Development of a Continuous Manufacturing Process for Fine Particles and Gel Capsules Using a Liquid-liquid Slug Flow Reactor

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K04771
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 27020:Chemical reaction and process system engineering-related
• Research Institution: Keio University
• Principal Investigator: Fujioka Satoko 慶應義塾大学, 理工学部(矢上), 准教授 (50571361)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: slug flow / multiphase flow / flow reactor

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The objectives of this study were (1) to establish a method for predicting and controlling the shape of liquid slug, (2) to establish a method for producing fine particles and controlling particle size by utilizing the mixing effect of the circulating flow inside the liquid slug, and (3) to propose a method for continuously generating gel capsules.
We experimentally clarified the effects of liquid properties on the shape of the liquid slug and proposed a dimensionless correlation equation to predict the slug length and interface shape. The characteristics of the circulating flow inside the slug were clarified by PIV analysis. Silica particle generation by the sol-gel method was carried out inside the dispersed phase slug, demonstrating the possibility of controlling particle size distribution by controlling the internal circulation flow. The gelatin gel beads of uniform size were successfully produced continuously by using L-L slug flow.

Free Research Field

化学工学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

液液スラグ流は優れた物質移動性能を示すことが知られており、特に抽出に関する応用事例が多数報告されている。一方で、内部の流速分布に関する直接可視化や解析結果は不足しており、混合促進のための条件が明らかでなく、プロセス設計が困難である。本研究では、PIV解析により装置および操作条件がスラグ内部流動に及ぼす影響を定量的に明らかにし、混合性能を促進するための設計指針を提案した。本研究成果の活用により、環境負荷を低減し、安全なものづくりを可能にするフローリアクター活用プロセスの確立が期待される。