Hydrodynamic study of internal circulation inside microreactor for transesterification process

Abstract

Microreactors are important devices used in the field of process intensification. The use of microreactors offers several advantages, such as larger surface area to volume ratio, increasing mass and heat transfer rates, easy control of reagents and reactions, as well as easy scalability. The hydrodynamics within the microreactor produce several flow patterns, such as annular, parallel, and slug flow. Slug flow is of particular interest as it allows for greater mass transfer as mass transfer occurs not only at the interface but also within the internal circulations of the slug. The aim of this research was to investigate the formation of these internal circulations of these slugs under different parameters and how these internal circulations affect the mass transfer of the process. An inverted microscope was used to visualize the flow patterns of the internal circulation with the help of dye or small particles. The slug shape remains relatively unchanged at different catalyst concentrations, flowrates and oil-to-methanol ratios, and the internal circulations formed in the slugs remain fully formed regardless of the slug size. It can be said that process intensification of transesterification utilizing microreactor is a viable option and can be further improved with optimal parameters.