via convection between said inner sheet and said at least one outer sheet and said fluid.
According to another aspect the invention provides a microchannel mass exchanger, comprising a laminate bonded from sheets comprising: (a) at least one inner sheet having a solid margin around a circumference, said solid margin defining a slot through a thickness; (b) at least one outer sheet having at least two header holes positioned within said solid margin and positioned at opposite ends of a slot length, wherein said at least one inner sheet is adjacent said outer sheet, said solid margin sealably spacing said outer sheet, said outer sheet defining one longitudinal wall of a flow channel having a length parallel to a sheet length, wherein a fluid enters through one of said header holes into said slot to flow in a direction parallel or longitudinal to the length of said flow channel; (c) a mass transfer medium within the solid margin and integral with and passing through the entire thickness of said outer sheet.
According to another aspect the invention provides a microchannel mass exchanger, comprising a laminate bonded from sheets comprising: (a) a first cover sheet comprising a microplenum or at least one microcomponent and further comprising an inlet and an outlet; (b) a contactor sheet comprising a porous or perforated material; and (c) a second cover sheet comprising a microplenum or at least one microcomponent and further comprising an inlet and an outlet; wherein the contactor sheet is disposed between the first and second cover sheets; and wherein, during operation, an element or compound disposed between the contactor sheet and first cover sheet can flow across the - 4b -contactor into a space between the contactor and the second cover sheet.
An advantage of the present invention is that the slot may have a large aspect ratio of its width to its depth or thickness. Another advantage of the present invention is that it accommodates a variety of materials including materials not amenable to bulk or surface micromachining, for example ceramics. A further advantage is that the method may be used in a high volume production which is a key to economical and commercially viable products.
The subject matter of the present invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of this specification. However, both the organization and method of operation, together with further advantages and objects thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to like elements.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. la is an exploded view of a stack of thin sheets forming a one-pass serpentine path once through mass exchanger.
FIG. lb is a side view of an inner thin sheet with no header holes.
FIG. lc is a side view of an outer thin sheet with two header holes.
FIG. ld is a side view of an end block with one header hole.
_5_ _ FIG. 2a is an explodedview of a stack of thin sheets forming a two-pass serpentine path once through mass exchanger.
FIG. 2b is a side viewof an inner thin sheet with two header holes.
FIG. 2c is a side viewof an outer thin sheet with four header holes .
FIG. 2d is a side viewof an end block with two header holes.
10FIG. 3a is an explodedview of a dual fluid microchannel mass exchanger.
FIG. 3b is a side viewof an inner thin sheet with two header holes on one sideof the inner thin sheet.
FIG. 3c is a side viewof an outer thin sheet with 15four header holes .
FIG. 3d is a side viewof an end block with two header holes.
FIG. 3e is a side viewof an inner thin sheet with two header holes on diagonalcorners of the inner thin 20sheet.
FIG. 3f is a side view of a semi-circular inner thin sheet.
FIG. 3g is a side view of a semi-circular outer thin sheet.
25 FIG. 3h is a side view of a semi-circular end block.
FIG. 4 is an isometric view of an outer thin sheet with a mass transfer medium bonded thereto.
FIG. 5a is an isometric view of an outer thin sheet 30 with a mass transfer medium integral thereto.
FIG. 5b is a magnified view of the mass transfer medium.
FIG. 5c is a side view of an inner thin sheet with a perforated mass transfer medium.
_6_ _ FIG. 5d is a side view of an inner thin sheet with an offset perforated mass transfer medium.
FIG. 5e is cross section of an assembly of perforated inner thin sheets with outer thin sheets therebetwe~sn .
FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a microcomponent mass exchanger.
FIG. 7. is a graph of ammonia concentration versus absorption film thickness for Example 1.
DE:3CRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS) Referring to FIG's la and 2a, two embodiments of the present invention of a once through mass exchanger 100 are shown. Common to both embodiments are (a) at least two 'thin sheets 102 stacked and bonded to form at least one flow channel 104. The plurality of thin sheets 102 has su:bcategories of (b) at least one inner thin 20 sheet 106, each having a solid margin 108 around a circumference, the solid margin 108 defining a slot 104 through a 'thickness; and (c) at least one outer thin sheet 110, each having at least two header holes 112 positioned within the solid margin 108 and positioned at 25 opposite ends of a slot length L1. Each of the inner thin sheets 106 may be sandwiched between a pair of the outer thin sheets 110 to form a closed flow channel assembly 114 wherein fluid enters through one of the header holes 112 into the slot 104 and exits through 30 another of the header holes 112.
When each of the inner thin sheets 106 is sandwiched between a pair of the outer thin sheets 110, the solid margin 108 sealably spaces the outer thin sheets 110 and the outer thin sheets 110 define 35 longitudinal walls of a flow channel 104 with a length _~_ _ L-1 para11E~1 to a thin sheet length L-2, wherein a fluid enters through one of the header holes 112 into the slot 104 to flow in a direction parallel or longitudinal to the length L-2 o:f the flow channel 104 and exits through 5 another of the header holes 112. Aspect ratios of the width W of the slot 104 to the thickness range from about to about 100.
