Microchannel reactors for kinetic measurement: Influence of diffusion and dispersion on experimental accuracy

Microstructured reactors offer new possibilities not only for industrial-scale production of fine chemicals but also for kinetic measurements of heterogeneously catalysed reactions. In addition to excellent heat management for accurate temperature control and the ability to work with small volumes of highly reactive or hazardous products, microreactors should also exhibit enhanced mass transfer from the bulk fluid to the catalyst-coated walls due to the small characteristic dimensions of the reactor channels. By eliminating diffusional limitations, microreactors should enable reliable measurement of intrinsic reaction rate constants, even for highly reactive systems, and thereby contribute significantly to shortening delays from laboratory development to industrial scale—up.