Development of Novel Multiphase Microreactors: Recent Developments and Future Challenges

Abstract

Nowadays, one of the major challenges for the chemical industry is the development of innovative processes with less by‐product formation, improved product yields, and high‐energy efficiency. Microreactor technology provides unique solutions to meet these requirements. As an important means for process intensification, microchemical technology is expected to have a number of advantages for chemicals production. The high heat‐ and mass‐transfer rates in microreactors enable many highly exothermic, fast reactions to be operated under nearly isothermal conditions, thereby better selectivity or yield can be reached as compared to conventional reactors.This chapter is a summary of recent developments in microreactor technology for gas–liquid catalytic reactions that constitute up to 20% of all reactions used in fine chemicals industry. The fundamentals of design and operation of microreactors are explained. Various design concepts are discussed and key features are illustrated, and examples of successful applications are given.