The atacked plurality of thin sheets 102 define an outer surface defined by a plurality of edge thicknesses 10 115 of the stacked plurality of thin sheets 102. The outer surf<~ce may be proximate a thermal load (not shown) so that the, thermal load (heat or cool) is transmitted via conduction tlhrough the stacked plurality of thin sheets 102 margin and also transmitted via convection 15 between they stacked plurality of thin sheets 102 and the fluid in the flow channel 104.
Distinctions between the embodiments are shown in FIG's lb, a.c, 1d, 2b, 2c, 2d. In FIG. lb, the inner thin sheet 116 has the slot 104 defined by the solid margin 20 108 but no other features. In FIG. 2b, the inner thin sheet 200 lzas the slot 104 defined by the solid margin 108 and it has header holes 202. In FIG. lc, the outer thin sheet 118 has two header holes 112 whereas in FIG.
2c, the oul:.er thin sheet 204 has four header holes 112.
25 In FIG. ld, the end block 120 has one header hole 112 for an inlet on one end and an outlet on the opposite end, whereas in FIG. 2d, the end block 206 has two header holes 112 :ao that the inlet and outlet are on the same end. In operation, the embodiment of FIG's 1a, lb, 1c 30 and 1d has a single fluid that passes through sequential inner thin sheets 116 in a serpentine path. In the embodiment of FIG's 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d, the single fluid passes through every other inner thin sheet 200 in a serpentine path then reverses and passes through the 35 alternating inner thin sheets 200 in a reverse serpentine _g_ _ path. In both embodiments, the single fluid passes though each inner thin sheet 106 once.
The flow channels 104 may be any length or width (e. g. 5 cm. X 1 cm), but must have a thickness less than about 0.015 cm to achieve the enhanced mass transfer coefficients characteristic of microchannels.
The materi.al(s) of construction may be the same for each element or varied. In a preferred embodiment, the materials) of construction is the same for each element 10 to facilitate banding and sealing of the elements one to another. Materials include but are not limited to metals, for example stainless steel or copper, plastics, and ceramics.
A dual fluid embodiment is shown in FIG's 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e:. Fins may be made, if desired for facilitating heat transfer to or from the outer surface, by offsetting the alignment of slots 104 and header holes 112.
Further geometric arrangements are shown in FIG's 3f, 3g, 3h. FIG. 3f shows an inner thin sheet 300 that has a semi-circular side view. FIG. 3g shows an outer thin sheet: 302 that has a semi-circular side view, and FIG. 3.h shows an end block that has a semi-circular side view. A semi-circular design permits compact 25 construction araund other system components, for example a pipe or electrical chase. Of course, other non-linear geometrie:; may be used .
Bonding of metallic laminates may be by brazing, soldering, or diffusion bonding. Each laminate is 30 cleaned to remove any oxide coating that would interfere with bonding. A preferred method of cleaning is with an acid rinse:. The pre-bonded assembly or stack is compressed in a jig and heated under vacuum. For copper, the temperature is about 630°C at a pressure of 6000 psi 35 for about 4 hours to achieve a reliable diffusion bond.
_g_ _ For aluminum, 35G°C, 10,000 psi for 2 hours; and for stainless steel type 304, 600°C, 6000 psi for 2 hours.
The mass transfer medium may be a solid material, for example catalyst, absorbent material, adsorbent material, hydrophobic layer, hydrophilic layer, or combination. thereof. The mass transfer medium may also be a porous or perforated material, wherein the term "porous material'° refers to material through which diffusion occurs but bulk flow or "weeping" flow is prevented. When the pores or holes are of a size to permit bulk. flow or weeping, the mass transfer medium is referred to herein as a perforated material. The porous or perforated material may also be a solid material or have a solid material thereon. A perforated material may be used for mixing two streams. An alternative form of mass transfer medium is a self assembling monolayer bonded to the surface of the outer thin sheet 118 within the margin 108, ar bonded within the pores of a porous or perforated sheet wherein the self assembling monolayer further has one ar more functional groups that would contact a fluid. The mass transfer medium may include active microcomponents, for example micro-propellers for imparting motion to a fluid.
For attachment of a self assembling monolayer, it may be necessary to coat a surface with an oxide material, f:or example silica, titanic, or zirconia.
Organic molecules useful as self assembling monolayers include sil.ane, for example chlorosilane, alkoxysilane, and combinations thereof. Functional groups include but are not limited to mercaptan, mercaptan related compounds, amines, methyl, halogen, nitrile, pyradines, alkyls, polymers, and combinations thereof. For binding metals, tri_s(methoxy)mercaptopropysilane (TMMPS) has a thiol group with a high affinity for binding metals.
Alternatively, therefore, using TN~IPS on both ends of the organic molecule may permit attachment of the organic molecule directly to a metal outer thin sheet without a coating. By placing only hydroxyl functional groups on the organic molecule, water may be removed from a mixture to parts per trillion levels. For example a mixture of oil and water may have the water removed in this manner. This may be especially useful for removing tritiated water from oil.
