Strategy for Scaling-up of a Microsieve Dispersion Reactor

For the application of microreactors in industrial processes, more scaling-up strategies are still required except of the original concept, the numbering-up. A more maneuverable and economic approach, combining both similarity-up and numbering-up, is introduced as an example for an innovative strategy. CFD simulation is also applied to assist analysis and optimization of fluid distribution. Based on this concept, named similarity-up + numbering-up + simulation, a pilot-plant microsieve dispersion minireactor used to proceed the reaction of cyclohexanecarboxylic acid and oleum is designed and tested experimentally. With the contribution of similarity-up, the treating capacity of the core unit is significantly increased. Ten parallel units are integrated to form a correspondingly enhanced capacity of the microreactor which exhibits low pressure drop, stable operating performance, and excellent main product selectivity.