Patent ID: 7666660
Filing Date: 2010-02-23
Classification: B01F,B01L,G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method for mixing three or more fluids under conditions of laminar flow inside a capillary tube comprising a single inlet comprising the steps of: a) analyzing laminar flow profiles of the three or more fluids inside the capillary tube using a mathematical model that analyzes the shapes of the profiles to calculate concentration profiles of mixed fluids, wherein the mathematical model comprises parameters comprising of a coefficient of diffusion of a molecule inside the capillary tube, a diameter of the capillary tube, a time of introduction of a fluid into the capillary tube, a time of incubation of a fluid inside the capillary tube, the number of fluids to be mixed inside the capillary tube, position of at least one fluid on an array of fluids to be mixed inside the capillary tube, molecular weight of at least one solute in at least one fluid to be mixed inside the capillary tube, viscosity of at least one fluid inside the capillary tube, viscosity of at least one fluid to be mixed inside the capillary tube, and volume of at least one fluid to be mixed inside the capillary tube, wherein the model assumes that longitudinal diffusion is negligible; b) adjusting one or more of the parameters in the mathematical model to optimize mixing of the calculated concentration profiles, wherein mixing is optimized by adjusting the parameters such that 1) transverse diffusion during injection of fluid plugs is minimized; 2) each pressure injected non-diffused fluid plug has a parabolic profile; 3) after injection of the three or more fluids multiple fluid layers are formed in the transverse direction 4) mixing by transverse diffusion eliminates concentration gradients in the transverse direction; c) sequentially injecting the three or more fluids plugs into the single inlet of the capillary tube by pressure injection, under conditions comprising the adjusted parameters from b); and d) allowing the three or more fluids to mix inside the capillary tube by transverse diffusion of the parabolic concentration profiles.