Inorganic materials may be attached via self assembling monolayers as described in W091/17286 published November 14, 1991, PROCESS FOR DEPOSITING THIN FILM LAYERS ONTO SURFACES
MODIFIED WITH ORGANIC FUNCTIONAL GROUPS AND PRODUCTS FORMED
THEREBY. Briefly, a polymeric surface is sulfonated then exposed to a solution of metal ionic species so that the metal ionic species deposits on the sulfonated surface as a solid layer.
Alternatively, the mass transfer medium 500 may be a non-porous, solid catalyst or absorbent material.
The mass transfer medium may be in different forms as illustrated in FIG's 4, 5a and 5b, and 5c, 5d, 5e.
FIG. 4 shows the mass transfer medium as a solid material 400 bonded to an outer thin sheet 118. Alternatively, the catalyst material 400 may be bonded to an end block 120.
Another form of mass transfer medium is shown in FIG's 5a and 5b wherein the mass transfer medium 500 is integral to the outer thin sheet 118 as a mass transfer sheet. In this form, the mass transfer medium 500 extends through the thickness of the outer thin sheet and deployed as sandwiched between a pair of inner thin sheets 116 and closed with a pair of end blocks 120. In FIG's 5a and 5b, the mass transfer medium 500 is a porous material having pores 502 or holes either straight through the thickness or not straight as interconnected porosity.
-11- ' Yet another form of mass transfer medium is shown in FIG's 5c, 5d and 5e. Outer thin sheet 504 has ribs defining s7Lots 508 as a perforated material. In FIG. 5d, outer thin sheet 510 has ribs 512 defining slots 514 that are offset compared to those of outer thin sheet 504.
Upon alternate stacking of these outer thin sheets 504, 510 with inner thin sheets 116 therebetween, the cross section shown in FIG. 5e is obtained which is useful for mixing two streams.
Chemical Separations and Conversions Chemical separations as used herein includes any exchange of: a compound or element from one solvent to 15 another where the solvents may be liquid or gas or both.
An example is an absorption cycle refrigeration system.
In chemica7_ separations, a mass transfer medium 500 in the form of. a porous membrane is selected so that a first solvent containing the element or compound does not wet 20 the porous membrane but a second solvent wets the porous membrane and the element or compound in the first solvent transfers t:o the second solvent and through the porous membrane.
By making the depths of the solvents small, i.e.
25 less than about :1 micron, higher absorption rates are achieved than with larger depths. A microporous contactor unit may be a microporous contactor sheet as shown in FIG. 5 placed between cover sheets. Each cover sheet has a microplenum or at least one microcomponent 30 together with an inlet and an outlet permitting fluid flow across the rnicroporous contactor sheet. A
microplenurn may be formed with an inner thin sheet 116 in combination with an end block 120.
In most practical systems, to achieve high 35 absorption,/desorption rates, heat will need to. be transferred either to or from the absorption/desorption fluids. Accordingly, heat transfer may be combined with the microporous c:ontactor unit .
The pores are preferably as small as practical, on S the order of a few microns, i.e. less than about 10 microns, and moat: preferably leas than about 3 microns.
The small pore size provides a strong resistance to a through-sheet velocity or pressure gradient. A cover or combination of inner thin sheet 116 with end block 120 is 10 placed over- the outer thin sheet having the porous material. A fluid plenum may thereby be formed that is less than about 10 microns in height from the sheet to the cover. Mass diffusion then occurs within a stagnant film and through the microporous contactor sheet.
15 Micro-components,, for example microgrooves, may be manufactured on one or both sides of the microporous contactor sheet. Additionally, the micropvroua contactor sheet may have no microcomponents itself, but the cover sheet (s) may have, microcomponents for directing fluid 20 flow across; the microporous contactor sheet. A further embodiment is simply a fluid microplenum on either side of the micz-oporous contactor sheet.
The microporous contactor sheet may be made by micromachining a metal, ceramic or plastic by, for 25 example Lithography, Galvanoformung (electrodepoaition), Abformung (injection molding), laser micromachining, electrochemical micromachining, or sintering. Advantages of micromac:hined contactor sheets include precise control of the pore. size throughout the sheet.
30 In operation, fluids may flow in parallel, counterflow, or crossflow. The parallel flow results in lesser mass flux or extraction, but permits lesser pressure differential or gradient across the microporous sheet. When gas .is one of the fluids and the gas is to be 35 absorbed into a liquid, it is preferred that the gas pass through the: micraporous sheet, but not the liquid.
Accordingly, it is preferred that the microporous sheet either be coated so that the liquid does not wet the microporous; sheet: or have pores sufficiently small so 5 that the liquid is supported by its surface tension and does not flow through the pores.
In tree case wherein a microporous sheet is not sufficiently self supporting between the covers, the covers may be made with projections or lands for support 10 of the microporous sheet. Alternatively, as previously discussed, the microporous sheet may have grooves or microcomponents. In either case, projections or lands would support the microporous sheet.
