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Certech invests in flow microreactors

For several years, Certech has been investing in process intensification and flow chemistry to develop and promote more efficient, agile, safe and sustainable solutions for the chemical industry. Applications range from organic and inorganic synthesis to chemical recycling, including heterogeneous catalysis and biocatalysis.

In addition to the intensified reactors designed specifically (and confidentially) by us, Certech has various commercial micro/mesofluidic reactors in order to cover a wide spectrum of applications.

The Corning Low-Flow system is composed of 10 modules (about 0.5 mL each) whose patented internal design enables extremely efficient mixing, particularly well-suited for liquid multiphasic systems. Although this laboratory model, allowing to work between -20 and 200°C and up to 18 bars, is only designed for low flow rates between 2 and 10 mL/min, the manufacturer has a whole range of systems allowing rapid scale-up of up to 10,000 t/year (G5 reactor).

The Ehrfeld Mikrotechnik MMRS reactor is a modular system with different modules allowing to work with fluids via a plate reactor (Lonza Plate, 1.2 mL internal volume) and with solids, such as catalysts, via heated cartridge modules (Cartridge F-200). Working within the same temperature ranges as the Corning Low-Flow reactor (-20 to 200 °C), this system can tolerate higher pressures ranging from 35 bars (Lonza Plate) up to a maximum of 100 bars ( Cartridge F-200). Various connected peripherals, such as back pressure regulators or mass flow controllers, allow fine regulation of the pressure as well as work with gaseous products. Once the process has been developed in the laboratory, the technology transfer to the manufacturer can be carried out using scaling-up solutions guaranteed by the supplier.

The Vapourtec R-Series reactor is a modular and versatile system for continuous flow chemistry. This automated system allows working over a wide range of flow rates (from 0.05 to 10 mL/min) for temperatures up to 150°C and pressures up to 42 bars. Tubular and fixed bed reactors can be used depending on the application while a fraction collector allows to complete the automation of the system.

Zaiput Flow Technologies’ liquid/liquid and liquid/gas separator is a continuous membrane separation system that separates two immiscible phases (emulsions, liquid-liquid extraction, etc.). Perfectly suited for continuous flow chemistry, this system relies on the difference in wettability of the membrane to separate two-phase liquid/liquid and liquid/gas systems up to flow rates of 10 mL/min. Systems developed for higher flow rates (up to 3 L/min) are available from the supplier.

For analytical aspects, Certech relies on the expertise and resources of its various technological platforms. Online analytics technologies are an upcoming investment priority.