Particle Handling Techniques in Microchemical Processes

Abstract

Abstract:The manipulation of particulates in microfluidics is a challenge that continues to impact applications ranging from fine chemicals manufacturing to the materials and the life sciences. Heterogeneous operations carried out in microreactors involve high surface-to-volume characteristics that minimize the heat and mass transport resistances, offering precise control of the reaction conditions. Considerable advances have been made towards the engineering of techniques that control particles in microscale laminar flow, yet there remain tremendous opportunities for improvements in the area of chemical processing. Strategies that have been developed to successfully advance systems involving heterogeneous materials are reviewed and an outlook provided in the context of the challenges of continuous flow fine chemical processes.

Numerical investigation of hard-gel microparticle suspension dynamics in microfluidic channels: Aggregation/fragmentation phenomena, and incipient clogging

“…The utility and the lifetime of microfluidic systems critically depend on their ability to maintain a flow without interruption. In this regard, clogging of channels due to adhesion of particles to a wall has been recognized as a serious problem in microfluidic applications [2,3]. For this reason, a wide academic and industrial research activity has been carried out to investigate the clogging http phenomenon occurring in microfluidic devices, when the particulate flows under different conditions.…”

Comparative Study of Clogging in Valve and Cascade Mixers

“…Various methods have been discussed in order to prevent clogging 2, 4, 16. Highly promising is the application of the segmented flow with the one phase for performing the reaction and the second one for removing the deposits.…”

“…Various mechanisms that lead to fouling and clogging have been reviewed 1–4. However, they have not addressed the influence of the micromixer design on its robustness against clogging.…”

Synergy of Microfluidics and Ultrasound

“…However, this also introduces additional mass transport limitations.Increasing the wall shear stress by increasing the fluid velocity.Reactor surface modification, mostly based on fluoropolymers, to achieve non-sticking reactor walls.The passive techniques are reviewed elsewhere [56–58], here we primarily focus on active clogging prevention using ultrasound.…”