A mic:roporaus contactor unit is shown in FIG. 6. A
15 microporous contactor sheet 1300 is placed between two covers 1302, 1304 each having an end block 1306 and an inner thin sheet 1308 that create microplena between the microporou.~ contactor sheet 1300 and the end blocks 1306 upon assembly. Note in this embodiment, the inlet and 20 outlet are through the side of the inner thin sheets 1308. When used as an absorber, a gas is introduced into cover 1302 through inlet 1310. A weak solution enters the cover 1304 through inlet 1312 and the strong solution exits through outlet 1314. When used for solvent 25 extraction, the solvent enters the cover 1302 at inlet 1310 and extract exits outlet 1316. Feed enters inlet 1312 and raffinate exits from outlet 1314. For either absorption or solvent extraction, if heat must be removed or added, a micrachannel heat exchanger sheet 1318 may be 30 used as shown. When used as a chemical reactor, specifically for partial oxidation of liquid organics, the gas is oxygen that passes through the microporous contactor sheet :1300.
Example 1 An experiment was conducted to demonstrate separation in the form of gas absorption into a liquid.
More specifically, ammonia vapor was absorbed into liquid water. A microparous contactor sheet made of sintered stainless steel having a nominal thickness of 4 mm (1/16 inch), average pore size of 2-5 micron and a porosity of from 30% to 50%,. Cover sheets provided microplena having a thicknes~~ or distance from the microporous contactor sheet to the inside surface of the cover sheet (film thickness) ranging from about 100 to 300 microns. within the liquid film on the microporous contactor, the ammonia was absorbed into the water. Ammonia flow rate varied from 0-4 gfmin with water flow rate ranging from 0-33 g/min. Temp>erature ranged from 20-60 C for isothermal and adiabatic test runs. Absorption pressure was from 15 to 30 psia.
Results are shown in FIG. 7. Considering first the measured data for the adiabatic test, the points 1400 represent actual measurements of ammonia concentration at film thicknesses of 100 and 300 microns. The theoretical maximum absorption or "equilibrium" (which is a function of temperature) was calculated and represented by point 1402 for the adiabatic test. As the absorption film thickness is decreased, the measured ammonia concentrat~_on approaches the theoretical maximum.
Simi7~ar results are shown for the isothermal test represented by actual measurement points 1404 and equilibriurn points 1406. Had the test been truly isothermal,, the equilibrium line would have been horizontal.. The slight slope of that line indicates a difference in temperature at the different film thicknesses .
Comparing the adiabatic data and the isothermal data, it i:~ clear that greater absorption is achievable with heat removal (isothermal) than with no heat removal (adiabatic).
Porous or Perforated Material Fabrication 5 Stainless steel porous material or membranes were produced using commercial photochemical machining at Microphoto,, Inc., Roseville, MI. The porous material was very clean,, well defined, had no burrs, and excellent part to part reproducibility. However, this process is 10 limited to producing holes of a diameter no smaller than the thickness of the sheet. We made a perforated sheet with holes of about 100 micrometers in diameter spaced 250 micromesters apart on 50 micrometer thick stock.
Using a 50 micrometer thick polyimide (Kapton) 15 sheet, hole, of 15 micrometer diameter were individually laser dril:Led in a 15 X 15 square pattern on a 35 micrometer spacing. An overall matrix was 10 mm X 80 mm.
The laser micromachining system was a Potomac model LMT-4000 using a 248-nm KrF excimer laser (Potomac model TGX-20 1000). The laser ran 75 msec per location at 2-KHz pulse rate (0.045 mJ/pulse) and no aperture in the beam. Total machine time to ;produce the matrix was nearly 45 hours.
A po:Lymer ;porous material was also made using a mask patterning process. A commercial excimer laser 25 machine (Resonetics, Inc., Nashua, NH) had a rectangular beam profile (about 8 mm X about 25 mm) permitting multiple holes at a time to be made through a mask, significantly reducing overall machining time. Holes of 31 micrometer diameter spaced 61.5 micrometer in a 10 mm 30 X 80 mm matrix were made in about 20 minutes. The KrF
excimer laser (248 nm) had a pulse energy of 257 mJ and pulse rate of 100 Hz was used.
In assemblies using polymer porous materials, it is possible to use metal inner thin sheets and outer thin 35 sheets, but bonding would be by clamping or bolting, WO 99/16542 PCT/US98/1956~
relying on the polymer margin for sealing.
Alternatively, the inner thin sheets and outer thin sheets may be a ;polymer as well wherein the entire assembly could be heat or chemically bonded.
CLOSURE
While a preferred embodiment of the present invention lass been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention :in its broader aspects. The appended claims are therefore intended to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention .
Claims (60)
1. A method of making a microchannel mass exchanger, comprising the steps of:
(a) forming at least one inner sheet having a solid margin around a circumference, said solid margin defining a slot through the entire thickness of the inner sheet;
(b) forming at least one outer sheet having at least two header holes positioned within said solid margin and positioned at opposite ends of a slot length, wherein said at least one inner sheet is placed adjacent said at least one outer sheet, said solid margin sealably spacing said at least one outer sheet said at least one outer sheets defining at least one longitudinal wall of a flow channel having a length parallel to a sheet length, wherein a fluid enters through one of said header holes into said slot to flow in a direction parallel or longitudinal to the length of said flow channel and exits through another of said header holes;
wherein said at least one outer sheet comprises a mass transfer medium within the solid margin;
(c) stacking said at least one inner sheet in contact with said at least one outer sheets into a stack and placing an end block or outer sheet on said at least one inner sheet as a pre-bonded assembly; and (d) bonding the pre-bonded assembly.
