Reaktionstechnische und messtechnische Untersuchung stofftransportlimitierter, heterogenkatalysierter zweiphasiger Reaktionen im Kapilar-Mikroreaktor

• Applicant: Professor Dr. David W. Agar
• Subject Area: Chemical and Thermal Process Engineering
• Term: from 2006 to 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 36412523

Suspension catalysis, utilising catalyst particles in the size range 1-100 µm, has not yet been applied in microreactors, despite promising features in terms of mass- and heat transfer as well as facile removal and regeneration of the catalyst. During the first phase of the project, the techniques and equipment necessary for this reactor concept were developed. A reactive measurement technique for ascertaining liquid-solid mass transfer has been developed. However, the results indicate that the interaction between fluid flow and particle motion leads to an inadequate degree of suspension, lowering fluid-particle mass transport performance and further measures to enhance particle motion are necessary. In the project phase which is the subject of this application, it is intended to study various technical approaches for making the suspensions more homogeneous. Further intensification can be achieved by increasing particle concentrations through novel techniques of slug generation, dealt with in sub-project and enabling a close cooperation in this area. Moreover, intensifying heterogeneously catalysed liquid-liquid reactions by harmonising the wettability behaviour of the catalytic particles shall be investigated and the effectiveness of the measures adopted determined with the help of a technically challenging chemical reaction system.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants