(23e) Potential Evaluation of Micro Reaction Technology – a Breakthrough of This Technology?

The processing in special chemistry and the pharmaceutical industry is characterized for decades by the use of batchwise working laboratory and production equipment (classical technology). The micro reaction technology (MRT) is based on continuously working plants and stands for an alternative to the conventional chemical engineering. By modular concepts a cost reduction is to be achieved during the process development with accompanying shortened development times and resources savings. So far no method stands for the economic evaluation of the MRT to disposal. In order to be able to numeralize possible savings, first a reference value of the current costs of the process development must be determined. Maximally attainable savings depend last but not least on the unit operations, which are technically feasible and meaningfully applicable. Beyond that the total process must be considered. Most of the past examples are related only to the actual reaction. Reaction sequences in special chemistry exhibit however a high number of purification steps, which must be taken up to an evaluation. Resources savings, like a smaller amount of reagents and improvement of conversions by the employment of the MRT are not global detectable. In order to be able to answer this question, the concrete view of relevant example processes is essential. In order to be able to meet a locking statement about economy, the results with economical methods must be evaluated.