(a) forming at least one inner sheet having a solid margin around a circumference, said solid margin defining a slot through the entire thickness of the inner sheet;
(b) forming at least one outer sheet having at least two header holes positioned within said solid margin and positioned at opposite ends of a slot length, wherein said at least one inner sheet is placed adjacent said at least one outer sheet, said solid margin sealably spacing said at least one outer sheet said at least one outer sheets defining at least one longitudinal wall of a flow channel having a length parallel to a sheet length, wherein a fluid enters through one of said header holes into said slot to flow in a direction parallel or longitudinal to the length of said flow channel and exits through another of said header holes;
wherein said at least one outer sheet comprises a mass transfer medium within the solid margin;
(c) stacking said at least one inner sheet in contact with said at least one outer sheets into a stack and placing an end block or outer sheet on said at least one inner sheet as a pre-bonded assembly; and (d) bonding the pre-bonded assembly.
2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said mass transfer medium is a catalyst material bonded to the at least one outer sheet or to said end block.
3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said mass transfer medium is integral to the at least one outer sheet as a mass transfer sheet, said mass transfer medium extending through the entire thickness of said at least one outer sheet, wherein said mass transfer sheet is sandwiched between a pair of inner sheets and closed with a pair of end blocks.
4. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein said mass transfer medium is a porous material.
5. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein said mass transfer medium is a perforated material.
6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said mass transfer medium is a solid material.
7. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein said solid material comprises catalyst, hydrophobic material, hydrophilic material, or self assembling monolayer.
8. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein an aspect ratio of a width of the slot to the thickness of the slot is at least 10.
9. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein at least two of said inner sheets each have two header holes and are sandwiched between at least three of said at least one outer sheet and stacked to permit passage of at least two fluids on opposite sides of said mass transfer medium.
10. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein one of said fluids is a gas and another of said fluids is a liquid.
11. A microchannel mass exchanger, comprising:
(a) an inner sheet having a solid margin around a circumference, said solid margin defining a slot through the entire thickness of said inner sheet;
(b) a first outer sheet having at least two header holes positioned within said solid margin and positioned at opposite ends of a slot length, (c) an end block or second outer sheet;
wherein said inner sheet is disposed between said first outer sheet and said end block or second outer sheet such that said solid margin sealably spaces said first outer sheet and said end block or second outer sheet, wherein said first outer sheet and said end block or second outer sheet define longitudinal walls of a flow channel having a length parallel to a sheet length, wherein a fluid enters through one of said header holes into said slot to flow in a direction parallel or longitudinal to the length of said flow channel; and (d) a mass transfer medium within the solid margin and on or integral with at least one of said outer sheets or said end block.
(a) an inner sheet having a solid margin around a circumference, said solid margin defining a slot through the entire thickness of said inner sheet;
(b) a first outer sheet having at least two header holes positioned within said solid margin and positioned at opposite ends of a slot length, (c) an end block or second outer sheet;
wherein said inner sheet is disposed between said first outer sheet and said end block or second outer sheet such that said solid margin sealably spaces said first outer sheet and said end block or second outer sheet, wherein said first outer sheet and said end block or second outer sheet define longitudinal walls of a flow channel having a length parallel to a sheet length, wherein a fluid enters through one of said header holes into said slot to flow in a direction parallel or longitudinal to the length of said flow channel; and (d) a mass transfer medium within the solid margin and on or integral with at least one of said outer sheets or said end block.
12. The apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein said mass transfer medium is a catalyst material bonded to first outer sheet.
13. The apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein said mass transfer medium is integral to the first outer sheet as a mass transfer sheet, said mass transfer medium extending through the entire thickness of said at least one outer sheet, wherein said mass transfer sheet is sandwiched between a pair of inner sheets and closed with a pair of end blocks.
14. The apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein said mass transfer medium is a porous material.
15. The apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein said mass transfer medium is a perforated material.
16. The apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein said mass transfer medium is a solid material.
17. The apparatus as recited in claim 16, wherein said solid material comprises catalyst, hydrophobic material, hydrophilic material, or self assembling monolayer.
18. The apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein an aspect ratio of a width of the slot to the thickness of the slot is at least 10.
19. The apparatus as recited in claim 14, comprising two of said at least one inner sheets each having two header roles and sandwiched between at least three outer sheets and stacked to permit passage of at least two fluids on opposite sides of said mass transfer medium.
20. The apparatus as recited in claim 19, wherein one of said fluids is a gas and another of said fluids is a liquid.
21. The apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein said microchannel mass exchanger has an outer surface defined by a plurality of edge thicknesses of inner and outer sheets, said outer surface proximate a thermal load so that said thermal load is transmitted via conduction through said plurality of stacked sheets and also transmitted via convection between said stacked plurality of sheets anti said fluid.
22. The apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein said microchannel mass exchanger is a microchannel adsorber.
23. The apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein said microchannel mass exchanger is a microchannel desorber.
