Fluid microjet system

Abstract

A device for generating fluid micro streams comprises a body portion with a fluid supply cavity therein and a plurality of fluid micro channels interconnecting the fluid supply cavity with an external outlet face of the body portion, the body portion being formed from a plurality of stacked plates, said micro channels being formed at interfaces of at least certain of said stacked plates. The micro channels have an oblong cross-sectional profile over a certain section leading to the outlet face, with a major width that is greater than two times a minor width thereof, where the minor width is less than 200 um. The device can be used in apparatus for freezing of food, cooling a gas or inducing a chemical reaction between a liquid and a gas.

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A device for generating fluid micro streams comprising a body portion with a fluid supply cavity therein and a plurality of fluid micro channels interconnecting the fluid supply cavity with an external outlet face of the body portion, the body portion being formed from a plurality of stacked plates, said micro channels being formed at interfaces of at least certain of said stacked plates, characterised in that the stacked plates include a first set of microchannel forming plates and a second set of spacer or sealing plates interleaved between the first set of plates, and in that said micro channels have an oblong cross-sectional profile over a certain section leading to the outlet face, with a major width that is greater than two times a minor width thereof, where the minor width is less than 200 μm. 
     
     
         23 . Device according to  claim 22 , wherein the minor width of the micro channels is less than 50 μm. 
     
     
         24 . Device according to  claim 22 , wherein the major width is greater than three times the minor width. 
     
     
         25 . Device according to  claim 22 , wherein the micro channels in adjacent microchannel forming plates are offset in a direction orthogonal to a plate stacking direction. 
     
     
         26 . Device according to  claim 22 , wherein the density of micro channels is greater than 10 micro channels per cm 2 . 
     
     
         27 . Device according to  claim 22 , wherein the micro channels have a non-constant width, the width being larger towards the input side and narrower towards the outlet face. 
     
     
         28 . Device according to  claim 22 , wherein the first set of plates comprises slits entirely traversing the thickness of the plates, the slits forming the microchannels. 
     
     
         29 . Device according to  claim 28 , wherein the stacked plates comprise a central cavity, whereby the central cavities of the second set of plates are configured to overlap ends of the slits in the first set of plates. 
     
     
         30 . Device according to  claim 22 , wherein the first set of plates are made of a material that is different to a material from which the second set of plates are formed. 
     
     
         31 . Device according to  claim 22 , wherein the thickness of the plates of the first set is different to the thickness of the plates of the second set. 
     
     
         32 . Apparatus for rapid freezing of food stuffs and other perishable goods, comprising a conveyor system, a cryogenic fluid supply system, and one or more devices for generating cryogenic fluid micro streams installed along the conveyor system, each fluid micro stream device comprising a body portion with a fluid supply cavity therein connected to the cryogenic fluid supply system and a plurality of fluid micro channels interconnecting the fluid supply cavity with an external outlet face of the body portion, the body portion being formed from a plurality of stacked plates, said micro channels having minor widths less than 200 μm and being formed at interfaces of at least certain of said stacked plates. 
     
     
         33 . Apparatus according to  claim 32 , wherein the conveyor system comprises a mesh conveyor belt and wherein devices for generating cryogenic fluid micro streams are arranged on opposite sides of the conveyor belt. 
     
     
         34 . Apparatus according to  claim 32 , wherein the cryogenic fluid is liquid nitrogen. 
     
     
         35 . Apparatus according to  claim 32 , wherein the micro channels have an oblong cross-sectional profile over a certain section leading to the outlet face, a major width of the channel being greater than two times a minor width thereof, where the minor width is less than 200 μm. 
     
     
         36 . Apparatus according to  claim 35 , wherein the stacked plates include a first set of microchannel forming plates and a second set of spacer or sealing plates interleaved between the first set of plates. 
     
     
         37 . Apparatus for cooling a gas or inducing a chemical reaction between a liquid and a gas, comprising:
 a chamber with a gas inlet and a gas outlet configured for flow of said gas through the chamber, and   one or more fluid micro stream devices configured for generating liquid micro streams in the chamber through the gas, each fluid micro stream device comprising a body portion with a fluid supply cavity therein connected to a fluid supply system and a plurality of fluid micro channels interconnecting the fluid supply cavity with an outlet face of the body portion, the body portion being formed from a plurality of stacked plates, said micro channels having minor widths less than 200 μm and being formed at interfaces of at least certain of said stacked plates.   
     
     
         38 . Apparatus according to  claim 37 , wherein the stacked plates include a first set of microchannel forming plates and a second set of spacer or sealing plates interleaved between the first set of plates, and in that said micro channels have an oblong cross-sectional profile over a certain section leading to the outlet face, with a major width that is greater than two times a minor width thereof, where the minor width is less than 200 μm. 
     
     
         39 . Apparatus for chemical reactions on liquid metals comprising a fluid micro stream device comprising a body portion with a fluid supply cavity therein connected to a fluid supply system and a plurality of fluid micro channels interconnecting the fluid supply cavity with an outlet face of the body portion, the body portion being formed from a plurality of stacked plates, said micro channels having minor widths less than 200 μm and being formed at interfaces of at least certain of said stacked plates, wherein the liquid metal is supplied as the fluid for generating fluid micro streams and the device is immersed in a reaction medium, in particular a reaction gas. 
     
     
         40 . Apparatus according to  claim 39 , wherein the stacked plates include a first set of microchannel forming plates and a second set of spacer or sealing plates interleaved between the first set of plates, and in that said micro channels have an oblong cross-sectional profile over a certain section leading to the outlet face, with a major width that is greater than two times a minor width thereof, where the minor width is less than 200 μm. 
     
     
         41 . Apparatus for degassing liquid metals, comprising a fluid micro stream device comprising a body portion with a fluid supply cavity therein connected to a fluid supply system and a plurality of fluid micro channels interconnecting the fluid supply cavity with an external outlet face of the body portion, the body portion being formed from a plurality of stacked plates, said micro channels having minor widths less than 200 μm and being formed at interfaces of at least certain of said stacked plates, wherein the fluid micro stream device is immersed in the liquid metal and a degassing medium, such as an inert gas, is supplied as the fluid for generating fluid micro streams. 
     
     
         42 . Apparatus according to  claim 41 , wherein the stacked plates include a first set of microchannel forming plates and a second set of spacer or sealing plates interleaved between the first set of plates, and in that said micro channels have an oblong cross-sectional profile over a certain section leading to the outlet face, with a major width that is greater than two times a minor width thereof, where the minor width is less than 200 μm.