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In passage PCR
Simultaneous reaction with heat transfer
We have used the inherant plug flow characteristics of our proven Printed Circuit Heat Exchanger (PCHE) to bring you the In passage Printed Circuit Reactor (IP PCR), which merges chemical reaction, fluid mixing and heat transfer into one simultaneous operation.
IP PCR offers improved selectivity or productivity through:
Plug flow operation - very narrow residence time distribution Close temperature control, enabling: Increased reaction temperature Optimised reaction temperature profile Elimination of hot spots Reactant addition on passage-by-passage basis, with rapid mixing Multiple sequential reactant additions and reactions
Why choose IP PCR?
Our ability to tailor the ideal temperature profile for a particular reaction path, and to mix reactants efficiently, with negligible back-mixing of products and reactants, offers benefits such as:
Minimised by-product contamination Optimised product yield Operation at higher heat evolution rates (or heat input rates); e.g. higher reaction concentration
However, further potential benefits of IP PCR include:
Reduced residence time - both reaction time and cooling ("quench") or heating time Suitability for design pressures in excess of 600 bar - opportunity to operate at supercritical conditions Facility to perform a sequential series of reactions in a single IP reactor, with no significant intermediate hold-up or residence time - ideal for processes involving hazardous or unstable intermediates Compatibility with oscillatory flow reaction systems, providing extended residence time in a small volume, with excellent heat transfer and mixing of reactants, whilst preserving a narrow residence time distribution Negligible scale-up risk - more passages, not bigger passages
Construction
IP PCR comprises a PCHE core constructed from flat metal plates into which fluid flow channels are chemically etched. These etched plates are then stacked and diffusion bonded, converting the plates into a solid metal block containing precisely engineered fluid flow passages.
This design and manufacturing technique has several important benefits for performing chemical reactions in the core structure.
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Temperature Control
The multi-fluid capability of PCRs allows the reaction zone to be bounded by several different heat exchange zones. These zones can perform distinct functions such as preheating and quenching the reactants. If the reaction is endothermic or exothermic then the reaction zone can include a heat exchange fluid which can either add or remove heat. Fast exothermic reactions (eg. direct oxidations, nitrations) will especially benefit from the precise temperature control available increasing both yield and conversion.
Mixing of Reactants
Staged reactant addition and mixing of reactants can be achieved by etching a network of fluid distributor channels into the plates. These perform passage-by-passage mixing of process fluids. Mixing of several different fluids or staged mixing of a reactant at intermediate points can be achieved by using further sets of distributor passages, each independently fed.
Please email us at if you require any further information.
In Passage PCR
Simultaneous reaction with heat transfer
We have used the inherent plug flow characteristics of our proven Printed Circuit Heat Exchanger (PCHE) to bring you the In-Passage Printed Circuit Reactor (IP PCR), which merges chemical reaction, fluid mixing and heat transfer into one simultaneous operation.