24. A microchannel mass exchanger, comprising:
(a) at least one inner sheet having a solid margin around a circumference, said solid margin defining a slot through a thickness;
(b) at least one outer sheet having at least two header holes positioned within said solid margin and positioned at opposite ends of a slot length, wherein said at least one inner sheet is placed adjacent said outer sheet, said solid margin sealably spacing said outer sheet, said outer sheet defining one longitudinal wall of a flow channel having a length parallel to a sheet length, wherein a fluid enters through one of said header holes into said slot to flow in a direction parallel or longitudinal to the length of said flow channel;
(c) a mass transfer medium within the solid margin and integral with and passing through the entire thickness of said outer sheet.
(a) at least one inner sheet having a solid margin around a circumference, said solid margin defining a slot through a thickness;
(b) at least one outer sheet having at least two header holes positioned within said solid margin and positioned at opposite ends of a slot length, wherein said at least one inner sheet is placed adjacent said outer sheet, said solid margin sealably spacing said outer sheet, said outer sheet defining one longitudinal wall of a flow channel having a length parallel to a sheet length, wherein a fluid enters through one of said header holes into said slot to flow in a direction parallel or longitudinal to the length of said flow channel;
(c) a mass transfer medium within the solid margin and integral with and passing through the entire thickness of said outer sheet.
25. The apparatus of claim 24 further comprising a second inner sheet having a solid margin around a circumference, said solid margin defining a slot through a thickness;
wherein said second inner sheet is adjacent said outer sheet; and wherein said mass transfer medium is a porous medium.
wherein said second inner sheet is adjacent said outer sheet; and wherein said mass transfer medium is a porous medium.
26. The method as recited in claim 1, comprising forming at least two of said at least one outer sheets, wherein said inner sheet is disposed between said two outer sheets having at least two header holes positioned within said solid margin.
27. The method as recited in claim 1, comprising forming at least two of said at least one inner sheets, wherein said outer sheet having at least two header holes positioned within said solid margin is disposed between said two inner sheets.
28. The apparatus as recited in claim 11, comprising at least two of said at least one outer sheets, wherein said inner sheet is disposed between said two outer sheets having at least two header holes positioned within said solid margin.
29. The apparatus as recited in claim 11, comprising at least two of said at least one inner sheets, wherein said outer sheet having at least two header holes positioned within said solid margin is disposed between said two inner sheets.
30. The apparatus as recited in claim 24, comprising at least two of said at least one outer sheets, wherein said inner sheet is disposed between said two outer sheets having at least two header holes positioned within said solid margin.
31. The apparatus as recited in claim 24, comprising at least two of said at least one inner sheets, wherein said outer sheet having at least two header holes positioned within said solid margin is disposed between said two inner sheets.
32. A microchannel mass exchanger, comprising a laminate bonded from sheets comprising:
(a) an inner sheet having a solid margin around a circumference, said solid margin defining a slot through a thickness of said inner sheet;
(b) at least one outer sheet having at least two header holes positioned within said solid margin and positioned at opposite ends of a slot length;
wherein the inner sheet is adjacent to the at least one outer sheet;
wherein the solid margin sealably spaces the at least one outer sheet;
wherein the at least one outer sheet defines at least one longitudinal wall of a flow channel having a length parallel to a sheet length, such that a fluid can enter through one of said header holes into said slot to flow in a direction parallel or longitudinal to the length of said flow channel;
(c) a fluid within the flow channel;
(d) a mass transfer medium within the solid margin and on or integral with at least one of said outer sheet or an end block;
wherein said microchannel mass exchanger has an outer surface defined by a plurality of edge thicknesses of inner and outer sheets, said outer surface proximate a thermal load so that said thermal load is transmitted via conduction through said outer surface and also transmitted via convection between said inner sheet and said at least one outer sheet and said fluid.
(a) an inner sheet having a solid margin around a circumference, said solid margin defining a slot through a thickness of said inner sheet;
(b) at least one outer sheet having at least two header holes positioned within said solid margin and positioned at opposite ends of a slot length;
wherein the inner sheet is adjacent to the at least one outer sheet;
wherein the solid margin sealably spaces the at least one outer sheet;
wherein the at least one outer sheet defines at least one longitudinal wall of a flow channel having a length parallel to a sheet length, such that a fluid can enter through one of said header holes into said slot to flow in a direction parallel or longitudinal to the length of said flow channel;
(c) a fluid within the flow channel;
(d) a mass transfer medium within the solid margin and on or integral with at least one of said outer sheet or an end block;
wherein said microchannel mass exchanger has an outer surface defined by a plurality of edge thicknesses of inner and outer sheets, said outer surface proximate a thermal load so that said thermal load is transmitted via conduction through said outer surface and also transmitted via convection between said inner sheet and said at least one outer sheet and said fluid.
33. The microchannel mass exchanger of claim 32, wherein the mass transfer medium within the solid margin is on or integral with an end block; and wherein said inner sheet is disposed between the at least one outer sheet and the end block.
34. The microchannel mass exchanger of claim 33 wherein the flow channel has a thickness less than 0.015 cm.
35. The microchannel mass exchanger of claim 34 wherein the slot passes through the entire thickness of the inner sheet such that said solid margin sealably spaces the at least one outer sheet and the end block.
