Product characteristics and advantages of microchannel photoreactors

2025-07-25
abstract:The microchannel photoreactor combines the unique advantages of microchannel technology and photochemical reactions

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The microchannel photoreactor combines the unique advantages of microchannel technology and photochemical reactions, with notable product features and benefits as follows:

  1. Efficient heat and mass transfer: The high specific surface area of the fluid in microchannels, reaching 10⁴–10⁶ m²/m³, enables a heat transfer coefficient of up to 25 kW/(m²·K). This facilitates rapid removal of heat generated during photochemical reactions, preventing localized overheating and suppressing side reactions, thus achieving near-isothermal operation. For instance, in nitration reactions, it can reduce residence time to 0.3–2 minutes while improving conversion and selectivity.

  2. Precise light control and mixing: The micrometer-scale dimensions of microchannels shorten the light path, enhancing light utilization efficiency. When combined with micromixers, it enables rapid and uniform mixing of reactants with photocatalysts, boosting reaction efficiency. For example, in crotonaldehyde oxidation, gas-liquid mixing time is reduced to 4 minutes, achieving an 80% conversion rate.

  3. Safe and continuous production: The compact reactor volume and low liquid holdup minimize hazards in the event of leaks or runaway reactions. Continuous flow feeding allows real-time adjustment of reaction parameters, reducing explosion risks—particularly advantageous for highly exothermic or flammable photochemical reactions.

  4. Modularity and scalability: Reaction scale is expanded by parallelizing microchannels for "numbering-up" amplification, eliminating the need for traditional pilot-scale testing and shortening development cycles. The modular design supports flexible adjustments to meet varying production demands.


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