The intensification of rapid reactions in multiphase systems using slug flow in capillaries

A multiphase microreactor based upon the use of slug flow through a narrow channel has been developed. The internal circulation, which is stimulated within the slugs by their passage along the channel, is responsible for a large enhancement in the interfacial mass transfer and the reaction rate. Mass transfer performance data has been obtained for a glass chip-based reactor in a 380 microm wide channel by monitoring the extraction of acetic acid from kerosene slugs as they moved along the reactor channel. Finally, the data was compared with that provided from other inter-phase contacting techniques.