Hydrodynamics and mass transfer studies on a plate microreactor

Prototype of structured microreactor plates with 300 μm deep flow channels was developed. Two plates with different structural elements, square and triangular, were used in the study. Flow behavior was investigated and the results showed excellent mixing behavior of gas and liquid phases. Hydrodynamic parameters and volumetric gas–liquid mass transfer coefficients were determined at various flow conditions. Gas holdup and the gas–liquid interfacial area were determined by an optical method using image processing software. Volumetric mass transfer coefficients were measured using nitrogen to strip oxygen from deionized water. The experimental results indicate a high mass transfer rate. Gas holdup and the total gas–liquid interfacial area were in the range of 20–45% and 2600–5600 m2 m−3, respectively. Volumetric mass transfer coefficients were as high as 1.1 s−1. An empirical correlation for the mass transfer coefficient was derived.