(180g) Microchemical Engineering - a Powerful Tool for Process Intensification

Microchemical engineering opens new pathways for the development of economical, innovative and intensified processes. In the chemical and pharmaceutical industry, this technology plays an increasingly important role in research, development and production because of its decisive advantages over conventional technology, which includes:

?X very fast mixing ?X efficient heat exchange ?X narrow residence time distribution ?X fast system response for efficient process control ?X high yield and selectivity ?X high level of safety ?X easy scale-up

With the Modular Microreaction System, a powerful development and production tool combining the advantages of microprocess technology with great flexibility and a wide scope of application for process development and intensification will be shown. The system comprises individual microstructure-equipped modules that can be freely combined. These modules perform basic process operations such as mixing, dispersing, heat transfer, etc.

The Modular Microreaction System can be used for liquid phase, gas phase and multiphase reactions in heterogeneous gas-liquid systems. Operating parameters include a temperature range of -20 to 200 ¢XC; operating pressures up to 100 bar (at room temperature); and rated throughputs of up to 25 L/h for low-viscosity media. Custom manufactured modules significantly extend this process range. Among the items normally used are special reactors for reaction temperatures from -100 ¢XC to 500 ¢XC and stand-alone, high-performance production modules with rated throughputs of several thousand L/h.

The Modular Microreaction System provides the user with a flexible, safe and cost-effective platform for the development of new synthesis methods for the production of chemical compounds and improving existing processes through intensification. Continuous operation and the more efficient process control made possible by microprocess technology often result in significantly shorter development times and thus reduce cost. Some examples for applications will be shown and the advantages for process intensification will be discussed.