Abstract
Distillation is a ubiquitous method of separating liquid mixtures based on differences in volatility. Performing such separations in microfluidic systems is difficult because interfacial forces dominate over gravitational forces. We describe distillation in microchemical systems and present an integrated silicon device capable of separating liquid mixtures based on boiling point differences. Microfluidic distillation is realized by establishing vapor-liquid equilibrium during segmented flow. Enriched vapor in equilibrium with liquid is then separated using capillary forces, and thus enabling a single-stage distillation operation. Design criteria for operation of on-chip distillation is set forth, and the working principle demonstrated by separation of binary mixtures of 50: 50 mol% MeOH-toluene and 50: 50 mol% DCM-toluene at 70.0 °C. Analysis of vapor condensate and liquid exiting a single-stage device gave MeOH mole fractions of 0.22 ± 0.03 (liquid) and 0.79 ± 0.06 (vapor). Similarly, DCM mole fractions were estimated to be 0.16 ± 0.07 (liquid) and 0.63 ± 0.05 (vapor). These experimental results were consistent with phase equilibrium predictions.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1843-1849 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Lab on a Chip - Miniaturisation for Chemistry and Biology |
| Volume | 9 |
| Issue number | 13 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2009 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biochemistry
- Bioengineering
- Chemistry(all)
- Biomedical Engineering
Cite this
Distillation in microchemical systems using capillary forces and segmented flow. / Hartman, Ryan; Sahoo, Hemantkumar R.; Yen, Bernard C.; Jensen, Klavs F.
In: Lab on a Chip - Miniaturisation for Chemistry and Biology, Vol. 9, No. 13, 2009, p. 1843-1849.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Distillation in microchemical systems using capillary forces and segmented flow
AU - Hartman, Ryan
AU - Sahoo, Hemantkumar R.
AU - Yen, Bernard C.
AU - Jensen, Klavs F.
PY - 2009
Y1 - 2009
N2 - Distillation is a ubiquitous method of separating liquid mixtures based on differences in volatility. Performing such separations in microfluidic systems is difficult because interfacial forces dominate over gravitational forces. We describe distillation in microchemical systems and present an integrated silicon device capable of separating liquid mixtures based on boiling point differences. Microfluidic distillation is realized by establishing vapor-liquid equilibrium during segmented flow. Enriched vapor in equilibrium with liquid is then separated using capillary forces, and thus enabling a single-stage distillation operation. Design criteria for operation of on-chip distillation is set forth, and the working principle demonstrated by separation of binary mixtures of 50: 50 mol% MeOH-toluene and 50: 50 mol% DCM-toluene at 70.0 °C. Analysis of vapor condensate and liquid exiting a single-stage device gave MeOH mole fractions of 0.22 ± 0.03 (liquid) and 0.79 ± 0.06 (vapor). Similarly, DCM mole fractions were estimated to be 0.16 ± 0.07 (liquid) and 0.63 ± 0.05 (vapor). These experimental results were consistent with phase equilibrium predictions.
AB - Distillation is a ubiquitous method of separating liquid mixtures based on differences in volatility. Performing such separations in microfluidic systems is difficult because interfacial forces dominate over gravitational forces. We describe distillation in microchemical systems and present an integrated silicon device capable of separating liquid mixtures based on boiling point differences. Microfluidic distillation is realized by establishing vapor-liquid equilibrium during segmented flow. Enriched vapor in equilibrium with liquid is then separated using capillary forces, and thus enabling a single-stage distillation operation. Design criteria for operation of on-chip distillation is set forth, and the working principle demonstrated by separation of binary mixtures of 50: 50 mol% MeOH-toluene and 50: 50 mol% DCM-toluene at 70.0 °C. Analysis of vapor condensate and liquid exiting a single-stage device gave MeOH mole fractions of 0.22 ± 0.03 (liquid) and 0.79 ± 0.06 (vapor). Similarly, DCM mole fractions were estimated to be 0.16 ± 0.07 (liquid) and 0.63 ± 0.05 (vapor). These experimental results were consistent with phase equilibrium predictions.
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U2 - 10.1039/b901790a
DO - 10.1039/b901790a
M3 - Article
VL - 9
SP - 1843
EP - 1849
JO - Lab on a Chip - Miniaturisation for Chemistry and Biology
JF - Lab on a Chip - Miniaturisation for Chemistry and Biology
SN - 1473-0197
IS - 13
ER -