Strategies for Using Microreactors and Flow Chemistry: Drivers and Tools

• Published in: Chemical engineering & technology Vol. 36; no. 6; pp. 1061 - 1066
• Main Author: Kirschneck, D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim WILEY-VCH Verlag 01.06.2013; WILEY‐VCH Verlag
• Subjects: Amplification; Chemical engineering; Chemical plant; Continuous flow; Continuous processing; Economics; Flow chemistry; Manufacturing efficiency; Microreactor; Microreactors; Pilots; Process development strategy; Process intensification; Strategy
• ISSN: 0930-7516; 1521-4125
• DOI: 10.1002/ceat.201200578

An innovative concept for the characterization of situations or problems (drivers) where the application of continuous flow processing, microreactor and/or other intensification technologies lead to the desired solutions is presented. An overview of techniques and equipment (tools) currently available for developing intensified processes is given as well as some examples of how they can be implemented in the engineering of chemical plants in kilo‐lab, pilot‐, and full‐size manufacturing scale. These drivers and tools are described and depicted by easy‐to‐understand icons, and strategies for the development of continuous processes are explained. Short summaries of three different case studies demonstrate the economic advantages and potentials of intensified flow processing in manufacturing scale. Finally, the current approach to avoid inflexibility of systems operated in continuous mode is reported and how pilot and manufacturing plants can be realized with a special focus on modularity and multi‐purpose functionality. Problems that can be solved by application of continuous flow processing, microreactors, or other intensification technologies are characterized by an innovative concept. Techniques and equipment presently available for developing intensified processes are summarized and examples for their successful implementation in the engineering of chemical plants are described.