Feasibility studies and dynamics of catalytic liquid phase esterification reactions in a micro plant

• Published in: Chemical engineering journal (1996) Vol. 135; pp. S270 - S275
• Main Authors: Kulkarni, A.A., Zeyer, K.-P., Jacobs, T., Kaspereit, M., Kienle, Achim
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 15.01.2008; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Catalysis; Catalytic reactions; Chemical engineering; Chemistry; Chromatographic reactor; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; Heterogeneous catalysis; Integrated process; Modular micro reactor; Reactors; Theory of reactions, general kinetics. Catalysis. Nomenclature, chemical documentation, computer chemistry; Modular micro reactor; Heterogeneous catalysis; Chromatographic reactor; Integrated process; Elution; Catalytic reaction; Mixer; Liquid phase; Modeling; Catalyst; Chromatography; Esterification
• ISSN: 1385-8947; 1873-3212
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2007.07.024

We present a new micro reactor concept which is suitable for investigations of heterogeneously catalyzed liquid phase reactions. In the set-up two reactants are mixed in a commercially available interdigital micro mixer. The outlet of the micro mixer is connected to a modular micro reactor that consists of stacked plates. Each plate contains a milled meandering channel filled with catalyst beads. By using a variable number of plates the residence time can be manipulated and thus adjusted for a specific task. The synthesis of butyl acetate is considered as a model reaction since it has been investigated in detail in conventional reaction systems. In a first step, some experimental results of the heterogeneously catalyzed reaction are presented. In the second part, the set-up is operated as a chromatographic reactor. Dynamic behaviour is investigated applying the frontal analysis mode and the elution chromatography mode.