Continuous flow synthesis of catalysts with custom made reactor with flow and temperature studies

Abstract

At this day and age where the world is moving towards more efficiency, we are trying to find ways to make every process continuous from a batch process. Applying these criteria on the synthesis of catalysts requires the use of a reactor which allows continuous flow and constant monitoring. This is hence carried out in 2 steps, the first step conducting the reactions and the second one was to check for consistency of the thermodynamic aspect of the reactor. Custom made glass reactors were used to compare results from both batch and continuous flow. These reactors were used for the synthesis of catalyst nanoparticles like MoC, WC and tested in terms of XRD and mass throughput flowing out. ❧ The second part wherein the temperature in the sand bath was measured and an analysis of the reactor was made in terms of temperature distribution with respect to height of the reactor and width of the reactor and simultaneously carrying out these in numerical simulations too. Methods to improve the heating system in the reactor was carried out by reducing any chance of heat loss from the reactor by designing an appropriate lid for the reactor sand bath. To analyze this in terms of flow rate, a flow rate counter was used which allowed the fluid to flow through and real time data was collected to check for consistency with the flow meter reading. Methods to improve the reactor in the future has been discussed in brief to analyze the scope of this sand bath.