What is the micro -oreactor?
The micro -red is a very small device in which chemical reactions can take place. It usually measures less than the thumb (2.54 cm) in length and width and maybe less than one sixteenth thumb (1.56 mm) in thickness, although the dimensions differ. Usually it will have input and outlet tubes, with small channels or chambers inside in which the reaction takes place. Reactives and product are usually fluids-drip or gases-which can be introduced by small pumps or electroosmosis. Since 2011, microreactors have been used only for experimental and prototype purposes, but there is a real view of their use in large numbers for mass production of useful chemicals.
The device is usually constructed by etching small channels on a suitable material similar to the production of integrated circuits. They can be made of silicon plates, glass, metal or ceramic materials. Channels may not be wider than human hair. MAY etching will be performed by laser, electric discharge or chby e -mail. The microreactor is often made of two etched boards sandwiched together.
microreactors offer some significant advantages over traditional, larger scale for chemical reactions. The high surface ratio to volume allows reactions to proceed faster and often at a lower temperature than can be possible on larger scales. Highly exothermic reactions that would normally be potentially dangerous or harmful to the device can be carried out safely; Any heat generated by heat is rapidly distracted due to much smaller volume of reaction components. A disorder in a certain part of a traditional chemical plant could lead to a large amount of hazardous chemicals or completely shutdown. On the other hand, a plant consisting of a large range of micro -octors would not significantly affect the failure of a part.
usually microreactors work with a continuous flow of reactioncomponents. Although the level of output from the individual micro -redness is obviously very small, it can still be considered a small factory. There is the potential to use a very large number of mass -produced micro - -re -stacked micro -stacked to provide products on an economically viable scale, and several options are subject to investigation.
The use of micro -red in organic synthesis is once a very promising area. They offer quick mixing of reaction components, fast reaction times, increased yields and safe handling of toxic and explosive compounds. The expansion from the laboratory to the production of industrial level does not include any change to the procedures to achieve optimal returns - it would simply be the addition of additional micro -red units.
Another potential commercial use is the production of biodiesel, alternative to fossil fuels. Current methods of production require the mainsuroves, vegetable oil and methanol, which mix with the catalyst and left for several hours to complete the reaction. In the microThe Biodiesel Eactor is almost instantaneous reaction and the scaling of the process would increase to the production of useful quantities would simply include a combination of a large number of micro -red.
However, there are a number of problems that need to be overcome to achieve economic extensive chemical production using microreactors. One of them is the effect on the wall: reactants and products tend to stick to the walls of the reaction chamber. This is generally insignificant to traditional chemical production using large reaction vessels, but in the micro-present, a significant part of the potential yield may be lost. Another problem is that it is difficult to perform reactions involving solids, either as reactants or as products, in the microreactor, because they tend to clog the channels.