(83a) Intensify Process by Efficient Micromixing

Intensify Process by efficient
micromixing

Kathrin D. Rodermund¹,  Marcus
Grünewald¹, Frank Schael²,

Maria Krusche², Bharat Marwaha^3*

1. Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Chair of Fluid Process Engineering, Universitätsstraße
150, D-44801 Bochum, Germany

2. Ehrfeld Mikrotechnik BTS GmbH, Mikroforum Ring 1, D-55234
Wendelsheim, Germany

3. Bayer
Technology Services Americas, Baytown, TX

*Speaker

Micro
process technology enables new pathways for the development of economical,
innovative and intensified processes in the chemical industry.  Modular
Microreaction technology provides clear advantages over conventional process
technology through a.) short mixing time, b.) high heat transfer rates,
c.) inherent safety of small hold-up, d.) precise control of reaction time and
e.) faster scale-up/time-to-market.

The intensified mixing offered by microchannel
devices can aid process intensification for those applications where fast
reactions are  limited by slow mixing time. The resulting process
intensification leads to a safer and sustainable process with higher yield,
higher selectivity. Quantification of mixing quality can guide selection and
feasibility of optimal mixing structure for a particular application.

Results of the
development of experimental methods for determination of mixing times of micro
mixers will be presented. The aim of our research is to
develop objective assessment criteria that are independent of the used
characterization method. In the current work,  the Villermaux-Dushman method is
employed to quantify the efficiency of a micromixer . Results show that the peripherals have a
significant effect on the mixing process and thus its effects have to be
considered in the case of scale-up.

The presentation will also
showcase a variety of micromixers, show concept of scale-up and share examples
of their applications.