Modular Coiled Flow Inverter with Narrow Residence Time Distribution for Process Development and Production

Abstract

The ideal plug flow reactor is a common model with narrow residence time distribution in reaction engineering. This contribution explains a design strategy of a coiled flow inverter (CFI) with narrow residence time and flexible adjustable process conditions. The design space diagram illustrates the design limits of inner diameter and coil diameter on the base of dimensionless numbers. Standard coil tube diameters allow for rational design of a limited number of devices. The reactor performance diagram enables the facile scale‐up and adaption of new process conditions with the CFI with economic boundary conditions.

Lab‐Scale Microreactor Plant for the Study of Methylations with Liquid Chloromethane

“…On the basis of the work by Daskopoulos and Lenhoff on dispersion of laminar flow in curved tubes [26], values of 100 and higher were obtained. This indicates a narrow residence time distribution and a behavior close to ideal plug flow [27][28][29]. Hence, effects on conversion due to backmixing can be neglected in good approximation.…”

Entwurf und Betrieb eines Rohrreaktors mit enger Verweilzeitverteilung

“…Die Sekundärströmung im CFI weist einen günstigen Bereich für eine enge Verweilzeitverteilung im folgenden Bereich auf mit der kritischen Dean‐Zahl Dn + > 3 und der kritischen Torsionszahl T * + > 1000. Daraus lassen sich konstruktive Hinweise für die Gestaltung eines Wendelrohrreaktors mit enger Verweilzeitverteilung ableiten , .…”

“…angezeigt, s. a. . Der Bereich links neben den Geraden ist der mögliche Konstruktionsraum, auch grau‐schattiert und mit Pfeilen gekennzeichnet.…”

Equipment and Separation Units for Flow Chemistry Applications and Process Development

“…For long residence time, the tube length is important. Since the pressure drop is limiting, typical design characteristics are displayed in a reactor space diagram for indicating feasible coil and tube diameters . Both diagrams enable the proper design and operation of the multifunctional tubular equipment.…”

“…Here, the CFI concept serves for a narrow residence time distribution with a sufficient number of 90° bends, as described in Sect. , . Additionally, stirred vessels serve as buffer for robust process control, phase separation, solids formation, or sedimentation , .…”