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2009
Conference Paper
Title
Fast and save production of liquid explosives in a continuous pilot plant employing microreaction technology
Abstract
For several years, microstructured reactors have been enjoying a successful advance into chemical laboratories. Global research activities have clearly demonstrated that the application of microstructured reactors, mixers and other microfluidic components whose internal dimensions fall within the sub-millimeter and/or sub-milliliter range offers numerous technical advantages for chemical reactions and processes.Today, microstructured reactors are well known to provide far better heat exchange characteristics than attainable in macroscopic reactors due to their high surface-to-volume ratio - which is by a factor of at least 100 higher than in conventional devices. A large number of studies have impressively demonstrated that the accumulation of strong reaction heats and hot spots, which result in unwanted side, subsequent and decomposition reactions, can be successfully suppressed in microreactors.
Hence, strong exothermic processes can be run isothermally [1]. Moreover, continuous processing of microreactors also permits short residence times, which can be precisely adjusted. Consequently, the use of microreactors greatly reduces the hazardous potential associated with reactions that are highly exothermic or potentially explosive. Greater safety is also attained with toxic substances due to the small hold-up of microfluidic devices. In addition to better heat exchange, microstructured reactors also intensify mixing and mass transport. This advantage is particularly important in mixing sensitive liquid phase processes as well as in multiphase reaction systems (liquid/liquid and gas/liquid). Compared with conventional chemical processes, microreaction technology therefore offers substantial improvements in yield, selectivity, product quality and safety for chemical reactions, which involve a high heat of reaction or are sensitive to dosing and mixing. Moreover, microreaction technology opens up opportunities for new synthetic routes and process methodologies while achieving a high space-time yield. A remarkable number of successful applications of MRT can be found in literature. Recently published reviews and books [2-5] are recommended to interested readers. Here, we report on the use of microreaction technology for the safe synthesis and processing of different energetic materials in the liquid and liquid/liquid phase regime. The hazardous potential of these reactions often arises from both the huge reaction exothermicity and a certain thermolability of the reaction products or intermediates. Microreactors have been used for both lab-scale experiments and production of energetic materials.
Hence, strong exothermic processes can be run isothermally [1]. Moreover, continuous processing of microreactors also permits short residence times, which can be precisely adjusted. Consequently, the use of microreactors greatly reduces the hazardous potential associated with reactions that are highly exothermic or potentially explosive. Greater safety is also attained with toxic substances due to the small hold-up of microfluidic devices. In addition to better heat exchange, microstructured reactors also intensify mixing and mass transport. This advantage is particularly important in mixing sensitive liquid phase processes as well as in multiphase reaction systems (liquid/liquid and gas/liquid). Compared with conventional chemical processes, microreaction technology therefore offers substantial improvements in yield, selectivity, product quality and safety for chemical reactions, which involve a high heat of reaction or are sensitive to dosing and mixing. Moreover, microreaction technology opens up opportunities for new synthetic routes and process methodologies while achieving a high space-time yield. A remarkable number of successful applications of MRT can be found in literature. Recently published reviews and books [2-5] are recommended to interested readers. Here, we report on the use of microreaction technology for the safe synthesis and processing of different energetic materials in the liquid and liquid/liquid phase regime. The hazardous potential of these reactions often arises from both the huge reaction exothermicity and a certain thermolability of the reaction products or intermediates. Microreactors have been used for both lab-scale experiments and production of energetic materials.