36. The microchannel mass exchanger of claim 34 wherein the mass transfer medium comprises a catalyst.
37. The microchannel mass exchanger of claim 34 wherein the mass transfer medium comprises a self-assembling monolayer.
38. The microchannel mass exchanger of claim 37 further comprising a surface coating of an oxide material.
39. The microchannel mass exchanger of claim 32 wherein the flow channel has a thickness less than 0.015 cm.
40. The microchannel mass exchanger of claim 39 wherein the inner sheet and the at least one outer sheet have a semi-circular shape.
41. A microchannel mass exchanger, comprising a laminate bonded from sheets comprising:
(a) at least one inner sheet having a solid margin around a circumference, said solid margin defining a slot through a thickness;
(b) at least one outer sheet having at least two header holes positioned within said solid margin and positioned at opposite ends of a slot length, wherein said at least one inner sheet is adjacent said outer sheet, said solid margin sealably spacing said outer sheet, said outer sheet defining one longitudinal wall of a flow channel having a length parallel to a sheet length, wherein a fluid enters through one of said header holes into said slot to flow in a direction parallel or longitudinal to the length of said flow channel;
(c) a mass transfer medium within the solid margin and integral with and passing through the entire thickness of said outer sheet.
(a) at least one inner sheet having a solid margin around a circumference, said solid margin defining a slot through a thickness;
(b) at least one outer sheet having at least two header holes positioned within said solid margin and positioned at opposite ends of a slot length, wherein said at least one inner sheet is adjacent said outer sheet, said solid margin sealably spacing said outer sheet, said outer sheet defining one longitudinal wall of a flow channel having a length parallel to a sheet length, wherein a fluid enters through one of said header holes into said slot to flow in a direction parallel or longitudinal to the length of said flow channel;
(c) a mass transfer medium within the solid margin and integral with and passing through the entire thickness of said outer sheet.
42. The microchannel mass exchanger of claim 41 further comprising:
an end block;
wherein said inner sheet is disposed between the at least one outer sheet and the end block.
an end block;
wherein said inner sheet is disposed between the at least one outer sheet and the end block.
43. The microchannel mass exchanger of claim 42 wherein the flow channel has a thickness less than 0.015 cm.
44. The microchannel mass exchanger of claim 43 wherein the slot passes through the entire thickness of the inner sheet such that said solid margin sealably spaces the at least one outer sheet and the end block.
45. The microchannel mass exchanger of claim 44 wherein the mass transfer medium comprises a hydrophobic layer.
46. The microchannel mass exchanger of claims 44 wherein the mass transfer medium comprises a hydrophilic layer.
47. The microchannel mass exchanger of claim 41 wherein the flow channel has a thickness less than 0.015 cm.
48. A chemical separation comprising:
passing a fluid comprising a solute and a first solvent into the flow channel in the microchannel mass exchanger of claim 41;
wherein the mass transfer medium comprises a porous membrane and wherein the first solvent does not wet the porous membrane; and wherein a second solvent wets the porous membrane;
and the solute in the first solvent transfers to the second solvent through the porous membrane.
passing a fluid comprising a solute and a first solvent into the flow channel in the microchannel mass exchanger of claim 41;
wherein the mass transfer medium comprises a porous membrane and wherein the first solvent does not wet the porous membrane; and wherein a second solvent wets the porous membrane;
and the solute in the first solvent transfers to the second solvent through the porous membrane.
49. A chemical separation comprising:
passing a fluid comprising a solute and a first solvent into the flow channel in the microchannel mass exchanger of claim 43;
wherein the mass transfer medium comprises a porous membrane and wherein the first solvent does not wet the porous membrane; and wherein a second solvent wets the porous membrane;
and the solute in the first solvent transfers to the second solvent through the porous membrane.
passing a fluid comprising a solute and a first solvent into the flow channel in the microchannel mass exchanger of claim 43;
wherein the mass transfer medium comprises a porous membrane and wherein the first solvent does not wet the porous membrane; and wherein a second solvent wets the porous membrane;
and the solute in the first solvent transfers to the second solvent through the porous membrane.
50. A chemical separation comprising:
passing a fluid comprising a solute and a first solvent into the flow channel in the microchannel mass exchanger of claim 46;
wherein the mass transfer medium comprises a porous membrane and wherein the first solvent does not wet the porous membrane; and wherein a second solvent wets the porous membrane;
and the solute in the first solvent transfers to the second solvent through the porous membrane.
passing a fluid comprising a solute and a first solvent into the flow channel in the microchannel mass exchanger of claim 46;
wherein the mass transfer medium comprises a porous membrane and wherein the first solvent does not wet the porous membrane; and wherein a second solvent wets the porous membrane;
and the solute in the first solvent transfers to the second solvent through the porous membrane.
51. A microchannel mass exchanger, comprising a laminate bonded from sheets comprising:
(a) a first cover sheet comprising a microplenum or at least one microcomponent and further comprising an inlet and an outlet;
(b) a contactor sheet comprising a porous or perforated material; and (c) a second cover sheet comprising a microplenum or at least one microcomponent and further comprising an inlet and an outlet;
wherein the contactor sheet is disposed between the first and second cover sheets; and wherein, during operation, an element or compound disposed between the contactor sheet and first cover sheet can flow across the contactor into a space between the contactor and the second cover sheet.
