MICROMIXING CHAMBER, MICROMIXER COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF SUCH MICROMIXING CHAMBERS, METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING THEREOF, AND METHODS FOR MIXING

摘要

Micromixing chamber, roughly in the form of an hourglass which is provided at a first outer end with a tangential inflow opening (3a, 3c) and at a second outer end with a tangential outflow opening (5a, 5d), which mixing chamber in the overall flow direction first narrows more or less gradually and subsequently widens more or less abruptly. Also micromixer comprising a plurality of such micromixing chambers connected fluidically in series. Also methods for manufacturing such a micromixing chamber or such a micromixer. Also methods for mixing by means of such a micromixing chamber or by means of such a micromixer. A circulating flow in the form of a helix is formed in such a micromixing chamber. A circulating movement forming the beginning of the helix is created in a first part. The circulating movement is gradually accelerated by the more or less gradual narrowing. The gradualness is important in keeping the overall pressure drop over the micromixing chamber within limits. A more or less abrupt widening of the rapidly rotating helix then takes place which is found to provide an additionally good mixing. It is thus found possible to achieve a very efficient and rapid mixing. A micromixing chamber or micromixer according to the invention compatible with known microfluidic devices can be manufactured here from materials usual for the purpose, such as glass, preferably by means of techniques usual in the relevant field, such as powder blasting, etching and bonding.