Scale-up Design of a Fluorescent Fluid Photochemical Microreactor by 3D Printing.

Abstract

The integration of light-converting media and microflow chemistry renders new opportunities for high-efficient utilization of solar energy to drive chemical reactions. Recently, we proposed a design of fluorescent fluid photochemical microreactor (FFPM) with a separate light channel and reaction channel, which displays excellent advantages in energy efficiency, flexibility, and general use. However, the limitations of the scalability of the microchannel reactor are still a big challenge to be overcome. Herein, we illustrate the scalability of such an FFPM via a 2n numbering-up strategy by 3D printing technology. Channel shape, number, and interchannel spacing have been optimized, and the serpentine FFPM shows the best scalability with an excellent conversion rate and massive throughput. Reactors with up to eight channels have been fabricated and displayed conversions comparable to that obtained in a single-channel reactor, which provides a feasible strategy and an optimized structure model for batch production of fine chemicals.