(a) a first cover sheet comprising a microplenum or at least one microcomponent and further comprising an inlet and an outlet;
(b) a contactor sheet comprising a porous or perforated material; and (c) a second cover sheet comprising a microplenum or at least one microcomponent and further comprising an inlet and an outlet;
wherein the contactor sheet is disposed between the first and second cover sheets; and wherein, during operation, an element or compound disposed between the contactor sheet and first cover sheet can flow across the contactor into a space between the contactor and the second cover sheet.
52. The microchannel mass exchanger of claim 51 wherein said first and second cover sheets each comprise an end block and an inner sheet, wherein each inner sheet comprises a solid margin around the circumference of each inner sheet; and wherein the inner sheets space the contactor sheet and the end blocks, thus creating microplena between the end blocks and the contactor sheet.
53. The microchannel mass exchanger of claim 52 wherein the contactor sheet comprises a porous material.
54. The microchannel mass exchanger of claim 53 wherein the porous material has an average pore size of less than about 10 microns.
55. The microchannel mass exchanger of claim 53 wherein the porous material comprises a microporous material and wherein at least one of said cover sheets comprise projections or lands that support said contactor sheet.
56. The microchannel mass exchanger of claim 53 wherein the microplena have thicknesses of about 100 to 300 micrometers.
57. The microchannel mass exchanger of claim 53 wherein at least one of said microplena has a thickness that is less than about 10 microns.
58. The microchannel mass exchanger of claim 53 wherein each inner sheet comprises an inlet and an outlet through the side of said inner sheet.
59. The microchannel mass exchanger of claim 53 further comprising a microchannel heat exchanger sheet capable of adding heat or removing heat from said microchannel mass exchanger.
60. The microchannel mass exchanger of claim 53 wherein a gas occupies the plenum between the first cover layer and the contactor sheet, and a liquid is present in the plenum between the second cover layer and the contactor sheet, and further wherein the gas passes through the contactor sheet, but the liquid does not pass through the contactor sheet.
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US08/938,228 US6129973A (en) | 1994-07-29 | 1997-09-26 | Microchannel laminated mass exchanger and method of making |
PCT/US1998/019567 WO1999016542A1 (en) | 1997-09-26 | 1998-09-17 | Microchannel laminated mass exchanger and method of making |
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US5455401A (en) * | 1994-10-12 | 1995-10-03 | Aerojet General Corporation | Plasma torch electrode |
US5580452A (en) | 1994-12-02 | 1996-12-03 | Lsr Technologies, Inc. | Moving liquid membrane modules |
DE19511603A1 (en) | 1995-03-30 | 1996-10-02 | Norbert Dr Ing Schwesinger | Device for mixing small amounts of liquid |
US5658537A (en) * | 1995-07-18 | 1997-08-19 | Basf Corporation | Plate-type chemical reactor |
JPH09162118A (en) | 1995-12-11 | 1997-06-20 | Dainippon Screen Mfg Co Ltd | Deaerator of treatment liquid for substrate |
US6171374B1 (en) * | 1998-05-29 | 2001-01-09 | Ballard Power Systems Inc. | Plate and frame fluid exchanging assembly with unitary plates and seals |
US7883670B2 (en) * | 2002-02-14 | 2011-02-08 | Battelle Memorial Institute | Methods of making devices by stacking sheets and processes of conducting unit operations using such devices |
KR101039765B1 (en) * | 2003-03-20 | 2011-06-09 | 램 리서치 아게 | Device and method for wet treating disc-shaped articles |
-
1997
- 1997-09-26 US US08/938,228 patent/US6129973A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1998
- 1998-09-17 JP JP2000513667A patent/JP4570770B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1998-09-17 WO PCT/US1998/019567 patent/WO1999016542A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1998-09-17 NZ NZ503236A patent/NZ503236A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1998-09-17 AU AU94939/98A patent/AU737835B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1998-09-17 CA CA002303371A patent/CA2303371C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1998-09-17 EP EP98948349A patent/EP1017489A1/en not_active Withdrawn
-
2000
- 2000-05-03 US US09/564,476 patent/US6352577B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2001
- 2001-11-13 US US10/008,578 patent/US6533840B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2008
- 2008-03-04 JP JP2008053649A patent/JP2008207178A/en active Pending
Also Published As
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JP2008207178A (en) | 2008-09-11 |
EP1017489A1 (en) | 2000-07-12 |
WO1999016542A1 (en) | 1999-04-08 |
JP4570770B2 (en) | 2010-10-27 |
JP2001518381A (en) | 2001-10-16 |
US6533840B2 (en) | 2003-03-18 |
AU9493998A (en) | 1999-04-23 |
US6352577B1 (en) | 2002-03-05 |
CA2303371A1 (en) | 1999-04-08 |
AU737835B2 (en) | 2001-08-30 |
US6129973A (en) | 2000-10-10 |
US20020059869A1 (en) | 2002-05-23 |
NZ503236A (en) | 2001-09-28 |
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