Application areas

With micro process engineering, reactions can be carried out both in the liquid phase and in the gaseous phase, as well as multiphase in heterogeneous systems. To extend the process engineering spectrum, Ehrfeld Mikrotechnik BTS offers special modules that allow the continuous precipitation of solids in microstructures. Further to this, liquids carrying particles can be used as reactants.

The excellent mixing provided by the micromixers and the continuous operation frequently lead to higher yields and a reduction in side products. Powerful reactors and heat exchangers make it possible to control reactions that were hazardous up to now. A further benefit lies in the energy-saving potential that micro process engineering brings. An example of this is when liquid nitrogen is used in low-temperature reactions, where the employment of the cooling agent can be reduced. Because the reaction enthalpy that is generated can be rapidly and effectively led off, the reaction temperature can often be increased so much, that the range up to the decomposition limit of reactants or products can be fully utilized.

Chemical companies are nowadays applying micro process engineering as a technological tool in very different areas, so that the application examples given here are correspondingly also from very different and complex areas. The list below is not to be considered as complete, it is only given to underline that micro process engineering can be used to advantage in diverse areas, and is to be seen rather as a list of keywords.

- Basic research
- Applied research
- Basic chemicals industry
- Petrochemicals
- Food
- Fine chemicals
- Biotechnology
- Pharmaceuticals
- Nanotechnology
- Basic process engineering operations
- Process development
- Environmentally friendly and safety-optimized production
- New synthesis routes
- Screening of new active materials
- Laboratory, experimental, large-scale production
- Nanoparticle development
- Photochemistry
- Polymer chemistry
- …

Types of reactions

- Wittig-Horner reaction
- Wittig reaction
- Grignard reactions
- Suzuki coupling
- Mitsunobu reaction
- Hydroboronizing
- Catalysis
- Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling
- …

- Liquid / Liquid
- Gas / Liquid
- Liquid / Solid
- …