Taylor‐Couette reactor: Principles, design, and applications

Abstract

The Taylor-Couette reactor (TCR) is an apparatus that capitalizes on the Taylor-Couette flow, which allows many flow regimes and conditions to perform (bio-)chemical conversions with precise control of various reactor characteristics. With the possibility to continuously perfuse the reactor with a reaction medium, the TCR becomes interesting for chemical engineering applications. In this review we introduce this reactor type and provide an overview of its history, principles of the flow regimes, and a description and design aspects of the reactors and their elements. Available information in the literature is summarized and harmonized to present available formulas and correlations in a consistent set of variables. Additionally, a wide number of applications in process technology is covered, including reactions in homogeneous, photo and enzymatic catalysis, polymer synthesis, and crystallization and aggregation-flocculation processes. Focusing on this reactor configuration, this article intends to be used as a hub for scientific groups interested in TCRs. This article has been accepted for publication and undergone full peer review but has not been through the copyediting, typesetting, pagination and proofreading process which may lead to differences between this version and the Version of Record. Please cite this article as

Bioprocess intensification: A route to efficient and sustainable biocatalytic transformations for the future

“…[ 183,184] Low and controlled shear beneficial for shearsensitive solids such as immobilised enzymes and mammalian cells cultivation [182]. Too high rotation rates can lead to axial flow by-passing the vortices and reducing effectiveness of contact between enzyme particles and substrate [183].…”

“…The ability to generate uniform, yet gentle mixing in shear sensitive applications is one of the attractive features of the TCR in bioprocessing applications. The degree of hydrodynamic instability in the fluid is primarily controlled by the rotational speed of the cylinder, with the Taylor-vortex flow regime at lower Reynolds numbers being best suited for biotransformations [182]. The increased mixing and interphase G-L-S mass transfer have been exploited in a range of bioprocessing applications involving enzymatic transformations [183,184].…”

“…More efficient and uniform exposure of the algal cells to the incident light energy as a result of their movement within the circulating vortices is suggested to be responsible for the biomass growth enhancement. An up-to-date review of other bio-related applications for the TCR has been presented most recently by Schrimpf et al [182].…”

High-Productivity Single-Pass Electrochemical Birch Reduction of Naphthalenes in a Continuous Flow Electrochemical Taylor Vortex Reactor

“… 43 − 49 One reactor type that had been under-utilized for synthetic electrochemistry is the Taylor vortex reactor. 50 Recently, we reported an electrochemical flow Taylor vortex reactor 51 that consists of a tubular electrode (anode—graphite) with a rotating cylinder (cathode—stainless steel) on the inside that serves as the second electrode. This reactor design builds on our successful photochemical vortex reactor designs reported previously.…”

Distribution of Nanoparticles in a Turbulent Taylor–Couette Flow Considering Particle Coagulation and Breakage

“…The literature survey reveals that there are few studies on the distribution of nanoparticles in turbulent Taylor-Couette flows considering particle coagulation and breakage. The Taylor-Couette flow is a typical flow, and it has some practical applications [15]. The flow is used in research because it can be controlled at given known local conditions.…”