TY - GEN
T1 - Eutectic reaction diffusion brazing process for joining aluminum laminae microreactors
AU - Wilson, Paul A.
AU - Billo, Richard E.
AU - Durret, John R.
AU - Priest, John W.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© Copyright 2014 by DEStech Publications, Inc. All rights reserved.
PY - 2014
Y1 - 2014
N2 - This research provides a foundation for manufacturing multi-layered metal laminae with microfluidic, micro-feature devices for use in a high temperature and high pressure environments. A reliable method of joining metal laminae could help make the manufacturing of instant reaction heat exchangers and chemical mixing in a cost effective, reliable, and simplified method. These devices enable faster reaction times, modular scaling of production capacity, on-demand chemical processing, and higher purity products. This could lead to faster rates of adoption of microreactors in industries such as pharmaceuticals, energy, food, and bio-medical. Eutectic brazing avoids damage to internal surface geometries and deformation due to lower temperatures required for bonding compared with higher-temperature joining processes. A new process was developed to combine multiple layers of 6061 aluminum alloy with copper foil interlayers to produce micro-channel micro heat exchangers and reactor devices that could be used for new applications. This process repeatedly produced leak-tight devices. The prototype devices contained overlapping coolant and reactant channel systems arranged perpendicularly within each lamina. Related work suggests that diffused joints are mechanically robust in contrast to the parent materials.
AB - This research provides a foundation for manufacturing multi-layered metal laminae with microfluidic, micro-feature devices for use in a high temperature and high pressure environments. A reliable method of joining metal laminae could help make the manufacturing of instant reaction heat exchangers and chemical mixing in a cost effective, reliable, and simplified method. These devices enable faster reaction times, modular scaling of production capacity, on-demand chemical processing, and higher purity products. This could lead to faster rates of adoption of microreactors in industries such as pharmaceuticals, energy, food, and bio-medical. Eutectic brazing avoids damage to internal surface geometries and deformation due to lower temperatures required for bonding compared with higher-temperature joining processes. A new process was developed to combine multiple layers of 6061 aluminum alloy with copper foil interlayers to produce micro-channel micro heat exchangers and reactor devices that could be used for new applications. This process repeatedly produced leak-tight devices. The prototype devices contained overlapping coolant and reactant channel systems arranged perpendicularly within each lamina. Related work suggests that diffused joints are mechanically robust in contrast to the parent materials.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84960892720&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:84960892720
T3 - FAIM 2014 - Proceedings of the 24th International Conference on Flexible Automation and Intelligent Manufacturing: Capturing Competitive Advantage via Advanced Manufacturing and Enterprise Transformation
SP - 705
EP - 712
BT - FAIM 2014 - Proceedings of the 24th International Conference on Flexible Automation and Intelligent Manufacturing
A2 - Chen, F. Frank
PB - DEStech Publications Inc.
T2 - 24th International Conference on Flexible Automation and Intelligent Manufacturing, FAIM 2014
Y2 - 20 May 2014 through 23 May 2014
ER -