Dynamically triggering photoreactions for high performance and efficiency

Abstract

This opinion article provides the readers with a general insight into photochemical reaction engineering and which parameters need to be considered for the development of sustainable lightdriven processes. The demand for comparability of experimental data and the need to couple mass transport and photon balances are discussed, aspects that are often overseen in current research. It will be explained how dynamic tuning of the radiation field with time and space will help to exploit the coupling of mass and photon transport towards improving the efficiency of light-driven transformations. From these evaluations, conclusions on the current research demand will be drawn.

Making photocatalysts screenable – a milliscale multi-batch screening photoreactor as extension for the modular photoreactor

“…Various publications report on the potential of heterogeneous photocatalysis as well as the particularities associated with the use of solids. [35][36][37] When using solid-liquid slurry systems, as they occur in heterogeneous photocatalysis, the suspension quality can influence reaction rates and selectivity significantly, e.g. through shadowing and resulting dark volumes.…”

Chemical Production Using Light: Are Sustainable Photons Cheap Enough?

“…Thermal catalytic processes have the advantage that their economics generally scale sublinearly with increased reactor volume. Thus, reactor design and operation for efficient photon use and maximum productivity per volume are critical future metrics, , and the minimum requirement for economical manufacturing of commodity chemicals will likely still need to be met . However, photocatalysis may enable economic benefits for chemical production metrics such as catalyst lifetime and selectivity, leading to decreased catalyst consumption and decreased separation costs.…”