SCI和EI收录∣中国化工学会会刊

Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering ›› 2022, Vol. 48 ›› Issue (8): 116-124.DOI: 10.1016/j.cjche.2021.04.011

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Controllable and high-throughput preparation of microdroplet using an ultra-high speed rotating packed bed

Jing Xie1,2, Xiangbi Jia1,2, Dan Wang1,2, Yingjiao Li1,2, Bao-chang Sun2, Yong Luo1,2, Guang-wen Chu1,2, Jian-feng Chen1,2   

  1. 1. State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China;
    2. Research Center of the Ministry of Education for High Gravity Engineering and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
  • Received:2021-03-09 Revised:2021-04-22 Online:2022-09-30 Published:2022-08-28
  • Contact: Bao-chang Sun,E-mail:sunbc@mail.buct.edu.cn;Guang-wen Chu,E-mail:chugw@mail.buct.edu.cn
  • Supported by:
    This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (21725601).

Controllable and high-throughput preparation of microdroplet using an ultra-high speed rotating packed bed

Jing Xie1,2, Xiangbi Jia1,2, Dan Wang1,2, Yingjiao Li1,2, Bao-chang Sun2, Yong Luo1,2, Guang-wen Chu1,2, Jian-feng Chen1,2   

  1. 1. State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China;
    2. Research Center of the Ministry of Education for High Gravity Engineering and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
  • 通讯作者: Bao-chang Sun,E-mail:sunbc@mail.buct.edu.cn;Guang-wen Chu,E-mail:chugw@mail.buct.edu.cn
  • 基金资助:
    This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (21725601).

Abstract: Microdroplets and their dispersion, with a large specific surface area and a short diffusion distance, have been applied in various unit operations and reaction processes. However, it is still a challenge to control the size and size distribution of microdroplets, especially for high-throughput generation. In this work, a novel ultra-high speed rotating packed bed (UHS-RPB) was invented, in which rotating foam packing with a speed of 4000–12000 r·min?1 provides microfluidic channels to disperse liquid into microdroplets with high throughput. Then generated microdroplets can be directly dispersed into a continuous falling film for obtaining a mixture of microdroplet dispersion. In this UHS-RPB, the effects of rotational speed, liquid initial velocity, liquid viscosity, liquid surface tension and packing pore size on the average size (d32) and size distribution of microdroplets were systematically investigated. Results showed that the UHS-RPB could produce microdroplets with a d32 of 25–63?μm at a liquid flow rate of 1025 L·h?1, and the size distribution of the microdroplets accords well with Rosin–Rammler distribution model. In addition, a correlation was established for the prediction of d32, and the predicted d32 was in good agreement with the experimental data with a deviation within?±?15%. These results demonstrated that UHS-RPB could be a promising candidate for controllable preparation of uniform microdroplets.

Key words: Ultra-high speed rotating packed bed, Microdroplet, Controllable preparation, High throughput

摘要: Microdroplets and their dispersion, with a large specific surface area and a short diffusion distance, have been applied in various unit operations and reaction processes. However, it is still a challenge to control the size and size distribution of microdroplets, especially for high-throughput generation. In this work, a novel ultra-high speed rotating packed bed (UHS-RPB) was invented, in which rotating foam packing with a speed of 4000–12000 r·min?1 provides microfluidic channels to disperse liquid into microdroplets with high throughput. Then generated microdroplets can be directly dispersed into a continuous falling film for obtaining a mixture of microdroplet dispersion. In this UHS-RPB, the effects of rotational speed, liquid initial velocity, liquid viscosity, liquid surface tension and packing pore size on the average size (d32) and size distribution of microdroplets were systematically investigated. Results showed that the UHS-RPB could produce microdroplets with a d32 of 25–63?μm at a liquid flow rate of 1025 L·h?1, and the size distribution of the microdroplets accords well with Rosin–Rammler distribution model. In addition, a correlation was established for the prediction of d32, and the predicted d32 was in good agreement with the experimental data with a deviation within?±?15%. These results demonstrated that UHS-RPB could be a promising candidate for controllable preparation of uniform microdroplets.

关键词: Ultra-high speed rotating packed bed, Microdroplet, Controllable preparation, High throughput